CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- For a lot gift givers, Black Friday officially marks go time.
"Last year I would go wherever they wanted something and this year, I'm like, 'No, can't do that this year, sorry,'" said Shannon Shaffer.
Like so many people this year, Shaffer is gift-giving on a budget. And what she does buy, she would like her family and friends to be able to return if need be without a hassle.
"Some retailers get it and some don't," said Tom Bartholomy, president of the Better Business Bureau of the Southern Piedmont.
Due to the economy, he expects some stores to clamp down on returns.
"I think you're going to see a tightening on refund and exchange policies because once they have that, they're going to want to exchange it or give a credit back in store because they are not going to want to give that cash back," said Bartholomy.
So, which stores are the best and which are the worst? Consumer Reports Magazine ranked a few of your favorites.
At the top were Kmart, Kohls, Nordstrom and Wal-mart. Target is on the "greatly improved" list this year after easing restrictions to allow more returns from the same customer. Also, Target associates will now search their system if you've lost your receipt.
Home Depot's gotten tougher, the magazine says. The home improvement giant allows you to return most items within 90 days, but Consumer Reports found the store can limit or refuse returns at any time for any reason.
Also on the tough list is Office Depot. There, you have only 14 days to return furniture and electronics.
The only store getting a caution for 2009, though, is Burlington Coat Factory. Consumer Reports says Burlington is notorious for giving only store credit and no cash refunds.
Here's the lesson, says Bartholomy. Under North Carolina and South Carolina law, retailers must post their return policy, even if it's no returns at all.
"If you see a sign by the cash register that says all sales final and you're buying somebody a gift, you better be darn sure that is going to be the perfect gift for them because they're not going to be able to take it back," he said.
Make sure you get a gift receipt and include it with the present.
