Need to Exchange a Gift? Here's Every Major Retailer's Holiday Return Policy
Whether it's an ill-fitting sweater or an already-owned toy, even the most thoughtful gifts miss the mark sometimes. So after the holiday rush, thousands of shoppers inevitably find themselves making returns and exchanges.
The good news is that many retailers extend their return policies beyond the typical 30-day window, giving you ample time to get a refund or swap out your unwanted presents.
To help you keep track of all those deadlines, here are this year's holiday return policies for every major retailer.
Amazon
Most items purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 are eligible for returns until Jan. 31 as long as they're in original or unused condition. Once Amazon receives and processes your return (which can take up to 30 days or more), your original payment method determines how long you'll have to wait to receive your refund.
Getting the money back in the form of an Amazon gift card takes just a few hours, while debit cards can take up to 10 days.
Note that Apple-branded products have a shorter return window: Items purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 15. Other exceptions include Kindle books, digital textbooks and songs. These can only be returned within seven days of purchase.
See Amazon's return policy for additional details.
Walmart
During the holiday season, Walmart customers have until Jan. 31 to return most items purchased in store or online from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.
You can return gifts in store or by mail, though you need to repackage and label the box with a prepaid return label before scheduling pickup or dropping off the package at the post office.
If you're buying from a third-party seller on Walmart.com, ask the seller whether they'll offer an extended returns policy. If the standard return policy applies, items bought from a marketplace seller have a 30-day return window, with the exception of major appliances, electronics and luxury collectibles, all of which have narrower return timeframes.
See Walmart's return policy for more information.
Best Buy
Items bought between Oct. 31 and Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 15. You can return in-store or online purchases at any Best Buy store or ship them for free with a prepaid shipping label.
Note that items with third-party contracts such as cell phones, tablets, mobile hotspots and AppleCare+ plans have a shorter return window. You can return these up to 14 days from the date of purchase. Artificial trees, lights and other holiday decorations can be returned 15 days from the purchase date.
Best Buy charges a restocking fee of $45 on products that need activation (think: phones, tablets and smart watches) and 15% of the item's price on drones, digital cameras, projector screens and other similar items. That is, unless the item is unopened, you bought it in Alabama, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma or South Carolina, or it meets a few other requirements.
See Best Buy's return policy for more details.
Target
Target's extended holiday return policy applies to items purchased on Nov. 1 through Dec. 24. Starting Dec. 26, customers can return electronics, entertainment items and Target Plus products (except for seasonal decor) until Jan. 24. Returns for Apple and Beats products have a much shorter window. These are due by Jan. 8.
For other items, Target's regular return policy applies — you have 90 days to return gifts provided these are unopened and in new condition.
See Target's return policy for more details.
Apple
For the holidays, Apple's return deadline is Jan. 8. This cutoff applies exclusively to products purchased from Apple Store Online and received between Nov. 12 and Dec. 25.
However, this extension doesn't apply to iPhones financed through a wireless carrier such as T-Mobile or Verizon. These are subject to Apple's standard 14-day policy. Note that some Apple products can't be returned, including software that's already been installed on a computer and Apple gift cards.
See Apple's return policy for more details.
Macy's
Macy's extended return holiday window gives you until Jan. 31 to return items bought Oct. 6 through Dec. 31. Items in their original condition and with tags can be returned in store for free, but online returns have a $9.99 shipping fee unless you're a member of Macy's Star Rewards program.
See Macy's return policy for further details.
Sephora
Sephora's holiday return policy applies to items bought between Oct. 31 and Dec. 30. Any new or gently used item bought in store, online or through Sephora's social media channels can be returned on or before Jan. 30.
Unlike other stores, Sephora's extended return policy only allows for exchanges or store credit. To receive a full refund to the original form of payment, you must return the item with a receipt within Sephora's standard 30-day return window.
See Sephora's return policy for more details.
Costco
Costco doesn't have an extended holiday return policy, but its standard return window still gives you plenty of time to return any unwanted gifts. Most products, including clothing, food, home goods, small appliances and online purchases, can be returned at any time for a full refund.
Some exceptions apply. For instance, returns for alcohol and cigarettes depend on state laws, and major appliances and electronics, including TVs, smartphones, computers and smartwatches, are subject to a strict 90-day window.
See Costco's full return policy for more information.
The Home Depot
The Home Depot's standard return policy also applies to purchases made during the holidays. Depending on the type of purchase, the return window varies.
Most new, unopened items qualify for returns 90 days from the date of purchase. Furniture, TVs, computers and gas-powered equipment have a 30-day return window provided the item is unused and sealed in its original packaging. Major appliances like fridges, washers and dryers can only be returned within 48 hours.
A generous 365-day return window is reserved for purchases made using a Home Depot credit card, a Pro Xtra credit card or a commercial account.
See Home Depot's return policy for more information.
Kohl's
Kohl's extended return window is one of the narrowest on this list. The retailer allows returns until Jan. 31, but only for purchases made between Oct. 5 and Oct. 31 (other retailers extend this window until Christmas Eve). Any gifts purchased after Oct. 31 have the standard 90-day return policy.
Exceptions apply to certain items. Sephora products bought at Kohl's from Oct. 31 through Dec. 30 are returnable through Jan. 31, as are premium electronics and watches bought between Oct. 5 and Dec.30.
See Kohl's return policy for more details.
T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and Home Goods (TJX Companies)
Marshalls and T.J. Maxx give consumers until Feb. 4 to return items bought in-store and online between Oct. 5 and Dec. 24. To qualify for a return, items must be unworn and unused. Swimwear and underwear must have the original tickets attached. For returns via mail, there's also an $11.99 shipping and handling fee.
Home Goods allows returns through Jan. 24 if the item was purchased between Oct. 5 and Dec. 24.
Note that, although T.J. Maxx, Home Goods and Marshalls are sister brands under TJX Companies, they don't accept returns for purchases made at another store. A T.J. Maxx item must be returned at a T.J. Maxx store, and so on.
See each store's return policy for more details: Marshall's, T.J. Maxx, Home Goods.
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