Buying Gifts from Companies Under Bankruptcy
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Updated: 10:50 AM Nov 20, 2008
Buying Gifts from Companies Under Bankruptcy
With the struggling economy, many stores are filing bankruptcy, downsizing or scaling back.
Posted: 11:35 PM Nov 17, 2008
Reporter: Lauren Davis
Email Address: lauren.davis@wvlt-tv.com
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KNOXVILLE (WVLT) -- With the struggling economy, many stores are filing bankruptcy, downsizing or scaling back.

When you buy Christmas presents, how can you be sure you can take them back after Christmas if you need to?

We talked with several struggling stores.

They say not to worry, everything is business as normal this holiday season.

Justin Thomas has no problem returning a keyboard to Circuit City.
But with the company recently filing Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, he wonders if that'll change this Christmas.

Justin Thomas says, "If they're going out of business and you buy something and their out of business how are you going to return it"

Circuit City representatives wouldn't go on camera, but issued the following statement:

"We hope to emerge from chapter 11 as a stronger more competitive company. Throughout this process it will be business as usual."
Which means."

If you buy between November 2nd and Christmas Eve, you can return it through January 31st, and if you purchase a gift card, it is redeemable.

Extended warranties will be protected because those are provided by an unrelated third party.

Consumer experts say if you purchase something, make sure you ask what their return and exchange policy. Some sales may be final.

With stores like Ann Taylor, Eddie Bauer, Lane Bryant, Talbots, Foot Locker and Home Depot closing stores nationwide some experts recommend not giving gift cards at all this year.

If the business goes under, the card will be no good and that will just be money down the drain.

Chains that are closing some stores nationwide are as follows:

--Ann Taylor closing 117 stores nationwide. A company spokeswoman said the company hasn't revealed which stores will be closed.
--Eddie Bauer has already closed 27 shops and plans to close up to two more outlet stores by the end of the year.
--Women's retailer Cache' is closing 20 to 23 stores this year.
--Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines Plus Sizes will close 150 under performing stores this year.
--Talbots is closing 78 kids and men's stores plus 22 more stores including J. Jill, another chain it owns.
--Gap, Inc is closing 85 stores.
--Foot Locker is closing 140 stores.
--Wickes, a 37-year-old retailer that targets middle income customers filed for bankruptcy protection last month.
--Bombay already closed all their stores.
--Zales already closed 82 stores. Now they announce they're closing 23 more.
--Disney Store will close 98 locations.
--Home Depot is closing 15 stores.
--CompUSA closed stores already.
--Macy's is closing 9 stores.
--Movie Gallery closed 160 stores as part of reorganization plan to exit bankruptcy.
--Pep Boys closed 33 stores.
--Spring Nextel plans to dropo 4, 000 employees and 125 retail locations.
--J.C. Penney, Lowe's and Office Depot are scaling back.
--Ethan Allen Interiors is closing 12 stores.
--Wilson's is closing 158 stores.
--Pacific Sunwear will close its 154 Demo stores.
--Sharper Image filed for bankruptcy and 90 stores are closing.
--Bombay closes all 384 stores.
--KB Toys closes 356 stores.
--Dillard's to close 6 more under performing stores.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Ann Taylor & Ann Taylor Loft Location: Walden Galleria Cheektowga NY on Jan 14, 2009 at 09:16 AM

Please do not close if possible these stores. They cater to the middle income working women with a wide variety of clothing & other items. We travel from Bradford, PA to frequent these stores as well as JJill. Thank you for your consideration.
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Posted by: JJill Location: Walden Galleria Cheektowago on Jan 14, 2009 at 09:05 AM

Please consider keeping this store open. We travel from Bradford to shop in this middle income store. The clothing and other items are high end. It would be a shame to loose the store. Thank you for your consideration.
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