New York Guide to Holiday Refunds and Returns

The holiday shopping season may be behind us, but for many New Yorkers, the next challenge has just begun—returns and refunds. Whether it’s a sweater that didn’t quite fit or a gadget that didn’t make the cut, navigating store policies can be tricky. Knowing your rights as a consumer could have saved you time and frustration during the post-holiday return frenzy.

The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection offered valuable tips to help shoppers navigate return and refund policies. According to the National Retail Federation, the 2023 holiday season set record levels for consumer spending. However, it also led to a staggering $743 billion worth of returned merchandise nationwide, as reported in the State of Retail Returns 2024 Report. Policies varied from store to store, and understanding them made all the difference for consumers trying to make exchanges or get refunds.

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Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley emphasized the importance of planning ahead: “Pay attention to return and refund policies before you buy. That way, you can exchange something you’ll never use for something you’ll actually love.”

Here’s a recap of the top tips shared to help New Yorkers during their post-holiday returns:

• Pay Attention to Return Policies: New York State law required stores to post their return policies in plain sight—whether on the item, at the entrance, or near the cash register. If a retailer failed to post a policy, they were required to accept returns of unused and undamaged merchandise within 30 days of purchase.
• Understand Refund Terms: For stores that allowed returns, refund methods varied. Retailers weren’t obligated to offer cash refunds and could issue store credit or exchanges instead. They were also required to disclose any restocking fees upfront.
• Hold Onto Proof of Purchase: Shoppers who saved their receipts—and requested gift receipts when needed—had a much easier time with returns. Keeping packaging intact also helped in case items needed to go back.

For those who ran into trouble obtaining a refund, the New York State Division of Consumer Protection was available to help mediate disputes and resolve issues.