There's good news for consumers this holiday season. The chances of getting many happy returns after Christmas have improved a bit.
According to the annual survey of return policies by Consumerworld.org, more online stores are offering free return shipping. In addition, many retailers are allowing gifts bought in November to be returned into mid or late January.
"Bricks-and-mortar stores know that they may get more business if they have nicer return policies," said Edgar Dworsky, founder of Consumerworld.org. "Internet retailers often have lower prices and quick delivery. Bricks-and-mortar stores realize that fair return policies bring people back."
Retailers with the most consumer-friendly return policies, according to Gobankingrates.com, include Nordstrom, L.L. Bean, Bed Bath & Beyond, J.C. Penney, Costco, Staples, Zappos, REI, Kohl's and Macy's. Stores criticized in the same survey for having short return periods include Forever 21, Kmart, Barnes & Noble and GameStop. Sears was criticized for having a 30-day return period and not allowing returns without a receipt.
Nearly half of online retailers now offer "free returns" by paying the return shipping, according to the National Retail Federation. Target, Macy's, Saks, Banana Republic and Bloomingdale's allow free returns, and Amazon allows returns on select fashion items.
Vicki Brace of Lakeville said knowing a store's return policy affects where she shops.
"It's huge. I'm a returner," she said while shopping at Mall of America earlier this week. "I like places like Nordstrom that can look up the receipt."
Friends Carrie Pratt of Lakeville and Stacy Roitenberg of Waconia said they think twice before shopping at places such as Justice, Goodwill or Savers because of the short return period.