How to Return Gifts Without the Hassle

It’s quite common to receive a gift that needs to be returned. Follow these simple suggestions for frustration-free holiday exchanges.

Know Before You Go

This article originally appeared on LearnVest.com.

The holiday season is over and you’re left with a bunch of gifts you don’t really need. But be careful; that $100 gift could be worth only $50 if you tear the packaging, and it could be worth nothing if you miss the time window for returns. Each store has its own policies, so you could lose half or even all of an item’s value if you neglect to consider the terms and conditions. In particular, holiday returns can be tough.

Here are five tips to avoid costly losses.