Unwanted Holiday Gifts: Return, Sell or Swap

Remember the pink bunny suit Ralphie got from his aunt in A Christmas Story? That tops the nuttiest holiday gifts of all time. It's too bad he didn't have a receipt.
We all get gifts we don't really need or want. And this year one in four Americans plan to return at least one holiday gift this year, according to Consumer Reports. As you examine your less-than-ideal gifts this holiday season (and you know you'll get them), here are some tips on navigating returns, along with a few more ways to dispose of unwanted gifts.
Return
Returns are easiest when you have the receipt. Without it, downsides include getting rejected at the store or, due to post-holiday sales, receiving store credit for the current discounted value of the item, as opposed to what your friend may have actually paid.

There are some exceptions. Retailers like Nordstrom and Bloomingdales "sticker" all their merchandise at the time of purchase with a special tag that proves both the date of purchase and the original purchase price.

For household products and electronics, if you don't have the receipt, at least remember to keep the gift intact and in its original packaging. In some cases you may face a 15% restocking fee for certain items that have been opened. (Although Best Buy just got rid of its restocking policy. Nice!)

And remember return deadlines! With returning electronics - from computers to camcorders and iPods - you may have a shorter return window; many stores like Best Buy and Apple have a 14-day return policy for certain goods.

Sell
There's nothing like getting cold hard cash in exchange for unwanted items. Some websites that may come in handy as you consider putting some items up for sale include:

• BuyMyTronics.com and Gazelle.com: Sell unwanted electronics, from iPods to laptops.
• RecycleYourFashions.com: Sell unwanted clothes here. Remember, there's always a consignment shop, too, that will happily take your in-season unwanted clothes. Check out Narts.org to find a local thrift or consignment shop in your area.
• Giftcards.com and PlasticJungle.com: Unwanted gift cards can bring in anywhere from 70 to 85% of the value of the card in cash.

There are a growing number of websites that facilitate bartering or swapping, often for a small fee. Swap.com (formerly SwapTree.com) specializes in the trading of books, movies, music and video games. SwapStyle, Rehash and DigNSwap offer clothing swaps. Goozex swaps video games and BookMooch can help you swap books.

And remember: You can always donate your unwanted holiday gifts to local charity. That would be the most noble choice - and it could help with next year's tax return, too. Find your local Goodwill online here.