News > Local News
With gifts, the early bird gets to return
Erin C. Perkins
Staff Reporter
If you want to return holiday gifts, don't fret. You still can, but Mount Airy merchants suggest you do it quickly.
Although local retailers typically soften return policies during the holiday, they don't abandon their deadlines altogether. To avoid the hassles, it's best to return general merchandise before the end of January. The sooner you return, the less likely you will be tripped up by return policies that vary from retailer to retailer.
Wal-Mart on Rockford Street, for example, gives customers 90 days to return gifts with or without a receipt. Returned items without a receipt are exchanged for a gift card. However, electronics must be returned in 15 days and inspected by an electronics sales associate to ensure that it is a registered purchase.
“All electronics are automatically registered when they are purchased at the cash register,” said Darlene Tate, the customer service manager at Wal-Mart, adding that electronics are also inspected for functionality.
Kmart also gives customer 90 days to return items for both general merchandise and electronics. People returning items without a receipt are issued gift cards with the lowest sales price listed for the item in the last 12 weeks.
Retailers that sell clothing, such as Belk at Mayberry Mall and Meadows of Dan Trading Co. on North Main Street, require customers to return merchandise within 30 days with a receipt or they will be allowed an exchange or issued store credit.
“We hardly do exchanges or gift cards without tags or receipts,” Lorrie Riccitello, Meadows of Dan Trading Co. owner, said. “But I understand that some items are given as gifts, so we occasionally make exceptions during Christmas.”
Paul Belk, the store manager at Belk department store, recommends that customers return as soon as possible to get the true value of the merchandise. “The value of items change as shipments of new merchandise come in,” Belk said. “The sooner you return, the more likely you will retain the original value because without a receipt you will be given the lesser value of the item as the season progresses.”
Generally, many of the same rules apply for items purchased online. Items purchased from Overstock.com between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 should be returned within 30 days of the delivery date or by Jan. 10, whichever comes first. Other sites like Amazon.com and Best Buy are allowing returns until Jan. 31
Online, links to return policies are usually found at the bottom of the retailer's home page. Consumers also can find an annual survey of return polices listed at Consumerworld.org.
Contact Erin C. Perkins at eperkins@mtairynews.com, or at 719-1952.
Staff Reporter
If you want to return holiday gifts, don't fret. You still can, but Mount Airy merchants suggest you do it quickly.
Although local retailers typically soften return policies during the holiday, they don't abandon their deadlines altogether. To avoid the hassles, it's best to return general merchandise before the end of January. The sooner you return, the less likely you will be tripped up by return policies that vary from retailer to retailer.
Wal-Mart on Rockford Street, for example, gives customers 90 days to return gifts with or without a receipt. Returned items without a receipt are exchanged for a gift card. However, electronics must be returned in 15 days and inspected by an electronics sales associate to ensure that it is a registered purchase.
“All electronics are automatically registered when they are purchased at the cash register,” said Darlene Tate, the customer service manager at Wal-Mart, adding that electronics are also inspected for functionality.
Kmart also gives customer 90 days to return items for both general merchandise and electronics. People returning items without a receipt are issued gift cards with the lowest sales price listed for the item in the last 12 weeks.
Retailers that sell clothing, such as Belk at Mayberry Mall and Meadows of Dan Trading Co. on North Main Street, require customers to return merchandise within 30 days with a receipt or they will be allowed an exchange or issued store credit.
“We hardly do exchanges or gift cards without tags or receipts,” Lorrie Riccitello, Meadows of Dan Trading Co. owner, said. “But I understand that some items are given as gifts, so we occasionally make exceptions during Christmas.”
Paul Belk, the store manager at Belk department store, recommends that customers return as soon as possible to get the true value of the merchandise. “The value of items change as shipments of new merchandise come in,” Belk said. “The sooner you return, the more likely you will retain the original value because without a receipt you will be given the lesser value of the item as the season progresses.”
Generally, many of the same rules apply for items purchased online. Items purchased from Overstock.com between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 should be returned within 30 days of the delivery date or by Jan. 10, whichever comes first. Other sites like Amazon.com and Best Buy are allowing returns until Jan. 31
Online, links to return policies are usually found at the bottom of the retailer's home page. Consumers also can find an annual survey of return polices listed at Consumerworld.org.
Contact Erin C. Perkins at eperkins@mtairynews.com, or at 719-1952.
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