Few Returns

HARLINGEN - Three customers waited to exchange Christmas gifts in the item-return lane at Target on Saturday afternoon during what looked like something you might see on a typical weekday at the big-box retailer.

Customer service lanes at other local stores were also scantily filled. Lines at Circuit City and Dillard's moved along quickly, usually holding no more than seven customers at a time.

Harlingen resident Joe Gonzalez said return lines have been tame since Friday.

"I was out yesterday and the crowd was pretty much the same, small," he said. "Maybe gift cards are making a difference this year."

Circuit City manager Felix Cavazos said he expects the item return rate to go up just after New Year's.

"Most people will have until Jan. 31 to exchange their stuff, so I expect they'll wait to see if anything drops in price before they make their exchanges," he said. "We'll know how many exchanges were made early in the year when we see all the open-item boxes for sale on the floor."

San Benito resident Sandra Martinez, 20, said she was glad to see the short lines at Dillard's.

"I thought there were going to be more people," she said as she moved to the front of the line. "I only have these pants to exchange because they were cut all weird. I'm going to get different ones and hopefully get out of here fast."

Harlingen resident Debbie Elizarde said she came out to make returns and scope out post-Christmas bargains.

"My mom, my son and I are out shopping for clothes and gifts," she said while holding two bags of toys to exchange. "We're returning Star Wars toys that (my son) got twice. We're going to get credit and get something else. We didn't want to brave the crowds yesterday so we thought we would today and, so far so good."