Nice Gift, But Ask If You Can Return It.

So you think you've picked out the perfect gift for your loved one. But there's one more thing you should consider: how hard will it be to return it? Before you take out your credit card, take the time to closely read the fine print of the store's return policy, or ask about it, because there is a huge gulf between the most generous and the most restrictive. And do not assume that the stores you shopped in last year have the same return policies this season. About 17 percent of retailers have tightened their holiday policies this year, according to the National Retail Federation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]