They have no legal right to refuse. The stores are fully aware of their legal obligations and do everything they can to get away with it.
It is impossible to tell if a goods item is faulty without opening it and checking. No policy allows them to avoid your legal rights.
Buying from any provider is a legally binding contract with you and they cannot waive whatever laws they choose. It is part of the Consumer Rights Act 2015,
Check the following:
Consumer protection and rights for goods and services - returning faulty goods, consumer credit, credit and store cards, refunds.
www.gov.uk
The Consumer Rights Act protects you in almost all purchases you make. Here we explain what it means when buying goods or services
www.which.co.uk
You can quote the following to them and mention the Consumer Rights Act 2015:
‘As with the Sale of Goods Act, under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 all products must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described.’
Satisfactory quality is defined as:
‘Goods shouldn't be faulty or damaged when you receive them. You should ask what a reasonable person would consider satisfactory for the goods in question.’
I’ve never had a return item refused after quoting the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Sometimes it takes a battle but you are well within your rights.
Make sure you put something in writing and date it - there is a 30-day limit on raising an issue but after that you have further rights, which includes ‘reasonable lifetime’ of a product, which extends beyond the standard warranty.
An example of reasonable lifetime in the UK for a DJI battery back that has been properly charged and cared for and within the LiPo lifespan of 100-250 cycles, far exceeds DJI’s 6-month warranty. You have every right for a replacement beyond that period but expect a battle - you need to prove ‘reasonable’.
Really hope you get it sorted soon. Who knows how long this break in the weather will last after such an amazing Spring.