Refunds and Exchanges

Return privileges vary from store to store. Be sure to ask about a store's return policy before making a purchase.

Exchanges, returns for credit, and refunds are considered services to encourage customer patronage. Each store determines its own policy. Under the exchange policy, a customer may return an item for another to be exchanged in its place. Some stores allow the customer to receive a credit slip that may be used in the future on any item in the store. With a refund policy, the customer's money is returned.

New York State General Business Law requires that every retail store conspicuously post their refund policies on a sign located on the cash register or by the point of sale, by the store's entrance, on a sign attached to the item itself, or on a sign that can be seen from the register.

The sign must state the store's refund policy and the conditions under which refunds are given. Any mercantile establishment whose refund policy allows 20 day cash refunds (for cash purchases) or 20 days credit (for credit card purchases) is exempt from posting the signs.

Retailers have the right to adopt a policy that states "All sales are final" for merchandise that is on sale, sold at the end of the season, used as a floor sample or as a demonstrator.

Some products have written warranties that state what action a customer should take if there is anything wrong with the product. Read the warranty on the product before returning it to the store to find out if you are required to mail the product to the manufacturer, or take it to a particular place other than to the store where it was purchased.

This information is general in nature and is not to be interpreted as a reliability report on any particular company.