AFTER CHRISTMAS RETURN POLICIES GET STRICTER

Annual survey results of major retailers' return policies (online and off), reveals extended deadlines for after Christmas returns, but new wrinkles make some returns harder. Tips from a noted consumer advocate on return policy law, and how to make the whole return process go more smoothly.

(PRWEB) December 22, 2003 --Increasingly complicated and restrictive return policies may contain some nasty surprises for shoppers who have not read the fine print before heading to the return line. At some stores, items such as notebook computers, digital cameras, and clearance merchandise, may be subject to limited return rights, restocking fees, shortened return periods, or no refunds at all.    

For example, Target will only refund the current price of holiday or seasonal merchandise which has gone on clearance, even if the customer has a receipt showing a higher price was paid. OfficeMax will not accept returns of opened digital cameras at all. Amazon and Buy.com will not take back TVs 27-inches or larger. OfficeDepot.com only offers identical exchanges on laptops, digital cameras and PDAs. Best Buy requires computers to be returned within 14 days instead of 30, and certain other items have a 15% restocking fee.

Not following the trend toward more restrictive return policies is Circuit City. They discontinued restocking fees two years ago, and will help look up customers missing receipts.

"It is unfortunate that some stores are making it more difficult to get a refund," said Edgar Dworsky, Founder of Consumer World®, the Internet's largest public service consumer resource guide [ http://www.consumerworld.org . But, while some retailers are clamping down, others are extending their normal return period into January so shoppers dont have to rush in on the 26th except to get the after Christmas bargains."

Some stores with generous regular or extended holiday return deadlines include:

AMAZON.COM:    January 31 (for most items shipped 11/01 thru 12/31)

BEST BUY:   January 24 (for items bought Nov. 1 on, except computers)

BUY.COM:   January 24 (for items ordered 11/15 thru 12/24; exceptions)

CIRCUIT CITY:   January 31

COSTCO:      No deadline (except 6 months for computers)

KOHL'S:      No deadline (with receipt)

OFFICEMAX:   14 days after Christmas (for purchases Nov. 15 on)

TJ MAXX/MARSHALLS: January 10 (for purchases Nov. 2 - Dec. 10)

TARGET:      90 days from purchase (no special policy, but see above)

WAL-MART:   90 days from purchase (no special policy)

Consumer rights vary from state to state with respect to product returns. Generally speaking, a store can set up any return policy it wants, whether it is "all sales final", "merchandise credit only", or "all returns in 30 days". Most states require the policy to be clearly disclosed to the buyer prior to purchase, usually by means of a sign. Some states do not consider a disclosure that only appears on the sales receipt to meet this requirement. It is not unreasonable, however, to require customers to provide a sales slip or gift receipt to establish where and when the item was purchased, and at what price.    

TIPS FOR HASSLE-FREE RETURNS http://www.consumerworld.org/pages/returns.htm

--> To improve your chances of getting a full refund, provide a sales slip or gift receipt, and return the item in new condition with all original packaging material. Returns without a receipt are subject to the retailer's posted return policy, which might result in receiving only a merchandise credit for the lowest price the item has sold for in recent weeks, or possibly no refund or exchange at all.

--> If the item to be returned is defective, some states such as Massachusetts, require the store to give the consumer his/her choice of one of the three "R's": repair, replacement or refund, irrespective of the store's posted return policy.

--> Consumers who have a problem returning a gift, should first contact the store manager or customer service department of the retailer. If a satisfactory resolution is not obtained, then a complaint can be filed with the state Attorney General's office or local consumer agency.

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Consumer World®, launched in 1995, is a public service, non-commercial consumer resource guide with over 2000 links to everything "consumer" on the Internet. Edgar Dworsky, the founder of Consumer World, is a former Assistant Attorney General in the Consumer Protection and Anti-trust Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office.