By Claudia Roldan · 20 items added

posted in Shopping

This time of year is pretty critical for holiday shopping but what happens after the Holidays are over? What do you do with that "what were they thinking" gift and where will you find the time to take a trip to the mall when you only have 30 days after date of purchase to exchange/return the gift?

  • NICE: Chase Visa

    Claudia Roldan says: "I've been a Chase customer for over 7 years and have been extremely satisfied with their credit card customer service. They always resolve my issues in a quick and efficient manner. Couldn't ask for better service especially when I come across any fraud related issues. "
  • NICE: Apple

    Trained at Apple headquarters, the Genius Bar team has an extensive knowledge of Apple products and can answer all your technical questions. In fact, Geniuses can take care of everything from troubleshooting problems to actual repairs.

    Claudia Roldan says: "When you have questions or need hands-on technical support for your Mac, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, or iPhone, you can get friendly, expert advice at the Genius Bar in any Apple Retail Store. I absolutely love this about Apple!"
    • Eden Godsoe: I go back & forth on Apple. There stores are amazing but they are usually packed with people, most of whom are not looking to buy anything but are playing around with the iPads and other gadgets. Whenever I have gone into an Apple store needing to purchase something, it takes forever for someone to help me. The Apple people keep chatting with the window shoppers and don't seem to notice a "real" customer.
    • stylefake: @Eden I have the opposite experience. There are too many staff in my opinion. Like so many staff that it is almost comical in some stores.
  • NICE: Trader Joe's

    Susan suggested: "While consistently busy, Trader Joes has fantastic customer service. Their shelves are constantly stocked and when a particular item seems sold out, a stock person is ready and willing to check the inventory in the back for the desired item. Their check out is fast, friendly and efficient and their pricing is very reasonable."
  • NAUGHTY: Best Buy

    Claudia Roldan says: "Overall, I've had bad customer service at this store. With each visit I find myself on a mad hunt to get a sale representative's help on finding a product. Then I get home and realize that I bought the wrong product! I'm also not a fan of their Geek Squad."
  • NICE: Bed Bath & Beyond

    Bed Bath & Beyond lets you return anything you bought, with or without the receipt, and in any condition, without too much hassle.

    Claudia Roldan says: "This is one of my favorite stores! I always find something great and if for some reason the product breaks I know I can always change it out for a new one. Another great thing about this store are their coupons. You can use one coupon for EVERY item you purchase. A lot of people do not know this and only use one coupon on their entire purchase."
  • NICE: MyHabit

    (Reposted from Larissa)

    Amazon's members-only offers up to 60 percent off top brands such as Doo.Ri, Elizabeth and James, Halston, and Vera Wang + FREE shipping and returns

    Claudia Roldan says: "I just signed up for MyHabit and am already in love with brands and products they offer, beautiful and simple interface and can you believe it,, FREE SHIPPING/RETURNS - you can't beat that, so long Gilt and Ideali!"
    • Larissa: These guys are awesome - I had a customer service issue, they responded within two hours, refunded me my money and gave me an extra $10 credit for the inconvenience. Don't bother with Gilt, Ideeli etc - MyHabit has the best deals, selection and service.
    • Claudia Roldan: Great to know! Thanks
  • NICE: Nordstrom

    Nordstrom will generally take your purchase back without a receipt if it carries the item in question. Items that clearly couldn't have been sold at Nordstrom however (like snow tires and chainsaws) aren't eligible for return.

    Claudia Roldan says: "Will Nordstrom really take anything back? Unlike at most other stores, Nordstrom has a great return policy and likes to keep their customers satisfied. I've had nothing but GREAT experiences with this store. They are also the only store that will sell two different shoes sizes. (Must be 1.5 sizes difference btw feet)"
  • NICE: Costco

    Costco Wholesale operates an international chain of membership warehouses, carrying brand name merchandise at substantially lower prices than typical retail.

    Claudia Roldan says: "This chain has a generous return policy and provides free tech support for a lot of its electronics products. Also, it automatically extends the manufacturer’s original warranty on TVs and computers to two years from the date of purchase. Now that's a deal!"
  • NICE/NAUGHTY: Victoria's Secret

    If you keep your receipt Victoria's Secret will most likely give you a refund. But if you order online you have to send it back instead of returning it at a store.

    Claudia Roldan says: "I am 50/50 on this store. I haven't had any horrible experiences with it but I do not like the inconvenience of sending items back instead of exchanging it in an actual store. "
    • Eden Godsoe: I am also not that impressed with their in-store customer service.
  • NICE: Aldo Shoes

    If you come across any problems just bring in your receipt and they should take care of you. Not as lenient as Nordstrom but still a good return/exchange policy.

    Claudia Roldan says: "I bought a purse from them and the clip kept falling off. I took it back to exchange it out but they didn't have the same model. They gave me a full refund. No questions asked. "
  • NICE: LiveNation.com

    They give fans three days to cancel their ticket order and get a refund at participating venues (typically until one week before the event).

