Top tips for returning your holiday gifts

Today’s the day. Tomorrow, too.

Hopefully, you followed my advice and kept your receipts for your holiday purchases.

It’s likely that you or someone in your family will need to return of a holiday gift soon.

A survey at the end of the 2023 holiday season found that nearly one in three U.S. adults who received gifts planned to make a return or an exchange, according to Civic Science, an opinion research firm. That was up nine points from the previous year. 

The busiest days for holiday returns are historically Dec. 26 and 27.

If returning a gift is on your schedule today, tomorrow, or later, here are tips for making the process go smoothly:

• Gather all the items you need to return. If you have receipts, put the receipts with the items. No receipt? Expect a store credit, often for the lowest sales price.

• Find out the deadline for each return. Sometimes the deadline is on the receipt. Many stores and online sellers are extending their return windows for the holiday season. For Amazon this year, most items purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 31. Apple brand products purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 15. While most Amazon sellers offer the same return policy as Amazon’s, some seller return policies may vary.

• Return the item(s) as soon as possible. If you delay, the return could be forgotten and you’ll lose the opportunity for an exchange or money back.

• Make a plan for your returns. If you have packages you’re returning by mail, get those organized together. Some online companies will send you a label for your return and you don’t need to pay for shipping. For others, you’re on your own for shipping costs. If you have to pay for shipping, you might be able to save on fees by returning the item to a local store. If you need to go to more than one store, make a route plan.

• Find out if the store has a restocking fee. Best Buy charges a 15 percent restocking fee on some items, such as drones and some digital cameras and lenses. For phones and tablets, the restocking fee is $45.

• Make sure you have your ID before you head to the store. Many stores require it to make sure the item isn’t stolen.

• Be polite. Returns can be complicated. The lines may be long and people are tired. Don’t raise your voice. For years, I’ve recommended that when consumers have complaints, they should calmly explain the problem and ask for what they need. It makes the whole process go better.

• Ask to speak with a manager.If you have a problem, a supervisor or customer service representative will likely have more flexibility and authority to resolve the issue.

Good luck with your return. Most go well, some don’t. If you follow my tips, your changes for success improve.