Whether you bought something for yourself or received it as a gift, it’s disappointing when a gift doesn’t work for you. After all, returning is a hassle! You may encounter long lines or shipping charges, restocking fees, lost value, and category restrictions, especially if you wait too long or if you don’t have a receipt. Follow these tips for the most pleasant experience possible.
Return windows
A crucial rule of returning is good timing. You can never return something too soon, but you can absolutely miss your window. Here’s a rundown of return windows and rules of returns from major retail players (see below for holiday returns).
Sometimes the return window is based on when the item was purchased, but most retailers offer an extended window for gifts purchased through Dec. 30. The rules differ from retailer to retailer, but typically, you have between 1-4 weeks into January to return something that was purchased during the holiday shopping season.
– No extended window: Zara allows returns within 30 days of purchase and offers no extended window for the holidays. They also now charge a fee for return shipping.
– January 15 or sooner: Apple is quite strict, only allowing returns until January 8.
Best Buy will allow returns until January 15, 2026, this excludes items purchased with a third-party contract, like cell phones, some tablets, mobile hotspots, and wearables. If you wish to return one of those items, contact your local store.
Neiman Marcus allows returns through January 15. You can ship the items back, but a $9.95 fee will be deducted from your return. Their policy for Chanel items is stricter. Contact your store for details.
You may also find that retailers allow at least 30 days after the Holidays to return most things, but are more restrictive when it comes to electronics. Staples, Kohl’s, Lowe’s, and Costco are good examples of this. That said, it’s best to try and return electronics by January 15 to be safe.
– January 30: Macy’s, Walmart, and Amazon are all offering extended return windows through January 30. TJX brands, i.e. Marshall’s, TJMaxx, and Home Goods, will accept items bought in-store during the Holidays to be returned until Jan 25, 2026. Online Holiday purchases will accepted until Feb 4, 2026, however, expect a return shipped fee of $11.99.
Rules of Returns
– Unwrap with Caution: In the excitement of opening a new item, tags can be torn off, packaging can be damaged, and gift receipts can be misplaced, all of which can make for a difficult return process. Rule of thumb, whenever opening a new item – whether you bought it yourself or if it’s a gift, open it carefully and hang onto the receipts, if your giver has included one.
– Membership Has Its Privileges: If you below to a retailer’s loyalty program, you might find more flexibility in the return policy.
– Returning In-store Purchases: It’s safe to assume that if you’re returning in-store by January 15 and you have a receipt, you will receive the full purchase price back (except at Best Buy and Apple – see below for details!).
If you can, wait until the first week of January to make your in-store returns. According to data from Lightspeed Commerce, the highest volume of returns occurs during the week of December 26-January 2nd, where the volume of returns is 2-3 times more than usual.
But, if you do not have a receipt and/or are beyond that 30-day window, familiarize yourself with the return policy of the store so you know what to expect when you get there. It’s possible that you will get store credit for the current price, which could be a clearance price. There are also sometimes restocking fees for tech items.
Pro tip: When you’re at the return desk, be nice! Not only is it the right thing to do, but some sales reps have a bit of leeway in what they can offer you. Being nice will get you a better outcome than being nasty.
– Returning Online Purchases: If a retailer has both an online and brick-and-mortar presence, the rules of returning can be different between online and in-store. If you are returning something that was purchased online, you may have restrictions for returning it in-store, and/or you will be given a gift card or credit for that retailer instead of a check or a credit to your charge card. The return policies of different sites vary widely – details below – so before initiating a return, read the policy so you know what to expect.
Many retailers, like Gap/Banana Republic/Old Navy, Zappos, and Nordstrom, offer free return shipping, but there are many online stores, like Uniqlo and Forever 21, that have strict rules and restrictions for returning, especially in-store.
Because online returns have become so common, we are seeing more retailers adjust their return policies, i.e. shortening return windows, charging fees, etc. As an example, Gap, Old Navy, and JCrew are shortening their regular return windows, Amazon is now charging a $1 return fee if someone who lives near a Whole Foods or Kohl’s (and therefore could drop their return there) opts to return their items through the mail. DSW, Anthropologie, REI, and L.L. Bean are now charging fees for mailed returns.
Just keep it?
You might find that when you try to return something online, you’ll receive a credit without sending the item back. Some retailers, Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Wayfair included, sometimes opt to take the loss rather than deal with the hassle of a return shipment. This is becoming less common now, so if it happens, think of it as a bonus.
Re-selling
If you miss the return window or don’t want to pay a return shipping fee, you can also re-sell unwanted items. With large online marketplaces, like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Amazon Marketplace, you can sell almost anything, but there are also more category-specific marketplaces, like MPB.com for camera & videography equipment, Back Market for tech, and ThredUp and Poshmark for clothing. Before you post your items for sale, do a little digging to see which site might be best, and where you can get the best price.
Other creative ideas
– Re-Gifting: If you can’t get a good deal on your return, consider re-gifting. Remember, one person’s eyesore is another person’s Picasso. Store unwanted gifts in a safe place and revisit your gift stash for the next special occasion.
– Host a Swap: If you have more unwanted items than you know what to do with, host a swap! Good timing for this is right before the holidays, where you might find some good items for gifting, or right after the holidays to offload any gifts you can’t use.
– Donate: National Charities, like Big Brother, Big Sister, Lupus Foundation, or United War Veteran’s branch may accept unused and gently-used items as well. Sometimes, they’ll even pick up (try pickupplease.org). You can also check with your local soup kitchen or homeless shelter for drop-off options. You’ll be helping those in need and it’s a write-off for your taxes.
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