TEXAS – Were the pants too small? Do you already own that video game? Was the perfume too smelly? There are many reasons you may want to return a present so here is what you need to know before you head to the store.
- Day after Christmas busy for returns
- Keep original or gift receipts
- Avoid opening gifts you plan to return
The day after Christmas is busy for returns, exchanges, and refunds. Online retailers say the best way to make sure shoppers get the gift they want is to keep the original or gift receipt. If the receipt got swept up in the aftermath of Christmas morning cleanup, retailers will still usually offer store credit.
The next best thing is avoiding opening the product. A store will be more likely to accept a return when dealing with an unopened package.
"Prepare yourself, go to the store's website, read over their return policies so you know what to expect, what to bring, and how long you have. If you shop early or late, it's going to help you miss some of the crowds and you're not going to have those long lines to wait in," said Jana Griswold with the Barton Creek Square Mall.
Additionally, make sure you don’t wait to return an unwanted gift. Some stores will only give you a certain time frame to get it done - typically 30 days, but some may just be two weeks.
“If you need to do an exchange or return, know the policy, read that fine print. There’s always an asterisk involved. So knowing what you get on the other end if you make a purchase, if you make an in store purchase or if this deal is only good for a certain time. And yes, for returns and exchanges, you want to have a gift receipt along with that for sure. But yes, if it’s only returned for in-store credit, if it’s an exchange for equal or lesser value, you need to know that beforehand,” said Better Business Bureau regional director Jason Meza.
For mystery gifts without a receipt, the app ShopSavvy will scan barcodes and bring up a list of local stores that may accept your return.
Spectrum News Reporter Stacy Rickard demonstrates how to use ShopSavvy to find where to return a gift. (Spectrum News)
What about if you’re trying to return a gift to an online retailer? Every retailer has a different policy so make sure you check what they have to say online.
Amazon for example has details instructions you can see here. You’ll need to make sure you have the “gift order number” or “order ID” which can be found on the packing slip. Once it’s sent back, you’ll have a gift card credited to your Amazon account.
If for some reason you need to have the purchaser get their money back for the gift, have them submit the return and their original payment method will be refunded.