2021 Return Policy Survey: Expanded Return Periods Continue
Extended holiday return deadlines allow gifts bought as early as October first in some cases to be returned until mid- to late-January, considerably beyond the normal deadline. Two major chains, however, Walmart and Home Depot, reduced their return windows. What hasn't changed is the complexity of stores' return policies that are designed in part to reduce return fraud. The combined policies for the dozen chains surveyed amount to over 36,000 words and 75 pages of fine print.
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Noteworthy changes and novel return policies for 2021 include:
"Many major retailers continue to recognize the longer holiday shopping season and are giving customers more time to make returns. But at the same time, a few have cut back on their previously more generous policies," said Edgar Dworsky, Founder of Consumer World®, a leading consumer education website.
Summarized below are some chains with generous regular or holiday return deadlines for purchases made in their brick and mortar locations, unless otherwise stated:
Amazon.com | January 31 for most items shipped Oct. 1 thru Dec.31. Some returns subject to a restocking fee. Some returns free at Kohl's, Whole Foods, and other dropoff locations.. |
Bed, Bath & Beyond | 90-day return period for most items. 30 days for smart tech (but Jan. 31 for those items purchased Nov. 15 onward). 30 days for seasonal; 60 days for electrics. If there is no receipt and it is not findable, a 20% fee is deducted from the refund for customer's presumed coupon use. |
Best Buy | January 16 for most purchases made between October 18 - January 2. Elite members generally get more time. Some restocking fees. |
Costco | No deadline, but 90 days for: TVs, computers, cameras, smart watches, MP3 players, cellphones, monitors, major appliances, etc. |
Home Depot | 90-day deadline most items. Only 2-30 days for some items. |
Kohl's | 180-day deadline, but premium electronics bought Nov. 1 - Dec. 25 returnable until January 31. |
Macy's stores | 90-day deadline for most returns. Holiday return deadline of January 31 for most items purchased October 5 or later, but seven exceptions apply. Free mail returns for Macys.com orders. |
Marshalls | January 25 for purchases October 10 - December 25. These retailers post clear in-store signs about their extended holiday return policy every year - a rarity among retailers. If stores are closed, 30-day extension to return goods after reopening. |
Staples | No deadline for office supplies. January 24 for electronics, and furniture bought since November 8. |
TJ Maxx | January 25 for purchases October 10 - December 25. These retailers post clear in-store signs about their extended holiday return policy every year - a rarity among retailers. If stores are closed, 30-day extension to return goods after reopening. |
Target | 90 days most items. 30 days for electronics and entertainment items, 15 days for most Apple items, 14 days for cell phones. Days begin 12/26 for these non-90-day items bought since 10/1. RedCard holders get 30 extra days. |
Walmart stores | 90 days most items. For the following purchases made from November 1 onward, 30 days (most electronics), and 14 days for cellphones, but count days starting December 26. Free mail returns for online purchases. |
Return policy law varies state to state. Generally, a store can set up any return policy it wants, whether it is "all sales final", "merchandise credit only", or "all returns in 30 days." Many states require the policy to be clearly disclosed to the buyer prior to purchase, usually by means of a conspicuous sign. Some states do not consider a disclosure that only appears on the sales receipt to meet this requirement. It is not unreasonable, however, to require customers to provide a sales slip or gift receipt to establish where and when the item was purchased, and at what price. Those with a gift receipt will generally only receive an even exchange or store credit, but not cash.
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TIPS FOR HASSLE-FREE RETURNS
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Posted: December 15, 2021
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