Store Return Policies

By Jackie Watanabe

Story

Summary

Black friday is coming up, and you might be on the hunt for the perfect gift, but if there's a chance you might want to return that gift, you should put return polices on your radar now before you get burned later.

Story Published: Nov 25, 2009 at 7:49 PM PST

When you're shopping this holiday season, you should look for a store with a good return policy. Target is among the better stores on ShopSmart magazine's list, but plenty of others have return policies that aren't so great.

"Policies you want to avoid: ones that won't give you a full refund or that only give you a small window of time to return somethings," says Jody Rohlena of Consumer Reports.

Home Depot lets you to return most items within 90 days, but the store reserves the right to limit or refuse to accept the return at any time and for any reason.

"Another restrictive policy is Office Depot," Rohlena says. "You only have 14 days to return furniture and electronics."

If you've bought an electronics item at one of their stores and opened it - even something as basic as a phone - the company "will offer an exchange only" - not a refund or store credit. In fact, when it comes to electronics, you should be careful to check the return policy wherever you shop.

"Very often you cannot return a laptop. but TVs and camcorders may not be returnable either," says Rohlena.

And keep in mind that some return costs can add up. Some stores charge restocking fees of up to 25% of the cost of the item. Don't forget return postage. Also check whether or not you'll get store credit only.

To be sure the receiver gets the amount you paid for that perfect gift and not the post-holiday sale price, remember to include a gift receipt in your package.