Just in time for the holidays, Consumer Reports has released a list of 10 companies with particularly unfriendly customer-service policies, and 10 with particularly friendly policies – with the latter category including L.L. Bean in Freeport, which is lauded for its 100 percent product satisfaction guarantee.

The Naughty & Nice Holiday List is based on input from Consumer Reports’ reporters and editors. Consumer Reports noted that the list is based on specific policies and doesn’t reflect the company as a whole.

Among the 10 companies called out for naughty policies are: Verizon Wireless, for doubling to $350 the fee for canceling a smartphone contract after the 30-day grace period; Best Buy, for offering only 14 days to return computers, monitors, camcorders and digital cameras; and Spirit Airlines, for charging $30 in advance and $45 at the gate for carry-on bags.

Also on the nice list are Southwest, for allowing two pieces of checked luggage, no charge, and Walmart, for allowing customers to return most items to a store for cash (under $25), a gift card (over $25) or even exchange.


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