Store Secrets, Tips & Tricks
2020 Holiday Return Policies at Your Favorite Stores
Back to back sales during the holidays for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas deals make this the best time to score everything on your wishlist, unless you’re waiting for Santa to step up his game. I buy most things online, which means returns can be tricky. Luckily, most stores have extended and special return policies during the holidays. So you’ll have no-regrets when a better deal comes around or the newest version you wanted goes on sale unexpectedly, we tracked down holiday return policies for you this year.
Best Buy
Purchase window: Oct. 13-Jan. 2, 2021
Extended return period: Until Jan. 16, 2021
Excludes: Anything with a third-party contract (e.g. cell phones), holiday products, major appliances.
Overstock
Purchase window: Nov. 1-Dec. 31
Extended return period: Start your return within 30 days of delivery or by Jan. 31, 2021 (whichever is later)
Special note: Overstock has to receive your item within 15 days of your initiating the return! Otherwise you will get a partial refund.
Apple
Purchase window: Nov. 15-Dec. 25
Extended return period: Until Jan. 8, 2021
Excludes: Open software or custom-made items.
Kohl’s
Technically there is no “expiration” for returns on most items with Kohl’s, except electronics. If you do buy premium electronics from them this holiday season, you’ll get an extended window.
Purchase window for premium electronics: Nov. 1-Dec. 25
Extended return period: Until Jan. 31, 2021
Macy’s
Macy’s also has a very generous return window, all the time. It’s 180 days for most items. The exception for the holiday season is an extension for the items that usually have to be returned within 14-30 days. These items are Apple products, area rugs, furs, high-end brands, jewelry and small electronics.
Purchase window: Nov. 1-Dec. 31
Extended return period: Until Jan. 31, 2021
Target
Target already has a 90 day return policy for refunds or exchanges. If you have a receipt, Target brand items can be returned for one year. There is an extension for certain items for the holiday season, like electronics, entertainment and drones.
Purchase window: Nov. 1-Dec. 25
Extended return period: Until Jan. 9, 2021 for drones, and until Dec. 24 for electronics and entertainment items
Special note: Target REDcard holders get 30 days extra for returns.
Walmart
Purchase window: For purchases between Nov. 1 and Dec. 25, there are some extensions, but it depends. If you’re interested in the extension, check before you make the purchase.
Extended return period: Anything that normally falls under the 30-day return window, you have until Jan. 25, 2021 to return for a refund. If it’s usually a 15-day return window, like computers and other small electronics, you have until Jan. 18, 2021. Most other items that fall under the 90 day return policy can be returned until Mar. 26, 2021.
Sephora
Purchase window: Oct. 30-Nov. 16
Extended return period: Until Jan. 15, 2021 for store credit.
Amazon
Purchase window: Oct. 1-Dec. 31
Extended return period: Until Jan. 31, 2021
Special note: Some things can’t be returned, like groceries, but still can be refunded if they are expired or damaged when you receive them.
Home Depot
Return period: 180 days from the purchase date
Excluded items: Furniture, area rugs, gas-powered equipment and tractors and generators only have a 30 day return window.
💡 Extra big tip: All of these stores allow you to return items you’ve bought online to their retail stores. This can be way simpler than trying to figure out shipping and get you back credit or refunds much more quickly.
Price matching may be your best friend during holiday sales. Pay attention to when items you’ve already bought go on sale, and stores like Target will actually refund you the difference within a certain window. Alternatively, you can take advantage of extended return policies and buy the item again or from another retailer. Using Rakuten to track prices is especially easy, and you can compare Cash Back offers! If you’re not yet a Rakuten member, join for free today.
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