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Nishi Gupta reporting As people gear up for Christmas shopping, retailers have planned for Christmas returning. In about a month's time, they know most of us will be deciding which gifts to keep, and which ones we'd rather not.
Stores like Nordstrom are known for their convenient return policies, but we checked out some other stores today and will give you the 411 to make your holiday shopping and returning merry.
With all these great deals around, it's easy to spend, spend, spend. But the day after Christmas, retailers know the return lines are a hassle.
At Circuit City, shoppers are busy searching for that perfect gift. But what happens if that gift isn't so perfect?
Okay, so what happens if mom isn't forcing you to keep the gift? Stores give you different options. At Circuit City you have until January 25th to return most things.
Joe Swinger: "Laptops, desktops, digital cameras, camcorders, pda's."
Buy one of these, you have until January 8th. Open them and you may be subject to a 15 percent restocking fee. What if you have no receipt? That's not a problem.
Joe Swinger, Circuit City: "We can also look up by name or telephone number if someone's bought something in the store."
Anousone Hicks, an admitted re-gifter, likes that idea.
Anousone Hicks, Shopper: "That is more encouring to return them."
At Meier and Frank, you don't have to keep an eye on the calendar. There's no time limit for returns. Exceptions: Kitchen electronics and electronics. For those, it's ten days and possibly restocking fees on jewelry.
Lose your receipt in the shuffle? Try your plastic.
Kevin Curry, Meier and Frank: "Anytime a purchase is made on an account, Meier and Frank house card, or a bank card, as long as we have the account number, we have the ability to look up that transaction."
Kirkham's has a 90 day return policy on all items except food. Don't have a receipt, try this: Kirkham's has a free rewards card. It basically tracks your purchases. Say you have to come in one day to return something. Give them your name and they can pull up your purchase.
Now we do have some tips for you.
Shoppers:
- Always ask for a gift reciept
- Know the return policy before you buy Gift receivers:
- Ask for a gift receipt
- If you don't like something, don't open it
