No matter how confident you are in your gift-selecting prowess, there’s bound to be at least one recipient this year who is just not that into the new slippers you so lovingly selected. But if you haven’t been careful about the return policy, they might be stuck with it.
While overall return policies have gotten more lenient in the past few years, with many stores eliminating restocking fees and offering extended holiday windows for returns, a few large retailers added new restrictions for 2016, according to a new analysis by ConsumerWorld.org.
Related: The 20 Hottest Toys for the 2016 Holiday Season
Among the changes, Kohl’s has added a deadline of January 31 for premium electronics, which used to have an open-ended return policy; Costco has shortened its return period for major appliances from open-ended to 90 days; and Target and Wal-Mart now limit drone returns to a two-week window, while Toys ‘R’ Us gives drone returns a 30-day window.
While still extremely generous, Macy’s has shortened its open-ended return policy to one year from purchase. “If shoppers follow the rules, they should have many happy returns,” Consumer World founder Edgar Dworsky said in a statement. “But since the rules vary so much from store to store, you really have to read the fine print.”
In general, make sure that you always include a gift receipt with your present. If you receive something that you may return, leave it unopened and try to get back to the store as soon as possible.
Here’s an overview of the return policies at major retailers this year, courtesy of ConsumerWorld.org:
| Amazon.com | January 31 for most items shipped 11/01 thru 12/31. No refunds on downloads. |
| Best Buy | January 15 for most purchases Oct. 30 - Dec. 31. Elite members may get more time. |
| Costco | No deadline, but 90 days for: TVs, computers, cameras, MP3 players, cellphones, projectors, and major appliances. |
| Kohl's | No deadline, but premium electronics bought Nov. 1 - Dec. 25 returnable until January 31. |
| Macy's stores | One year for returns, but some furniture (3 days), some mattresses (60 days). Receipt or return label gets price paid. 15% restocking fees on some items. |
| Marshalls | January 23 for purchases Oct. 16 - Dec. 24. This retailer posts clear in-store signs about their extended holiday return policy every year. |
| Overstock.com | January 31 for most items purchased Nov. 1 or later. Fees apply if opened, used, or late. |
| Sears | January 31 deadline for most 30 day items except major appliances purchased Nov. 1 on; Report certain damaged goods within 72 hours or no refund; Even exchange only on some open items; 15% restocking fee on electronics missing parts; furniture, etc. |
| Staples | No deadline for office supplies. January 15 for electronics & furniture bought since Nov. 20. |
| TJ Maxx | January 23 for purchases Oct. 16 - Dec. 24. This retailer posts clear in-store signs about their extended holiday return policy every year. |
| Target | 90 days most items, except 30 days for electronics and entertainment items, 14 days for drones, but days begins 12/26 for purchases since 11/1. Stores brands - one year. May deny refund for opened/damaged/unreceipted items. REDcard holders get 30 extra days. |
| Toys"R"Us | Secret holiday policy: most items bought from September 1 onward can be returned until January 28, but only November 1 onward for video game hardware, cameras, music players, netbooks, eReaders, etc. |
| Walmart stores | 90 days most items. For purchases made from November 1 on, 15 days (PCs, cameras, GPS, more), 30 days (mowers, a/c, more) but count days starting December 26. |