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Thursday, March 26, 2026

You May Not Have to Return That Item to Get Your Money Back — Here’s Why

Have you ever processed a return with a retailer, but then received a message like, “Refund issued. You don’t need to return the item.” Getting your money back and keeping the product—sounds suspicious, right? But in reality, many retailers include these types of no-return, no-refund policies in their return policies. We spoke to an e-commerce expert to get the full scoop on when and why you get to keep your returns (and when to use caution).

What Does “Refund Without Return” Mean?

Traditionally, when you return an online purchase, you must process the return online, print out a shipping label, and then ship the item back to the retailer. When the retailer receives the item, they process a refund to your account.

A “refund without return” means you’ll receive a full refund for the item, without having to ship it back. You keep the item and keep the money too! A no-return-refund feels like a weird loophole, but there’s a reason retailers sometimes allow it.

Why Stores Sometimes Let You Keep Returned Items

As you can probably guess, retailers don’t let you keep your return simply to be charitable. “The answer is money,” says ecommerce and retail adviser Greg Zakowicz. Simply put, the seller’s processing cost for the return exceeds the product’s value, so they tell you to keep it.

“Many times, the cost of shipping, returns processing with human staffing, and warehousing will outweigh the revenue gained from reselling the product. In these cases, it’s more cost feasible to allow customers to keep the product,” says Zakowicz.

Fraud Prevention & Customer Service Strategy

Allowing shoppers to keep some returns is not only cost-effective but also builds customer loyalty. According to a report from the National Retail Federation, 82% of consumers cite free returns as a major consideration when making a purchase, and 76% are more likely to choose a return option that provides an instant refund or exchange. Customers want convenient and fast returns, and what’s more convenient than an instant refund, no return required?

Both retailers and shoppers should be careful, though. The report found that 9% of all returns are fraudulent. And when fraudulent customers learn about a retailer’s no-return, no-refund policy, some may find ways to abuse it. Many retailers now use AI technology to detect and prevent return fraud.

Although most no-return refunds are legitimate, customers should beware of scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission, scammers are pretending to be Amazon; sending texts claiming an item you recently bought doesn’t meet their standards, and to simply “click here” for a refund. But instead, the link is a phishing scam that could steal your money or personal information.

Which Retailers Are Known for This Policy?

“Many retailers practice returnless refunds,” says Zakowicz, “including Amazon, Target, and Chewy, although it is not a blanket rule. Each store will determine the policy based on factors such as the product being returned (cost of shipping, profit margin, likelihood of resale) and the customer’s history.”

You’ll also find that many retailers don’t exactly advertise their no-return refund policies to avoid abuse of the policy. You might not find out it’s even a possibility until you actually start the return process for a particular item.

When You’re Unlikely to Keep the Item

Retailers won’t offer high-cost or luxury items under their no-return policy because they can still make a resale profit. So don’t expect to keep high-end jewelry, electronics, power tools, or vintage items.

Is It Ethical to Keep the Item?

As long as you’re not making fraudulent claims to the no-return refund policy, there is no reason you shouldn’t accept the refund. You can also do some good with the unwanted item, like donating it to a shelter or a neighbor in need. “If the purpose of the purchase was honest and not intended to get something for free, then yes, it’s ethical,” says Zakowicz, “The company is making a conscious decision to provide that right to customers, so customers shouldn’t feel bad.”

FAQ

How many days do I have to return an item?

Each store’s return policy differs in how many days after purchase they’ll accept a return. Amazon allows 30 days for most products, while Target and Walmart both offer 90 days for unopened items.

Are there items that can’t be returned?

“Generally, products such as groceries, including consumable pet products, can’t be returned due to safety reasons,” says Zakowicz. “The same holds true for some opened personal care items. Some products might be classified as hazardous materials, such as hairsprays, and these often can’t be returned online, although many brick-and-mortar stores will accept them.”

