ANCHOR LEAD:
IF YOU'VE SHOPPED FOR ELECTRONICS - YOU PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THE RESTOCKING FEES STORES CHARGE IF YOU RETURN THE ITEM. BUT THESE DAYS, GET READY TO PAY A RETURN FEE FOR ALL KINDS OF THINGS.
____ ____ SHOWS US WHY MORE AND MORE STORES ARE PUTTING A PRICE ON YOUR RETURNS.

TRACK ONE Length: 06
CATHY JACKSON SAYS SHE MAY NOT BE THE 'SAVVIEST' SHOPPER-- - BUT SHE GIVES HERSELF POINTS FOR ENTHUSIASM.

SOT
KEY @: 08 ( SHORT)
Cathy Jackson, Shopper
"It's a great stress reducer, and it's fun."

TRACK TWO Length: 05
WITH LITTLE TIME TO SHOP- CATHY SCOOPS UP THINGS SHE LIKES - AND RETURNS THEM LATER, IF THEY DON'T WORK.

SOT
KEY @: 16 Cathy Jackson, Shopper
"Returns are just part of my life, and I've accepted them, although they are
getting a lot harder."

TRACK THREE Length: 12
HARDER….BECAUSE MORE STORES THAN EVER BEFORE ARE TIGHTENING UP RETURN POLICIES - AND NOT JUST WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTRONICS. EDGAR DWORSKY OF CONSUMER WORLD-DOT-ORG SAYS RESTOCKING FEES NOW AVERAGE ABOUT FIFTEEN PERCENT!

SOT
KEY @: 34 Edgar Dworsky, Consumer World.Org
"Stores have restocking fees in part to make sure you don't bring back the
item, because they're going to lose money having to re-sell it or repackage
it."

TRACK FOUR Length: 22
Source for clothing boutiques: Smart Money
FOR INSTANCE:
*MORE CLOTHING BOUTIQUES NOW CHARGE A RETURN FEE.
*SEARS CHARGES A FIFTEEN PERCENT FEE ON MANY GOODS… INCLUDING THINGS LIKE LAWN AND GARDEN, AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS…IF THEY'RE NOT RETURNED UNUSED IN ORIGINAL
PACKAGING.
*AT TARGET YOU'LL PAY IF YOU RETURN--NOT JUST FOR ELECTRONICS-BUT FOR ITEMS LIKE FRAMED ART, CERTAIN SCOOTERS, AND HOT TUBS.
*SHARPER IMAGE CHARGES TEN PERCENT IF THE ITEM HAS BEEN OPENED.

SOT
KEY @: 1:10 Edgar Dworsky, Consumer World.Org
"Check the return policy before you buy. Know which categories have the
fee, because you really want to be able to return it and get all your money
back, not 85% of your money back."

TRACK FIVE Length: 14
TO GET THE MOST BACK:
*MAKE SURE TO KEEP THE ITEM IN TOP CONDITION, SAVING TAGS AND PACKAGING.
*SOMETIMES A GIFT RECEIPT MAY HELP AVOID A FEE.
*AVOID IMPUSLE BUYS.
*AND REMEMBER, YOU SHOULD NEVER BE CHARGED A RETURN FEE FOR A DEFECTIVE ITEM.

NAT SOT Length: 03
"I have all my receipts, you know, everything is in great condition."

TRACK SIX Length: 07
OF COURSE, SHOPPERS LIKE CATHY ARE NOT FANS OF RESTOCKING FEES…
SHE'LL BE MORE SELECTIVE ABOUT WHERE SHE DROPS HER DOLLARS IN THE FUTURE.

SOT
NO KEY
"I actually have started shopping more in stores where I know they have a
more generous return policy."

ANCHOR TAG
DWORSKY SAYS ALWAYS LOOK FOR A POSTED RETURN POLICY NEAR THE CASH REGISTER.
IF YOU DON'T SEE POSTED DETAILS, ASK ABOUT THE RETURN POLICY AND ANY RESTOCKING FEES BEFORE YOU BUY.

MANY ONLINE STORES ALSO NOW CHARGE RESTOCKING FEES.AMAZON DOT COM CHARGES TWENTY TO FIFTY PERCENT FOR ITEMS THAT DO NOT MEET ITS RETURN GUIDELINES. OVERSTOCK-DOT-COM HAS A RANGE OF RETURN FEES, DEPENDING ON THE ITEM.
RETURN POLICIES ARE GENERALLY LISTED ON EACH STORE'S WEBSITE.

SOURCES
FOR CLIENT-STATION USE ONLY
The information provided below is for client-station use only. It is provided
to help you obtain answers to any additional questions you may have and to
help you localize a story. This private contact information, including phone
numbers, addresses and email addresses, cannot be given to viewers nor
posted on your Website. It is for internal station use only. Any exceptions
to this will be clearly noted. Thank you.

Edgar Dworsky
ConsumerWorld.Org
147 Shore Drive
Somerville, MA
(617)666-5958 in

Edgar Dworsky is a consumer lawyer, author, and founder of
ConsumerWorld.Org. Dworsky is a former Massachusetts Assistant
Attorney General in the Consumer Protection division. ConsumerWorld is a
non-commercial guide which serves as an educational tool, offering advice
and resources.

EXTRA BACKGROUND

Source:
Edgar Dworsky
Consumer World.Org

TIPS FOR MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Improve your chances of getting a full refund by saving the sales slip as well
as all of the original packaging material.

If the item is defective, most states require the store to give the customer
the choice of repair, replacement, or refund.

Dworsky says many states have it explicit in their laws that if you return a
defective item, you'll have the choice of "repair, replacement, or full refund."
He says even in states without explicit law, stores generally honor this.
Jeanne Anne Fox with Consumer Fed of America says if an item is
defective, consumers are entitled to a full refund.

Consumers who have a problem returning a gift should first contact the
store manager or customer service department of the retailer. If a resolution
is not obtained, a complaint can be filed with the Attorney General's office or
local consumer agency.