Retailers often say that you need a receipt to return items, but that’s just talk, man. You can often return items without a receipt. Whether you received a gift you didn’t like or you’re prone to losing your receipt, returning items without a receipt can sometimes be a minefield. But here are some tips and techniques to increase your chances of getting your money back.

Unfortunately, there’s no single method to getting your money back every time: your experience will vary from store to store, and even from customer service representative to representative. The best thing you can do is prepare yourself before you go, and build a good case if they ask for a receipt. Here’s what you’ll want to consider ahead of time.

Before you do anything else, check the store's return policy so you know what to expect. Many stores don't mind having a receipt — Wal-Mart, for example, lets you get cash back on anything under $25 and store credit on anything over — no receipt required. Target, on the other hand, can track any purchases made using your credit card or gift card. If you shop at stores like Costco, which require a membership, they can easily track your purchases on your account. Amazon even has a gift return policy , which is great if you don't have a receipt yourself. Basically, don't waste time building a case if you don't need one — check your store's policy, see if you can work out what you need to do to get your money back, and go for it.

With a few exceptions, you’ll get the best results the sooner you try to return the item after the purchase date. This is especially important if the store has a 90-day returns policy, or some other specified time period. However, if it’s after that date, you can try returning it without a receipt and claiming it was a gift. If they can’t track the purchase date, they have no way of knowing how soon it was returned. Having it in the original packaging also helps.