By Kara Reinhardt, Cheapism.com
Unfortunately even the best of intentions can breed unwanted gifts: the sweater that clings too tightly, the DVD you already own, the jewelry that's someone else's style. The National Retail Federation estimates that consumers will return $62.7 billion worth of holiday merchandise this year. Unsatisfied gift recipients will find some retailers more generous than others. Many issue refunds only in the original method of payment, for example, so a gift receipt often entitles the bearer to an exchange or store credit rather than cash back. Most retailers also leave recipients on the hook for return shipping, but companies with an offline presence usually take back online purchases at their brick-and-mortar stores.
Read what's in between the lines.
Related: Which shipping carrier is the cheapest: FedEx, UPS or USPS?
Cheapism has rounded up the store return policies for nearly two dozen of the nation's largest retailers. Companies including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Sears, Target, and Walmart have extended their regular return windows into January to give recipients time to return holiday gifts. Other retailers are lenient enough year-round that they don't need to make exceptions around the holidays. Bath & Body Works, JC Penney, Kohl's, L.L. Bean, and Macy's allow returns anytime. The policies go on for pages and include caveats for certain items, so click through to consult the fine print or contact customer service.
|
Retailer |
Return Window |
Return Policy for Gifts |
Free Return Shipping |
|
30 days; extended to Jan. 31 for items shipped from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 |
Gift card |
For eligible baby items, shoes, clothing, accessories, jewelry, and watches |
|
|
14 days; extended to Jan. 31 for items purchased from Nov. 14 to Dec. 31 |
Gift card with gift receipt |
No; most online purchases can be returned to a store |
|
|
Anytime |
Exchange or merchandise credit for purchase price with gift receipt or current selling price without |
No; gifts must be returned to a store |
|
|
30 days; extended to Jan. 24 for gifts purchased from Nov. 4 to Dec. 24 |
Exchange or refund to original method of payment with receipt or packing slip |
No; online purchases can be returned to a store |
|
|
60-90 days, depending on the item |
Exchange or gift certificate |
No; online purchases can be returned to a store |
|
|
90 days for full refund, 365 days for gift card |
Exchange or gift card with receipt or invoice |
For exchanges within 30 days; online purchases can be returned to a store |
|
|
7-30 days, depending on the item |
Gift card or exchange with gift receipt; unopened items only |
No; online purchases can be returned to a store |
|
|
45 days |
Gift card or exchange with invoice |
With available prepaid UPS return label; online purchases can also be returned to a store |
|
|
30-90 days, depending on the item |
Gift card |
No; online purchases can be returned to a store |
|
|
Anytime |
Exchange or gift card for purchase price with gift receipt, current price without |
No; online purchases can be returned to a store |
|
|
30-90 days, depending on the item |
Exchange or refund to original method of payment |
No; online purchases can be returned to a store |
|
|
Anytime |
Merchandise credit, even exchange, or corporate-issued refund check with gift receipt; without receipt, credit is based on lowest 13-week sale price |
No; online purchases can be returned to a store |
|
|
Anytime |
Gift card or exchange |
For L.L. Bean Visa card holders only; online purchases can be returned to a store |
|
|
30-90 days, depending on the item |
Gift card with gift receipt or packing slip |
No; online purchases can be returned to a store |
|
|
Anytime |
Store credit or refund to your Macy's card |
For exchanges only; online purchases can be returned to a store |
|
|
30 days; extended to Jan. 31 for items purchased from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 |
Refund only to original method of payment |
No |
|
|
30-90 days; extended to Jan. 24 for items purchased from Nov. 12 to Dec. 24 (unless standard return period ends later) |
Exchange or refund to original method of payment with proof of purchase |
No; online purchases can be returned to a store |
|
|
30-90 days; 30-day window starts Dec. 26 for items purchased from Nov. 1 to Dec. 25 |
Gift card with gift receipt or packing slip |
No; most online purchases can be returned to a store |
|
|
45-90 days, depending on the item |
Merchandise credit with gift receipt or online packing slip if returned to store; refund to original method of payment if returned by mail |
No; online purchases can be returned to a store |
|
|
90+ days |
Gift card or exchange with invoice or receipt |
No; online purchases can be returned to a store with original invoice |
|
|
15-90 days; begins Dec. 26 for items purchased from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 |
Gift card or exchange in-store; cash refund up to $25 |
No; online purchases can be returned to a store |
|
|
365 days |
Exchange or refund to original method of payment |
Yes |
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