    Claudia Roldan says: "Live Nation also lets customers exchange seats for better ones that become available after a purchase."
    • Larissa: I had no idea I could exchange seats - how cool is that?! Thanks for the tip.
    • Claudia Roldan: No problem!!
  • NICE: Microsoft

    Consumers dissatisfied with a Microsoft software or hardware purchase from any retailer can send it back to the company within 45 days for a refund and reimbursement of shipping costs up to $7.

    Claudia Roldan says: "This was something I was not aware of but if I was a PC user I would definitely take this into consideration when purchasing any new software."
  • NICE: REI

    It accepts returns or exchanges at any time for any reason, and makes the process simple. Customers can return any item by mail or to any REI store regardless of location, whether they bought online, by mail, or in an REI store.

    Claudia Roldan says: "I love this return policy! I have to admit I do not shop here regularly but its great to keep in mind for my new winter jackets or sports gear."
  • NAUGHTY: RadioShack

    The company acknowledges that it sometimes charges different prices for the same item.

    Claudia Roldan says: "Pretty sure I will not buy from them anytime soon."
  • NAUGHTY: American Apparel

    American Apparel has two different return policies. Online customers have 45 days to return an item for a full refund or credit; store customers have 30 days and receive a merchandise credit.

    Claudia Roldan says: "I had a friend order a recent shirt from them online and they delivered it to her with HOLES! Yes I said holes. She couldn't even take it back to the store and exchange it out. "
  • Naughty: Marriott Hotels & Resorts

    Discover Marriott with spacious hotel rooms and accommodations for business or vacation located in top destinations around the world. Experience true comfort and service by booking your hotel reservation at Marriott.com.

    Eden Godsoe suggested: "My most recent experience w/ Marriott was horrible. I reserved 4 rooms in San Diego 4 mos in advance. It was my sister & I travelling w/ 5 young children so I requested all on the same floor & that they be connecting. I called 1 mo in advance & they claimed they cannot guarantee that request. Sure enough we were given rooms on different floors."
    • Read all comments (3)
    • the stylish housewife: wow! that is AWFUL. so sorry that happened to you! =(
    • stylefake: I threw up under the marriott coffee table in the lobby once. It was karma for their bad booking policy ;)
  • NICE: Soap.com

    ShellyRuns suggested: "Soap.com and one of its sister sites, wag.com, are now my immediate go-tos for everything. I regularly order when I'm a day short of supplies - and they are at my door, no shipping, within 24 hrs. Emails to customer service have always been replied to in less that 5 min, and discounts always easy to apply. I've saved immeasurable time & money!"
    • Eden Godsoe: I have heard great things about Soap.com. I think this review just pushed me over the edge - I need to start using them and Wag.com too.
    • Larissa: I totally agree! I recently discovered Soap.com (bought a voucher off a daily deal site) and had the same experience, their service is impeccable - answered my email with a couple hours, item arrived the next day for free, I'll definitely buy again.
  • Nice: Patagonia

    Simone Slattery suggested: "They stand by their products and will either exchange the product or credit you years after you received or bought the product. My husband exchanged a 9 year old, ripped windbreaker for a new one."
    • Larissa: I had the same experience and love Patagonia, my two-year old jacket was unraveling at the seam and they let me exchange it.
    • Claudia Roldan: Thanks for the suggestion Simone..I'll def look into buying a jacket from here!
  • NAUGHTY: Hewlett Packard

    Eden Godsoe suggested: "To be honest, I've had many faulty products from them. They make it nearly impossible to reach them for support even when your product is in warranty (try 30-45 minute wait times.) When you finally reach someone, they have no idea what they are doing. Their answer to everything is to power cycle the device. It doesn't work. I detest HP."
  • Sony Stores

    Eden Godsoe suggested: "I recently bought a Vaio to replace my HP laptop (not even that old - only 2.5 years old but fell apart very quickly...don't get me started.) I had THE BEST experience at the Sony Style store in the Stanford Mall. They helped me find the right laptop, they actually had what I wanted in stock and (the best) for only $100 they configured everything including bringing all my old files over. They even make my Outlook folder structure the same. That would have taken me hours if not days."

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  • The Return Policies Of Walmart, Target, Macys, Costco

    See celebrity style trends, and read style tips, reviews and opinions on Stylelist. Join and contribute your thoughts and comments to ongoing coverage of what matters in the style community.

    Larissa suggests: "Need to return a gift? Read this list first."
  • Susan's suggestion "NICE: Trader Joe's" was promoted
  • Eden Godsoe's suggestion "Naughty: Marriott Hotels & Resorts" was promoted
  • ShellyRuns's suggestion "NICE: Soap.com" was promoted
  • Simone Slattery's suggestion "Nice: Patagonia" was promoted
  • Eden Godsoe's suggestion "NAUGHTY: Hewlett Packard" was promoted
  • Eden Godsoe's suggestion "Sony Stores" was promoted