Returning a holiday gift? Big retail stores will now charge you for that — as much as $45

[mystery-ak]

 Returning a holiday gift? Big retail stores will now charge you for that — as much as $45
By Fabiana Buontempo   
Published Dec. 25, 2025, 7:19 a.m. ET

Hassle-free returns might be a thing of the past.

You might want to reconsider returning that pile of unwanted gifts sitting under your tree because major retailers, like Macy’s and Zara, are charging fees for holiday gift returns.

Which means that the hideous, itchy sweater Aunt Suzy excitedly gifted you this year may actually cost you more to give back than to keep.

The good news is that in-store returns remain free — but if you plan to take the lazy way out by mailing something back, even if it’s unopened and in perfect condition, it’ll cost you.

Macy’s is charging displeased customers a $9.99 fee if they’re not a Stars Rewards Member, and sister stores T.J. Maxx and Marshalls are hitting their customers with an $11.99 return charge.

JCPenney, J. Crew, Abercrombie & Fitch, H&M, Zara, American Eagle Outfitters, UNIQLO and Urban Outfitters are being less Scrooge-like with their return fees, with a more nominal range from $3.99 to $8.

more
https://nypost.com/2025/12/25/lifestyle/retail-stores-now-charge-customers-eye-watering-return-fees/

[libertybele]

Well, it's going to cost them business.  Gift cards anyone? 

Since I can't return an item, I am very much less likely to buy it. The stores that are charging can sit on their merchandise.

There is a new Christmas trend beginning -- each person that you celebrate Christmas with, buys their own gift, wraps it, and puts it under the tree.  On Christmas Day when presents are opened, each person tells why they bought that gift for themselves.  People still get together for Christmas but the stress of buying gifts and now the cost of returning gifts will be gone.

[Kamaji]

Since margins are under pressure, why should it surprise anyone that the costs of accepting returns is now being charged to the person causing the cost to be incurred?

The alternative would be to increase the prices for everything up-front and use the excess to build a reserve for covering return costs.

[Free Vulcan]

It's hard to blame them, the creativity of the scams today are almost mind blowing.

[roamer_1]

Well, it's going to cost them business.  Gift cards anyone?

YEP. This is a death-rattle from old bricks and mortar. Amazon returns anything, no questions asked.