The state’s Office of Consumer Protection wants Hawaii residents to be prepared when heading to the stores. Merchants may establish one of four return policies: 

• Refunds only 

• Refunds or merchandise credit only 

• Exchanges or merchandise credit only 

• No refunds, merchandise credits or exchanges 

“Stores can have their own return policies, but their policies must be posted in locations that are easy to find and read before a purchase is made,” says Consumer Protection. “If there are no easily visible signs, Hawaii law requires merchants to accept the return of goods and provide a refund.”

Here are a couple of points to note when shopping: 

• Always keep your receipts! 

• Merchandise credits must be good for a minimum of two years from the date issued. 

• The law covering returns also can be applied to layaway cancellations. 

• Merchants cannot charge a restocking fee for a return, unless it is a custom or special order and the policy is stated to the customer beforehand. 

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Photo: Ho-ho-ho. (Civil Beat)

—Chad Blair