If you’re not thrilled with that holiday sweater you received for Christmas, you might find returning it is no easy task. Whether you’ve received defective merchandise, gifts without receipts or clothing you’d rather not wear, some retailers have rules that can make it difficult to return or exchange your purchases or gifts.
Many stores offer nearly no-questions-asked returns, but some still require you to check your calendar and track your receipts. The stores on this list have relatively short windows in which you can return an item, and most require that you have the receipt. Others have strict guidelines on the packaging, cords, cables and accessories required to complete a return, which makes dealing with electronics quite challenging.
1. Forever 21
You don’t have forever to return a purchase from Forever 21. In fact, you have only until Jan. 9 (or 30 days from the online ship date, whichever comes later) for items purchased online this holiday season. If the item was purchased in a Forever 21 store, it’s unclear how long you have — Forever 21’s returns policy Web page does not detail this information, saying, “Please contact your local store for return policy information.” You can get a refund from Forever 21 only if you bought the item online and return it by mail yourself. A return to a Forever 21 store will give you only an exchange or store credit “towards your next purchase.”
2. Apple
For items purchased during the holiday season (Nov. 1-Dec. 25), Apple stores and Apple.com will accept returns until Jan. 8. For comparison, Nordstrom and Kohl’s have no time limit on returns, REI and Bed Bath & Beyond accept returns for up to a year and Wal-Mart accepts returns for 90 days. On the plus side, Apple offers free shipping on a return by mail. But it will be strict about not accepting the return if you’re missing any of the cords, adapters or booklets that came with the original packaging.
3. Lululemon
Lululemon is accepting holiday returns until Jan. 10, a small improvement on its normal 14-day return window. Unlike Apple, though, you have to pay the shipping yourself for a Lululemon online return. Lululemon is also quite strict about requiring a receipt, and the garments must be unwashed, unworn and have all of the tags intact. Its warning that “all garments are subject to inspection” creates another potential complication for your return.
4. Best Buy
For the holiday season, Best Buy has extended the time frame in which it will accept returns until Jan. 15, lagging behind competitors Amazon (Jan. 31) and Wal-Mart (90 days). Best Buy will take returns without a receipt, but only if you have the credit card used for the purchase or a photo ID. And you’ll be paying the shipping yourself if you’re returning a Best Buy item by mail.
5. GameStop
The GameStop return policy page states that the video game retailer will “reserve the right to limit returns to unopened or defective products.” So if you don’t like your gift or if the clothing tie-in is the wrong size, you may have trouble returning the item. GameStop accepts returns only for 30 days from the purchase date and is strict about requiring a receipt. Additionally, GameStop says “store return policies may vary and are subject to manager approval.”
Most stores accept returns on unwanted items, but some stores’ policies are less convenient than others. Check your retailer’s policies and gather your receipts before you head to the store or post office to return your item.
Image via iStock.
from NerdWallet Credit Card Blog
http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/shopping/stores-with-strict-return-policies-2015/
No comments:
Post a Comment