Returning your Christmas gifts? Here's some things you should know

SALT LAKE CITY — Now that Christmas is over and many have received gifts that they love and some gifts that they don't love as much, some of those gifts need to be returned.

For anyone looking to return a gift you received, the process can seem quite daunting. Many stores have very specific return policies, but often they offer extended holiday return periods.

Here's a look at some tips for making your holiday return process go more smoothly, as well as a look into protections for consumers in Utah law.

According to Consumer World, a total of around $850 billion of merchandise is expected to be returned by shoppers in 2025.

Tips for making your gift return process smoother

Here's a look at some tips for holiday gift returns according to Consumer World, Synchrony and Fox 26 Houston.

• Don't go the day after Christmas. Wait until after Dec. 27 to avoid crowds or long lines, or check if the store provides free returns by mail.
• Check online for the retailer's return deadline.
• Check to see if online purchases are subject to return fees.
• Don't break the factory seal on the product because most stores want to receive goods back in resellable condition.
• Bring the receipt or gift receipt; if not, you may only receive store credit or the latest sale price.
• Avoid return shipping fees by returning in-store or at free drop-off spots.
• Make a game plan for returns and prioritize pricier items first.
• Keep the tags and all the packaging; many stores won't accept clothing returns without the tags intact.
• Retailers often ask for identification because they have a limit on how many "no receipt" returns each person can make in a certain period.
• If you are unable to return the item, you can try to find someone who can use the gift, such as listing it on a resale platform or online marketplace.
• Contact the store manager or customer service department if you face issues with returning your gift. If a resolution is not obtained, you can file a complaint with the state attorney general's office or local consumer agency.

Recent changes made to return policies

Some retailers have made changes to their return policies this year. Some of these changes include shortening their return periods.

Here's a look at some of the changes that have been made, according to Consumer World. Many stores have complex return policies that are meant to reduce return fraud, which amounts to about $75 billion a year, according to the National Retail Federation.

Amazon is one of the major retailers that has made changes. It added a 100% late fee for returns received more than 30 days after their due date. Amazon also added a damage fee of up to 100% for certain luxury items.

Best Buy has added several nonreturnable items, including electric bikes and mopeds. Kohl's and Home Depot also made changes to their return policies.

Items that were sold by third-party sellers on mainstream retailers' websites may be subject to different return rules and have a shorter return period than items purchased directly from the retailer itself, per Consumer World.

Laws for Utah shoppers wanting to return gifts

Under Utah law, consumers have a number of specific rights when it comes to returns. A lot of the specific rights only apply if the retailer lists its return policy before purchase.

The Utah Division of Consumer Protection says that if a store does not list a return policy, the expectation is that purchases can be returned within 30 days as long as there is a receipt.

"We presume that everything is returnable unless there's some sort of clear and conspicuous statement that what you are buying is a final sale," said Kathrine S. Hass, director of the Utah Division of Consumer Protection, per KSL.

If there isn't a return policy, state regulators require that it be disclosed in a way consumers can easily see and understand.

Utah law is very specific about return shipping and restocking fees. If a shopper paid for shipping, a retailer can generally require the customer to pay to ship the item back. Restocking fees must be disclosed before purchase.

"There should be like a warning label there almost saying, 'By the way, if you're going to return this, it's going to be based on a 10% restocking fee,' or whatever it may be," said Hass.

If a retailer changes a return policy after a purchase is made, that change cannot be applied retroactively to items already bought under an existing policy.

The Utah Division of Consumer Protection enforces many laws and statutes related to deceptive trade practices and refund violations. Consumers filing a complaint are more likely to see results if the company is based in the U.S. or in Utah.

What items are commonly returned after Christmas?

According to Axios, here's a look at some of the most unwanted and frequently returned gifts:

Clothing and shoes are often returned. Items such as sweaters and socks can be easy to gift but difficult to get right on fit, size and personal style.

A number of accessories, such as jewelry, scarves and hats, are also common gifts that get returned when they don't match the giftee's style.

Electronics and gadgets can also often be returned because someone already has one, or the device doesn't match how people actually live.

The average returned item typically falls in the $100 to $200 range, per Axios.

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