Today is biggest day of the year for gift returns, but is it the best?

The day after Christmas is the biggest day of the year for gift returns, but one consumer expert says it’s not the best day to take that ugly sweater back to the store.

“Lines are long, tempers may be a little bit short,” said Edgar Dworsky, founder of ConsumerWorld.org. “Wait a couple of days.”

When you do go back, Dworsky advises knowing the store’s return policy and bringing your receipt or gift receipt. For electronics, don’t break the factory seal on the packaging—otherwise, you may be out of luck. However, if you have defective merchandise, you’re entitled to an exchange or a refund.

To prevent fraud and theft, some businesses are very strict with their policies, while others may be more flexible.

“My sense is reputable stores will kind of bend over backwards this time of year to try to satisfy the consumer,” Dworsky told KIRO Newsradio.

Shoppers who try to send back items bought online could be charged a return fee. But those charges can often be avoided by returning the merchandise to the physical store.

Consumer World has put together a list of major retailers’ return policies.

Deals alongside returns

Dec. 26 is also prime time for deals. Christmas items—everything from wrapping paper to candy—are usually marked down about 50 percent. But Dworsky says if you wait a little longer, you can find merchandise discounted by 70 percent or more.

“So, if you think 50 is good, 70’s even better,” he said.

Timing is key, though. Wait too long and you could miss out.

“Everything will disappear very suddenly,” he said. “And if you come in on January 3rd, let’s say, you may have missed everything.”

Dworsky recommends asking store employees when the next markdown will happen.

Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.

Follow @FrankLenziKIRO