Shower gifts - dealing with returns?

Interested in the answers. We received a couple of very expensive serving items that look like they belong in grandma's house. I have no idea what to do with them, considering one is from a company we would never have registered with as well.

Most places like target you can return without a receipt. Show your id and you can get cash for it.

The items from Sur La Table we already own (napkins, cookie cutter and coasters (which we will never use)) and glasses from Marshalls that go with nothing we own (we also have no room for in our little apartment).

The other gifts I got, well, they were birthday gifts since mine is in 2 weeks. It really doesn't help us at all and those cannot be returned at all.

If it's something that the store carries, I would think they would give you store credit for the item. Some store will give you the lowest price it was sold for within the last 90 days if there is no receipt.

I wouldn't mention it to the people who bought the gifts. If they come over and specifically ask about the item then you might have to explain. If it's a duplicate of something you already own, no big deal just say that you already had one but were able to purchase something else instead or pretend like the previous one is the one they bought. If it was just something you didn't like, I would be honest and let them know you didn't want something they purchased just collecting dust and were able to get something that will be used instead. I would rather a friend or family member get something they will actually use rather than keeping something they don't want just because they think it will hurt my feelings. And if you had a registry, they should have looked at it before shopping.

Honestly I have never looked for a gift I've given at the persons house. If you really don't need the gift and they are your nearest dearest I would just explain that you already have the item and see if they wouldn't mind giving you the receipt. Everyone at my shower asked when I opened the gift if I liked it and offered the receipt. Maybe even ask them to come with you to pick out a new gift? Interested to see what others have to say.

Without a receipt, most places will do store credit for the items current price. Some may reduce the value by a certain percentage (in an attempt to dissuade scammers who steal and then return items).

@Nicole - thank you for the advice! I can say I am a bit annoyed by this. The glasses came from two bridesmaids - and they had my registry. I feel bad, but for us they are useless and just dust collectors. (they are these huge stemless wine glasses, but FH doesn't like wine and I already have a nice set that never gets used)

Most retail stores put brides on a pedestal (probably except for Marshall's) and would be totally willing to exchange for store credit in order for you to buy off your own registry. That means having a closer to fulfilled registry and those numbers are good for that department in the store usually.

Bed Bath and Beyond will take back things that you didn't buy from them even if they don't carry it, no receipt needed. I think you only get store credit though. Bed bath and beyond also will replace anything that you buy from them if it breaks, even years later.

You go to the store, say it was a gift and you want to return it and they give you store credit, assuming it came from that store

Never ever ask someone for a receipt Bc you won't use it. That's very rude

@Falkenmarried the gifts were from Sur La Table and Marshalls.

@Private User - I always include gift receipts in all gifts even if the person asked for it. What happens if you accidentally get duplicates? Also, I didn't ask for a gift receipt, I am asking what to do if there isn't one.

Try the store you are registered with. Many have more liberal return policies if you have a registry there. Then you can exchange them for items on the registry. And as far as people coming over, what types of items are they and how are they from? A frame from grandmother has to be used. Towels from cousin Sue, return.

@OliviaP - that is what I am hoping. The items that we need to return there, we want to exchange for some smaller stuff off our registry (I needs new silicone spatulas! I melted one last week). What I am worried about is the stuff from Marshalls and the things I have no clue where they came from (we think Home Goods based on the marker on the tag).

I'm not sure if this helps but you can look up a sku code from an item online, if you aren't sure of the store to return it too. For my baby shower last year, I got mini crib sheets. I don't own a mini crib so I found out where the sheets were sold online and returned them with no receipt. I think I got a gift card.

@Tricia - wine glasses are the big ones, but there are also cookie cutters and coasters. The others we won't have an issue with because we already own them (napkins).

Actually, Renee, that helps a lot! Thank you!

I had an entire basket of stuff from Marshalls that someone made for me. It was all miscellaneous that we didn't need and did not match anything we owned (kitchen stuff, glasses, towels, spices). I returned 90% of what was in the basket back to Marshalls. Almost everything still had barcodes on it so it was ok to scan. I got like $50 back on a gift card for Marshalls or their sister stores. I probably got less than what was actually spent, but I didn't care since it was better than the random stuff I did not like.

Maybe plan a local get together with other brides and do a gift exchange for things you couldn't return. yasss!! Lol

@JSarge that is actually a wonderful way of looking at it. I know picking it out must have brought them joy, if not, why would they buy it? I am truly grateful they even took the time.

My FH's family just got me dollar store cards and cut checks. The one gift card we got from one of them was purchased on the way to the shower (that was the only receipt and they were the first to RSVP).

I wouldn't proactively tell people you're returning things but I would be careful of wording in your thank you notes. Generally, I think it's nice to refer to using the gift e.g "We can wait to have you over to sip lattes from the wonderful coffee maker you gave us!" but in these instances, keep it a little more vague. If they specifically ask how you liked their gift, I would be honest: "We actually already had a coffee maker but we were able to exchange it for this margarita maker!" or "While the serving dish you got us was lovely, we did not have room for it our apartment. We were able to exchange it for some cooking classes though!"

The exception to the rule is if you got gifts that aren't your taste that you are close to, you should gently let them know sooner rather than later. You don't want coordinating decor for birthdays, Christmas or a house warming.