Important News: Schumer Takes on Restocking Fees

You would think a prominent United States Senator has better things to do with his time. But we're talking about the obnoxious gadfly Charles Schumer, who cannot possibly let a Sunday go by without nattering about something as insignificant as fees charged by retailers to people who return items.

Plan on returning some gifts this holiday? It may cost you up to 25 percent of the price of the item and, if it was purchased online, you may not have a clue about that "restocking fee."

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer wants the Federal Trade Commission to end that. He wants the FTC to determine if failing to disclose the restocking fee is a deceptive practice and to require retailers to prominently display that the fee will be charged.

Several states including New York, Arizona, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and California require restocking fees to be prominent at retail stores.

"While an ever increasing number of retailers are starting to charge restocking fees, the disclosure of these fees has hardly kept pace," said Schumer (D-N.Y.). "Customers have a right to know that when they make a purchase they could be held responsible for up to 25 percent of the original cost of the product if they choose to return it.

Schumer said a restocking fee is an important element for consumers to consider when choosing where to buy.

Is there no aspect of life Schumer doesn't want to micromanage?