There are plenty of ads out there that promise a full refund on a product for just about any reason at all. Knowing you get a refund makes it easier to go ahead and make a purchase. I was not allowed to turn on the display models of vacuums I was interested in buying at Sears, and I was told I would be charged a 15 percent restocking fee if I returned one. Can a retailer do that? Consumer Reports has long come down on the practice of charging fees for items returned and not in factory-sealed packages.

But it is still a common practice for many retailers. Also read our buying guide for shopping on the Weband our buying guide for shopping in retail stores. And Sears encourages customers to try vacuums in its stores, a spokesman told us. As we have written before in Consumer Reports, to avoid being hit by a restocking fee: You don't have to pay a restocking fee if how much is a restocking fee at best buy item you are returning is defective.

Also, if you are charged a restocking fee, try to negotiate a partial refund. This article has been updated from the May issue of Consumer Reports Money Adviser. Get Ratings on the go and compare while you shop.

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Best Buy ends restocking fees for most returned items

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Best Buy ends (most) restocking fees - CNET

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