Consumer alert: Take note of return policies, state warns Updated Dec 16, 2020; Posted Dec 16, 2020 Officials are reminding consumers of state laws that cover refunds during the holiday shopping season. (Lee Roop/al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com Facebook Share STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Officials are reminding consumers of state laws that cover refunds during holiday shopping season. As part of its seven-part consumer alert holiday series, the state Division of Consumer Protection is reminding consumers that New York law covers refunds. N.Y. General Business Law §218-a requires stores to clearly post their refund policies. When no refund policy is posted, consumers will have 30 days from the purchase date to receive a full refund or a credit, with receipt or any other confirmation given to show that 30 days has not elapsed -- and as long as the merchandise has not been used or damaged.