We all regard receiving presents as a pleasant experience and yet it can be one of the most awkward situations. It is often difficult to look pleased when you receive a gift which is useless or the wrong size.

【小题1】 However, you have no right to change an article purchased just because it does not fit or is not to your liking. Worse still, the agreement on the sale is between the person who bought it and the shop.

So you will have to tell your favourite aunt that the T-shirt does not fit. But an exchange is not always that simple because there has to be a good reason for it. 【小题2】 For example, if the buyer was told that a switch was voice-operated and later found out it was not, then action could be taken. You would have the right to return it and get the money back.

But if you are returning something, no matter what the reason is, you will be expected to have proof of purchase. If the receipt cannot be found, then it is possible to use another proof of purchase such as a credit card receipt. If all of these have been lost, you may have to rely on a witness.

Many big stores have a much more tolerant policy towards return and see it as a gesture of good will to exchange goods without question. Stores including Marks & Spencer are well-known for their “no argument” policy on returned goods. 【小题3】

So if a shop refuses to exchange the goods or to offer a refund, the seller is likely to be within his legal rights unless there is something wrong with the goods. In that case, the boot is on the other foot. You have every right to demand a cash refund or a replacement, but only if you have returned it within a “reasonable” time.

【小题4】 Some shops and stores expect things to be returned within a week of purchase, while others may permit a much longer time limit. in any case, if you return a thing after what is considered a “reasonable” time, then all you are legally entitled to is the cost of repair.

We all have a different approach to money — some of us like to spend it as soon as we have it, while some of us like to hold on to it and spend it carefully. But for people who are very savvy (精明的) about their cash, there are a number of interesting ways to invest it and, if things go well, make a tidy profit.

Buying stamps, wine, coins and books are all different ways of investing your money. It comes with risks but can be thrilling as, hopefully, you watch the value of your investment rise. However, you need to know what you’re doing and making your fortune is not guaranteed.

If you’re happy to take a risk, then one of the most well-known ways of investing is by buying artwork. By purchasing a painting and holding on to it, its value can increase by a handsome sum, but of course, only when you sell it do you feel the financial benefit. Some people get quite lucky, particularly when they don’t expect to make any money. There are stories of people buying a painting in an antique shop for peanuts only to find out it’s actually worth thousands of pounds.

Of course investing in artwork is not a guarantee to make you a millionaire. Patrick Connolly, a financial adviser, says investing in art is too risky and he recommends their clients not to invest in it because the downsides outweigh the upsides.

But if you’re still keen, there are art fairs, such as The Affordable Art Fair, and websites aimed at buyers with a modest budget. Patrick Connolly says the best approach here is to buy something you like and can afford and “if it goes up in value, that should be just an added bonus.”

If this has spoilt your plans for your investment, maybe there’s more chance of winning big money by buying a lottery ticket (彩票)!