STRICTLY BUSINESS: MERCHANTS' CORNER: NINE NEW LICENSES

Nine new merchant licenses were issued by the Cape Girardeau Merchants Permit Office after Dec. 1, including the Popcorn Shop, which opened at West Park Mall.

Names of the new businesses and licensees for December:

Brenda's Place, 602 Morgan Oak, Brenda Glueck; Cafe Cape, 97 N. Kingshighway, Delbert Eskew; Computer Doctor, 55 Pindwood G, Clayton Burnham; D & K Wholesale Drug, 1823 Rust Ave., James Largent; Front Row Cards, West Park Mall, Dave Redden; J. Ann's Creations, 2228 Hillbrook, Jeneva Crampton; Kern Motors, 1103 Haddock, Richard Kern; Popcorn Shop, West Park Mall, Stacy King; and Superior Office Products, 760 S. Kingshighway, Don Miller.

In addition to the licenses issued, three more business have applied for licenses:

Bob's Fish House, 1015 N. Kingshighway, Dennis Stockard; Country Club, 2100 Big Bend, Laura Best; and Morton Distributing, 1966 Big Bend, Joe Morton.

More than 175 new merchant licenses were issued in Cape Girardeau in 1996. About 90 closings were reported, leaving a net of 85 new merchants.

Retailers tightening

up return policies

Hang onto those sales receipts, they may be the only ticket to a full refund on merchandise.

Many retailers who once accepted returns with no or few questions are tightening their return policies and cutting back on refunds.

Some stores require sales receipts on all returns, and others have set a limit on the amount of time a purchased item can be refunded.

Taking gifts back and, expecting cash in return, may not be as easy as it once with.

Let's see what's happening:

-- Some stores are charging as much as 15 percent of the purchase price on returns with missing parts or packaging.

-- Some merchants refuse to issue refunds without proof of purchase.

-- Some stores are giving vouchers instead of cash or cashier checks to consumers missing sales receipts.

-- Some merchants are putting time limits on returns.

After years of generous return policies, many retailers are turning into Scrooge at the refund desk.

"Stores had become very generous in their return policies," said Bruce Van Kleeck, vice president of the National Retail Federations, a Washington-based trade group.

Consumers have possibly brought the new refund polices on themselves.

"We have all heard stories about people who buy fancy clothing for a party, only to return them the day after the event," said Brenda Cude, University of Illinois Extension consumer economics specialist. "Other shoppers try to return items purchased at another store or return merchandise almost a year after it was purchased.

Refunds on merchandise are not a consumer right, said Cude. Many have the misconception that they have a right to return merchandise within three days for a full refund.

The truth is, shoppers are at the mercy of the retailer when they decide to return purchases at the mall or local store.

"Retailers are not obligated by law to provide a refund whenever a consumer changes his or her mind about a purchase," said Cude. "Refunds are typically mandated under store policies and may or may not be subject to negotiations."

Stores have been dealt with a lot of fraud, said Kleeck. Stores have no legal obligation to accept merchandise returned without a receipt, or obviously used. However, many stores have been willing to give back cash to please customers.

A lot of returns

Returns made up 12 percent of department stores' gross annual sales in 1995, and 8.6 percent of sales at specialty stores, according to the NRF.

Cude and Kleeck advise consumers to keep receipts on gifts purchased in case the recipient decides to return the item. Likewise, as a recipient, make sure you want to keep the gifts before you open them.

Although consumers must follow return polices established by retailers in the marketplace, consumers are protected by federal law when they make purchases in their home, or in a location other than the place of business, such as rented hotel rooms or consumer products "parties" in private homes. The federal cooling-off rule allows consumers up to three business days to change their minds about keeping purchases of more than $25.

By law, the sales clerk must inform the buyer of their cancellation rights at the time of sale and provide two copies of a cancellation form.

The cooling-off rule does not cover purchases made through home shopping networks or the Internet. It also does not cover sales that are the result of prior negotiation at a seller's permanent business location; needed for emergency home repairs, or involve real estate, insurance, securities or arts and crafts.

The best protection for consumers is to shop smart -- take your time, don't be pressured by aggressive sales tactics, and make sure that what you are buying is what you really want.

There may be a time when you no longer have the option of returning it.

Some hints for easy returns:

-- Always save the sales receipt, or ask for a gift receipt.

-- Don't hesitate to ask the sales clerk about the store's return policies.

-- Check to see if there is a time limit for returns.

-- Be wiling to go to the store manager if you think you were not properly informed of the return policy.

-- Once you make a return, keep the refund receipt to make sure the amount of money owed appears on your credit card.

Thousands of shoppers return to area retail stores each year following Christmas to exchange gifts or request refunds. But refund requests can follow any purchase, any time.

The period between Christmas Day and New Year's Day is the big period for returns. This same period, however, has turned into good sales days, too.

The entire week between Christmas and New Year's has developed into a bonanza for retailers and consumers.

Stores are going to have to contend with exchanges and refunds, but consumers are also looking for values and specials during that period.

Some shoppers have gift certificates they received as gifts for Christmas.

How about a rare document?

A rare document of more than 60 years ago will be on the auction block this week.

The document, of March 10, 1932, is the authorization issued by Charles A. Lindbergh and his wife, Anne, for Dr. John F. Condon to act as their go-between in the kidnapping of their infant son, Charles A. Lindbergh Jr.

The infant's kidnapping from the aviation hero's home on March 1, 1932, outraged and captivated the nation, said Pamela Axelrod, executive vice president for the Gallery of History Auction, which will sell the document Wednesday in New York City.

Condon, a retired Bronx, N.Y., schoolteacher and principal, published in Bronx newspaper his willingness to give $1,000 of his money to the kidnapper(s) for the return of the baby, swearing never to reveal their identity.

The kidnappers responded by letter to Condon, with their acceptance and included a note to Lindbergh.

Condon showed the communications to Lindbergh on March 10, and Lindbergh gave Condon his handwritten authorization, which both he and his wife, Anne, signed.

This note, along with an "Official Pass" to the infamous Hauptmann trial, dated Jan. 24, 1935, are estimated to sell for between $50,000 and $100,000.

There was no happy ending to the Lindbergh story. The body of the 20-month-old boy was later found, and in 1934, Bruno Richard Hauptmann was convicted of the murder. Hauptmann was executed in 1936.

The press sensationalized the Lindbergh kidnapping. The Lindberghs and their 3-year-old son, moved to Europe in search of privacy and safety.

The 'Lindbergh Law'

Lindbergh, who made the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927, died of cancer on Aug. 26, 1974.

The Lindbergh kidnapping led Congress to pass the "Lindbergh Law," which makes kidnapping a federal offense if the victim is taken across state lines or if the mail service is used for ransom demands.

B. Ray Owen is business editor for the Southeast Missourian.