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It’s happened to all of us.
You unwrap a present and it’s just not quite what you wanted or expected.
Maybe it’s a sweater that’s a couple sizes too big. Or perhaps it’s a book that you already have sitting on your shelf. Regardless, grateful as you are, it just isn’t going to work.
So how do you get rid of it without a hassle?
Well, first off, it’s probably not wise to try to return an item in the first few days after Christmas — they’re madhouses full of 100 other people trying to return things.
Fortunately, lots of retailers have rather long windows for returning items after Christmas.
Most retailers have 30- to 90-day window for returns
You usually will have at least 30 days, and some stores like Walmart and Target even have a 90-day return window for many items, according to ConsumerWorld.org. It is much better to return something in February after the crowds have died down, if that’s an option.
Be warned, though, that return windows are usually shorter for electronics. Walmart and Target maintain a 30-day return window for such items, and Target actually mandates a rather short 15-day return window for most Apple products.
Amazon usually accepts returns 30 days after purchase, but for most items purchased between Oct. 11 and Dec. 31, returns can be processed through Jan. 31, 2023.
Per ConsumerWorld.org, other stores’ return windows are:
Bed, Bath & Beyond: 90-day return window for most items. 30 days for smart technology. Smart tech items bought starting Nov. 15 must be returned by Jan. 31, however.
Best Buy: Jan. 14 return deadline for most items bought between Oct. 24 and Dec. 31. Consumers who are TotalTech members will normally get more time for returns.
Costco: No deadline for returns, but there is a 90-day return date for most electronics like TVs, computers, cameras, smartwatches and cellphones, among other things.
Macy’s: 90-day return deadline for most items. Most items bought starting Oct. 3 must be returned by Jan. 31. Apple products purchased between Dec. 3 and Dec. 24 must be returned by Jan. 8. There are also free mail returns for Macys.com orders.
REI: Accepts most returns and exchanges up to a year after purchase for members, with the exception of outdoor electronics. Returns can be made by mail or in store. If you don’t have a receipt, REI can help you identify proof of purchase if you fill out a note. All exchanges must be done in store.
Hopefully the person you received the gift from was thoughtful enough to include a gift receipt, which makes things much easier. If you have a receipt and the item is unopened or undamaged, you can usually get at least full credit or even a full refund.
If an item is defective, some states require a store to fix it or give the customer the option to replace it or get a refund, regardless of the store’s return policy.
Even without a receipt, some stores will give you partial credit for a return, so it’s always worth a shot to try and return an unwanted item.
And if you end up not being able to return something, there’s always that age-old method of dealing with a gift you’re just not going to use: wrap it up and give it to someone else next year.
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