SpringfieldNewsSun.com

You've spent hours in pursuit of the perfect gift for that special someone on your holiday gift list. Now, fingers crossed, you're hoping that your gift won't be too small, too big, too blue, too broken or one of an endless list of reasons that might turn even the jolliest of shoppers into the Grinch that Stole Christmas. The decisive moment comes as you make your way back to the store to return or exchange your gift and discover the store only accepts returns from Santa himself every sixth Tuesday.

You can avoid some of the holiday hassles this gift-giving season by spending a couple minutes before you make your purchases to learn more about the store's return-and-exchange policy. Like a snowflake, no two stores have exactly the same policy, so a little inquiry goes a long way.

The Consumers Sales Practices Act protects Ohio consumers from unfair, deceptive and unconscionable sales practices. Shopping through the weekly advertising circulars you often run across phrases such as "quantities are limited" or "each store will have two of the advertised item" or "no rain checks will be issued." The attorney general is responsible for enforcement of this act and is part of the reason you see the teeny tiny type under many of the items. The attorney general's office also protects consumers from unconscionable sales practices and is the governmental agency you would turn to when you can't reach resolution with the retailer regarding such practices.

Ohio does not require retailers to have a return policy, but only to have the policy posted prominently if they do have one. Holiday shoppers are usually focused on checking items off their gift lists rather than looking for a return policy in a store, but the few moments it takes to locate or ask about the policy could be time you won't regret spending. Finding the policy can be another task. Many stores have the registers cluttered full of add-on sales items burying the posted policies. Other retailers fail to post the policy making it difficult for the consumer.

The words of caution here are buyer beware. Unless the retailer is engaged in a fraudulent sales practice, it's up to you to know how the retailer deals with returns. Remember, read the policy before you lay down that hard-earned cash. It's much easier to walk away from the sale before it's completed than it is to try to negotiate your way into a return.

Here are a few things to keep in mind to keep your return experiences merry:

Hang on to the receipt. Just about everything in the return process works from the receipt. In recent years, retailers have introduced gift receipts making it easier to include a receipt along with each gift. Locally, several retailers including Macy's are attaching individual tags with bar codes on the items to help identify their merchandise.

Don't clip or remove the tags from the merchandise. Many retailers sell the exact same brand or models of clothing, electronics and small appliances. Leaving the tags attached is one way to speed up the return process. If you need to remove the price, mark through it with a marker or cut-off the price but leave the tags attached.

Most retailers have their return-exchange policies posted in the customer service or the checkout areas of the store. Reading the policy may take a few moments, so be prepared for awkward stares from the clerks standing behind the counter who might be wondering what you're up to because most customers rarely stop and read these policies.

Check your receipt before leaving the checkout area. If you see something that appears to be wrong, ask the clerk for clarification or better yet ask to speak to a manager to work out the differences. For example, if the store has posted that it has an extended holiday return period but the receipt only says 15 days, have the manager sign the receipt or ask for a business card of the manager and staple it to the receipt.

All hope for an easy return isn't lost if the receipt can't be located. Target and others retailers can accept the return if you have the credit card you used to complete the transaction. Their systems are able to match the card to a transaction thereby allowing them to accept the return. Credit-card companies also sometimes are able to help should you have lose a receipt. A duplicate copy of the sales receipt can sometimes be ordered through your bank or credit-card provider. Although be prepared, some credit card issuers are now charging a fee for the service.

Make a photocopy of all of your receipts. Having a copy of the receipt can prove to be handy not only if the item needs to be returned but also if the gift needs warranty service later.

If you can't locate the receipt, there are still options. Some stores will issue store merchandise credit for unopened, unused items still in the original packaging. The Internet along with increases in fraudulent returns have forced retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target to limit the number of returns to just one to three per year without a receipt. If the store has a policy of accepting a return without a receipt, be prepared to show your photo identification; most retailers are using tracking software to limit their exposure to fraudulent returns. Also note, if they accept the return they will usually give you a merchandise credit for either the lowest price they sold the product for or their current selling price.

Policies of individual stores

Here's a roundup of return policies for a few of the retailers in the area to help make your shopping experiences a little easier.

The least restrictive

Aeropostale

• With a receipt, bring it back any time for a full credit

• Items must be in good, wearable condition; if laundered, can't return.

Abercrombie & Fitch

• With a receipt, no time limit for full credit (although they reserve the right to deny any credit).

Yankee Candle

• Don't like the fragrance after you burn it, bring it back for an exchange any time.

Children's Place

• Returns accepted with receipt for six months.

Elder-Beerman

• With a receipt and tags attached, bring it back any time for a full credit. (Some exceptions may apply by department.)

Macy's

• With a receipt, you have 180 days from the date of purchase to return or exchange.

Lane Bryant

• With a receipt, accepts returns for 90 days for full return or exchange. After 90 days, exchange only with a receipt.

The Icing

• No restrictions, bring it back they'll exchange it.

Most restrictive

Seasonal stores in the mall

• These are often the freestanding kiosks or temporary locations scattered throughout the mall. For example Christmas shops, calendar kiosks, game kiosks, the roasted almond stand, etc. Most offer an exchange-only policy and pack up shortly after Christmas.

Gap, Old-Navy

• Without a receipt, they will send a merchandise credit to you by mail within 10 days.

Most complicated

Game Stop

• All with a receipt — without one you're out of luck.

• New games: return within seven days.

• Used games: return within seven days.

• New game systems: unopened seven days. All defective, call manufacturers. (Will exchange defective game systems through Jan. 15.)

• Used game systems: guaranteed to work for 30 days.

Surprising return/exchange findings

Radio Shack

• Some items accepted for return within 30 days — no clarity regarding which items.

• Defective items repaired or replaced at their discretion within 90 days.

Meijer

• Accepts returns for all foods with or without a receipt.

• Ammunition must be returned with 24 hours of purchase.

Many retailers are now requiring a photo ID with purchases including those with a receipt. The Limited has posted on its return policy that it will track your return history. The policy refers shoppers to a Web site thereturnexchange.com that appears to offer fraud detection services for retailers.

Companies change their policies all the time, so be sure to check with the store for the most current return information.

Where to find more information:

• Check the store's Web site

• Ohio Attorney General Office Web site: www.ag.state.oh.us/

BBB: www.dayton.bbb.org/