Whether a sequined sweater, striped socks or another less-than-scintillating gift, thousands of presents undoubtedly will be returned this holiday season — and many stores will be more than willing to accommodate dissatisfied consumers as early as Dec. 26.
The National Retail Federation has compiled a list of tips for gift recipients if they’re dissatisfied with any presents.
“Whether it’s a toy, an appliance, a DVD or a sweater, gifts of all shapes and sizes can be easily returned when a gift receipt is attached,” said Tracy Mullin, president and chief executive officer of the NRF. “In this economy, no one wants to worry that a present will be a duplicate or go unused, so many people are relying on gift receipts to make the returns process easier.”
Further, results from the NRF’s 2009 Holiday Returns Survey show the stigma of including gift receipts with presents may be waning. Nearly 60 percent of shoppers said they enclosed a gift receipt most of the time or some of the time when giving a gift, the survey said. The survey also found nearly nine in 10 shoppers thought retailers’ return policies were fair.
Some tips for “stress-free returns” after the holidays from the NRF include:
» Know the retailer’s return policy before you buy. Most retailers have return policies prominently displayed, especially at this time of year. Most retailers also outline their return policy on their Web site.
» HOLD ON TO YOUR RECEIPTS. Make sure to provide the recipient with a gift receipt to save hassle after the holidays.
» Provide all original packaging and all parts (including tags) when giving presents. Some retailers won’t accept returns unless the item is in its original package.
» Make sure you have the correct address if you need to mail returns back to the company. Some merchants have off-site service centers to handle returns that may be in a different location from where the merchandise originally is sent.
» Be patient. Needless to say, the week after Christmas is one of the busiest weeks of the retail year.
