Return a gift, exchange sizes and pick up some deals the day after Christmas

Returning and exchanging items the day after Christmas can often be more hectic than shopping for everyone on your list. Plan ahead and you may not have to wait in a 20-minute line to return one blouse. Some stores are tougher on returns than others - check it out before you make a needless trip. A few stores are offering low prices. Perhaps Monday is the best day to start shopping for next year.

WAL-MART

3200 Market St.

Return policy: Four registers will be open just for returns, in addition to the customer service desk. If you have your receipt you'll receive a cash refund. Without the receipt you'll get a gift card.

Best time to get there to beat the rush: The store opens at 6 a.m. Monday, and if you make it there that early you probably won't have to wait long, said Carson City Wal-Mart Store Manager Scott Yoder. Avoid the crowd from 7-10 a.m.

Specials: All Christmas decorations, wrapping paper, candles, plush will be marked down, up to 50 percent off.

SEARS

3917 N. Carson St.

Return policy: If you have the receipt you'll receive the full refund. If you don't have a receipt the item's lowest recorded sale price will be credited on a gift card.

Best time to get there to beat the rush: The store is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday.

Specials: All home appliances are on sale; 0 percent financing on any home appliance item $399 or more; up to 20 percent off certain items; free delivery rebate for local delivery, according to store owner Jill Mitchell.

MERVYNS

3871 S. Carson St.

Return policy: Items with the receipt will be refunded by cash or debit. Purchases made by check may be refunded as a gift card. Gift exchanges without the receipt are limited and subject to approval. Approved exchanges without receipt will be offered at the lowest selling price. Electronics will not be returned without a receipt, according to the corporate Web site.

Best time to get there to beat the rush: The store is open 6 a. m. to 10 p.m. Monday.

J.C. PENNEY

3939 S. Carson St.

Return policy: Items with a receipt are refunded by cash or debit. Without a receipt, returned items will be refunded at the lowest sale price within the last 30 days, on a gift card or a JC Penney charge card, according to the corporate Web site. There are some exceptions to this.

Best time to get there to beat the rush: The store is open 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

BEST BUY

955 Topsy Lane

Return policy: For all purchases made since Nov. 1, the following policy applies for holiday returns and exchanges:

• Notebook computers and desktop computers can be returned up to 14 days from the original purchase date.

• Customers have until Jan. 8 to return or exchange projectors, camcorders, radar detectors, printers, monitors and digital cameras.

• Customers have until Jan. 24 to return or exchange all other products.

• Software, such as music CDs, movies, computer software and video games cannot be returned if not in original packaging (unless defective), because of copyright regulations.

• A 15-percent restocking fee will be charged on returns or exchanges of any opened notebook computer, camcorder, digital camera or radar detector, unless deemed defective.

Best time to get there to beat the rush: Not first thing in the morning. A spokeswoman recommends midday returns. Store is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Specials: No door busters, normal store sales apply.

GOTTSCHALKS

1443 S. Carson St.

Return policy: Items with a receipt are refunded by cash or debit. Approved exchanges without receipt will be offered at the lowest selling price.

Best time to get there to beat the rush: The store is open at 6 a.m.

Specials: Some clothing and goods will be on sale until 1 p.m. Today's advertisement details all sale items and includes a one-day coupon, according to spokeswoman.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.