Shoppers Hit The Stores For Returns, Post-Holiday Deals
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Now that Christmas is over, it's all about the after-Christmas savings.
Shoppers all across the Tri-State area took the malls Friday in a mad dash for deals and end-of-the-year markdowns.
"We're trying to save as much as we can," one shopper told CBS2's Alex Denis.
"After Christmas, you do get good deals," another shopper said.
If you can handle the company on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, expect a good payout of 20, 60 and even 75 percent off in some places.
Shoppers Hit The Stores For Post-Holiday Deals
"My wife seen that Macy's has a special sale and she was eying a pocketbook that was $200," one man told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall. "Fifty percent off now, so she rushed me out of the bed and said, 'get out we won't be able to get a parking space!'"
The deep discount trend didn't go unnoticed by one savvy shopper.
"I got a new jacket, Giants pajamas, my Giants hat, Giants blanket," said shopper Cheniqua Simms.
But, what about returns? The deal hunters Denis spoke to said Santa did a great job this year.
"I tell everyone what I want so I get everything that I ask for," said Staten Island resident Jenn Rivera.
However in Herald Square some told CBS2's Scott Rapoport a different story.
"I got these really ugly pajamas. They were red with blue hearts on them," Alex Dagnell said.
And at Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island bemused gift recipients took shopping's version of the walk of shame.
"I got a bar of soap from my grandpa," one shopper said.
As many as 23 percent of all returns for the year happen after Christmas the National Retail Federation said. Nearly 40 percent of us return at least one holiday gift.
Retail experts said there are a few things you can do to make the return process a little easier.
"One, make sure that you have the receipt. If you don't have the receipt, at least figure out what store you got it from. And don't go taking it out of the box if you're not going to use it. That's generally a no-no when it comes to returns the next day," Glenn Derene, Consumer Reports Electronics Editor said.
As CBS2's Tracee Carrasco reported, if you didn't get everything on your wish list, now's the time to buy.
Other than Black Friday, the day after Christmas is the second busiest shopping day of the year, according to the National Retail Federation.
It was easy to see from the big crowds at the Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst.
"The deals are amazing, 5o percent off the whole entire store, 75 percent off, amazing," Rian Whitmore said.
Some of the hard-core bargain hunters said if you can stand to wait until January, you may find ever better discounts but less of a selection.
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