SOUTHERN ILLINOIS - 'Tis the season to be jolly - and return Christmas presents.

As much fun as it will be today to rip through the wrapping paper and open gifts from loved ones and friends, there is little doubt that many of those heartfelt presents will not suit the recipient's tastes.

And because of that, area stores are preparing for the onslaught of customers who will be filing through their doors to make returns beginning Monday.

"We have a no receipt, no return policy," said Cindy Horton, guest service team leader at Target Store in Marion. "Receipts have a 90-day expiration date from the time of purchase. If the returned gift does not have a receipt, we will try to provide the best service we can by offering an exchange in the same department where it was purchased - a toy for a toy, for example."

Horton said the biggest rush on returns is generally the day after Christmas.

"Usually later in the day, right after our clearance sale in the morning hours," she said.

Horton said it's common for returns on Christmas gifts to be made two and even three weeks after the holiday. She added that besides the receipt in hand, it wouldn't hurt for shoppers to have their driver's license handy.

Scarlett Cook, area manager with Best Buy in Carbondale, said there are both 14-day and 30-day return policies in place based on the monetary value of the gift purchased.

"The day after Christmas is obviously a big return day," Cook said. "Some come to get their money back, but quite a few people come back to make an exchange. It's important to have your receipt, though. Otherwise, you're likely to run into some problems."

Tina Cripps, assistant manager with Murdale True Value in Carbondale, said they don't get the mad rush of shoppers returning gifts after the holiday that some other businesses do.

"Of course, we would prefer that you hold onto your receipt if you are coming back to make an exchange," Cripps said. "Without a receipt on anything over a $50 purchase, we will have to check into things to see how the item was paid for. We don't have any real strict return policies, though."

Larry Orr, assistant manager with Rural King in Marion, said returns are permitted at the store up to 30 days after the purchase with a receipt in hand.

"Usually the day after Christmas is the busiest day here," he said. "Last year, we had at least 1,000 gifts returned. Most are exchanges " the wrong size on an item of clothing, for example."

If the customer is unable to provide a receipt, he or she is issued a gift card or may make an exchange for other merchandise, but will not be awarded cash as a return.

john.homan@thesouthern.com

(618) 351-5056