Back in the day (OK, back in the dark ages, according to my kids), the first day of school was a celebration of all-things-new: new shoes, new sweaters, new school supplies. We didn’t have backpacks so we carried our new notebooks — we’re talking Big Chief and three-ring binders, not HP — to school.
Fast forward to the First Day of School 2009.
Kids are told they must do homework on computers, everyone — or so your kid claims — has a cell phone, and Mp3 players are the only way to make that long ride on the bus do-able. And if you have a son or daughter going off to college, the number of expensive “must-haves” multiplies exponentially: printers, mini-fridges, microwaves, coffee pots, game consoles, TVs and even furniture.
New things are great. Until they don’t work. Or they’re the wrong color. Or the wrong size. Or you have one too many.
A savvy back-to-school shopper keeps her or his receipts and makes sure they know each store’s return policies — just in case. If the return policy is not visible, ask the clerk what it entails.
Your Better Business Bureau offers these additional tips:
- A store is not legally required to accept items for refund, exchange or credit unless the merchandise is defective or was misrepresented. If a store’s return/exchange policy is not readily visible, ask to see it.
- Keep the item in its original box. Many retailers will not accept returns on opened video games, CDs, software or DVDs. And health regulations prohibit returns of hats and other intimate apparel.
- Ask about restocking fees. Some merchants charge a restocking or "open box" fee — sometimes as high as 20 percent of the original cost — for returns of electronics products or large-ticket items. Ask if that is the policy so that you know before you buy.
- Don’t assume the regular return policy applies to sales or clearance items. Some merchants consider sales items final.
- Look for a posted return policy when shopping online. If returns are permitted, be sure to print a copy of what procedures and timeframe need to be followed along with complete contact information for the business from which you are ordering.
- If you’ve lost the original receipt, some stores offer a merchandise credit. Even better, some retailers now have computerized receipt tracking connected to your phone number. But be warned, if you’ve misplaced the merchandise receipt for an item that has since gone on sale, some retailers will only refund the current sale price.
- If you’re purchasing an expensive item, ask about the warranty, how long it’s in effect and what it covers. Weigh the pros and cons before agreeing to an extended warranty plan, however.
- And last, know that some stores track "serial returners." Too many returns, and you're put on a blacklist.
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