Returning a Christmas Gift? Here's What You Need to Know

Today is the third busiest shopping day of the year, so chances are you might be making a trip to the mall to return some Christmas gifts.

Consumer World recommends being aware of the following return policies to ensure a stress-free day.

• Don't forget! Target has tightened its return policy. Computer hardware including netbooks, eReaders, tablets, cameras and camcorders must now be returned in 45 days - not 90. Open items may be denied a refund/exchange. Target's previous 15 percent restocking fee has been dropped.
• Macy's attaches a customer return label to many items, so a receipt may not be necessary.
• Best Buy dropped its restocking fee last Dec. 18, and is now waiving it on special orders. The holiday return deadline is shortened by one week this year, but there is a longer return window for certain Reward Zone members. Their holiday return policy finally includes computers. Best Buy's posted policy now indicates they use a database to track returns.
• Toys-R-Us maintains its shorter return period (45 days) for electronics and similar items, and if such items are opened, they are not returnable.
• Sears shortened its extended holiday return period for computers to 30 days - from 60, and for fine jewelry to 60 days -from 90.
• Wal-mart and Target allow only limited returns without a receipt, capped as to frequency of such returns or their dollar value.
• Wal-mart reduced the return period for cameras from 30 to 15 days, but expanded its holiday return window to include purchases starting Nov. 1 instead of the 15th.