The next few weeks will usher in a flurry of shipments for time-sensitive holiday purchases, and some will be making a return trip back to the merchant. Here are a few suggestions on how to return an unwanted gift item:
When dealing directly with an online merchant, first visit the website and navigate to the return merchandise section of the shopping cart. Here’s the link for Amazon returns.
For any return item, proper packaging is essential. Post holiday, you’re likely to be worn out from all the festivities, but it’s important to ensure a returned item arrives intact.
Even when an item is insured, some gifts are not replaceable, like that one-of-a-kind necklace for your great-grandmother. Still, err on the side of overkill when returning a valuable item. Purchasing shipping insurance may be a good choice for a costly item.
What is trash to one is treasure to another. Did you know a new industry has sprung up in recent years that helps you find a home for unwanted gifts and puts the money back into your pocket? If you’re having second thoughts about keeping some of those holiday presents (and lots of consumers suffer buyer’s remorse), there’s a vigorous reselling network in cyber space. eBay and Etsy are two of the biggest players.
Many gifts will sit unused because no one wants to hurt the gift-giver’s feelings. But when spring arrives, you can safely resell many of those unwanted items quietly and pocket the cash. (Just don’t tell Grandma you sold that hideous sweater on eBay!)