Here's Why Walmart's Return Policy May Surprise You

The retailer's rules are more involved than you'd suspect when reading their main return policy page, but we break down the info you need.

Updated March 11, 2024

BY:
KEIRA WAGNER

Editor

Shoppers walk in an out of Walmart store.

Return policies: They seem so simple in theory. That shirt you bought didn't fit quite right, a piece snapped off your new toaster and you found it buried in the box, or the lamp you bought doesn't turn on. Surely, it's just a matter of taking your item back to the store and getting a refund or exchange.

Unfortunately, that kind of simplicity boarded a ship that has long since sailed. And sometimes you feel like you need a stint in law school to navigate a return policy. While return policies can vary from store to store, understanding one store's policy can help you decipher the return process at other stores, as well. Keep reading for everything you need to know about the Walmart return policy.

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What Is Walmart's Return Policy?

Walmart's return policy is a lot more involved than you'd suspect just by reading the initial Walmart return policy page. This page can give you a general overview for how the process works. But if you delve into Walmart's fine print, you'll soon see that Walmart's electronics return policy may be entirely different from Walmart's car battery return policy or Walmart's TV return policy. For simplicity's sake, you'll have 90 days after purchase or upon receipt to exchange or return an item, unless otherwise noted in Walmart's exceptions.

The Walmart return policy gives you 90 days after purchase or upon receipt to exchange or return an item, unless otherwise noted.

Items may be eligible for return via the Walmart return center or via mail, depending on the item and method of purchase. And Walmart's return policy with receipts and Walmart's return policy without receipts varies by item. Most Walmart return hours match store hours, so they're typically from 6 am to 11 pm. But not every Walmart return center is guaranteed to follow store hours, and some stores may also open or close at different times. If you need to know the exact Walmart return hours at your local Walmart store, it's best to ask them.

What Qualifies for Walmart Returns?

Most items at Walmart are capable of being returned, exchanged, or refunded. That's particularly true if the customer still has their receipt. Some items may have specific instructions, such as marketplace and luxury items, items with batteries, freight items, items that require assembly, alcohol and tobacco, and items shipped to non-contiguous U.S. states and territories.

As a general rule, most new, unopened items are capable of being returned or exchanged. so long as the customer does so within these time frames:

Two days: Major appliances
14 days: Wireless phones
30 days: AppleCare+, consumer electronics, PCs and PC components, vacuums, cooling and heating items, electric scooters and hoverboards, Verizon postpaid phones, most Marketplace items, Walmart protection plans
60 days: Contacts, glasses, and hearing aids
90 days: Walmart+ memberships, home and garden equipment, unmounted tires, photos, and toilets
365 days: Perennials, shrubs, and trees

You can return these items via manufacturer instructions if outside of these timelines.

What Doesn't Qualify for Walmart Returns?

You'll find a host of items ineligible for returns entirely. These include the following:

Firearms and ammo
Airsoft guns, BB guns, crossbows, and bows
Pepper spray
Gas-powered recreational vehicles
Used or mounted tires, wheels, rims, or snow tires
Trading cards (opened or unopened)
RV sewer lines, toilets, toilet bowls, and urinals (used or installed)
Precious metals
Adult items and medical testing kits (pregnancy, COVID, etc.)
Prescription medications and devices
Items containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine
Diabetic supplies
Hygienic medical equipment

You'll also find gift cards excluded from refunds, returns, or replacements. And while you shouldn't expect to find a specific Walmart video game return policy, video game download cards fall under the same tier as gift cards, making them ineligible. That said, while we didn't see an official Walmart video game return policy, you can find information for redeeming a code if there is an issue, and may likewise find help for other issues with digital goods.

Home and tech services, such as in-home TV mounting, device setup, connected home installations, or furniture assembly, are also ineligible for refunds once completed. And this includes cancellations made less than 24 hours prior to a scheduled booking. Marketplace sellers may also sell items that are ineligible for return at the Walmart return center, highlighting the need for due diligence before committing to a purchase if you think there's any chance you may need to return your item later.

Some items may qualify for returns but are ineligible for return to the Walmart return center. For instance, major appliances are not returnable to Walmart stores, but the customer may start a return online within two days of accepted delivery. Outside of the 2-day grace period, an opened product needs to be returned via the manufacturer, while an unopened product can be returned to Walmart but subject to up to a 20% restocking fee.

Many marketplace items, including luxury items, may also be subject to up to a 20% restocking fee if returned. Luxury items include the following:

Apparel
Shoes
Accessories (including handbags)
Jewelry and watches above $300
Fine art
Gems
Collectibles

When these items are sold directly via Walmart, they may include a special return window (typically 14 days) and require all original boxes, papers, and other documents of authenticity.

WIC- and SNAP-purchased items likewise have their own rules for returns. In most instances, you can only exchange these items for another of the same item. Other exchange-only items include these (when opened):

Unlocked wireless phones (within 14 days)
Drones (within 30 days)
Air beds (within 90 days)
Durable medical equipment, like walkers or crutches (within 90 days)
Funeral products, like caskets (within 90 days)

For the majority of these items, if they are new and unopened, you can still return them for a full refund. If in doubt, you can always check with the Walmart return center for information about your specific purchase.

I Don't Have My Receipt, Can I Still Return the Purchase?

Walmart's return policy with receipts typically results in a refund or exchange for most products. But what happens if you've lost your receipt somewhere in the normal 90-day window? Walmart's return policy without receipt varies by item, but in many instances, customer service will be able to look up your purchase with a debit/credit card or online order number via your phone number or email.

Walmart's return policy without receipt varies by item, but in many instances, customer service will still be able to look up your purchase.

Returning or exchanging an item without a receipt requires a government-issued ID. If verified, you may be eligible to do a merchandise exchange, get a cash refund if the value is less than $10, or score a gift card refund if the value is equal to or greater than $10. If the returned item has an age verification requirement, there may be a refund delay if Walmart is unable to verify your age via the provided ID. Select items may have additional delays or even be refused for refund or exchange without a receipt.

What Is Walmart's Return Window?

Most items purchased directly from Walmart have a 90-day return window. But check the full policy for items with a shortened return window. Additionally, holiday returns are extended, meaning items purchased between October 1 and December 31 are returnable until January 31. The exceptions are select items like wireless phones, major appliances, Dyson products, protection plans, and select luxury goods.

Are There Any Special Considerations That I Should Know Of?

Items subject to recall are guaranteed a cash refund, regardless of purchase condition. Many grocery items, such as produce, meat, bakery, deli, and dairy items, along with fresh flowers, are also subject to a fresh guarantee and can be refunded or exchanged. Walmart stands behind its own branded items, too. The retailer offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on Walmart Private Brand items to refund or replace returned packages.

Walmart's automotive center customers may also be wondering about Walmart's car battery return policy. If the battery tests bad within 90 days, the customer can receive a refund or exchange per Walmart's car battery return policy. Otherwise, the battery is subject to manufacturer terms.

How Long Do Returns Take to Process?

With receipted items, refunds or exchanges depend on the item and method of payment. Without a receipt, they may take up to 10 business days. Receipted items are refunded via cash immediately, to credit cards within 10 business days, to debit cards within seven business days, to Walmart gift cards within three hours, to EBT cards within three hours, to EBT cash immediately, or to a refund credit account within three hours.

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