Understanding the Walmart return policy is important if you want a refund. You have to know which items are eligible and which ones are non-refundable.
If you want to know the retailer’s policy about returns and refunds, you’re in the right place.
This guide will cover the following topics:
What items can I return to Walmart?
What is the refund verification process?
How long can I return something to Walmart?
I’ll also discuss how to ask refund from Walmart with and without a receipt.
Let’s start.
Table of Contents
What Is Walmart Return Policy: An Overview
The standard Walmart return policy states a 90-day window for returns and exchanges.
Walmart recommends keeping your receipt and original packaging when you want to return your purchase.
The faster you return your item, the better, especially for most high-value items, like cell phones or other electronics like digital music players.
1 – Walmart Return Policy (With Receipt)
For items purchased directly from a Walmart store, you can go back to return or exchange them. The retailer accepts in-store and curbside returns.
2 – Walmart Return Policy (Without Receipt)
You can still return items without receipts, but it’s best to have the original packaging and accessories. Walmart may not accept returns if they can’t verify it’s from their store.
You’ll also have to go through a verification process. Bring any government ID with you.
The Store Manager decides if they’ll accept your item. For example, they may deny your request if they’re unable to confirm you purchased from Walmart stores.
While most of their products are eligible, there are some exceptions, like the following.
Used mattress
Oversized furniture
Prescription glasses
Contact lenses
The Walmart employee can also deny your return if your records have excessive returns.
What Is the Return Policy at Walmart Website?
If you bought from the Walmart marketplace, returning your purchases have different steps. However, the Walmart online purchase return policy remains the same: you generally have 90 days from the date of receipt.
Here’s how to return Walmart online order.
1 – Can You Return Walmart Online Orders In-Store?
For items purchased at Walmart.com, you can return them for free in-store. You can visit any Walmart location to process the return.
To save time, you can process the return through your Walmart.com account. Use the app or visit the website. Once you request a return, you’ll get a return barcode. Show this to the employee.
2 – What Is Walmart Return-by-Mail?
You can also return online orders for free by mail. Like in-store returns, you can process them through your account.
You’ll get a Walmart return label, which you must print and bring to a USPS or FedEx location.
3 – What Is the Walmart Plus Return Policy Benefit?
If you’re a Walmart+ member, you can schedule a pickup from your house (for selected locations only).
4 – What Is the Policy for Walmart Refund (Online Order)?
Walmart will refund to your original payment method, whether you returned the item in-store or by mail.
For payments using a debit or credit card, you must have it with you when you return the item. Otherwise, you’ll get a Walmart shopping card or gift card.
Items You Can’t Return
Walmart will not accept returns on the following items even if you have a receipt.
Ammunition
Firearms
Air Guns
BB Guns
Gas Powered Bikes
Go Karts
Dirt Bikes
ATVs
UTVs
Diabetic Products (Lancet Devices, Syringes, etc.)
Pepper Sprays
Prescription Drugs
Personal Intimate Massagers
Electronic PINs or Prepaid Cellphones
Video Game Download Cards
Refund Options
You can ask the retailer to refund the cost difference when you return your item with a receipt.
Here are some things you can exchange your product for.
Cash Value Refund: You can request a cash refund for the full value of the item you bought.
Gift Card Refund: Instead of cash, you can opt for a gift card equal to the item’s original price. You can then spend your card on other products at Walmart.
Direct Exchange: You can receive a replacement for the same product you bought.
Not all returns allow for cash refunds. On Walmart.com, the other stores have their own return policies.
Exemptions to Walmart’s 90-Day Policy
There are exemptions to Walmart’s 90-day policy. However, not all of these exemptions mean a longer timeframe.
Some exemptions require customers to return the items within a much shorter timeline.
Here are the exemptions.
14-Day Returns
You only have 14 days to return certain items (especially electronics). These include pre-paid wireless or contract cellular phones. If you opened these products, ensure you have a receipt to ask for equal or greater value in return.30-Day Returns
Other electronics, like drones, camcorders, digital cameras, e-readers, PCs, laptops, and more, have a 30-day return window. Before you purchase any electronic product from the website, study its return policy.Unused/Unopened
You need to return unused or unopened products to ask for a refund. These are products like airbeds or air mattresses. Inspect your products before you open them to check for any damages.1-Year Return
You can return some products at Walmart even after a year, like perennials, trees, and shrubs.
