According to a recent USA Today story, many retailers’ return policies are changing and those wanting to make returns must take note. The National Retail Federation indicated retailers estimate that nearly 13 percent of items returned without a receipt are fraudulent and this is why many are hesitant. So what’s their best advice for making a return?
“Approach the salesperson pleasantly, throw yourself upon their mercy and just be polite,” said Tod Marks, senior editor for Consumer Reports to USA Today. “How you carry yourself can be as important as a receipt at this time of year.”
Being polite and friendly with salespersons has always helped me make returns less time consuming. Like Bobbi, who shared her tips for returning items, I must be completely satisfied with my purchase if I’m shelling out the big bucks. Here are five tips to help you make a return less painful.
1. Know your rights – Visit your state’s Department of Consumer Affairs website or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to learn how much time you legally have to make a return. In California, stores must have a return policy of at least seven days. Needless to say, most stores here give you more than seven days to make a return, usually 30 days. Be aware that when you are buying from an online store, you are subject to the laws from where the store is located, not where you live.
2. Keep proof of purchase – Having a receipt will always makes things go smoother, but if you can’t find one, there’s still hope. When making purchases, I do not like using cash because there is no way of tracking such a transaction. Instead, I use my debit card. Transactions on debit or credit cards can be found at the stores’ registers and can be used as a proof of purchase.
3. Don’t open the box or remove tags – Some stores require items to be in their original packaging, so whatever you do don’t open anything you are considering returning. Of course, there are exceptions like shoes. Most stores will take shoes back as long as the soles are clean. If all else fails, try swapping or trading items you can’t return.
4. Know the store’s return policy – Always ask the clerk about the stores’ return policy before paying for the item. Some stores actually have a high re-stocking fee for returned items. Before you buy, also make sure the item isn’t being sold as is or is a final sale or you won’t be able to return it.
5. Explain your situation – If you are a loyal customer at a store, you may be able to get store credit if you’ve lost a receipt or have no way to prove the purchase if you paid with cash. It may take more time to process the return, but don’t lose your cool. Politely ask to speak to the manager as many salespersons aren’t able to negotiate returns. When you speak to the person in charge, be clear and honest about the reasons for the return.
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
in Michigan, I’ve learned NOT to pay with a debit card b/c it can’t be tracked like a credit card. They treat it like a cash payment. Same with purchasing with a gift card or store refund card….no way to track it in their system. I experienced that this fall when I was tyring to decide on curtains and brought several home and returned, etc., etc. until I found the ones i wanted.
I make every effort to save and keep track of all receipts until I’m sure I won’t want or need to return an item. I’ve bought some produce or bread on occasion that spoiled long before it should have, and have been able to take the bad product back for an exchange or refund, as long as I have the receipt.
Your rule #3: If you buy something you intend to use, you have to open the packaging. It’s rather difficult to use what you bought without doing so! If there is a problem with the purchase, of course it should be returned in its original box accompanied by its tags, etc. The only time I can imagine not opening the box is if it is a gift which you know you will not be keeping.
Re: debit cards. When I check my bank balances online (daily, as a good Bargain Babe always does!!), it will list the store where I’ve made a debit card purchase along with the amount, so perhaps you could print up a screenshot of your bank balance list as proof of purchase from that particular store, too.
@Sharon That’s good to know. You can always take your bank statement as proof.
@EllieD I’ve had the same problem with bread and milk also. I forget to check the date and it’s spoiled. I shop at Trader Joe’s. They are really nice and will take the items back even if I forget my receipt. (I am a loyal customer.)
@Diane Rule No. 3 is more for items like CD’s and DVD’s. Stores will not take back open items because of the increase in piracy. When you buy an electronic, you of course have to use it and if it doesn’t work you can return it but everything that came with it must go back. Some stores are sticklers about this.
If you are buying clothes as a gift for someone and it doesn’t fit, the same rule applies.
@Jeannie You are so right. Have you done it before?
I keep all my receipts in my wallet until I know I’m going to return something. Then I put the unwanted item with the receipt in a bag near the door or in my car. That way I have a constant visual reminder of the money that awaits me!
@Yazmin No, I haven’t had to…yet, but after reading the 1st comment by Sharon, I realized that it might come in handy if I ever lost a receipt and wanted to prove to the store that I bought something from them.