Buzz
Chances are you received one or more gifts this holiday season that you’d rather not keep.
Maybe Aunt Edna noticed you've gained a few pounds since her last visit and gifted you a sweater that's now too tight, or maybe you'd rather not deal with a sweater covered in kittens. With two-thirds of shoppers expected to make returns this holiday season, if you're one of them, it's best to take care of it as soon as possible.
How much time do I have to make a return?
Most stores have a 30-day return policy, but that countdown begins from the day the gift was purchased, not when it was given to you. While some retailers may extend this rule during the holiday season, it’s wise to return your gift as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline.
If your gift is an electronic item, the return window could be even shorter. For example, Apple typically requires returns within 14 days of purchase. Although the return window is extended for gifts bought between November 15 and December 25, the 14-day period starts ticking on December 26, meaning your return deadline is January 8.
Marketwatch has compiled a list of return policies from several major retailers. You can find it here.
When is the best time to return?
According to Reader’s Digest, the “best” time to return packages is 10am on Sunday morning, followed by the next Monday. Interestingly, Tuesday, January 2nd is predicted to be the busiest day for returns, with UPS expecting to handle 1.9 million packages that day—double their usual daily volume of 1 million packages.
When returning an item, the more you can make it look ‘like new,’ the better. This includes putting it back in its original packaging if possible, and ensuring all the accessories that came with it are also returned inside the box.
Although it may feel awkward, it’s worth asking the gift giver for a receipt for that unwanted item. Without one, you might only receive store credit, a partial refund, or be unable to return the item at all.
And while it might go without saying, it’s important to be polite when returning items. Yes, the line may be long and the experience frustrating, but the store associate assisting you has likely been dealing with this for days. It costs nothing to be courteous, and it will make the process more pleasant for both you and the person handling your Cat-mas sweater return.
