Returning Gifts is a Privilege

With one holiday remaining in 2011, a few readers are taking time to return a few gifts or shop for New Year’s Eve gifts.

Better Business Bureau of Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois reminds shoppers, in a news release, that no law requires stores to accept items for refunds, exchanges, or credit unless goods were defective or misrepresented. 

Some stores may only issue store credits and some stores consider all sales as final, the BBB stated.

Readers should know their rights prior to making a purchase and remember the following tips.

• Ask for store’s return policy — Does the store provide refunds, credits or exchanges for merchandise? How soon must a return occur?
• Get a gift receipt and include it with the gift — Never remove electronics or any gift from its box. The original packaging may be required for a return, the BBB said.
• Always keep receipts — Keep gifts in their original packaging and never remove clothing tags. Those items have bar codes that will make returns easier for store clerks.
• Regular return policies may never apply to sale or clearance items —Many retailers consider purchases of sale or clearance items as final. Gift recipients should never assume they can return or exchange an unwanted item. The retailers’ return policy applies to gift givers and recipients.
• Remember restocking fees —Some retailers can charge a restocking or "open box" fee equal to 25 percent of the purchased item.
• When shopping online, look for the seller’s return policy — If returns are permitted, ask what procedures and time frames need to be followed. Find out whether shipping fees are charged for returning items and whether shipping costs or restocking fees are deducted from the price of returned items.
• Be polite and expect long waiting lines when retuning items — Return lines are usually very long. So select a time when the store less busy and remember to be polite when talking to customer service clerks. Regular customers or buyers with store credit account should mention that fact during the discussion. Retailers usually make every effort to help loyal customers.