Now that the holidays have officially wrapped up, pun intended, perhaps you have some items that you want to return. Not every gift is really the perfect gift, so it’s okay to return something that just doesn’t fit you, whether that’s because of a wrong size or something else.
The good news is that many stores have more lenient holiday gift returns around the holidays, and those often extend into the New Year. So, before you return an item, look out for these important things about gift returns.
Holiday Gift Returns Are Going Strong
Don’t Give Up If You Don’t Have a Receipt
Sometimes around the holidays, you don’t have a receipt, but don’t just give up on that return. Many stores at least offer in-store credit on items, if you don’t have the receipt. So, maybe you’ll be able to find something else good at that given store. Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst and expert with DealNews.com, tells CBS News, “You’re probably definitely going to see more store credit, especially if you don’t have a gift receipt or if you didn’t make the purchase.”Ramhold also says that in the case that “you did make the purchase and you are returning it within that extended window, you should be fine as long as you have the original payment method, and you can show an invoice or a receipt.”
Familiarize Yourself With Store Return Policies
Stores aren’t all the same, and different stores can have very different return policies. According to the Federal Trade Commission, most store return policies are printed on the back of receipts. The TFC adds, “Don’t delay in returning your undamaged item to have the best chance for a refund, exchange, or store credit.” They also note that you may “have to contact the manufacturer to return a defective or damaged product after the seller’s return deadline.”
More Holiday Gift Return Advice From Experts
Use a Credit Card to Keep Track of Your Purchases
If you use a credit card when buying holiday items, you’ll automatically have a record of what you bought. How great is that? It’s a sure fire way to keep a record of everything. Purchasing in cash can make it much more difficult to keep track of all the purchases you made. It can be more difficult for stores to find information on your purchase, too, if you use cash. Sure, cash is king, but not in this case.
If Nothing Else Works, Ask to Speak With a Manager
If you’re really having a hard time with your return, talking to a manager could help. In many cases, employees don’t have the power to approve moves that managers can make for them.
It’s good advice to talk to a manager, because they can do things that many employees just don’t have the access to do. They also have an added incentive to make you a fan of that store. “If you have a problem, a supervisor or customer service representative will likely have more flexibility and authority to resolve the issue,” notes the FTC.