Dec 30, 2010

Retailers crackdown on holiday returnsBy Christine ScarpelliCountOn2.com

The relatives are gone and it’s time to return those gifts you don’t like or exchange them for something better.

Return fraud is on the rise however and retailers are cracking down on return policies.

The National Retail Federation says one-third of those who received gifts this year will make returns.

But in a poll done by Consumer Report, nearly half of all retail shoppers don’t bother to look at rules for returns before hand.

“I don’t know, you know some stores take it some stores don’t, I don’t really know the return policy so,” said shopper Neal Gadson.

NRF has seen about $14 billion in return fraud this year alone. Many retailers are tightening their return policy like requiring a receipt or drivers license at the counter.

Some stores will even charge a restocking fee. It’s typically for electronic items that have already been opened and stores can’t resell.

At Target Ida Davis of Guest Services said their policy is pretty lenient but having the correct proof of purchase is important to keep retailers in business.

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