‘Tis the season to return some of those unwanted holiday presents, and for those who had not previously checked the seller’s return policy, surprises await.
Here are some of the most strict (and occasionally obnoxious) policies out there:
From SmartBargains.com:
Late Returns
We can accept returned merchandise for up to 30 days from the date you originally received it. Unfortunately, items received after the 30-day return period cannot be accepted for a refund, and your package will be returned to you. If we receive the same late return package a second time, we will keep your merchandise and no credit will be issued.
JC Penney does not like women to “borrow” a fancy dress for a weekend wedding or other special occasion, and then return it the following Monday. So they put a return tag on each of these dresses, presumably in a very conspicuous spot, and it cannot be removed without jeopardizing your return:
Special Occasion Dresses must be returned in their original condition with the “return tag” in place.
At Amazon.com, if you return items that qualified for free shipping, the value of the shipping will be deducted from your refund. [It is unclear whether Amazon really makes this deduction in practice.]
If you return any items from an order that received FREE Super Saver Shipping, the original shipping savings associated with the returned item(s) will be deducted from the refund amount unless the return was due to our error.
At Best Buy, if you bought a computer on Black Friday as a Christmas present, your return rights evaporated more than two weeks ago:
Holiday Return and Exchange Policy
Gift purchases made November 1 through December 24, 2006, qualify for the extended return and exchange policy.
- Desktop and notebook computers do not qualify for the extended return policy.
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