If the holidays were easy, you'd get everything you wanted and nothing more. At the very least, every gift would arrive with a gift receipt or simple instructions for returns or exchanges. Since every holiday has its fair share of gifting mishaps, however, these tips for returning or exchanging gifts can help you unload the unwanted gifts you've accumulated.
1. Don't Open All the Packages
You got a new gizmo or gadget - great! But don't rip into the box until you've made sure it's the one you want. Lots of stores (Circuit City, Best Buy, Sears) have restocking fees for opened electronics.2. Save Every Receipt
Don't toss the receipts from the purchases you made as gifts (in case the gift receipts get lost) and be sure to keep all gift receipts and packing slips for every gift you received. Stores are being more restrictive with returns this year, and even those stores that usually take gifts back without any questions may require receipts. Additionally, you may find yourself only getting store credit (at a deeply-discounted price) for items returned without the proof of purchase.3. Try to Return at the Store First
If your gift was purchased online, you don't necessarily have to mail it back - check the company website to see if you can return items to the brick-and-mortar stores before you bother packaging items and heading to the post office. Even some items ordered from Amazon (which happens to have a very easy online returns procedure) can be returned to storefronts. Check first!4. Pay Attention to the Returns Period
You may think you have 30 days to return a gift, but you may have only 14 (or as many as 90) depending on where the item was purchased and the type. Electronics, for example, usually have a shorter returns window.5. Don't Delay to Exchange Clothes
If you thought the before-Christmas sales were good, you should see the discounts now! What that means, however, is that more bargain shoppers will be lining up to snag the best deals - don't wait too long to return that ugly sweater, or you may find only more of the same to exchange it for.6. Consider Alternatives
Perhaps a gift came from a store you can't possibly get to, or you don't like any of your exchange options. Consider these alternatives:- Selling Gifts on eBay: It's the world's largest online auction for a reason - people are shopping there. You may not love the crocheted potholders from Aunt Clara, but someone will.
- Swapping Gift Cards Online: Sell or swap your unwanted gift cards at swapagift.com, where it will cost you only $3.99 to trade in that Home Depot card for a Tiffany & Co. one. If what you really wanted for Christmas was less debt, you can also trade in your gift cards to pay a bill (for a fee).
- Donating Your Gifts: Find a local charity in need of clothing, toys, books, etc. and pay your gift forward.