We’ve all been guilty of impulse purchases that have gone awry, like buying something without trying it on first or buying a piece of clothing that seemed to fit OK in the dressing room, but magically turned out horrible when you got home. Common sense would have you return whatever doesn’t fit or flatter. But, maybe it’s been awhile since your purchase, or maybe you were so confident at the time of purchase you accidentally/on purpose removed the tags? Or you may have intended to keep the garment, but as soon as you put it on, you notice a flaw or shoddy workmanship. There are a lot of reasons, with some zany stories as to why returning a garment may be a bit difficult, but justifiable. However, with the following tips, you can hopefully return items that may at first seem unreturnable.

First, double check the store’s return policy. Call customer service if you have questions or unforeseen circumstances to see what your options are. No matter how crazy, or outlandish, or true, a story may be as to why you need to return an item, the clerk might still not be interested. The more you embellish your reasoning for the return, the more suspicious it may seem. Keep your reason for returning a garment short and sweet. A simple, “this didn’t work for me” should suffice.

Obviously, having the receipt and the original tags attached is helpful, but not always necessary. If you have removed the tags and/or lost the receipt, the clothing will have to be in perfect condition with no signs of wear, tears, wrinkles, or stretched-out areas for the store to consider accepting the garment. It’s also handy to have a copy of your credit card statement to show that you DID make a purchase at that location. If the tags ARE off, but you still have them, definitely take those with you. Helpful tip: If it’s an option, have your receipt emailed to you. That way you won’t have to worry about keeping it handy, you can just check your inbox and print it out if need be.

Try not to make a habit of returning items, especially under dubious circumstances. We all have retail snafus, and one or two instances of returning garments without receipts, or signs of wear can be forgiven over the course of your relationship with a store, but if you’re a repeat offender, your chances of getting your money back will diminish. To avoid this, and to avoid salespeople recognizing you as a frequent returner, try everything on before you buy it, and shop less on a whim and more with specific intention. Of course, returns with receipts and tags attached are always acceptable, unless they are final sale items that the brand will not allow for returns. Again, check the policy. Also, read the fine print. Many stores will keep a “history” of your returns, which may have limits. For instance, Anne Taylor Loft will only accept returns of up to $700 (of the original amount) in a single 90-day period.

Always be polite to the associate(s) helping you with a difficult return. They may not be able to give you a full refund, but you may be able to get store credit or a discount on your next purchase. If the employee is not able to “cut you a deal” ask, don’t demand, for a manager’s assistance, to see if you have any other options. Throwing a fit, or making a scene is really unacceptable. Also, be prepared not to be refunded your “bonus” points like Kohl’s Cash or Old Navy Rewards. Again, don’t make a fuss, and thank everyone who assisted you.

If you’ve cut out the hanger straps, have worn the item outside of your house, have attempted to iron or clean it in any way, then you’ve reached the point of no returns. If that happens, accept your losses, move on, and plan on being more strategic with your shopping next time around.