The first few weeks after the holiday season often consist of using gift cards, exchanging items and returning unwanted gifts. Before you stand in a long line to return holiday gifts, the Better Business Bureau serving Metro Washington, D.C., and Eastern Pennsylvania advises you to read and understand the policy on gift returns and exchanges.

In most states, stores are not legally required to accept items for refunds, credits or exchanges unless the merchandise is defective or was misrepresented. However, stores must comply with their own stated return policy, which should be sufficiently conveyed to the customer before purchase. Many retailers have their return and exchange policies posted on their website or displayed in the store.According to a recent survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, approximately 90 percent of consumers considered stores' return policies to be fair. Even so, your BBB offers these consumer tips to ensure a hassle-free return or exchange experience:Read and understand return/exchange policies. Return policies for clearance or holiday merchandise may be different from merchandise sold at full price. Every store has its own policy and consumers should understand it before expecting a full refund. Remember to do the same for returns on merchandise purchased online.Bring receipts. Retailers may sometimes require you to bring a receipt in order to receive a return. Without the original receipt or a gift receipt, you will not be able to get cash when you return unwanted gifts. You may, however, be able to get store credit or be able to exchange the item for other merchandise.Mind the time. Many retailers may only allow returns within a certain time frame which usually begins when the item is purchased, not when you receive it. If you have gifts to return, do it as soon as possible.Be aware of restocking fees. Some merchants charge a restocking fee for returns of electronics products or large-ticket items. If you are returning electronics, you should keep the original packaging.Online retailers may not refund shipping fees. If your gift was purchased online, you may have to pay a return shipping fee, or may not be refunded for your initial shipping payment. Sometimes merchandise can be returned to a store instead, but you still may not be refunded for the cost of shipping.If all else fails, regift. If you get a gift that cannot be returned, you can recycle it by giving it to someone else, listing it on an online classified site or donating it to a good cause.For more tips you can trust, visit bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa.