Better Business Bureau

According to the National Retail Federation, some retailers make their return policies more lenient around the holidays, while others tighten up the parameters to account for an increase in return fraud.

In North Carolina and South Carolina, the law requires only that a retailer have a return policy and disclose it to shoppers, but it does not dictate the terms of that return policy.

“Because there is no standard when it comes to returns and exchanges,” says Tom Bartholomy, president of BBB of Southern Piedmont and Western North Carolina, “it is important that consumers carefully read and understand the policy before even making a purchase.”

BBB offers the following advice for hassle-free returns and exchanges:

• Keep your receipts. Keep any purchase receipts and be sure to enclose gift receipts as well.

• Understand return policies. Make sure you understand whether you or the recipient of your gift can get a refund, exchange or store credit for unwanted merchandise. Remember that policies for sale or clearance merchandise may be different.

• Monitor the return clock. The return window starts the day the gift was purchased, not the day it was received, so know when that window closes.

• Don’t remove items from their boxes or remove the tags. Some stores will not accept a return unless the item is in its original packaging.

• Ask about return shipping fees. Be aware of additional charges if returning an online purchase.

Check out bbb.org to look up a business, file a complaint, write a customer review, report a scam, read tips, follow us on social media, and more.