I’m not sure which day of the year retail employees(or shoppers who don’t like crowds) dread more—the day after Thanksgiving or the day after Christmas. On the day after Christmas retailers are dealing with massive crowds returning gifts, and returned gifts need, well, they need to be restocked. It’s a task, which apparently has become so despised that some retailers are making you pay for it.
It’s a lesson I learned the hard way. For me, returns are a part of my life. I don’t buy an item with the intention of returning it. However, I also don’t hesitate to take an item back to a store if I am not happy with it. The only problem—my recent returns have been met with restocking fees. Restocking what? I asked the customer service representative at a local store the same question.
Apparently, a growing number of stores are assessing restocking fees in part to make sure you don’t bring back the item—simply because they lose money having to re-sell it or repackage it. And, when I say a growing number of stores, I’m talking major retail chains. For example: Sears charges a 15% fee on lawn and garden and household items if they’re not returned unused in its original packaging. At Target you’ll pay a restocking fee when you return items such as framed art, certain scooters and hot tubs. And, Sharper Image charges 10% on any items that have been opened.
So what can you do to avoid having to pay these fees?
· Inquire about a store’s return policy BEFORE you buy an item. Find out which categories include the fee, especially if you want to return an item and get all your money back—not just 85% of your money back. The store should post the return policy near the cash register. If you don’t see it, ask before you buy.
· Make sure to keep the item in pristine condition. Save the tags, the original packaging, and the receipt. Sometimes a gift receipt may help avoid a fee.
· Shop at stores that offer generous return policies.
One more note: retail stores aren’t the only ones charging restocking fees—Amazon.com charges a fee – so does overstock.com. Look for online stores’ return policies on their websites.
Related Articles:
Holiday Travel: Dollars and Sense