How to Return Unwanted Gifts
Christmas may be over, but the holiday ceremonies are not over yet: the day after you open all your gifts is the first day you have to send bad ones. Let the Annual Gift Returns Begin!
Amazon
Most of us probably received gifts through Amazon, even though it is clearly a wicked company . However, they do care about customer satisfaction – they have a real ” return your gift ” page whether you paid for it or not. According to Fast Company, you need a 17-digit order number, and if you don’t have one, you’ll have to contact Amazon for more information.
If you do, select the item you are sending back. You can then choose a shipping method or find an Amazon locker to ship the item. The return will be authorized and the authorization will need to be printed and sent with the item. You will receive the value of the item in the form of an Amazon Gift Card, or it will be refunded to your card if you purchased it.
Walmart
Walmart is extending its Holidays returns policy, recognizing that many purchases are gifts. However, there are some differences in return policies depending on the department, but you can read these details on their website . For gifts without receipts, you must bring the item to the store with all its packaging and a valid government-issued photo ID. Unreceived items can be exchanged as follows:
If available, you can send the item to the manufacturer for repair.
A product can be exchanged for another product.
The item may be returned and a refund is available if the value of the returned item is less than $ 25.
The item will be returned and the purchaser will be provided with a purchase / gift card if the return value of the returned item is equal to or greater than $ 25.
If you have a receipt or packing slip, you can get a store credit in the form of a gift card or cash back.
Target
Target has a general 90-day return policy for most products, but 30 days for electronics and 15 days for Apple products. Like Walmart, they extend this return policy for holidays starting December 26th. If you have a Target account, you should be able to access and print any lost receipts from your order history. Customer Service can also review these receipts if you bring the item and the payment method used, but if none of these are available, you can receive a refund on a “Returned Merchandise Card Form”.
If you have a gift slip or packing slip, you can return anything in exchange for a Target Gift Card. The main difference between the two and return cards is that the MRC can only be used in-store and not online. You also cannot top up your MRC balance.
Best buy
Best Buy has a membership that extends the return period, but the standard deadline for most products is 15 days. But for the holidays, they waved, mostly:
Almost every purchase made during November and December can be returned by January 12, 2019. For purchases made between October 28 and December 28, 2018, there is an extended return period until January 12, 2019, excluding mobile phones , devices that can be activated, and AppleCare monthly plans. All other terms and conditions of our Return & Exchange Promise apply.
For gifts, you can return the item to the store and get store credit. If you choose to mail the item, the money will be returned to the buyer and he will receive an email notification. Best Buy is a drug!
Macy’s
With a few exceptions, Macy’s has a fairly long return policy, offering 180 days. With a gift voucher, you can get a refund in the store for any item. It looks like there is still room for negotiation without proof of purchase:
No problem! You may still be eligible for a store credit at the lowest selling price of an item in the last 180 days.
This is likely based on the assumption that the item is in good condition / not being used. It is possible to return an item by mail, but this seems to depend on having an account with order history. If the item was a gift and you don’t have a receipt, a store return seems like the best option unless you want to call customer service and discuss it with a representative.
Apple
Apple will send you a gift card in exchange for the item, but only after they receive it. To do this online, you must log into your account and provide the serial number of your device on the Return Gift page. They allow you to print a prepaid shipping label, which is convenient. They will then let you know when the item arrives and send back an e-gift card.
Barnes & noble
You can return items by mail, but you are responsible for shipping costs that certainly add up to the books (always quote “Media Mail” at the post office). Upon return, you will receive a gift card within 60 days of purchase. But they give you a shortcut:
If you are returning a gift item that was purchased from BN.com, your shipment packing list contains specific return instructions. We provide a pre-printed return label with the address of our returns department.
These 60 days are only offered to those with gift receipts; otherwise B&N has a 14-day return policy. What if your product was shrink-wrapped? Once you open it, it is non-refundable. The buyer is wary .
In general, the best option for a return is a receipt, all original packaging and, if possible, go to the store in person. If you are not eligible for a return, just leave whatever you have and register next year. But watch out for who gave it to you so as not to accidentally pass it on to them.