Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge issued a consumer alert to help gift recipients, should gift returns or exchanges be necessary this holiday season.
“Some return and exchange policies are simple and can be taken care of quickly,” Rutledge said in a news release. “But consumers should check with the company to find out the specifics of their policies beforehand. Some retailers allow shoppers to make returns regardless of the reason, which leads consumers to wrongly believe they are entitled by law to a full refund or credit at all retail outlets.”
Rutledge released the following tips about making a return or exchange:
• Ask the gift giver about the store’s return or exchange policy.
• Keep all gift receipts.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
• Do not open the box or remove the tags if you may return it.
• Some online retailers allow purchases to be returned in store, while others require the item be shipped back. Check with the company ahead of time.
• Most companies offer in-store exchanges if the customer has the receipt and the item is promptly returned. However, others have an “all sales are final” policy for deeply discounted or clearance items and do not allow returns or exchanges. Return policies not only differ from store to store but can also differ for items purchased in-store and items bought online or by mail-order.
• Some retailers that allow returns may charge restocking fees for certain products. Consumers can sometimes pay a fee of 10 to 25 percent of the price of the item if the package is not in the condition in which it was purchased. Meanwhile, items like computer software, CDs, DVDs and Blue-Ray discs are not generally returnable after the seal has been broken.
• Retailers are not required to accept at-will returns, and even in the case of a defective product, consumers may be required to contact the manufacturer. Sometimes retailers will require consumers to deal with the product manufacturer directly, rather than simply returning the item to the place of purchase.
For more information and tips to avoid scams and other consumer related issues, contact the Arkansas Attorney General’s office at 800-482-8982 or consumer@arkansasag.gov or visit ArkansasAG.gov or facebook.com/AGLeslieRutledge.