Gift return policies for Walmart, Target, Best Buy
CHICAGO (WLS) -- If you're not happy with one of those treasured gifts from Christmas, you'll be heading back to stores for a gift return. Brad Wilson, founder of Brad's Deals, shares a few must-know return policies from some of the major stores.
Walmart official policy
Time: 90 days - this applies to purchases from physical stores and Walmart.com
Walmart.com purchases can be returned in-store
Free return shipping on online returns? Yes. Walmart.com items come with a pre-paid return shipping label.
When returning an item by mail, turnaround for getting your refund is typically 2-3 weeks
Receipts: Walmart will give you a cash refund if your purchase was under $25. For purchases $25 and over, you can receive a gift card or get an even exchange
o You can make up to 3 no-receipt returns within a 45 day period. This is to prevent theft/fraud
Target official policy
Time: Target will refund your purchase within 90 days
Target REDcard holders have an extra 30 days to make returns. The stipulation is the item must have been purchased with the card.
Receipts: Target vaguely states that items that don't have a receipt or are damaged bay be denied a return
o Apparel can be exchanged for the same item in a different size without a receipt
Target states that some items purchased on Target.com may only be returned in-store. There isn't much clarification on which items other than "items that may be hazardous to ship."
Free return shipping on online returns? Yes. Target.com items come with a pre-paid return shipping label.
Best Buy official policy
Time: Best Buy returns must be made within 15 days
o There's an exception for holiday purchases, which is helpful for consumers. Items purchased between 11/1 and 12/31 may be returned through 1/15/15, meaning you have extra time if you bought something back in November.
o Best Buy Elite and Elite Plus members get extra time for returns; 30 and 45 days respectively
Free return shipping on online returns? Yes. Pre-paid label included with item.
Receipts: Best Buy's official policy makes no mention of being able to return without a receipt... but they will generally do so. The catch is you're only able to get an exchange or store credit. According to a report from The Consumerist, some Best Buy stores do not honor returns w/o receipts. Read more here.
