Holiday returns may not be worth the hassle
An estimated $135 billion worth of products will be returned this holiday season, and many retailers have changed their policies in an effort to discourage returns.
Anthropologie, Zara, H&M, Abercrombie & Fitch, Dillards, JCPenney and many other retailers are charging up to $8.50 for returns. Other retailers have shortened their return windows.
Here's what you need to know before making your holiday returns:
- Don't remove products from their original packaging
- Keep the gift receipt
- Bring your ID
- Be nice to store employees, since they're ultimately the ones who decide whether to accept the return
You can return Amazon items at Amazon Go stores, Whole Foods and Kohl's.
Most other major retailers, including Walmart, Target, Best Buy and Apple, will allow you to make online returns at their stores.
If in-store returns aren't your thing, you can print out the return shipping label at home and package the item yourself. You can schedule a pickup or take the package directly to the shipper.
Despite stricter policies, there's some good news. Some retailers have extended their holiday return windows:
- Apple is allowing returns to be made until Jan. 8.
- Amazon and Walmart are allowing returns until Jan. 31.
- Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot and Lowe's have 90-day return policies.
- Kohl's has a 180-day return policy.
If the product is broken or defective, most retailers will give you a refund, or at least let you exchange it.
Go to the store's website or call them directly if you have questions about the return policy.
It's also important to keep in mind that the items you return will likely end up in a landfill. So consider re-gifting or donating unwanted items.
