Consumer columnist and West Hartford resident Harlan Levy has more than 20 years of experience writing stories about everyday experiences that anyone could encounter.

Harlan Levy. Courtesy photo

By Harlan Levy

My wife maintains a tradition of buying gifts for every family member – including our dog Latke –  for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, but not the usual sweaters, socks, shirts, pants, dresses, blouses, etc., that they may or may not need. Rather she goes for fun things, odd items, unusual gifts. But the grandchildren are the exception. They get what they’ve been clamoring for.

Usually, some of these gifts either don’t look as they appeared online, don’t fit, or don’t please the recipients and need to be returned … Like the  garish, silver, patterned dinner jacket she bought for me to wear at an upcoming wedding, which makes me look like a sleazy lounge singer. Also, the pink winter coat from Macy’s for our 1 ½-year-old granddaughter that was much too big – but too small for her 5-year-old sister, who coveted it.

Can I stand to wear this at an upcoming wedding and embarrass myself??? Photo credit: Harlan Levy

The dinner jacket “was not to his taste,” she admitted (an understatement), “but I still bought it even though it was on final clearance [for $35], since I didn’t want him to return it.”

I told her I would wear at our New Year’s Eve dinner at Portabello restaurant just to appease her, but not to the wedding. “It was admired by other diners,” she said. It was, inexplicably, but I still refuse to embarrass myself at the wedding.

So the pink jacket must go back, to be replaced by a larger size. But will it be in time?

That’s just one question consumers must answer to avoid getting frustrated by failing to discover the various conditions retailers establish for returns. So here are some tips, courtesy of Juliana Henderson from the Federal Trade Commission and other sources:

• Review store policies: Return and exchange policies vary by store. Many won’t take returns or exchanges after a certain time – like 30 or 90 days. Return policies for sale items, especially clearance products, will be different from undamaged new items. For damaged goods, know if a warranty covers it. Find policies and deadlines often printed on the back of receipts. Don’t delay in returning your undamaged item to have the best chance for a refund, exchange, or store credit. Contact the manufacturer to see if you can return a defective or damaged product after the seller’s return deadline.
• Know return shipping costs: For a gift ordered online, search for the seller’s return policy. Know who pays for shipping. If it’s you, save fees by returning the gift to a local outlet if possible.
• Use gift card exchange websites carefully: These sites let you sell or swap cards, as well as shop for discounted cards. Read reviews of an exchange website before selling or buying a gift card. Make sure the exchange has a post-purchase guarantee ensuring cards are legitimate.
• Keep receipts: Returns or exchanges in a store often require documentation, often an ID as well. Take the item, receipt, and original packaging to the store. No receipt? Expect a store credit, often for the lowest sales price.
• Ask for a manager: If you have a problem, a supervisor or customer service representative will likely facilitate a solution.

Now you know.

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