About the Experts

  • Greg Zakowicz is an e-commerce expert and retail advisor at Omnisend. He has nearly 20 years of experience as an email and SMS marketing practitioner, consultant, expert witness, and analyst. He’s helped over 100 retail companies launch and maximize their email and SMS marketing programs’ sales.

RELATED:

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Wednesday, March 25, 2026

9 Genius Ways To Use Tweezers You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner

taking out the ventilation dust with tweezers

Grasp Hard-to-Reach Items

If you have debris lodged in a tight location, such as a French fry stuck between the car seat and the console, or some fuzz lurking behind your HVAC vents, tweezers just might be the answer. “Just make sure you always have a firm grip, especially when using tweezers in places like ductwork, where they could get trapped,” says HVAC expert Eli Zimmer. Also, don’t forget to unplug or power off electrical appliances and systems before tweezering.

close up of hands using tweezers to remove bone from fish

Cook Like a Pro

Tweezers are among the best tools for removing pin bones from fish fillets, says chef Mark McShane. Their narrow tips are also great for delicately placing garnishes on dishes, such as microgreens and edible flowers. “When I’m sautéing small garlic slices, capers and shrimp, tweezers help me flip or move them individually without splashing hot oil,” he says. “You can even brown small pieces without using a bulky spatula.”

close up of hands using tweezers to clean phone's charging port

Repair Tech Devices

Fine-tipped tweezers are perfect for cleaning the pocket lint from your cell phone ports. They’re also a help during the dainty task of stabilizing small screws in tight spaces. “Tweezers help prevent losing those small parts down into a computer case,” says home buyer Darcy Turner. “The key to keeping parts stable is applying steady pressure.” Pro tip: Use ceramic-tipped tweezers to avoid accidentally shorting electrical connections.

close up of hands planting seeds with tweezers

Sow Seeds

A great tweezer hack is using them to place small seeds into the soil with precision. “This allows for less crowding of seedlings so each has the best possible opportunity to grow well,” says Keith Sant. “It also ensures your garden has a polished look from the beginning.” Pro tip: To get light seeds to adhere to the ends of the tweezers, dampen the ends.

close up of hair clog being pulled out of drain with tweezers

Spruce Up the Bathroom

Tweezers are masters of the bathroom, good for everything from lifting hair clogs out of drains to plucking stray silicone strings from the tub. “These are small, fussy fixes where fingers are too big, and bulky tools can chip tile or scuff a tub,” says bathroom restorer Robert D Puleo. Pro-tip: for pop-up drains, use long or bent tweezers and a flashlight, so you can guide the tips onto the hair, rather than blindly scraping.

close up of plant fiber between tweezers

Touch Up the Paint

If you’ve got tiny paint nibs, dried drips or stray masking threads, tweezers are a good bet for cleaning them up, without damaging the surrounding paint. This is especially true for coated metal surfaces, like fences and gates, says fencing expert Matthew Prato. “Another good use for tweezers is pulling out embedded plant fibers, splinters or wind-blown seed husks from wood inlays and timber cladding details,” he says.

placing mosaic tiles with tweezers

Renovate Small Details

After scraping away old caulk, you can use construction tweezers to remove those last stubborn bits. Remodeler Manny Kavouklis also uses them for shaving wood trim to prevent splinters, recovering screws or hardware dropped in tight spaces and laying out small mosaic tiles, where the adhesive might otherwise smear. “I have a toolbox that has precision tweezers in it, because after 20 years of renovations, I need them for stuff larger tools won’t work for,” he says.

close up of hands using tweezers to create dried flower collage

Get Artsy with Flowers

Tweezers are perfect for creating collages with dried flowers. “You can easily move the thin, dry petals without them getting crushed by your fingers,” says homebuyer Mary Sullivan. To achieve the cleanest edges, position yourself to where you can see where the flower meets the paper, then gently lay the flower onto the glue. Work slowly and gently to get the cleanest edges. “ You get the best out of nature when you use a gentle touch,” she says.

Man hands planting new water plant using tweezers in aquarium at home.

