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Christmas has come and gone, meaning now is the time that we look upon the generous gifts we’ve been given and scorn them as ugly, out of touch, or not worth the trouble. Peace on earth and goodwill toward men time is over, pal. It’s time to go swap everything you got for cooler stuff. It’s time to head back out into the retail wilds.

For many, today also means a return to the post office or UPS to send a return off to Amazon or some other online retailer. It’s the same premise as above, with its own set of potential frustrations just lying in wait to pop up and ruin your holiday joy.

The point is this: Life can be cruel but it doesn’t mean you can’t be smart about returning items this holiday season. We’ve compiled some tips for you to follow, including a few specific looks at returns to major chains like Macy’s, Amazon, and Walmart after the holidays.

Tips On Maximizing Your Returns/Exchanges:

Don’t Delay: If you have a return to make and are expecting to wait until the crowds die down, you might want to rethink that. Some returns have time limits — especially electronics and other big ticket items. The time you’ll spend in line will be worth it if you don’t miss your window to return that silly pair of socks or that old television you’ve stuffed into the box of the new one. Get informed and act accordingly. Some stores, like Macy’s, will allow returns for 365 days, Costco will allow returns at mostly any time but require most electronics back within 90 days, and Target opens a window of 30 days on December 26th.

Don’t Open The Package/Remove The Price Tags: Not only will this help you avoid a later issue with attempting to return a mystery gift, but it will also save time with trying to convince the sales clerk that this is truly a return. Years of issues with fraudulent returns or returns that didn’t come from a particular store have made retailers sticklers for the rules. Keeping the original packaging, receipts, price tags, and even using a bag from the particular store will go the extra mile to ensure your successful return or exchange.

Also please note, many stores will treat exchanges more favorably than a return for a refund.

Know Policies, Deadlines, And Requirements: If you have a time limit or policy you need to fulfill in order to return an item, it’ll be good to know before you head out. There is no worse feeling than standing in line to return an item and finding out that you forgot a document or made a mistake with your item to derail your return/exchange. Read up and inform yourself. Don’t be a fool. Also, check whether a store will issue store credit or if they will provide cash on returns. Some stores will only provide store credit, especially when you’re lacking a receipt.

Avoid Those Crowds: This is less about waiting until the beginning of the New Year and more about choosing your time wisely. Sometimes a crowd is impossible to avoid, particularly in the days right after Christmas. But pay attention to when the stores aren’t as crowded, the work schedules people are on, the ability to call ahead about a return, and even shop for an exchange item before getting in line for a return.

Anything to save time and avoid a crowd will be to your benefit.

Receipts: Much like a loan shark, sometimes you have to call up friends and family to get a receipt for an item. You need what you’re owed and they should either cough it up or at least provide a gift receipt. Having a receipt of any type is like having Willy Wonka’s golden ticket if you’re looking for a return. Some stores will allow an exchange without a receipt, but today it is tougher than ever to do anything without proof of purchase. If you can’t find a paper receipt, look back to see if you can find a digital version sent to your email. Retailers like Best Buy will email you a digital receipt to help keep organized.

If you don’t have a receipt, it isn’t the end of the world. You just might have to be more persuasive or lower your standards a bit. Some stores will be more lenient in the post-holiday rush, but others will require that you have a slip showing what you purchased. Some stores will leave it up to a manager, especially after a search. Your best bet here is to have as much proof as you can that the item comes from the store, including a bag from the store. Some sweet talk and patience will get you where you need to go.

Mystery Items: This is a little trickier. With a receipt, you can always show that an item was bought at a particular store. If you don’t have this information, you’re in a tight spot. Especially if you’re left guessing about where to return something.

The days of being able to game a store with an item for a random item exchange or return are over. Digital inventories, rule changes, and exclusive items have made some returns difficult. It depends on what your item is at this point and how available it is at a particular store. It could also help to bring an item you did purchase at the store with you for a return and couple them together. A proper story with some creativity takes you a long way.

Have Your ID: Don’t hide your identity. Allow the light to wash over your public persona and don’t try to hide in the shadows with a return or exchange. The more legitimate you seem, the easier your return will be. Also, some items might require you to have an ID in order to return or exchange. If you don’t have a driver license, make sure you have some form of photo ID you can use.

Much like the need to avoid the crowds, avoiding any delays is key to making your return experience as pleasant as possible.

Bring Money: You never know when you’re going to run into extra fees or find an item that requires more money. While you shouldn’t enter any store without money in the first place, it is a crucial item to have when showing up for a return or exchange because it can usually solve issues that might pop up.

Get The Manager Involved: A manager is a person who can make the decisions that can make or break your return/exchange. While the regular clerk is capable of getting you in and out of the store in a smooth fashion, a manager can help you pass the obstacles listed above. If you’re missing a receipt, have a mystery item, have an open item, or anything else, just get the manager involved. It might not go your way, but it will expedite your situation.

Be Nice And Have Patience: Put yourself in the shoes of the person working at the store. These employees don’t want to be there to deal with people returning items they don’t want for items they’ll forget about in a week. So treat them with some kindness and patience. They might look upon that favorably if you’re looking to return or exchange a ton of items, but they’ll also be more forgiving if you’re forgetting any of the documents or packaging for the products.

Follow these tips and you’ll have a successful time when returning or exchanging your unwanted gifts after Christmas. Either that or you can always take the store out of the equation entirely and just re-gift your unwanted items. Pass the hassle on to someone else, ’tis the season!

(Via Time / Consumer Reports)