How to Navigate Return Policies

(From SmartMoney.com) Returning an unwanted gift may be fairly easy this year. With less inventory, its exchanges that are likely to be tough. About a third of retailers have return policies in place during the holidays that are more flexible than those in place during the rest of the year, according to the National Retail Federation. “Stores really try to bend over backwards for customers this time of year,” says Edgar?Dworsky, the founder of consumer advocacy site ConsumerWorld.org. It’s no wonder: A third of shoppers who have problems returning an item won’t come back, according to market research firm Gartner.

But even lenient return policies still include plenty of fine print. Here’s how to ensure many happy returns:

Make returns ASAP

Although many stores have extended return deadlines on holiday?purchases, a swift return is your best shot at swapping that too-big sweater for one in the right size, or trading your returned-item store credit for something you actually want, says Kathryn?Finney, the founder of trend- and sale-tracking site TheBudgetFashionista.com.

Keep in mind that extended holiday deadlines can be misleading for online orders. The policy may kick in as soon as the purchaser clicked “complete order” or as late as when the item was delivered. That could amount to a week’s difference in your return deadline.

Read more here: How to Navigate Return Policies