As the holiday season continues with gifts given between family and friends, you should follow tips from the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau (BBB) on how to make store returns and exchanges less of a hassle.

Stores are not legally required to give you refunds or accept exchanges unless the merchandise is misrepresented or defective.

The BBB recommends getting to know the store’s return policies, especially if you are ordering online. Reading the fine print, checking the return policy before using PayPal or other alternate payment methods, and saving your order confirmation number and receipt, along with the packaging, can help make returns hassle-free.

Returning gifts without a receipt can be tricky. Without a receipt, most retailers offer store credit or an exchange rather than a full refund, especially if the item is marked down or on clearance.

The BBB also recommends making returns in a timely fashion because some policies are valid during a limited time frame. 

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 17 percent of all holiday purchases are estimated to be returned this season, with clothing being the most frequently returned Christmas gifts. 

(Photo courtesy of Consumer.ftc.gov )