Targeting Bargains, Shoppers Return

'Twas, the first day after and all through , shoppers came a-hauling boxes and bags of unwrapped gifts.

Whether a gift was coming back for being the wrong size, color or just unacceptable to the recipient, two local retailers opened their doors early as they had in the shopping days before the holidays.

, had cashiers and customers service associates at their posts at 7 a.m. as vehicles began filling up its lot.

In contrast its corporate-endorsed midnight opening on when eager shoppers waited in a line snaking around the back of the building to buy big-screen TVs and toys, customers were standing inside out of the morning chill.

While some adult customers might see returning gifts as a hassle, Jaleen Caban, 11, of Long Branch, didn't mind exchanging the Kindle 4 she had received for an upgrade.

Accompanied by her mother, Brenda Caban, Jaleen was also bringing back a duplicate copy of a game that she has already mastered.

"I'm returning Candle Fire," Jaleen said standing outside the Target entrance in the chilly air. "And I'm returning the Kindle 4, so I can get the Kindle 5."

"We also have gift cards to spend," Brenda Caban said.

Some shoppers, apparently gearing up for next year, pushed carts filled with discounted garlands, tree ornaments, colored lights, gift wrap and outdoor decorations.

After seeing her nine-year-old daughter's face light up after unwrapping the boxed "Rose Art Three-in-One" set, Andrea Serghis decided to purchase a second one.

"She asked for it right before Christmas," said Serghis of Highlands. "She's really enjoying it."

Young, budding artists can choose to draw and color upon paper, a dry erase board or a blackboard, all contained within the package along with an easel, dry erase markers, chalk, and paint.

"She's already drawn and colored the parrot this morning," said Serghis, pointing to a sample picture on the outside of the box.

The second "Rose Art Three-in-One" set will go to Serghis' five-year-old great-niece, who begged for it after learning her cousin had received it.

"I'm glad I was able to find it here," Serghis said of her trip to the Middletown's Target. "I had checked another one and they didn't have it."

Minneapolis-based Target allows for refunds to be paid out in the original form of payment when a customer presents a standard receipt or gift receipt within 90 days of purchase according to signage posted within the store.

Meanwhile, about three miles south on Route 35 at , the return lines inside that store's customer service area moved slowly at first, then quicker according to one customer.

Kohls, based in Menonomee Falls, Wisconsin, opened its stores for an expected post-holiday rush at 5 a.m.

The store's "Holiday Return Center" is set up in the customer service area at the rear of the department store.

When Kohl's shopper Patricia Callahan first arrived at the roped off Holiday Return Center to exchange some gifts at about 2 p.m., she had expected to wait in line, but for as long as she might have.

"There were about 50 people waiting in line," said Callahan of Middletown.

Unable to wait for long, Callahan said she left and returned to Kohl's about 6 p.m.  That time, she completed her transaction after only a short wait. 

"There was only one person ahead of me," Callahan said of her later visit.

Although unsure if he had purchased flannel shirts at Kohl's before, Len Holck of Middletown decided the local retailer might be a good place to find more of them for a bargain price.

"I found a flannel shirt in my closet that I wore for Christmas Eve Mass," said Holck, whose friend Kiernan Kelly joined him on the shopping trip. "I just decided that I'd like to buy more."

"I'm here to help him pick out a shirt," said Kelly, also of Middletown.

Kohl's sells clothing, shoes, home goods, greeting cards, and some toys. Unlike Target, the chain does not sell electronics. The store returns to its regular 8 a.m. opening hour today.