Aquascape the Aquarium

Get fishy with this tweezer hack: use an extra-long pair of tweezers to plant aquatic plants without disturbing the water’s surface. “Hold the plant by its roots and gently press it into the gravel,” says Turner. “This prevents it from being pulled out of the substrate, which can lead to reduced plant health in your underwater garden. A veteran aquarist told me that patience makes the most attractive aquariums.”

About the Experts

The post 9 Genius Ways To Use Tweezers You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner appeared first on Family Handyman.



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The Science Behind Bluetooth — And Why It Keeps Dropping Your Connection

You probably use Bluetooth technology multiple times a day, without even thinking about it. Bluetooth supports hands-free calling and music streaming in the car, wireless keyboards and mice, wireless headphones and speakers, and syncing a smartwatch to our phone (just to name a few things)! But have you ever wondered how exactly it works? We spoke to a wireless technology expert to find out what Bluetooth actually is and how to avoid common connection issues.

What Bluetooth Actually Is

Bluetooth allows two devices (like your phone and your wireless earbuds) to connect directly without Wi-Fi or wires. The technology uses UHF radio waves to connect the devices over short distances.

What about the unique name, Bluetooth? Interestingly, the name was inspired by King Harald “Bluetooth” Gormsson, who was known for uniting Denmark and Norway over 1,000 years ago. He earned the nickname because of his dead tooth, which was a dark blueish-gray color.

How Is Bluetooth Different From Wi-Fi?

Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi allow wireless communication, but they’re quite different. Bluetooth connects two devices together, while Wi-Fi connects devices to the internet.

“Bluetooth is a peer-to-peer technology. Its low power requirements make it great for battery-powered devices,” says wireless technology expert Trent Meyer. “Wi-Fi allows for greater data transfer rates, at higher speeds and at the cost of battery efficiency.”

And although Bluetooth connects two devices, it can handle multiple connections at the same time. For example, Bluetooth lets you stream music to your headphones and receive texts on your smartwatch at the same time, explains Meyer.

How Bluetooth Devices Connect

According to Intel (one of Bluetooth’s original collaborators), Bluetooth devices connect via radio waves, specifically on the 2.4 GHz frequency range.

When the two devices are close together, they detect each other automatically and then connect, or “pair”, using the 79 available frequencies. The paired devices constantly jump between these channels, looking for the best connection signal.

Modern Bluetooth Range and Limitations

Classic Bluetooth has a range of about 33 feet, but newer Bluetooth versions offer longer ranges. The iPhone 16 for example, features Bluetooth 5.3.

“Bluetooth 5 connection can reach over 1,000 feet,” says Meyer. “Clear line-of-sight and quality Bluetooth products will help you achieve the best range. Connection range is also dependent on how much data is transferred. Headphones and speakers often get less than 50 feet of range because audio requires a lot of data.”

How Bluetooth is Used In Home Setups

You know your headphones and your car connect via Bluetooth, but how can you best use the technology at home? Many smart home devices that make your life easier and are wireless utilize Bluetooth. Smart lighting, home speakers, smart locks, and smart thermostats all use Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi to connect to each other and your phone.

“You can even find it in wall-powered devices like printers, smart cameras, and TVs,” says Meyer, “Many sensors also use Bluetooth to send data to smartphones or smart hubs, allowing homeowners to monitor things like temperature, water leaks, or equipment performance.”

Common Bluetooth Problems

If your Bluetooth devices often lose connection, check for physical obstacles. “Reducing the distance and obstructions between devices is always recommended,” says Meyer, “For example, set your phone on top of your desk to have it closer to your headphones.”

“Using quality Bluetooth products can also alleviate issues,” says Meyer. The newest iPhone comes equipped with the latest and greatest Bluetooth. That off-brand speaker from a questionable Amazon seller, on the other hand, most likely does not. When getting a new wireless device, Meyer recommends finding one that offers the newest Bluetooth 5 technology

FAQ

What can interfere with Bluetooth signals?

“The most common Bluetooth issues come from interference and physical obstacles like walls and other dense objects,” says Meyer.

Why does my Bluetooth connection keep dropping?

