Shopping experts shares tips on gift returns – WDEF

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- With Christmas being over, experts believe many folks will begin holiday gift returns. 

“People talk about holiday shipping and peak season being the busiest time of year, and this is definitely no different. It is just an extension of the delays that we see during the holiday season just kind of on the reverse. So you know, you have gotten all of your presents from the holidays, and things don’t fit. You don’t got the right color, etc. And now you need to return an exchange,” Katie Duncan with Shipstation

The National Retail Federation found shoppers will return more than 900 billion dollars in goods. 

Duncan believes it is important that folks are aware of store return policies. 

” if you have the ability to either return in store or at a drop off location, which is a lot easier And then lastly, you know, honestly, one of the easiest return solutions that retailers have is just to return for store credit. It’s kind of a win,” said Duncan. 

According to Shipstation, various retailers will extend the deadline on when items can be returned or exchanged. 

Duncan says if you plan to send online items back, ,consumers may can expect a pause during the shipment process

“We will usually see the same transit delays with different carriers as well as just retailers being inundated with returns. So being able to be patient, expect delays, both in the transit side as well as the processing size to be really important.” said Duncan 

And In the case of making a return, Duncan shares an easy method to keep up with your gift as you send it back after Christmas.

“Use a trackable shipment method and keep your proof of return, or receipt. If it is a high volume item. Consider ensuring it as well. And then, keep an eye on the tracking and keep an eye on any sort of alerts and updates for that for the shipment,” Duncan concluded.