Nordstrom, L.L. Bean Top the List of Stores With the Best Return Policies

Whether you're doing some run-of-the-mill shopping or scrambling for last-minute Christmas gifts (like 54 million other Americans), it's handy to study up on which stores have the best return policies. After you've been burned once by a steely-eyed shop associate delivering the unwelcome news that, nope, that sweater that will never, ever fit is yours to keep, it's an issue you'll never want to repeat.

The team at GOBankingRates.com crunched a set of data including the amount of time you have to make a return, how the refund is issued, and whether original packaging is required in order to figure out which stores make returns the easiest.

Check out the ranked requests they shared with us:

#1. Nordstrom

Time limit: None

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? Yes

Original packaging required? No

#2. L.L. Bean

Time limit: None

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? No

Original packaging required? No

#3. Bed Bath & Beyond

Time limit: None

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? Yes

Original packaging required? No

#4. JC Penney

Time limit: None

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? No

Original packaging required? No

#5. Costco

Time limit: None (90 days for certain electronics)

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? N/A

Original packaging required? No

#6. Staples

Time limit: None

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? Yes

Original packaging required? Yes

#7. Zappos

Time limit: 365 days

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? Yes

Original packaging required? Yes

#8. REI

Time limit: 365 days

Can you return without a receipt? No

Is there free shopping online returns? Not specified

Original packaging required? No

#9. Macy's

Time limit: None

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? Not specified

Original packaging required? Yes

#10. Kohl's

Time limit: None

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? No

Original packaging required? Yes

#11. Target

Time limit: 90 days

Can you return without a receipt? Case dependent

Is there free shopping online returns? Yes

Original packaging required? Yes

#12. Sephora

Time limit: 60 days

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? Yes

Original packaging required? No

#13. Michaels

Time limit: 180 days

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? Not specified

Original packaging required? Yes

#14. Lowe's

Time limit: 90 days

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? Yes

Original packaging required? Yes

#15. Walmart

Time limit: 90 days

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? No

Original packaging required? Yes

#16. Apple

Time limit: 14 days

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? Yes

Original packaging required? Yes

#17. Old Navy

Time limit: 90 days

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? Yes

Original packaging required? Yes

#18. Amazon

Time limit: 30 days

Can you return without a receipt? No

Is there free shopping online returns? No

Original packaging required? Yes

#19. T.J.Maxx

Time limit: 30 days

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? No

Original packaging required? Yes

#20. Best Buy

Time limit: 15 days

Can you return without a receipt? Yes

Is there free shopping online returns? No

Original packaging required? Yes

And what were we seriously shopping all this year? Come see the top searches by state (spoiler: A TON of you were loving tulle skirts!).