2008.12.26
What to do with those unwanted gifts?
The day after Christmas starts the annual surge on returns for those holiday gifts that are the wrong size, the wrong color or just plain unsuitable. We all have stories about our worst Christmas gifts.
There's good news for those of you who find yourself in one of the long gift return lines today or this weekend. Retailers are adjusting their polices this year to make it easier on you to return an undesirable Christmas gift.
A survey by the National Retail Federation found that 52 percent of retailers planned to offer more lenient return polices during this year's holiday. In past years, return policies have tightened so this is a definite change from other Christmas seasons.
"As retailers grapple with a struggling economy, providing great customer service remains a top priority," said NRF president and chief executive officer, Tracy Mullin, in a news release. "Retailers will make sure they have extra staff available to assist with holiday returns this year."
Still, I wonder if having "extra staff" will mean that lines will be shorter or just as long as in year's past!
Also, are you one of those gift givers who includes a gift receipt with your presents? Nearly 60 percent of consumers surveyed by the NRF said they include a gift receipt some of the time. I've been trying to include gift receipts more often, particularly if I am giving clothing.
Also, remember, to resist the urge to open a gift until you've decided whether to return it. Providing the original packaging gives you a better chance that a retailer will take your gift back, according to the NRF.
Good luck out there! And if you're brave, tell me about the worst Christmas gift that you ever have received and whether or not you were able to exchange it.
I've donated some unexchangable gifts at thrift stores in the past, though this year, I may try to get cash back at stores that will buy unwanted clothing and accessories.
I know the retailers don't like this line of thinking, but when I see the long return lines after the holidays it just re-emphasizes the feeling that people stress gift giving/purchasing too much over the holiday. I feel we'd all be much better off if we laid off the gifts a bit. I'd be much happier if someone simply sent me a Christmas card, something they made, or just plain stopped by and helped out with something any time during the year.
I already have too much crap in my house.
Comment by Ed S. — December 30, 2008 @ 1:05 pm
I hear you Ed. If anyone gives us anything, I'd prefer it to be a card or something useful and functional, like a new flashlight or a stud finder...rather than a sweater that doesn't fit or a pair of shoes in a style I won't appreciate until I'm playing shuffleboard in Ft Myers. Thankfully, the biggest gifts we got this year were cash and gift cards, so we can buy the sort of stuff we need, rather than having to deal with returning something we don't.
Comment by Other John — December 30, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
OJ,
Agree. However, although the gift cards / cash are nice, I find them to be, not quite "tacky", but just side-stepping what I see to be the "spirit".
"Here's some cash, buy something you like!" "Hey, thanks! Here's some cash for you, too!"
But like I said...cash makes the world go round. We'd hear hellfire and brimstone were this to take hold...the great Christmas retail crash of 2009...
Comment by Ed S. — December 30, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
I agree with each of the respondents so far. My company offers gift certificates which were very happily received. For people who "already have too much crap in my house", a gift card for useful services can be more welcome than a big box retailer's gift card. I think it's possible to demonstrate some thought before "covering your bet" with a cash gift by selecting just the right kind of gift card. One gift my daughter gave me this year was a little card she made up, "Good for 1 favor." I am redeeming it to have her help me clean "all the crap" out of my house!
Comment by Jason — December 31, 2008 @ 7:17 am