This Holiday Season, Check Your Store’s Product Return Policy before You Buy

Whether you plan to buy a twenty dollar sweater or a wide screen TV for your loved one this Christmas, it’s wise to check your store’s return policy before you buy. More and more, stores are either insisting on accepting returns for exchange only, or are charging a sometimes substantial restock fee, either for a fixed amount or for a percentage of the purchase price. If your gift is a high-ticket item, having to return it and sacrifice a sizeable fee is not going to preserve your holiday spirit.

Ask the sales clerk who waits on you what the store’s return policy is. If you find the terms acceptable, ask if you can get the policy in writing—especially if you are buying a high priced item. Some cash registers print out the return policy and other essential information about your purchase right on the sales slip. Stores who don’t have such information on the sales slip often have their return policies printed in a flyer for their customers, or displayed in the store.

If you don’t like a store’s return policy, shop around. You may find that you can negotiate a better deal, or find a store that accepts merchandise back for a full refund, with no fee and no questions asked. You may also have more luck with a locally owned store rather than a superstore chain.

Taking the time to check return policies before you buy could save you or your gift recipients a big headache and a lot of money. Any responsible sales clerk will understand and accept your need for this information. If you find yourself getting resistance from a clerk when you ask for a store’s return policy, shop elsewhere.