If you’ve got a baby, you’ll probably get gear that needs returning sooner or later. Maybe it’s all those hooded towels you receive at your baby shower, the baby monitor that turns out to be static-ridden, or the stroller with the bum wheels. What to do? Take it back and exchange it for something else or get a refund. Here’s how to get the job done with less hassle.

·    Before you buy, make sure the store or online vendor will let you return or exchange an item if there’s a problem or you’ve gotten a duplicate as a gift. Return policies are often spelled out on a sign near the register, on the merchant’s Web site, and on store receipts. You’ll need to return the item before the retailer’s return period runs out (usually 30 to 45 days from the date of purchase). But if the return clock has run out, don’t feel defeated. Persistence and politeness will often get you into overtime.

·    Save your receipt, gift receipt, or packing slip. Some retailers won’t let your return an item or make an exchange without one. Online retailers may let you return an item at their retail stores, unless the packing slip states: “Not returnable in stores.” Check the store's return policy before making a purchase. When returning a product through the mail, send it back in its original package by certified mail so the item can be tracked if it gets lost.

·    If the baby product you buy is defective or damaged, contact the customer service department at the retailer before returning it or contacting the manufacturer. If you are denied a refund by the first representative you speak with, ask to speak with the manager. By selling you an item, a store gives an implied warranty of merchantability. That means that if the product you bought doesn’t do what it’s supposed to, or if it malfunctions or fails within an unreasonably short time for that type of product and the price, the retailer is obligated to correct the problem, no matter what its return policy says. If you’re told that you’ll have to take your complaint to the manufacturer, stand firm. Tell the manager you’re prepared to keep going—to the company’s head office, the local Better Business Bureau and, if necessary, your state’s attorney general. Keep records of all conversations and the original paperwork; make copies if you need to send them.

·    If all else fails, contact the manufacturer. Many baby products are also under manufacturer warranty. Send in the registration card and hold onto warranty information so you can refer to it. That small step can also help the manufacturer contact you in the event of a recall.