With gifts unwrapped, it's time for returns

As much a part of the holidays as twinkling lights and shiny ornaments, the trip to the store after Christmas to take back unwanted gifts is a ritual that wraps up the season.

Jill Pickett

Kohl's employees assist customers with returns Sunday in Elizabethtown.

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But today isn’t the day of store returns like is popularly thought, said George Ramsden, the manager of J.C. Penney in Towne Mall.

Shopping still continues the day after Christmas, Ramsden said, but the returns begin in earnest on the Dec. 27 and continue through the beginning of January. And for those taking back a sweater that just didn’t fit, the Better Business Bureau offers information that advises consumers what they can and can’t expect from stores.

The season for returns actually begins before the holiday, Ramsden said, because many families celebrate Christmas early. While the day after Christmas is a busy one, the foot traffic begins to fall off after that.

“It mellows out pretty quickly,” Ramsden said.

Despite any type of store policy, defective goods can be returned and money can be refunded, according to BBB.

Otherwise, stores have the option to offer returns or to not do so, according to BBB. Typically items must be returned during a certain timeframe and usually a proof of purchase, such as a receipt, is needed. But in some stores, sales are considered final and the ability to return an item isn’t an option.

If a product is custom-ordered, sometimes a restocking fee is charged if it’s returned, according to BBB. These types of fees usually apply to more expensive merchandise like furniture and electronics.

Items bought under warranty or contract can have different requirements to make a return, so consumers need to be aware of those conditions before attempting to take merchandise back.

Kelly Cantrall can be reached at (270) 505-1747 or kcantrall@thenewsenterprise.com.