Naughty and Nice Brands This Holiday Season? Consumer Reports Has List, Checking it Twice

Consumer Reports 2010 "naughty and nice" list of brands' holiday policies takes a dim view of gouging customers.

For retail returns, Best Buy's measly 14-day limit earns the electronics chain a black mark, while J&R's price-matching (even post-sale) policy puts it on the nice list. Similarly, Wal-Mart's generous return policy gets a check mark, while CompUSA's restocking fees earn a demerit.

Mobile shoppers, meanwhile, are warned to read the fine print.

Verizon's early termination fee (doubled to $300) vs. the nice guys at U.S. Cellular, who alert customers before they start paying for excess minutes.

Flying this holiday? CR urges consumers to avoid checked baggage fees, with Spirit cited as the worst offender and Southwest the generous airline.

Check out the other brands on its 2010 naughty & nice list here.