JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- Just as fast as presents were bought, they're going back. December 26th is typically the biggest day of the year for returns...and HH Gregg is no exception.
"We open every package, we inspect every product. We match the serial numbers from the product to the box to the receipt," Jonathan O'Donnell said.
This year, retailers estimate they will lose $2.9 million due to fraud during the holiday season. In other words...a good number of folks will try to pull a fast one and return an item just to get money.
"The way the economy is today...people are trying to get a dollar any way they can. So, it doesn't surprise me," shopper Sharon Federico said.
Federico is on a quest to return a coffee pot for a larger size. She says fraudulent shoppers make her day more stressful.
"You're waiting in line waiting on these people to finish their shopping so you can return yours."
Managers at HH Gregg say the most common excuses are: I dont' have my receipt, someone bought this for me and I don't want it...and can I have a store credit?
Their goal is to nip those in the bud as much as possible.
"You may get away with it once, but you won't get away with it twice," O'Donnell said.
To make it easy on yourself find out the store's return policy before you go there, keep all the original packaging, bring the receipt if you have one, and of course...pack patience.
According to the National Retail Federation...4.6% of holiday returns are fraudulent.