Walmart Return Policy Tips
Before you order, there are things you can do to use the Walmart return policy better.
Double-Check Return Policy
Before making a purchase, double-check the return policy exemptions list to ensure your item isn’t listed.
If you aren’t sure, contact the seller and Walmart to ask if there’s a return policy for the item.
Ask the Seller
There are some items sold at Walmart that Walmart might not refund, but the seller might. Although it’s usually rare to find items like these, you can ask the seller if they have a return policy for the item you purchased.
If they do, you can ask them for specific steps on how to return the item, just in case.
Keep and Picture Your Receipt
Aside from keeping the receipt, ensure to take a picture of it. This way, you’ll have a physical and digital copy.
Although it’s possible to claim a return policy without a receipt, having even a picture of the receipt adds to your proof.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is the Walmart Electronics Return Policy?
This policy requires you to return most items within 14 to 30 days.
Can You Return Online Orders to Walmart?
Yes. You can return items you bought from the online marketplace to a physical location. If you’re a Walmart+ member, you can have your product picked up (in limited locations).
Does Walmart Do Exchanges?
Yes. If your product is defective or misplaced, you can exchange it at Walmart and receive a working item.
How Do Walmart Returns Work?
You can process returns in-store or through Walmart.com. You must show a receipt; otherwise, you’ll undergo a verification process before Walmart processes your return request.
What Is the Walmart In-Store Return Policy?
The return policy lets you swap your item or receive compensation equal to the product’s price.
How Long Do I Have to Return Something to Walmart?
For most items, you have 90 days to return your products. However, you’ll only have 14 days for some items.
Are There Walmart Free Returns?
Yes. Most returns are free; you’ll receive equal compensation through a direct swap, cash, or gift card options.
How Long Does It Take for Walmart to Refund?
It depends. If you buy an item internationally, it’ll take longer. If you buy from the official Walmart, you’ll get your refund as fast as it initially took to receive the item.
Can You Return Items on the Walmart Site?
Yes. If you’re eligible, you can ask for Walmart’s return-by-mail option to have your item picked up from your house.
Can You Return Damaged or Defective Items?
Yes. Walmart lets you return items that you bought damaged or defective or if the warranty covers them. However, there are some items you can’t return.
Does Walmart Have a Holiday Return Policy?
No. If you buy items on the holidays, they still count as regular items. If they’re eligible for returns, you can send them back to Walmart.
What Is the Walmart Return Policy (No Receipt)?
If you don’t have a receipt, an employee will have to verify your eligibility for a return.
Do I Need a Receipt To Make a Refund?
Walmart allows you to request a refund even if you lost the receipt.
How Long Do I Have to Return a Walmart Order Without a Receipt?
As you would with a receipt, you’ll have up to 90 days to return your item, with a few exceptions (some items only have a 14-day window).
Can You Return Clearance Items Without a Receipt at Walmart?
Yes. Clearance items fall under the same rules as other items, and you can return them without a receipt, given they aren’t part of the exceptions.
Can You Return Electronics Without a Receipt at Walmart?
Yes. Provided they aren’t Go Karts, dirt bikes, or other electronics that are part of the exceptions.
Can You Return Groceries Without a Receipt at Walmart?
You may return unopened non-perishable products within 90 days of purchase. For meat and fresh produce with quality or freshness issues, you have to return them within the best-before date.
Can You Return Items Over $50 to Walmart Without a Receipt?
Yes. Walmart’s policy doesn’t limit returns based on the product’s price.
Does Walmart Open Your Unopened Returns?
Walmart may open even seemingly unopened packages to verify their contents.
What’s Considered a Walmart Return Policy Violation?
Customers can commit a return policy violation if they try to return items they bought outside Walmart.
When Can You Return Walmart Items In-Store?
Most Walmart stores are open from 6 AM to 11 PM every day of the week, including Sundays. However, there are some exceptions for certain locations or holidays.
The Bottom Line
Understanding the Walmart return policy is important, especially if you’re a seasoned shopper.
Although Walmart usually tries to ensure the quality of its products, you’ll need to have a broken, misplaced, or mis-advertised item replaced occasionally.
Customers can also return an item because they’re not 100% satisfied with it.
If you’re an avid shopper, you must also know Amazon’s return policy.
