[Khruschev]

I've seen a lot of questions as to how returns work at different stores, etc. For this reason I'm going to try to get together a guide for returning things at different stores. If you have any thing to add, please let me know and I'll try to update it as I go along.

General Rules for All Stores:
- Be relaxed -- acting suspicious or nervous will not help
- Only bring in one item to return at once. Never go to the same employee twice, and try to avoid reusing stores if at all if possible.
- Even if you know the return policy, it helps to call ahead and verify. They change fairly regularly, and if they know you're coming they will be less likely to give you trouble.
- Bring ID - many stores will want to see it.
- Always claim that the product was a gift and that the receipt cannot be obtained (I like telling them that it was purchased by my grandmother, who unfortunately passed away recently).
- If asked, always say that the product was purchased with cash. They can look up credit card and other transactions.
- Be on the lookout for sales. If the store had a sale on the product you are returning at any time, they will give you that lessened price. That means you can easily get screwed, so check in advance.
- Obviously, make absolutely sure that the actual store you are visiting carries that product. Sometimes, certain products are only available online or in certain stores.
- Schmooze the employee if at all possible. Remember, acting normal will increase they willingness to help you.
- Sometimes, employees don't know their own return policies. If they claim that they do not accept returns without receipts in any circumstance, explain to them you called in advance and that the store does allow returns with ID or whatever.

STORE INSTRUCTIONS AND RATINGS

BEST BUY (8/10)
- Allows one return/year without a receipt. Must show ID.
- I've never, ever had a problem returning to BB. They always give store credit.
- You must fill out a brief sheet with personal information
- They have a wide range of products and I can always find a good use for their store credit.
- Make use of family members and only return expensive products to get the most out of their return policy.
- They tend to have frequent sales, so keep an eye out for these to avoid returning at a time when you will get less than max value for your products.
- Apparently, they have a 15% restock fee on larger items. Although I have never encountered this, be aware when returning and feel free to refuse and take your product elsewhere if they want to charge you.

TARGET (2/10)
- I believe the current policy is that returns without receipts are only allowed on products under $20. Since electronics are generally over that amount, returns at Target are not particularly useful.

RADIOSHACK (1/10)
- Although their store policy is fairly flexible, they have a much narrower selection and many of their products are only available online (which means these products can't be returned).
- They can check which products come from Radioshack. This means that unless you actually purchased the product at Radioshack, you will absolutely not be able to return it.

WALMART (Depends/10)
- From what I understand, Walmart seems to vary by the store. I have only tried one Walmart location, but many people seem to have luck.
- Like Radioshack, Walmart has the capability to look up which products were purchased from Walmart.
- If you are rejected at one location, search around and try to find another that will accept their product.
- You must show ID and can only return w/out a receipt 3 times per 6 months.

OfficeMax (7.5/10)
- Fairly flexible, carries most computer accessory products from CL.
- Same policy as BB - one return per year, must show ID.
- They tend to have higher prices and fewer sales, which means you get more from each return.
- Unfortunately, I can never find anything I want here. I normally just sell store credit on eBay

Staples (7.5/10)
- Almost exactly the same as OfficeMax.


Hope this helps! If you have anything you want to add/change, let me know.

[mighty1u2]

thanks Khruschev. I asked for this and you supplied. +rep

[Shark]

Great guide! +Rep

[brittmarie2789]

Be careful with Best Buy. A friend went to return a Tom Tom, and was charged a 15% restocking fee.

[TJ]

Thanks Dude, it's a good guide.

[sbl03]

Dang, only once per year? Is this per household or per person? Will it work on multiple stores?

[Shark]

If they are getting you ID, then I would think this would mean 1 return at any store (probably put ya in some database). As for "is the household or person", well, just cause you have the same last name, doesn't mean ya live in the same house. Or if they are looking at address, well, you could have moved out and into an apartment or something since ya got your license and other info updated.

[lordofsheep]

+rep

[Khruschev]

Glad you guys like it. If you want me to look into policies of any other stores, be sure to let me know. For the people that asked, 1/year returns are per person. That means you can do as many as you want as long as you can find people to do it for you. I've made returns from myself, friends, family, girlfriend, etc at just about every store that allows it. As for that issue with the TomTom at BB, have to say that I don't really know. I've never been charged a restock fee.

[Shark]

I have clearly read online on Best Buys site that they have a 15% restock fee on many larger items, appliances, and electronics almost always including kitchen and laundry appliances and computers and laptops.