Or maybe you broke down and bought yourself a DVD player two days before your Mom gave you one. Now you 're going to have to face the huge crowds the weekend after Christmas at the mall. No matter where you live, you have the right to return a gift or purchase that is defective, or that was misrepresented in the packaging. Beyond that, though, the rules governing returns vary from state to state. Most states provide that stores must post their policies on returns and exchanges in prominent locations.
Some stores print their policies right on their cash register receipts.
But no matter what the local rules, most merchants are more tolerant of returns during the holiday season. All big stores expect mobs of people returning gifts after Christmas, according to Bruce Van Kleek of the National Retail Federation. Finally, even local merchants that don't usually allow returns will often loosen their policies at this time of year just to keep their regular customers happy. So smile, and . . . If you've got something to take back, better do it right away.