Given merchants’ stricter return policies, it’s becoming more important to keep the original receipts for all the merchandise you buy. But what if you lost yours, or you just didn’t get one with a gift you received?

Here are some tips:

• If you purchased the item and charged it on your credit card, provide account information to the sales staff. A number of stores including Target, have installed receipt trackers. Some stores like Circuit City only require the name of the original purchaser and the phone number to track down a receipt.
• If it’s a gift, don’t feel embarrassed about asking your friend or relative for the original receipt.
• Let the store know you’re a frequent customer. Bring in monthly credit card statements and show how many times you’ve purchased at the store.

“Show the retailer how valuable you are, and that making a return is not something you do very often,” said C. Britt Beemer, chairman of America’s Research Group. “It is the retailers’ best interest to keep you coming back.”

• Never take “no” for an answer, but still be respectful, and always be pleasant. Speak to a store sales manager, and then go to the customer service department. Even write a letter to the president.