A shopper's mission: returns and ... more shopping

Charging head first into the day after Christmas retail fray, Lanaia Lammay and Kristina Cormier, two shoppers from Douglas County, will be prepared with lists and receipts.

Returning and exchanging items Tuesday may become more hectic than shopping for an entire extended family. Lammay and Cormier have a plan: When others are sitting down to Christmas dinner they will be searching advertisements, writing lists of where they want to go, what they want to return and exchange.

They used this strategy for the day-after-Thanksgiving shopping. They've kept it up this past week for last-minute stocking stuffers, such as the annual barbecue lighter and bottles of cologne for their husbands.

Some stores are tougher on returns than others - check it out before you make a needless trip. A few stores are offering low prices.

"Last year I saved $100 on my daughter. I only spent $40," said Cormier.

Lammay, her sister-in-law, will be carrying gift cards and cash from Christmas day.

"I think this year we'll be going for sales, not for returns," she said.

The daring shopping duo will be making Christmas 2007 purchases early Tuesday morning. It's never too early to plan ahead. Retailers are hoping their sales will tempt shoppers.

WAL-MART

3200 Retail Way

Return policy: Four registers will be open just for returns in addition to the customer service desk. Use the special store entrance marked in front to avoid shopper gridlock. 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. Tuesday. Carson City Wal-Mart Store Manager Scott Yoder said the best time would be before 10 a.m.

Specials: All Christmas decorations, wrapping paper and food will be marked down 50 percent. See today's circular for special electronics sales.

SEARS

941 Jacks Valley Road

Return policy: If you have the receipt you'll receive the full refund. A 15 percent restocking fee applies on select goods not returned in the box, unused and including all original product packaging and accessories.

Craftsman and Lands End merchandise receive full refund, repair or exchange.

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

Specials: The store now only carries appliances, following its Dec. 15 move to north Douglas County.

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 store manager.

Best time to get there to beat the rush: The store is open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday, try arriving between 7-9 a.m.

Specials: Christmas clearance started Thursday. Holiday goods are up to 60 percent off.

J.C. PENNEY

3939 S. Carson St.

Return policy: Items with a receipt are refunded by cash or credit. Without a receipt, returned items will be refunded at the lowest sale price within the last 30 days, on a gift card or a J.C. Penney charge card, according to the store manager.

Best time to get there to beat the rush: Early. The store is open 7 a.m.- 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Specials: 50 percent on all Christmas items, plus discounts on and outerwear.

GOTTSCHALKS

1443 S. Carson St.

Return policy: No returns after 90 days, with or without receipt. Within 90 days, with a receipt, credit will be given by the method of payment. Without a receipt, the store will issue a merchandise-only card.

Best time to get there to beat the rush: Better be early 5-7 a.m. The store is open until 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Specials: The first 300 customers will receive a $10 gift card. Christmas items will be priced 60 percent to 70 percent off, according to the assistant store manager.

BEST BUY

955 Topsy Lane

Return policy: Gift purchases made since Nov. 1 qualify for the extended return and exchange policy. Desktop and notebook computers do not qualify for this policy. The last day for 14-day product return and exchanges is Jan. 8. The last day for 30-day product return and exchanges is Jan. 24.

The original receipt is required for all returns, exchanges, price matches and warranty repair services. All returns and exchanges must be in original condition and include all accessories.

All returns, exchanges and price adjustments must be made in the country of original purchase. Best Buy reserves the right to request identification and to deny any return, according to the corporate Web site.

A 15 percent restocking fee will be charged on select items, including opened notebook computers, camcorders, digital cameras and navigation systems.

Specials: There will be door busters this year, see today's circular. The store is open 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

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