Not every gift is going to be perfect for its recipient. You may need to return some items after the present exchange.
Return policies
Stores have varying deadlines for returns. You need to know about them so you don’t try to return an item months later and find out you’ve missed the deadline.
Retailers often give consumers at least 30 days to return an item, and some allow more time. Certain stores give you 60 or 90 days, but there’s usually a cutoff for getting cash back – after that, you’ll probably receive a gift card.
Some stores extend their return deadlines during the holiday season. Look for special return dates for purchases made in November and December. Apple, for example, usually gives you 14 days for returns. However, if you order your items online between Nov. 15 and Dec. 25, you’ll have until Jan. 8, 2020, to return them.
Receipts
Hopefully, your Christmas delivery will come with a receipt. Or, you’ll keep your receipt if you buy the gift in a store. If you don’t have a receipt, you may be able to return an item and get store credit. However, some retailers will reject your return if you don’t have the receipt.
No returns
Retailer have varying policies, but really exclusive items, used items, and final sale products probably can’t be exchanged or returned. Remember to read the fine print or check the return policy before you ask for a return for these items.
Identification
Some retailers request a valid ID when you ask for a return. That’s because shoplifters are less likely to return an item for cash if they have to give their names. Plus, it helps retailers track irregular return patterns.
DealNews, a comparison shopping website, offers the following return policies for well-known stores:
48 stores’ holiday return policies for 2019
| Store | Holiday Return Policy | Notes |
| 6pm | Deadline is 2/29/20 for purchases made from 11/1-12/31/19 | See details here |
| Adorama | Deadline is 2/1/20 for purchases made from 11/4-12/25/19 | See details here |
| Amazon | Deadline is 1/31/20 for purchases made from 11/1-12/31/19 | Must be shipped by Amazon |
| Apple | Deadline is 1/8/20 for purchases received from 11/15-12/25/19 | See details here |
| Bath & Body Works | “Return anything, anytime for any reason” | See details here |
| Best Buy | Deadline is 1/14/20 for most items purchased from 11/1-12/31/19 | See details here |
| Bloomingdale’s | Return within 365 days of purchase | See details here |
| Coach | Deadline is 1/15/20 for purchases made beginning on 11/13/19 | See details here |
| Cole Haan | Deadline is 1/7/20 for purchases made from 11/17-12/18/19 | See details here |
| Columbia | Deadline is 60 days from shipping date | See details here |
| Converse | Return purchases made from 11/1/19-1/6/20 within 60 days | See details here |
| Crate & Barrel | Standard policy applies; time frame varies by item type | See details here |
| Duluth Trading | Return within 365 days of purchase | See details here |
| Foot Locker | Return within 45 days of purchase | See details here |
| Fry’s | Deadline is 1/14/20 for purchases made from 11/29-12/24/19 | See details here |
| GameStop | Deadline is 1/15/20 for purchases made from 11/1-12/24/19 | See details here |
| Guess | Return within 45 days for purchases made from 11/28-12/15/19 | See details here |
| JBL | Deadline is 1/31/20 for purchases made from 11/15-12/31/19 | See details here |
| Jomashop | Deadline is 1/15/20 for purchases made from 11/4-12/15/19 | See details here |
| Jos. A. Bank | Return within 90 days of purchase | See details here |
| L.L.Bean | Return within one year of purchase | See details here |
| Macy’s | Deadline is 1/8/20 or 1/31/20 for select purchases made from 11/1-12/31/19 | See details here |
| Madewell | Deadline is 1/10/20 for purchases made from 11/25-12/10/19 | See details here |
| Marshalls | Deadline is 1/23/20 for purchases made from 10/14-12/25/19 | See details here |
| Microsoft Store | Deadline is 1/31/20 for purchases made from 10/1-12/31/19 | See details here |
| Mikasa | Return within 90 days of purchase | See details here |
| ModCloth | Return by 1/31/20 for refund or 2/28/20 for credit for purchases made from 11/1-12/31/19 | See details here |
| Neiman Marcus | Deadline is 1/31/20 for purchases made from 11/1-12/25/19 | See details here |
| Nike | Return purchases made from 11/1/19-1/6/20 within 60 days | See details here |
| Nordstrom | Returns eligible on a case-by-case basis | See details here |
| Origins | Standard policy applies | See details here |
| Petco | Return within 60 days of purchase | See details here |
| PUMA | Deadline is 1/31/20 for purchases made from 10/14-12/17/19 | See details here |
| Ralph Lauren | Deadline is 2/1/20 for purchases made from 11/13-12/24/19 | See details here |
| shopDisney | Deadline is 1/18/20 for purchases made from 11/7-12/18/19 | See details here |
| Sierra | Deadline is 1/25/20 for purchases made from 10/13-12/25/19 | See details here |
| T.J.Maxx | Deadline is 1/25/20 for purchases made from 10/13-12/24/19 | See details here |
| Target | Select purchases made from 11/1-12/25/19 have 15 or 30 days to be returned | Refund period starts on 12/26/19 |
| The Children’s Place | Deadline is 1/15/20 for purchases made from 11/1-11/30/19 | See details here |
| Tory Burch | Deadline is 1/10/20 for purchases made in November 2019 | See details here |
| Ugg | Return within 30 days of purchase | See details here |
| Under Armour | Return within 60 days of purchase | See details here |
| Vera Bradley | Return within 60 days of purchase | See details here |
| Walmart | Deadline is 1/10/20 or 1/25/20 for purchases made from 10/24-12/25/19 | Marketplace items are excluded |
| West Elm | Return within seven or 30 days, depending on type of purchase | See details here |
| Williams-Sonoma | Return within seven or 30 days, depending on type of purchase | See details here |
| Yankee Candle | Standard policy applies | See details here |
| Zales | Return within 30 days (watches) or 60 days (jewelry) | See details here |
Happy holidays and good luck with your returns.
