Seven stores with the best return policies
Savvy retailers realize that not every聽gift is聽a hit: It might not fit, it could聽be a duplicate, or that smartwatch may not be very smart. These retailers have generous return policies that focus on customer satisfaction.
Savvy retailers realize that not every聽gift is聽a hit: It might not fit, it could聽be a duplicate, or that smartwatch may not be very smart. These retailers have generous return policies that focus on customer satisfaction.
Savvy retailers realize that not every聽gift is聽a hit: It might not fit, it could聽be a duplicate, or that smartwatch may not be very smart. These retailers have generous return policies that focus on customer satisfaction.
When shopping during the holidays, use this list聽of聽seven聽stores with the best聽return policies to make life easier for your gift recipients. Most of the stores listed below will return or exchange an item without a receipt and give you 90 days or more to make the transaction.
1. Nordstrom
Nordstrom, which聽technically has no return policy, says it handles returns on a case-by-case basis 鈥渨ith the ultimate objective of making our customers happy.鈥� In other words, if you bought the item at Nordstrom, the high-end retailer probably will take it back and reimburse you. There are no time limits on a return, and you don鈥檛 need a receipt. Store associates will聽look up your purchase in the company database; if they cannot find a record of sale, the refund will be provided on a gift card at the聽current price of the item. It may take聽up to 14 days to issue a聽refund on聽credit card purchases. But Nordstrom won鈥檛 take back special-occasion dresses, so don鈥檛 expect to return that New Year鈥檚 Eve party frock聽after the ball drops.
2. Kohl鈥檚
Kohl鈥檚聽refers to its聽return policy as 鈥淗assle-Free Returns.鈥� On most purchases, there are no time restrictions or receipts required. If you don鈥檛 have a receipt but paid in cash, your refund will be in the form of a merchandise exchange or store credit based on the lowest 13-week sale price. But if you paid with a major credit card, Kohl鈥檚 will refund the charge with or without a receipt. Gift receipts are only eligible for an even exchange or a merchandise credit.
3. REI
REI聽rocks with a 鈥�100% Satisfaction Guaranteed鈥� return policy. The fitness and outdoors retailer will replace or refund any item within a year from the date of purchase. You can even return an item that has been worn or used as long as it鈥檚 cleaned or laundered, although REI notes exceptions for ordinary wear and tear or damage. But you need your receipt or proof of purchase to make a return 鈥斅爑nless you鈥檙e an REI member.
4. Bed Bath & Beyond
An item bought in a聽Bed Bath & Beyond聽store can be returned at any of its locations. The only exception is for聽large items delivered by a Bed Bath & Beyond truck; you鈥檒l have to arrange a pickup time with the store for those returns. The home merchandise chain also accepts returns by mail for online purchases and will cover your shipping fees. There are no time restrictions if you have a receipt; returns without one聽are accepted up to a year after purchase.聽If that is the case,聽and the item cannot be associated with a credit card, gift card, checking account or some聽other store record, Bed Bath & Beyond will exchange the item at the current selling price minus 20%.
5. L.L. Bean
There are no time limits on a return at聽L.L. Bean.聽The outdoor recreation chain does not require a receipt (though it helps if you have one; cash purchase returns without a receipt probably will result in a store gift card). If you have a receipt, the chain will reimburse you in the original method of payment. Returns also are accepted by mail, but unless you have an L.L. Bean Visa card, the retailer will deduct $6.50 from your refund for shipping charges.
6. J.C. Penney
J.C. Penney聽offers full returns with no time limit in most states and will reimburse you in your original form of payment if you have a receipt. Without a receipt, you鈥檒l get a merchandise voucher for the lowest selling price of that item within the last 45 days. The retailer has additional restrictions on returns on furniture, fine jewelry, appliances, small electronics and other categories.
7. Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart聽accepts returns only within 90 days of purchase, but you don鈥檛 need a receipt if you do the return聽in a store. Without a receipt, you鈥檒l get an even exchange, a cash refund or a聽Wal-Mart gift card, depending on the amount of the purchase. Wal-Mart鈥檚 policy has some restrictions on returns of聽electronics and 鈥渞egulated items鈥� such as groceries and home goods.
There鈥檚 a lot of fine print in each store鈥檚 policy, so it鈥檚 best to read it聽online before making returns. Apps such as聽Slice聽can help you record your online purchases and keep track of聽your receipts in case you need to make any returns or exchanges.
This story originally appeared on NerdWallet.