Now that Christmas has come and gone and the week long Boxing Day sales are over, you may have some items you received that you need to return. It may not fit, or you already own one, or maybe you just will never use it. While not all store policies are the same, knowing what to expect can make the return go smoothly.
Stores that allow 90 days to return an item all year long generally don’t extend this time period for the Christmas shopping season. However, many stores that usually give either 14 or 30 day return windows will extend their dates to the end of January for items bought in November and December.
Some retailers may charge a restocking fee. This is even more likely if the box has been opened or some of the packaging is damaged or missing.
The ease of returning an item without a receipt will also depend on the store. Some are willing to refund the money, others will only allow an exchange or store credit. All stores will only give you the lowest recent price since they can not confirm what price was paid.
If you want to head out prepared, check the retailer’s web site for their exact return policy. If the return policy is too restrictive, you could always save the present and re-gift it next year to someone that can get better use out of it!
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