Many happy returns ...

Many happy returns IF you follow our advice, that is, and examine the retailer’s return policy before you buy!

We took a good look at the return policies of 88 top e-tailers (see complete list below), looking at things like how long you have to return, whether there are lots of restrictions on what you can bring back, and if restocking fees apply to any return merchandise (this is common with electronics; the store may charge a restocking fee of up to 25 percent of what you paid for the item. Ouch!).

Overall, here’s what we found: some returns policies are better than others. The good ones let you return anything you’re not satisfied with and they give you a nice long time to do so (some allow returns anytime). We also like retailers that allow in-store returns of stuff you bought online.

Here's some quick info on shipping costs and holiday shipping info from some of our faves.

Bed Bath & Beyond
Shipping costs range from $5.95 to $149.95. There is free standard shipping on orders over $100 through Dec. 16.
Click here for information on holiday delivery.

Bloomingdale's
Shipping costs range from $6 to $18, and is free on all orders over $300.
Click here for information on holiday delivery.

Costco
Shipping costs vary.
Delivery for holidays: NA

Ikea
Shipping costs vary.
Delivery for holidays: NA

Kmart
Shipping costs vary. Free shipping on some items for the holidays.
Click here for information on holiday delivery. Click on “Find out how” for info.

Kohl’s
Shipping costs range from $5.95 to $59.95.
Click here for information on holiday delivery.

LL Bean
Shipping costs range from $4.95 to $23.95.
Click here for information on holiday delivery.

Lands' End
Shipping costs range from $5.95 to $18.95.
Click here for information on holiday delivery. Click on “shipping calendar” on the “holiday gift shop” green bar toward bottom of page

Lowe's
Shipping costs range from $4.93 to $19.93.
Click here for information on holiday delivery.

Nike
Shipping costs range from $8 to $25, and shipping is free on orders over $175.
Click here for information on holiday delivery.

Nordstrom
Shipping costs range from $8 to $35.
Click here for information on holiday delivery.

Piperlime.com
Shipping costs range from free to $22, with free shipping on all Piperlime clothing and on orders over $50 from Gap brands.
Delivery for holidays: Standard shipping: order by Dec. 18 before 2:59 a.m. EST; express shipping: order by Dec. 21 before 3 p.m. EST; next business day: order by Dec. 23 before 3 p.m. EST.

Sam’s Club
Shipping costs vary.
Delivery for holidays: NA

Shoebuy.com
Shipping costs range from free to $20.
Delivery for holidays: NA

Zappos.com
Shipping costs range from free to $25.
Click here for information on holiday delivery. Click on bar in middle of page.

The complete list of the policies we looked at:
Ace Hardware
All Posters
Amazon
American Eagle
Avon
Banana Republic
Barnes & Noble
Bath & Body Works
Bed Bath & Beyond
Betty Crocker
Bidz.com
BJ’s
Bloomingdale’s
Borders
Boscov’s
Buy.com
CafePress.com
Chadwick’s
Coldwater Creek
Costco
Craigslist
Dillard’s
Eastbay.com
Ebags.com
eBay
Endless.com
Etsy.com
Famous Footwear
Fingerhut
Finish Line
Foot Smart
The Home Depot
The Gap
HSN.com
Hollister Co.
Ikea
J.Crew
JCPenney
Jo-Ann
Kmart
Kohl’s
Kraft Foods/Cooking.com
L.L. Bean
Lakeside.com
Lands’ End
Lane Bryant
Lowe’s
Macy’s
Mary Kay
Meijer
Nike
Neiman Marcus
Nordstrom
Old Navy
Office Depot
OfficeMax
OneStopPlus.com
Overstock.com
PacSun.com
Payless Shoe Source
Piperlime.com
Pricegrabber.com
Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn Kids
QVC
Sam’s Club
Sears
Shoebuy.com
Shoes.com
Shoptasteofhome.com
Sierra Trading Post
Smartbargains.com Staples
Talbot’s
Target
Ulta.com
Urban Outfitters
Victoria’s Secret
VistaPrint
Walmart
Williams-Sonoma
Woman Within
Woot!
Zappos.com
Zazzle
123inkjets.com
6pm.com

Read more about returns and your other consumer rights in  “The Savvy Shopper” on our home page and in our December issue.

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