It is time to begin the dreaded gift return process. Many Palm Beach County retailers have reasonable return policies, however, there are things you should know. Most retailers extend their return policies during the holiday season. Retailer return policies vary widely, but many normally allow full refunds for returns of unopened merchandise if they are made within 30 days of the purchase. During the holiday season, however, the window for returns and exchanges is sometimes extended to 90 days, and the return period begins after Christmas rather than the day the purchase was made.

Every retailer sets its own return policies. Confirm where the item was purchased (hopefully the present came with a gift receipt), and then visit the retailer's website or call for specifics on how to return it. To get the most out of a retailer's return policies, you will need a receipt, and the item must be unopened. But you may be able to make an exchange or return an item for store credit even if you cannot meet those criteria.

Some retailers offer a full refund, store credit, or a gift card valued at the purchase price. Here are popular, major retailers and their return window policy:

- Apple has a strict 14-day return policy, but holiday purchases can be returned through January 8, 2021.

- Amazon normally has a 30-day return policy, but holiday purchases can be returned through January 31, 2021.

- Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Bed, Bath and Beyond has a 90-day return window policy.

- Kohl’s offers a 180-day return policy.

- Costco will allow you to return items anytime except for electronics - which have a 90-day return window.