CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WFXR) — Not every holiday gift can be a slam dunk, which is why West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey offers advice on how to make the most out of store return policies.
- Make sure to keep your purchase or gift receipt handy when making a return. Not only does it speed up the process, but it can make the difference between receiving the full value of the purchase and only receiving store credit or a gift card. Also, a form of identification may be necessary to complete refunds or returns.
- Check if the retailer is an online outlet and/or a brick-and-mortar store. Returning online purchases may seem more convenient, but consumers would be responsible for shipping fees.
- Do not be scared off by “all sales final” policies. If an item is defective or not represented accurately to consumers, merchants are required to give a refund. However, merchants can still refuse refunds based on incorrect sizes, colors, etc.
- Do not remove tags or open seals. If an item appears used or opened, stores might not accept the return.
- Look up the store’s deadline for making returns or exchanges. Holiday purchases tend to have extended deadlines — which means you can avoid long lines by waiting until post-Christmas sales wrap up — but still try to make any returns as soon as possible.
“People got some incredible gifts for Christmas, but every now and then, consumers want to return a gift and get something more tailored to their taste,” says Morrisey. “Checking return policies before you take items back to the store can save a lot of time and potential headaches.”
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