Post-holiday returns may come with hefty restocking fee from major brands

Phoenix shoppers react to restocking, shipping fees after the holidays

Shoppers doing their holiday returns are reacting to major brands charging fees for some returns. FOX 10's Taylor Wirtz learns more on how consumers may be impacted.

PHOENIX - In what many have dubbed "returnuary," the post-holiday return rush is kicking off—but be aware that you might not be getting all your money back.

Big picture view:

Many will be returning or exchanging holiday gifts both online and in-store over the next few weeks due to a sizing issue or just personal preference. 

"Definitely returns via Amazon and so I'm over here looking at how much I have credited towards my Amazon return in the next two days and getting things that actually fit here in person," said one shopper.

The National Retail Federation says total returns for the retail industry are projected to reach more than $800 billion this year.

Why you should care:

But if you are making a return through a store’s website, many of them are charging restocking fees. 

Places like Macy’s, TJ Maxx and Kohl’s are charging fees— often anywhere from $8 to $12 for anything returned by mail. Best Buy is charging $45 for activatable devices like phones and tablets if they’ve been opened.

Local perspective:

Shoppers at Arizona Mills Mall the weekend after Christmas had mixed reactions to the idea of a restocking fee.

"It's basically an inconvenience fee, you know, like oh we had to take it back and fold it right and make sure you know, it wasn't damaged," said shopper Lacey Pryor.

Pryor used to work in retail and sais she gets where the stores are coming from.

"That does cost money," Pryor said.

'Returnuary' begins, as more stores charge fees for returns by mail

The post-holiday return rush is on, but returning your items may not result in getting all your money back. FOX 10's Taylor Wirtz learns more about how retailers could charge a restock fee.

The other side:

Other shoppers agree sometimes people take advantage.

"It kind of makes sense, you know, because a lot of people, they don't use it. But they think they act like they don't. They're not going to use anymore."

Still, many call the fees unfair.

"I don't think it's right, because when you buy, you buy, you pay the price for it," said shopper Ralph Alvarado. "Why should you have to pay to get it returned?"

"That doesn't seem right. I mean, everybody knows that you're buying it off online, so you're not able to try it on," said shopper Alicia. "So I guess maybe as long as they're upfront about it that they're going to charge you a restocking fee. Maybe. But I don't like it. Any time somebody’s taking more money from me I don’t like it."

What's next:

Typically, fees at these stores can be avoided if items are returned in person. For more tips on how to best approach your returns, click here.