Retailers prepare for post-holiday return rush

NEW YORK (WABC) -- No sooner have the Christmas presents been opened than many people will be flocking to stores Tuesday to return unwanted gifts.

Americans reportedly return nearly $90 billion worth of holiday gifts.

That's almost a quarter of all returns for the entire year.

Retailers say the post-holiday rush is sometimes worse than the days leading up the holidays.

And experts say you may be better off staying home for now.

"Close to 40% of people who are doing their post-holiday returns will do it on the 26th or the 27th," said Oporto CEO Tobin Moore. "I would wait a week and probably return it the first or second week of January, when you also see some major discounts as well."

If you want to avoid stores altogether, many retailers offer free return shipping online after the holidays.

Also several websites allow you to sell unwanted gift cards.