Meals & Deals in Southwest Virginia

Ho! Ho! Whoa! Everything you need to know about return policies

Nov 30, 2011 Holiday Shopping, Online Shopping, Policies, Tips & Lingo

Now that you’ve recovered from your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping hangover, you may be asking yourself what you are going to do with all that stuff.

In retrospect, maybe you don’t need that 80-inch TV, five Barbie dolls and eight sets of LEGOs.

Store return policies vary, but luckily some stores give you a break during the holidays. Here’s the fine print to some popular holiday retailers’ return policies, and a few tips for making returns in general:

Amazon:

Items shipped by Amazon between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 are eligible for a full refund through Jan. 31. This is subject to return guidelines specific to the item you’re returning, but it does mean you can shop for gifts with a little more confidence.

Bath & Body Works:

Bath & Body Works has a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. If something doesn’t work out, you can exchange the item or get your money back with a receipt or invoice.

Best Buy:

Best Buy is offering extended holiday returns for purchases made between Nov. 13 and Dec. 24. These products may be returned through Jan. 24 if they meet the terms of the standard return policy. No restocking fees will be applied for these returns, as well.

JC Penney:

JC Penney allows returns for up to 90 days after the purchase. If you have a gift receipt, you will only receive store credit, but the retailer will pay for return shipping and handling on all online purchases.

Kmart:

requires a receipt or email confirmation within 90 days of purchase for items to be returned. For returns and exchanges of air conditioners, gas-powered equipment and jewelry and watches, you must visit the retailer within 30 days with the original receipt or e-mail. Refunds will not be given for any items without a receipt or e-mail confirmation.

Kohl’s:

will accept any item, for any reason, at any time. If you have your receipt, no matter how many days after the original purchase date, you’ll receive a full refund or even exchange. If you don’t have your receipt, Kohl’s will give you a refund, an exchange or store credit in the amount of the current price (or last known price) of the item.

Macy’s:

gives shoppers 180 days to return most purchases with the exception of jewelry, which has a deadline of 30 days. Anyone with a gift receipt will receive a store credit or exchange.

Macys.com orders can be returned for a full refund in most cases, less shipping costs. For exchanges, shipping for the new item will be free. Many Macys.com orders can be returned to your local Macy’s store, just be sure to bring your invoice.

Sears;

accepts returns or exchanges for up to 90 days past the purchase date, but you must have the product in its original packaging and with the original receipt or e-mail confirmation. Sears also accepts returns in-store for most Sears.com purchases.

Target:

accepts returns on unused items within 90 days of the original purchase. Some items can’t be returned if they’ve been opened (like music, movies, video games and computer software) and an exchange is your only option.

If you don’t have a receipt, it may not be a problem. In most instances, Target stores can verify purchases made in stores and on Target.com within the last 90 days on a credit or debit card, check or gift card. However, returns and exchanges without a receipt may be limited. Store refunds will be issued in the same form of payment originally used for purchase.

Target.com purchases must be returned with all of the original packaging and accessories. Most online purchases can be made in-store as well as by mail. The credit card used to make the purchase or packing slip is necessary to make these returns.

Toys R Us and Babies R Us:

Online purchases can be returned by mail within 90 days and the original form of payment will be refunded. If you received a gift through the mail, return or exchange the items at your local retailer for store credit.

In-store purchases can also be returned within 90 days for a full refund as long as they are in new or like-new condition, in the original packaging and with all paperwork (manuals, assembly instructions and your in-store receipt).

Walmart:

Most items can be returned for a full refund within 90 days of purchase (with some exceptions in the electronics department) if you have the receipt.

If you don’t have a receipt, you have the option of a cash refund (for purchases under $25), a gift card for the amount of the purchase (for purchases over $25) or an even exchange for the product. You can make up to three no-receipt returns within a 45-day period.

Online purchases can be returned at any store. Shipping costs will be refunded if the retailer made a mistake, and items must be returned in the original manufacturer’s packaging.

To simplify returns:

* Pay in cash whenever possible. If a credit card was used, many retailers require the original card to get a full refund and not store credit.

* Ask about fees associated with returning products. Many stores charge restocking fees for high-dollar or large merchandise, but some waive these fees around the holidays (like Best Buy).

* If there’s any question, research the retailer. The Better Business Bureau offers free business reviews at www.bbb.org or by calling 800-646-6222. You can find information about what types of complaints the business has had and see what its overall BBB rating is.

* If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Search for the retailer’s return policy online or in the store before making a purchase. If you can’t find it online, look for a phone number and talk to a person. A phone number that doesn’t work or isn’t available is a major red flag.

Where have you had good, or bad, experiences with returns?

Posted at 07:00 by Rebecca Holland