What Every Consumer Should Know About Returning Holiday Gifts

Gift giving is a guessing game, so Trae Bodge, a smart shopper suggests giving a gift card if you’re not sure what to give. “After all, gift cards have been one of the most requested gifts for over a decade, according to the National Retail Federation, so you can’t go wrong. You can make it more personal by designing your own gift cards with a photo or message. GiftCardGranny’s Create Card service. It will be shipped the same day or the next day!”

Read on for a look at the top 3 things Bodge says shoppers should know about returning unwanted gifts.

• Before you return something or go to the store to return something, familiarize yourself with that seller’s return policy. Typically, you have 2-4 weeks until January to return something you bought during the holiday shopping season.
• Gift certificates are gold. Make it easy for your recipient and aim to include a gift receipt on all gifts.
• Products must be in salable condition. For example, the garment must have a label and everything that comes in the box must be in the box.

When is the ideal time to return to the store?

If you’re going to return it at the store, Bodge says to try returning after New Year’s. “The week between Christmas and New Year’s is the busiest time for returns, so you’ll likely encounter long queues and stressed out salespeople.”

What should we know about returning to the Internet?

“Return is expensive for retailers. Some e-sellers, including Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Wayfair, sometimes give credit and tell you to keep the item to cover the cost of returns, while some e-sellers, such as JCPenney, J. Crew, and Abercrombie, now charge for returns for the same reason. You should no longer expect returns to be free from shipping
accusations,” says Bodge.

What should you do if you miss the return window?

Bodge recommends selling unwanted gifts through online marketplaces. “There’s a marketplace for just about anything, from clothing to cameras. For example, MPB.com specializes in camera and videography equipment, and you can sell or trade in a different model or brand reviewed with a 60-day warranty – either way, MPB makes it super easy.

She tells him to consider re-gifting for smaller items. “I keep a shelf in the closet especially for this purpose. Everything is in pristine condition and ready to be gifted again. Gift swapping with friends is fun too! A ‘no’ gift from a friend may be a ‘yes’ gift for you. You can also donate unwanted gifts. There’s always someone who can use it.”