Big-name chains like Home Depot, Walmart, and Target offer this order-return method for your convenience.
BY:
ELIZABETH HARPER
Contributing Writer
Additional contributions by Julie Ramhold.
Most of us know how easy it can be to go on a shopping spree online, but what happens when an item arrives and it's not what you expected? Returns are usually a viable option, but shipping an order back to the retailer can be a hassle, especially if the product won't fit in your mailbox.
Can you return an online order to a store instead? Fortunately, many retailers allow you to buy online and return in-store, although there are some caveats. Before venturing out to a local shop, read their return policy to see if you can return online orders in person and what kinds of requirements you'll have to meet.
Check out our list below of some of the top retailers that allow you to use this method to buy and return items.
What Is 'Buy Online, Return In-Store'?
"Buy online, return in-store" is a policy that allows shoppers to purchase items online and then return them in-store, rather than having to ship them back via a carrier like UPS, FedEx, or the U.S. Postal Service.
For the retailers that let you return online orders in-store, the process is usually close to returning something you purchased in the store itself.
For the most part, this policy is only applicable to stores that have physical locations. That includes national chains like Home Depot, Walmart, Best Buy, and others. However, some online-focused retailers have agreements with brick-and-mortar stores to allow easier returns for customers. Think Amazon shoppers being able to return Amazon items to Kohl's, for instance.
What to Know About Returning Online Orders to a Store
Have you been asking yourself, "How do I return an online purchase to a store?" For the retailers that allow in-store returns, the process is usually pretty close to — if not the exact same as — returning something you purchased in the store. But here are things to keep in mind before you initiate that return:
- You must return all items in original condition. This often means they must be in original packaging and with original tags intact. Anything that appears used will likely be refused.
- Some retailers only allow in-store returns for certain items you buy, while other items must be returned by mail. Take a close look at the company's return policy to check.
- Shipping costs are typically nonrefundable.
- You need the invoice that was included in your package. If you don't have it, you may be able to find it through your store account online. If you can't find your invoice, you'll likely only get store credit.
- Most stores only accept returns within 30 to 60 days. Some are more or less lenient than others, and some retailers may have varying policies for different product categories.
- Some stores have a restocking fee for returns. It's more common for electronics than other types of goods.
- Clearance and customized items are often nonrefundable.
- You typically can't return an item purchased in one country to a retail location in another country.
- Different forms of payment may have different return policies. Check the fine print before paying via a system like PayPal or a "buy now, pay later" option like Klarna.
51 Retailers That Let You Buy Online and Return In-Store
To find out whether a retailer allows customers to return an online order in-store, you'll want to check the company's return policy. It should tell you how to return online orders, but if the policy isn't clear, contact the customer service department. To make the process easier, we've put together a list of major retailers that accept online returns in-stores.
SEE ALSO: Here's Every Major Store's Holiday Return Policy
This list obviously doesn't include every retailer that accepts online returns in-store. If you're hoping to return an online purchase to a retailer that isn't on this list, check the company's return policy to see if it's possible before you write it off entirely.
| Store | Return Time Frame | Other Details |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days | Refund after 30 days in form of merchandise credit | |
| Ace Hardware | 30 days | May vary by location |
| Advance Auto Parts | 45 days | Select items are nonrefundable Select items subject to 15% restocking fee |
| American Eagle Outfitters | No limit | Shipping is not refundable |
| Anthropologie | 30 days | Refund after 30 days in form of merchandise credit |
| Apple | 14 days | Select items are ineligible |
| AutoZone | 90 days | If no receipt, must contact customer support for transaction information |
| No set limit | Some exclusions may apply, including gift cards with balances over $10 | |
| Best Buy | Varies | My Best Buy Plus and Total members may have longer return periods Restocking fees may apply |
| BJ's Wholesale Club | Varies | Some exclusions apply |
| Bloomingdale's | 90 days | Special return policies may apply |
| Costco | Varies | Select items ineligible for returns |
| CVS | 60 days | Select health care, home health, and personal care products can't be returned |
| Dick's Sporting Goods | Varies | Requires proof of purchase barcode or order confirmation email |
| Dillard's | 30 days | Exclusions apply |
| DSW | 90 days | Returns after 90 days will receive a merchandise credit instead of a full refund |
| Ecco | 60 days | PayPal orders will be refunded via store credit only |
| Express | 60 days | Some exclusions may apply |
| Forever 21 | 60 days | Some exclusions apply |
| GameStop | Varies | Some exclusions apply A 5% restocking fee applies to certain items |
| Gap/Athleta/Banana Republic/Old Navy | 30 days 60 days (Athleta) | Excludes items marked "mail only" Items must be returned to their respective stores |
| Guess | 30 days | Some exclusions apply |
| 30 days | Some exclusions apply | |
| Home Depot | 90 days | Some exclusions apply |
| IKEA | 180 days (opened) 365 days (unopened) | Some exclusions apply |
| J.Crew | 30 days | Some exclusions apply |
| JCPenney | 60 days | Returns without a receipt may be eligible for a merchandise return voucher at the item's lowest selling price within the last 45 days |
| Joann | No limit | Some exclusions apply Restocking fees of $25 apply to sewing machines and craft tech machines returns |
| Kohl's | Varies | Some exclusions apply |
| Lands' End | 90 days | Some exclusions apply |
| Lowe's | 90 days | Some exclusions apply |
| Macy's | Varies | Some exclusions apply |
| Michaels | 60 days | Excludes certain online-only items |
| Neiman Marcus | 30 days | Some exclusions apply |
| Nike | 60 days | Some exclusions apply |
| Nordstrom | Varies | Returns are done on a case-by-case basis |
| Orvis | Varies | Some exclusions apply |
| Patagonia | No set limit | Some exclusions apply |
| REI | Varies | REI Co-op members have up to 365 days to return select items |
| Sam's Club | Varies | Some exclusions may apply |
| Sephora | 30 days | Some exclusions apply |
| Sunglass Hut | 30 days | Some exclusions apply |
| T.J.Maxx | 40 days | Some exclusions apply |
| Target | 90 days | Those paying with a Target RedCard get a longer return period |
| Urban Outfitters | 30 days | Some exclusions apply |
| Victoria's Secret | 30 days | Some exclusions apply |
| Walgreens | 30 days | Some exclusions apply |
| Walmart | 90 days for most items | Walmart Marketplace items may have different return policies |
Another Way to Return Online Orders In-Store
While some retailers offer in-store returns, others might not be able to because they're only online or have a very limited number of physical locations. But that doesn't mean you're out of luck. Happy Returns is a solution to this issue, and while it's not available everywhere, it's definitely growing.
Happy Returns lets you bring returnable items from many participating retailers to one of its in-store Return Bars.
UPS powers the service, and you can find a Return Bar near you before you start your return. Return Bars are often located in other stores, such as Staples, The UPS Store, or Petco locations. But the process tends to be pretty simple. For one return, this writer didn't even have to repackage the item being returned to the store. Your mileage may vary on that front, though. What shouldn't vary is how easy using Happy Returns is — and because of that, this writer highly recommends this return method if it's available to you.
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Elizabeth Harper
Contributing Writer
Originally working in IT, Elizabeth now writes on tech, gaming, and general consumer issues. Her articles have appeared in USA Today, Time, AOL, PriceGrabber, and more. She has been one of DealNews' most regular contributors since 2013, researching everything from vacuums to renters insurance to help consumers.
DealNews may be compensated by companies mentioned in this article. Please note that, although prices sometimes fluctuate or expire unexpectedly, all products and deals mentioned in this feature were available at the lowest total price we could find at the time of publication (unless otherwise specified).
