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December 7, 2004 03:12 PM

What To Do With A Dud Gift


Excerpt: Before you chuck the offending object into the regift pile or add it to the stash of trash bound for the curb, here are some options to get something from your worst gifts.


It's bound to happen every time the holidays roll around: You get a gift that is great, but a little off (wrong size, unflattering color, etc.); way off-base (Omaha steaks for a vegetarian); or just awful (trophy plaque with a plastic rhinoceros head).

Before you chuck the offending object into the regift pile or add it to the stash of trash bound for the curb, here are some options to get something from your worst gifts.

Return it. Without a receipt, most store representatives will try to give you store credit. Before you accept, ask to speak with a manager about your options. He or she may be able to offer you cash back or another form of payment. If you have a receipt, you'll probably have your choice of options -- cash back or store credit.

Whether you're returning or exchanging, ask a store representative if your refund will be discounted. Some stores take a percentage off the price of returned items or automatically refund the lowest price if an expensive item has since gone on sale.

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Read all 32 posts in the same category of Anything Else:

‘Tis The Season For Wall Street Bonuses - Dec 17, 2004
Coping With Rising Rates - Dec 14, 2004
Financial Resolutions - Dec 11, 2004
IBM Cash Balance Plan Ending - Dec 09, 2004
John Snow Staying On At Treasury - Dec 09, 2004
Topping Off the Biggest Gas Tank - Dec 07, 2004
Putting Your Financial House In Online Order - Dec 07, 2004
Social Security Reform: A Guide - Dec 06, 2004
The Disparate Consensus on Health Care for All - Dec 06, 2004
Giving Children Funds As Gifts - Dec 05, 2004
Bank Machine Dispenses Fake Money - Dec 02, 2004
Account Aggregation: All-In-One Convenience - Dec 01, 2004
A Life Fulfilled - Nov 30, 2004
A Seal Of Good Giving - Nov 28, 2004
More Are Saying It With Plastic: Gift Cards The Holiday Present Of Choice - Nov 26, 2004
Use Open Enrollment To Review Health-Insurance Plan - Nov 25, 2004
The Pitfalls of VOIP - Nov 23, 2004
Business Airfares, Down 11%, Might Be Lowest Ever - Nov 22, 2004
International Lottery Scams - Nov 22, 2004
Work-at-Home Schemes - Nov 22, 2004
Medical Billing Opportunities: Worth a Second Opinion - Nov 22, 2004
The Lowdown on Chain Letters - Nov 22, 2004
The Bottom Line About Multilevel Marketing Plans - Nov 22, 2004
Get-Rich-Quick & Self-Employment Schemes - Nov 22, 2004
Could 'Biz Opp' Offers Be Out For Your Coffers? - Nov 22, 2004
Costly Coupon Scams - Nov 22, 2004
8 Lottery Winners Who Lost Their Millions - Nov 22, 2004
Ranks of U.S. Millionaires Surge - Nov 16, 2004
What Wal-Mart Knows About Customers' Habits - Nov 14, 2004
How Much Are You Really Worth? - Nov 06, 2004
What the Bush Victory Means for Consumers - Nov 03, 2004