Consumer Watch: Retailers Get Tough On Holiday Returns

Amanda Taylor, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- 'Tis the season for holiday shopping, but this year more than ever, you better make sure your loved one will like what you're giving them. Some retailers are becoming more strict when making returns.

Before you hit those Black Friday sales, Bob Manista with the Better Business Bureau said you should already start thinking about returns.

"Which sounds counterproductive, but it's going to save anybody you give that gift to so much time if it has to be returned in the future," Manista said.

The key is to know the store policy. It's usually written on the back of the receipt.

"You need to make sure you understand that even before you're making the purchase," said Manista. "If you can't live with that return policy, you don't want to buy that item even on the odd chance it's not going to work out."

If you find yourself in the return line, don't be surprised if they ask for your personal information. One reason might be to prevent return fraud, but stores also like to track your spending habits for marketing purposes. And they have that right but be cautious.

"Where the risk comes in is what happens to that information after they've got it," Manista said.

They might sell it or use it to send you coupons. But In most cases, retailers won't ask for more than what's already on your driver's license.

"We're not asking you give a blood sample on the way out the return desk, but you need to make sure it's a reputable business handling that material in a reputable fashion," Manista said.

Even if you have the receipt, don't necessarily expect to get full price on a return. If the item has been marked down, chances are that's the amount they'll credit you back.