Now that the wrapping paper pulled off the presents is a distant memory, many consumers will be heading back out to make returns and to shop the after-Christmas sales — which is nearly as much of a tradition as Black Friday.
ShopperTrak, a company that tracks retail traffic and trends, predicts today’s day-after will be extra busy, since it falls on a Friday this year. “We expect this to lead to a flood of shoppers taking advantage of post-Christmas sales,” said Bill Martin, founder of ShopperTrak.
Dec. 26 is the second-heaviest retail traffic day of the year, after Black Friday, the company’s data show.
Retailers are responding with day-after sales — some of which started even before Christmas — extended hours and extended return policies.
When it comes to making returns, knowledge is power.
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The Better Business Bureau Serving Southern Arizona says it gets hundreds of complaints because customers are unable to return a gift after the holidays. “Unless the seller has a specific return and exchange policy or the merchandise is defective or misrepresented, all sales are final,” said Kim States, BBB president.
Gift recipients should not assume they have the right to return or exchange an unwanted present, since they are bound by the merchant’s return policy, the BBB said.
If a store does take returns or make exchanges, the BBB says consumers should get them taken care of as soon as possible, since there may be a time limit on returns.
To give consumers a head start on planning, we put together a list of store return policies and store hours for several major retailers in the area.
STORE RETURN POLICIES
- Best Buy:
- Gift purchases made between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 15, excluding items purchased with a third-party contract, such as mobile phone carrier contracts. The original receipt, gift receipt or packing slip is required for all returns and exchanges. Source: Bestbuy.com.
- Dillard’s:
- Merchandise must be returned within 30 days of purchase. It must be in its original, unused condition unless there is a manufacturer’s defect and must be accompanied by a receipt or the original Dillard’s proof-of-purchase label. Refunds for check purchases will have a 10-day waiting period before a cash or check refund is issued. Source: Dillards.com.
- JC Penney:
- Items are eligible for exchange or refund of the purchase price on the original method of payment with a receipt. With a gift receipt, an exchange or refund will be given at the gift receipt price in the form of a J.C. Penney gift card. Returns without a receipt are eligible for exchange or refund at the item’s lowest selling price within the last 45 days issued in the form of a J.C. Penney gift card. Source: Jcpenney.com.
- Kmart:
- Original receipt or email confirmation is required for all returns and exchanges. Items must be in the original packaging and contain all original accessories. Refunds will be given in the original method of payment with the exception of those made by check where refunds will be given in cash. Source: Kmart.com.
- Kohl’s:
- Return any item, any time, for any reason. Get a full refund or even exchange with receipt. Get a refund, exchange or merchandise credit with no receipt. Source: Kohls.com.
- Macy’s:
- Accepts returns for a full refund in original form of payment, regardless of original purchase date. If you have no proof of purchase, such as a receipt, you can receive store credit for the item’s lowest selling price within the last 180 days. Source: customerservice.macys.com.
- Target:
- Most unopened items in new condition will receive a refund or exchange if returned within 90 days of purchase. Some items have a modified return policy that is less than 90 days. Those items will show a “return by” date under the item on the receipt. Source: Target.com.
- Toys R Us:
- Accepts returns for a full refund in the original form of payment within 90 days of the purchase date for most items when accompanied by receipt. Source: Toysrus.com.
- Walmart:
- Accepts returns for a full refund within 90 days of purchase. Some items have a limited return/exchange period. For items purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, the limited return period will begin today. Customers do not need a receipt to return an item. They will have the option of a cash refund for items under $25, a shopping card for amounts over $25 or an even exchange for the product. Source: Walmart.com.
