A book you’ve already read. A toy missing its parts. A poncho made of bright purple faux-rabbit fur.
We’ve all received a holiday gift that, for whatever reason, we didn’t want. Every year on the days following Christmas, stores and malls flood with customers seeking to return or exchange undesired holiday gifts.
You may be dreading braving the crowded malls to haggle with customer service staffers, but with a bit of planning and smart strategizing, returning unwanted items doesn’t have to be painful.
Whether that gift below your tree that was too tight, too loose, too broken or too ugly, you can navigate the process with efficiency and ease with our guide to hassle-free holiday returns. Here are some tips on how to do that:
Know Your Retailer’s Return Policy
Different retailers often have vastly different return policies. Before making the trek to the mall, do some research to find out your particular retailer’s policy.
To get you started, we’ve included information on some of the most popular stores below:
Kohl’s: Kohl’s has one of the best return policies around, accepting items at any time for whatever reason. In order to give you a fair refund, employees will look up your purchase in their system. If they can’t find a record, they’ll issue you Kohl’s credit. Note however, the value of your item may fluctuate with sales. Without a receipt, you may not receive the full purchase price.
Nordstrom: Famously generous when it comes to returns, Nordstrom official policy states that it makes decisions about returns on a case-by-case basis, with the goal of satisfying customers.
Macy’s: When you return an item with a gift receipt, you’ll receive the full purchase price back in Macy’s credit. Without the receipt, you’ll get a credit for the lowest selling price of the previous 180 days.
JCPenney: JCPenney does not require you to bring in a receipt or return items within a certain time frame. Returns made without a receipt or with a gift receipt are eligible for store credit only.
Kmart: You may return unwanted gifts within 30 days with a receipt. If you have a gift receipt, you are only able to exchange for store credit. Movies, video games and certain other items are ineligible for returns if their packages are open.
Sears: For most of the year, Sears allows you to return items within 30 days for a full refund with receipt, or for store credit with a gift receipt. However, over the holidays, Sears is offering a special extended return policy that allows items purchased this year between November 8 and December 24 to be returned through January 24, 2016. Sears asks that items be in their original packaging and may deduct a restocking fee from your refund.
Barnes & Noble: At Barnes & Noble, you’ll need to make your returns within 14 days of purchase, and the item must be unopened and in its original condition. Only items with a receipt will be accepted, and items with gift receipts are only eligible for store credit.
Apple: Like Sears, Apple is offering an extended holiday return policy that allows items purchased this year between November 1 and December 25 to be returned through January 28, 2016. You can return gifts for store credit without a receipt; you need only provide the product serial or order number.
Don’t see your store on the list? You can often find this information by visiting a retailer’s website or calling their customer service line.
Making Returns In-Store
On the day after Christmas, stores can be quite crowded with guests making returns and hunting down post-Christmas deals. If you are making a return in-store, plan to go a few days after Christmas and during the middle of the day when business is slower.
When talking to the customer service associate at the store, be sure to mention if you are a regular shopper or loyalty club member. In some cases, retailers allow a bit more wiggle room for loyal customers.
Making Returns Online
It often makes sense to return an item at a retailer’s brick-and-mortar location, rather than going through the effort of packaging and shipping an item to return. However, if no store location is convenient, or if you are returning an item to an online retailer, be sure to review the instructions they provide online. Certain retailers will require you to cover shipping and pay restocking fees. Other retailers, including Amazon, Gap and Zappos, provide free shipping labels for quick and cost-free returns.
If You Are Unable to Make a Return
So you missed the deadline, lost the original packaging or misplaced your gift receipt? Don’t worry, you still have options. In some cases, the retailer will accept the return for partial credit.
Otherwise, you might want to try selling the item on your own on an online marketplace such as eBay, Amazon or Craigslist. If you have electronics, sites such as Gazelle and NextWorth will give you an instant quote for your device after you answer a few questions. Got an unwanted gift card? Sites such as Raise and CardPool let you sell unused gift cards for cash.
More from U.S. News
10 Creative Ways to Cut Costs This Winter
10 Fun, Frugal Ways to Spend Your Free Time
10 Money Action Steps to Take Before 2016
A Guide to Hassle-Free Holiday Returns originally appeared on usnews.com