“Bluetooth operates in the same 2.4 GHz frequency band used by WiFi routers, microwaves, and many other wireless devices, so crowded environments with multiple devices can cause signal interference and lead to signals being dropped,” says Meyer.

About the Experts

  • Trent Meyer is a software developer and Engineering Team Lead at Transducers Direct. His work focuses on making connected devices reliable and easy to monitor remotely, whether in industrial systems, smart home applications, or equipment monitoring.

Sources

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Monday, March 23, 2026

Fatal Incident Prompts Hyundai to Issue Immediate Stop-Sale Order

When picking out a car for your family, you probably look for practical features like multiple rows of seating as well as safety features like good air bags. Tragically, in certain Hyundai vehicles, those practical features aren’t always safe. Recently Hyundai issued a stop-sale after receiving news of a deadly accident.

Why Is Hyundai Issuing a Stop-Sale?

According to a recent press release, Hyundai is issuing a stop-sale on certain Palisade vehicles “due to an issue with the second and third-row power seats.” Per the brief, “in certain situations, those seats may not adequately detect contact with an occupant or object as intended.” More specifically, the press release explains that “this condition may occur during second and third-row power‑folding operations, as well as during use of the second-row one‑touch tilt‑and‑slide function.”

This issue came to light under tragic circumstances. The company’s official statement so far is as follows: “Hyundai is aware of a tragic incident involving a Palisade. While Hyundai does not yet have the full details and the incident is still under investigation, a young child lost her life. Hyundai extends its deepest sympathies to her family.”

Which Hyundai Vehicles Have This Defect?

The Hyundai press release said that the recall will include roughly 68,500 vehicles comprised of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Limited and Calligraphy trim vehicles. The company is currently working to alert customers “through multiple points of contact, which may include email, vehicle telematics, outbound phone calls, and media notifications.” Owners who have further questions can contact the Hyundai Consumer Assistance Center.

In the meantime, the company is warning owners to “use caution when operating second and third-row power seats.” They also say that owners need to “ensure that no person or object, including children, is in the seat or seat-folding area before operating the power seat.” And finally, “when using the second-row one‑touch tilt‑and‑slide feature to access the third row, customers should avoid pressing the seatback button during entry or exit.”

What Is Hyundai’s Solution?

According to the press release, Hyundai is in the process of finalizing the details of the recall and working on a repair. When it’s ready, this repair “will be performed at no cost to owners.” In the interim, Hyundai “will offer interested customers with a rental vehicle until a full remedy is available.”

The company is also in the process of developing a temporary fix in the form of an over-the-air software update. The company says that “while this update is not the permanent recall repair, it is intended to enhance the system’s response to contact with occupants or objects, introduce additional operating safeguards, and enhance overall system safety.” Hyundai hopes to release this update by the end of March 2026.

Source

Hyundai Issues Palisade Stop Sale After Folding Seat Death, Kelley Blue Book, 2026.

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Your Car Door Sticker Decoded: What All That Info Actually Means

While getting in and out of your driver’s seat, you may have noticed a little sicker in your door jamb. And it probably looks a little like gibberish, if you don’t understand the specifications it’s conveying.

“It may look unimportant, but ironically, it contains some of the most practical information for everyday vehicle safety,” says Lucas Waldenback, co-founder of Zutobi driver education. “It became standard in modern vehicles as safety regulations required manufacturers to make weight limits and tire specifications clearly accessible to drivers.”

Here’s more about what’s on your car door sticker, and how to interpret it.

What Information Is On the Side of Your Car Door?

The door jamb sticker, officially called the safety compliance certification label, signifies that your car meets specific safety standards, plus provides a quick reference guide for the vehicle’s key operating limits. They are usually located on the driver’s side pillar, or within the latch post. Occasionally they’re in the engine bay.

Recommended Tire Pressure (cold PSI)

This tells you the correct pressure to inflate your tires to when they’re cold, as determined by your car’s weight and load.

