How to Make Gift Returns Fast and Easy

By Deb Belt (Patch Staff)

If you want to swap out the garish tie or sweater that you receive in a holiday gift exchange, a receipt always makes the return process easy.

But, there are still options if you don’t have a receipt. And a warning: Don’t open the packaging for any music, movies, video games or computer software if you plan to return it. Once it’s out of the packaging the best you can hope for is an exchange for a similar item in the store.

Tell us: What can stores do to make the return experience easier? Share your ideas in comments below.

Investopedia offers a few tips to help make the return process easier.

Don’t Remove Tags: Opening packages or removing tags makes it more difficult, if not impossible, to return gifts, and can sometimes add a restocking fee to you. For best results, don’t take off tags until you’re sure you want to keep the gift.

Get the Receipt: This can be awkward to ask of the gift-giver, but there are ways to ask for a receipt – either the original or a gift receipt. Perhaps the size is off, or you already have the movie, or book. Some stores may offer store credit on items brought back without a receipt, and typically that is worth the store’s most recent price.

Know the Return Deadlines: The time period allowed for returns varies by store, and even by item, with typically only a couple of weeks allowed for electronics.

Bring A Photo ID: Many stores will scan your driver’s license or other government ID to ensure that shoppers aren’t taking advantage of the system if they want to make a return without a receipt.

Patch has checked the return policies of some of the country’s biggest retailers in case you find a present from Santa you’d rather swap out. Here’s hoping you can avoid the long lines at customer service on Dec. 26.

• Target:Most unopened items can be exchanged or returned for a refund within 90 days of purchase. Electronics and entertainment items – including laptops, eReaders, tablets, cameras, camcorders, digital audio players, GPS systems, videogame hardware, and personal DVD players -- must be returned within 30 days for a refund or exchange. If these items were purchased between Nov. 1 and Christmas Day, the 30-day refund period will start on Dec. 26. Open music, movies, video games and software cannot be returned, but may be exchanged for the same title.

• Walmart: For the holiday gift-buying season, Walmart has adjusted its return policy for items with a limited return/exchange period, such as TVs, cameras, computers, DVD and music players. For those purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, the limited return period of 15 or 30 days will begin Dec. 26. For all others, returns are accepted within 90 days after purchase. Pre-recorded movies, music, and computer/video game software and circuit cartridges must be returned within 90 days in the original and unopened packaging with a receipt to receive a refund or exchange.

• Macy’s: If you bring the receipt with your item, the store will issue a full refund in the original form of payment. If you do not have a receipt, you will receive a gift card for the item’s lowest sales price within the last 180 days.

• Toys R’ Us: Returns for most items in new condition, with original packaging, are made within 90 days of purchase. Include all paperwork, such as manuals and assembly instructions, and all accessories. A valid proof of purchase must be presented as well to ensure credit. Gifts returned will issue a refund to the purchaser in the original form of payment used to purchase the item. Gift returns made at any Toys”R“Us or Babies”R“Us store will receive a merchandise credit when accompanied by a gift receipt or online packing slip.

• Victoria’s Secret: Within 90 days of purchase, customers receive credit back to the original payment method shown on a receipt. If you’re past the 90-day mark, you will receive a merchandise credit. If you don’t have the receipt, the store will exchange merchandise or issue a merchandise credit, based on the lowest selling price of the item.

• Kohl’s: The discounter has one of the most liberal return policies among national chains; there are no time restrictions on returns. Whether a gift was purchased in store or online, take the item and your gift receipt to the Customer Service Desk of any Kohl’s store near you. If you don’t have a receipt, you can return your item for a merchandise credit toward anything in the store.

• Best Buy: Most items purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 15, although that doesn’t apply to contracts signed with other vendors such as cell phone service or DirecTV. Opened computer software, movies, music or video games can only be exchanged for an identical item.

• Sears: Some items purchased between Nov. 19 and Dec. 24 will have extended return periods through Jan. 24. Items in their original packaging, with the original receipt, can be returned for a refund or exchange in many cases. Floor care equipment, vacuums, major home appliances, sewing machines, and heating equipment are not covered by the extended return policy. Opened music, movies, computer software and video games can only be exchanged for an identical item.

• Burlington Coat Factory: An original receipt dated within 30 days of purchase is required for all returns or exchanges in stores. To make a return after 30 days or without a receipt, bring a photo ID and you will receive a gift card for the lowest selling price. If your item was a gift, the original purchaser will receive a credit for the return on their credit card. Or, you may return the gift and receive a store credit or exchange the item.

• Nordstrom: There is no firm policy, the upscale store says on its website, and no timeframe for returns and exchanges. “We handle returns on a case by case basis with the ultimate objective of satisfying the customer. We stand behind our goods and services and want customers to be satisfied with them. We’ll always do our best to take care of customers -- our philosophy is to deal with them fairly and reasonably; we hope they will be fair and reasonable with us as well.”

• JC Penney: If you have a receipt, your item will be exchanged or refunded for the purchase price on the original method of payment in most cases. A store gift card will be given for items that have a gift receipt, or an exchange can be made at the store. Customers without a receipt can receive a refund at the lowest sales price within the past 45 days, or exchange the item.

• Old Navy/ The Gap/ Banana Republic: You have up to 45 days to return items purchased at Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. Items that are unwashed and unworn, or defective, are eligible for returns or exchanges. The stories will exchange gifts, or return them for a gift card for the original price paid.