Special holiday return policies of popular stores

Will Chen — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 17:01:07 +0000

Consumer World compiled a great list of the special holiday return policies of some of the most popular stores such as Amazon, Best Buy, Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, Kohl's, Target, Costco, etc.

Consumer World is run by Edwgar Dworsky, a highly respected consumer rights attorney. It is pretty sweet having an attorney read the return policy fine print for you, but I advise you to use the chart only as a general guide. Make sure you check out these policies for yourself before making a return or purchase.

"Some retailers relax their regular return deadlines at holiday time by extending the return period into January. Remarkably, in Consumer World's spot check of in-store return policy signage, some stores failed to post the terms of their holiday policies. Nonetheless, some chains with generous regular or extended holiday return deadlines include:"

Amazon.com	January 31 (for most items shipped 11/01 thru 12/31) 15% restocking fee: open computers.
Best Buy	January 8 (for camcorders, digital cameras, printers, monitors, projectors, radar detectors); Jan. 24 (all other items bought since Nov. 1). Computers: 14 days from purchase only
Buy.com	Holiday return policy eliminated.
Circuit City	January 25 most items; Jan. 8 for 14 day items including computers
Costco	No deadline (except computers)
Kohl's	No deadline (with receipt)
Marshalls	January 6 (for purchases Oct. 29 - Dec. 6)
Overstock.com	By January 10, initiate return of most items purchased Nov. 1 or later
Staples	No deadline for office supplies. (January 6 for electronics and furniture bought since Nov. 24)
TJ Maxx	January 7 (for purchases Oct. 29 - Dec. 6)
Target	Target: 90 days from purchase (15% restocking fee on portable electronics, digital cameras, camcorders; specially marked clearance items only qualify for current sale price)
Toys R Us	90 days (45 days for unopened electronics, video products)
Wal-Mart	90 days most items (other items: 15 days [PCs], 30 [cameras], or 45 [PC accessories.])

Written by Will Chen and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

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Special holiday return policies of popular stores