Now that you’ve unwrapped the gifts and given them the once-over, you’re probably thinking about returning some of them to their points of purchase.
There are so many questions related to gift and holiday returns: How long do you have before returning items for a full refund? Do you need a receipt? Is there a fee for returning items? What can’t you return to the store or to an online retailer?
Returning items to a retailer isn’t as cut and dry as it used to be. Some retailers are getting testier about returns and if they aren’t outright charging a fee for returning items, they’re considering it. But many retailers are very generous with their holiday returns policies. That’s because it was an unusually early start to the holiday shopping season, with many retailers starting to push holiday purchases as early as the beginning of October and, as a result, loosening the return dates to late January.
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Amazon kicked off the holiday shopping season in October, with its Prime Early Access Sale — essentially a second Amazon Prime Day in 2022. Other major retailers, including Walmart, Best Buy and Home Depot, launched their Black Friday deals in early November.
Holiday returns policies
Return policies vary by store. This year, says Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with DealNews.com (opens in new tab), many retailers are offering extended returns, but only for certain purchases. Some stores may allow you to return items all the way through January, but only if you made the purchase in November.
“For others,” says Ramhold, “it may be that you can make returns for items purchased from October through part of December — it really is just dependent on the store. And other retailers aren’t offering special holiday policies at all, which means if you typically only have 30 days to return a product, and you bought it long ago, that return window has passed. If your recipient doesn’t like the gift, or it’s a clothing item that may not fit, you may be out of luck trying to get a return.”
How Long Do You Have to Return Holiday Items?
Most retailers are setting the deadline at January 31, but at least one goes into February. There are exceptions.
Obviously, the best move would have been to gauge the retailer’s return policy before you bought the gift and make sure you bought from a store with a long deadline. But maybe you received something as a gift and wish to return or exchange it.
Who Has the Best Return Policy?
Best: Costco and Bath & Body Works — you can return items at any time.
Runner-up: Target — RedCard holders get an extra 30 days on top of the already generous return policy.
Who Has the Worst Return Policy?
Worst: Nordstrom
Ramhold says “Their policy is on a case-by-case basis, which may sound generous because there aren’t any time limits. However, the fact that it’s judged case-by-case may mean you’re out of luck since you’ll be at the mercy of the store associate assisting you. Even if they have a sort of checklist and requirements to go by, that policy is too open-ended which means you may or may not be able to return items you have no use for.”
Holiday Return Policies and Dates
Here’s our guide to key retailers and their return policies for the 2022 holidays:
- Amazon: Anything purchased from Oct. 11 to Dec. 25 can be returned until Jan. 31.
- Apple: Items bought Nov. 4 to Dec. 25 can be returned until Jan. 8.
- Bath & Body Works: Return anytime.
- Bed Bath & Beyond: 90 days from date of purchase.
- Best Buy: Items purchased Oct. 24 to Dec. 31 can be returned until Jan. 14.
- Costco: Return anytime. Electronics must be returned 90 days from day of purchase.
- Finish Line: 45 days from purchase date.
- Footlocker: 45 days from purchase Overstock.com: Purchases made from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 31 date.
- Home Depot: 90 days from purchase date.
- J. Crew: Items purchased from Oct. 12 to Dec. 9 can be returned until Jan. 9.
- Kohl’s: Most items can be returned up to 180 days after purchase. Exceptions are high-end watches, electronics and Sephora items; those purchased after Nov. 1 can be returned until Jan. 31.
- L.L. Bean: Up to one year from date of purchase.
- Lowe’s: 90 days from date of purchase.
- Macy’s: Items purchased from Oct. 3 to Nov. 3 can be returned until Jan. 31.
- Marshalls: Anything purchased in-store from Oct. 9 through Dec. 24 can be returned until Jan. 25. Online purchases can be returned until Feb. 3.
- Microsoft: Purchases made from Oct. 3 through Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 31.
- Nordstrom: Returns decided on a case-by-case basis.
- Nordstrom Rack: Items purchased Oct. 3 through Dec. 24 can be returned through Jan. 15.
- Overstock.com: Purchases made from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 31.
- Sam’s Club: Most items can be returned at any time. Electronics, 90 days from date of purchase.
- Target: Most items 90 days. Electronics bought from Oct. 6 to Dec. 25 can be returned through Jan. 24. Apple products purchased Oct. 6 through Dec. 25 can be returned through Jan. 9. Target RedCard members get an additional 30 days to return items.
- Walmart: Items purchased Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 31.
- Williams-Sonoma: Purchase made Nov. 1 through Dec. 24 can be returned through Jan. 31.
- Yankee Candle: Return at any time.
What Items Can’t Be Returned?
Ramhold of DealNews notes there are several items that cannot be returned to retailers (in addition to our guide to the things you cannot return to Amazon). They include:
Personalized items. Whether it’s a full name, a single letter, or something in between, personalized products often can’t be returned, period. If you’re planning to take this step when purchasing a gift, be prepared to be stuck with it. If you’re considering something like engraving or personalized embroidery, it may be better to purchase the item “bare” to begin with and then add that on after the fact – and when you know your recipient enjoyed the gift.
Custom products. Similar to personalized products, custom items usually can’t be returned. Whether it’s because they’re specific design choices or have custom measurements, retailers won’t be able to sell those as easily as something that was standard-made, so if you purchase something like this, be prepared to have it excluded from returns. If you do need to get rid of it, consider donating or trying to sell it yourself online.
Cigarettes and alcohol. Most stores just won’t accept returns on these items, even if they’re unopened. If you’re purchasing, make sure it’s what you want – or that you know someone who will use them.
Final sale items. This goes without saying, but final sale items can’t be returned. They’re called “final sale” for a reason, so once you purchase them, you’re stuck with them unless you try to offload them in a different way, such as by donating or reselling to someone else.
Certain clothing. Clothing that is intimate – items including underwear or bathing suits – typically can’t be returned unless they’re unopened or clearly unworn. “Even then, I wouldn’t count on being able to return them, so be very careful before making these kinds of purchases,” says Ramhold. “If you’re buying for someone else, it’s better to shop with them or offer them a gift card so they can make the purchase themselves, rather than risk buying something that doesn’t fit and can’t be taken back.”
