From a legal standpoint the purchase of a product or service is tantamount to entering into a contract. This contract may not be unilaterally amended.
This means that purchases may not be easily cancelled if the buyer changes his mind. The right of withdrawal only applies to distance selling and door-to-door selling. Many shops and department stores grant the right to exchange and/or return. These are voluntary customer service policies for which the business may set their own terms. Non-defective goods may be returned and the purchase price refunded only with the seller's consent. Under such circumstances the seller is entitled to charge reasonable compensation, a so-called fee for withdrawal. If you are uncertain of whether a product is suitable for your need, you may try to request a "sale on approval" and have it noted on the receipt. Naturally, purchases of defective products can be withdrawn from. However, this process usually entails giving the seller the option of fixing the product or exchanging it for a non-defective article. In some cases defects can be compensated by giving a price discount.
An order for a product may be cancelled if the product has not yet been delivered to the consumer. However, this is a form of breach of contract and the seller may be entitled to compensation. The applicable percentage for the fee for withdrawal has been specified for several types of purchase orders.
In disputes the assessment of reasonable compensation takes into consideration the extent to which the product is customised, to what extent it has been manufactured, the timing of withdrawal, the actual costs incurred to the seller and the unrealised profit on the sale.
If the buyer is uncertain of the suitability of the purchased item, for instance when buying a gift, he may try to request a sale on approval. This involves the seller granting the buyer the right to return to item to the store within a specified time for a refund.
Sale on approval is an excellent way to avoid bad purchases when the seller does not have a (voluntary) exchange or return policy. If the seller agrees to a sale on approval arrangement, the time period and other terms should be clearly marked on the receipt.