“A common misconception is that the number printed on the tire sidewall is the correct pressure to use,” says Waldenback. “In reality, that number is the maximum pressure the tire can handle, not the recommended operating pressure.”

Vehicle Weight Ratings

The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and gross axle weight rating (GAWR) indicate the maximum safe weight your vehicle can carry, including passengers, cargo and fuel.

“This information is especially important for people towing trailers or loading vehicles for long trips,” says Waldenback. “Exceeding these limits can affect braking distance, steering stability and suspension performance.”

Tire Size Specifications

This displays the vehicle’s intended tire size, and is useful when replacing tires. “Using incorrect tire sizes can affect speedometer accuracy, braking performance and traction systems,” says Waldenback.

Manufacturing Information and VIN

The door jamb sticker also displays the manufacture date of the vehicle and the VIN (vehicle identification number), which can be useful when ordering replacement parts or verifying vehicle specifications.

“If you know how to read a VIN code, you can tell the vehicle’s brand, engine size and type, security code and the plant in which it was assembled,” says Duane “Doc” Watson, a technical trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket.

FAQ

How is the information on the car door decided?

All of the specifications on the car door jamb sticker are set through extensive testing, where engineers analyze how the vehicle performs relative to its weight, suspension, tires, loads and road conditions. “The recommended tire pressure, for example, is chosen to balance safety, ride comfort, tire wear and fuel efficiency,” says Waldenback.

What happens if the sticker on my car door is missing or damaged?

In some states, a door jamb sticker may be required to pass inspection. A missing one can also set off red flags, indicating potential VIN tampering or vehicle identity fraud, potentially making it more difficult to sell your vehicle. “If you’re buying a used car, check to make sure the door jamb sticker is present and intact,” says Watson.

Can I get a replacement sticker if mine has faded or peeled off?

Yes. The dealership, and sometimes the manufacturer, can order a replacement sticker using the vehicle’s VIN number. Expect to spend $60 or so. There are also third party companies that produce replicas, usually for a bit more money. Whatever route you choose, you’ll likely need to provide proof of ownership.

“Because the stickers are exposed to the elements and subjected to physical stress, many fade and peel,” says Justin Dugan, brand ambassador at American Trucks. “Obtaining a replacement is more common than you might expect.”

Where Can I find the information that was on my car door sticker?

Check your vehicle owner’s manual. You can likely also obtain it from the manufacturer’s website, dealership service departments and online vehicle specification databases.

What if I’ve modified my vehicle?

If your vehicle has upgraded suspension or a modified tire size, as is common with truck enthusiasts, those may alter the optimal tire pressure and payload calculations for the vehicle, says Dugan. “The sticker represents the baseline for the safe operation of the vehicle, and one of the fastest ways to ensure that your modification does not exceed the vehicle’s limitation,” he says.

About the Experts

  • Lucas Waldenback is co-founder of Zutobi, a driver education platform used by millions of learners worldwide to understand road safety, vehicle operation and driving regulations.
  • Duane “Doc” Watson is a technical trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket. He has more than 45 years of experience in automotive repair.
  • Justin Dugan has been a brand ambassador at American Trucks for more than 14 years.

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Friday, March 20, 2026

Some States Pay Quadruple What Others Do for Water — Is Yours One of Them?

Much like it’s important to know the average gas bill or electric bill in your area, it’s a good idea to keep tabs on the average water bill. If your bill is significantly higher than the average, you might want to check for leaks and see where in your routine you can cut down on your usage to bring it down to a more affordable level.

