Return and Exchange Merchandise Easily and Quickly

At some point in our lives, we all find ourselves in line at a returns desk. Sometimes an item doesn't work properly or serve your needs. Clothing may not fit. Gifts may not be appropriate. However, there are limitations in return policies that vary from store to store. It really pays to learn your favorite retailer's policies before you need to make a return. They may affect the way you open and try items to ensure that you're able to return them... just in case. Let's take a look at some ways that you can make your return process easier.

I cannot stress this enough: Keep your receipt. It is the only proof you have that you purchased your item. Your receipt details the store at which the purchase was made, the method of payment and the date and time. You must have your receipt to take advantage of any warranties or price corrections. At many retailers, you cannot make any kind of return without it. I recommend keeping an envelope in a drawer and collecting your receipts there. You can periodically organize them and throw them out if they are no longer valid.

If you make a clothing purchase, check the fit before removing the tags. Try on bathing suits and intimates without removing the gusset liners. Check seams and hemlines promptly. It's important to identify any flaws in your garment quickly. Once you've removed the tags, keep them until your purchase has been washed, in case a seam comes apart. If you've collected several tags and are not sure which one belongs to the shirt with the frayed neckline, check the UPC. It is listed underneath the bar code on the tag, and almost always printed on the fabric tag inside the garment.

Food products are usually not returnable without a receipt. At some retailers, they can only be exchanged for other groceries. When returning a shelf-stable item, like crackers, bring in the entire package and the remainder of the product. If your item is perishable, call ahead and speak to a returns clerk. They may ask that you bring in the package and dispose of the product, or that you bring everything together. Do not pour the product down the drain or throw it in the trash until you've verified the retailer's requirements.

I have seen many customers frustrated by the return policies for open media products. CDs, DVDs and software are nearly always nonrefundable once the seal is broken. If you're not sure that the content is appropriate for your family, research it before making the purchase. Read software packages carefully. It is your responsibility to know about computer requirements and potential fees before buying anything. Check the packaging to make sure that it has not been damaged or opened. Once you have access to the content you've purchased, it's yours. If the item is defective, bring it to the store along with its packaging and receipt to request another copy.

Before purchasing a computer or computer accessory, camera, mp3 player, GPS unit, cell phone or similar item, check your retailer's return policy. You may only be eligible for a full refund for a very limited time. After that period, you may be directed to the manufacturer. Asking a few questions before buying can save time and frustration if your item is unsatisfactory. If the return policy for your item does not print on the receipt, write it down yourself and keep your notes with the receipt.

You may be surprised to learn that your favorite stores have restrictions on returning certain items. You may not be able to return opened cosmetics for cash. Your leaky air mattress may only be eligible for an exchange. This is especially true of seasonal items such as Christmas decorations and lawnmowers. If your retailer permits returns or exchanges without a receipt, there are undoubtedly restrictions on the kind and quantity of items that will be accepted.

As a consumer, you have the right to know what recourse you have if your purchases do not meet your expectations. If you aren't sure about a store's policies, call ahead and ask. Understanding the rules that return clerks must follow will smooth your experience. But don't forget that a positive attitude goes a long way. When you listen carefully to an employee's statements and control your frustration, he or she is willing to go the extra mile.