Average Water Bill By State

According to HomeGuide, the average water bill in each state is as follows:

State Monthly Bill
Vermont $18
Wisconsin $18
North Carolina $20
Louisiana $21
Mississippi $23
Nebraska $23
Maine $24
Arkansas $26
Illinois $26
Nevada $26
South Dakota $26
Kansas $27
New Hampshire $27
Ohio $27
Georgia $28
Minnesota $28
Michigan $29
Alabama $30
Indiana $30
New York $30
North Dakota $31
Pennsylvania $31
Iowa $32
New Mexico $32
Rhode Island $32
Florida $33
South Carolina $33
Massachusetts $34
Oklahoma $35
Virginia $36
Texas $37
Idaho $38
Montana $38
Utah $38
Colorado $39
Missouri $39
Tennessee $43
Delaware $46
Maryland $46
Kentucky $49
Wyoming $53
District of Columbia $59
Arizona $64
Hawaii $64
Alaska $68
Connecticut $69
New Jersey $72
Washington $75
Oregon $76
California $77
West Virginia $91

The cheapest state is Vermont, with an average water bill of $18/month. That’s $73 cheaper than the most expensive state, West Virginia, where the average water bill is $91/month.

Contributing Factors

Your water bill depends in part on the water rates for your area, but other factors include household size, water usage, and location. You can cut down on your water usage in some cases if your bill is too high, but it’s also helpful to look into how your utility company bills water so that you can budget accordingly.

Per HomeGuide, common rate structures include:

  • Uniform: much like it sounds, your rate is consistent
  • Increase block: your rate will increase once you hit certain usage thresholds
  • Seasonal: if demand varies greatly between seasons, you might see higher rates in the summer and lower rates in the winter
  • Water budget: similar to increase blocks; you’re charged one rate for the “budget” the company gives you, and a higher rate for usage that exceeds it. The difference between this rate structure and the increase block structure is that your budget is given based on what the company thinks you’ll use, whereas the increase block rates are stair-stepped at certain usage levels to promote water conservation.

How Can I Cut Down My Usage?

If your water bill is quite high, you can try replacing bathroom fixtures with low-flow alternatives, keeping showers short, and adjusting your yard watering schedule. If you’ve got the money to invest up front, you can also look into replacing the grass in your yard with drought-tolerant native plants that will require less water overall.

Source

How Much Is the Average Water Bill?, Homeguide, 2026.

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An Inventor Built a Better Version of That Dirty Laundry Chair in Your Room

When it comes to laundry, staying on top of doing it can feel like a Sisyphean task. It seems that no matter how often you run a load, the work required to wash, dry, fold and putting it away takes longer than the time it takes for a new load to accumulate. Everyone has different strategies to try to stay on top of things. For me, having a small apartment with an even smaller bedroom means there’s just no place for laundry to go besides the hamper or the closet. I have to stay caught up, or else I won’t be able to move around in my own place. But for people with a bit more room on their hands, there’s what’s commonly known as the “laundry chair.”

What Is a Laundry Chair?

For those unfamiliar with the term, a laundry chair is simply a chair, usually in your bedroom, where your “half-dirty” clothes go. These are clothes you’ve already worn at least once, are too dirty to put away, but probably have another wear or two in them before they absolutely need to be washed. Think of your favorite jeans that you wore out to lunch the other day.

The appeal of the laundry chair is that it’s an in-between space. You can extend the life of your clothes by washing them only when necessary, while also keeping the clean clothes in your closet fresh for you.

The downside, however, is that you now have a chair in your room that’s probably an eyesore and that you can’t actually sit in. It becomes one more piece of furniture taking up space, and if you live in a smaller home, you desperately need all your furnishings to fulfill as many purposes as possible. Enter Simone Giertz, the Swedish inventor and YouTuber behind the new Laundry Chair.

How is Giertz’s Laundry Chair Different?

Giertz’s new invention is a chair with one important extra feature: a movable rail that allows you to hang and air out your clothing without preventing you from sitting in the chair. Giertz explains that “when you hang something up instead of putting it back in a drawer, the fabric can breathe. Moisture dries out, smells fade, wrinkles relax.” Her Laundry Chair is a practical and space-saving way to do that.

If you’re intrigued by the concept, check out her Kickstarter campaign. The campaign closes April 12, 2026. According to the FAQ page, Giertz anticipates shipping out the chairs in Novemeber 2026.

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You May Not Have to Return That Item to Get Your Money Back — Here’s Why

Have you ever processed a return with a retailer, but then received a message like, “Refund issued. You don’t need to return the item.” Gett...