68 Stores With the Best and Worst Return Policies of 2024

We’ve all been there: You bought something in-store or ordered online and once you sussed it out, you decided you didn’t want it. Time to return it! It seems so simple, and yet, it can get complicated. Retailers’ return policies vary widely, and lately, they’re getting stricter about  deadlines. 

We looked at 68 of the top U.S. retailers to find out which ones have the best and worst return policies, evaluating them on the time allotted to return items for a full refund, whether a refund is given in the form of original payment, whether an item can be returned without a receipt and whether free shipping is available for online returns. The stores on GOBankingRates’ list are organized by retail category. Take a look at the best and worst.

If you’re planning to do your shopping at a big-box retailer, the good news is that the two biggest players in this retail sector — Walmart and Target — have generous return policies.

• Days to return for a full refund: 90
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes

• Days to return for a full refund: 90 + an extra 30 days if you paid with REDCard. You have a year to return Target brand or registry items.
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes

• Days to return for a full refund: 45 for Shop Your Way members; 30 for non-members
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 45 for Shop Your Way members; 30 non-members
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: No

Department stores tend to have better return policies than clothing-only stores. The return policy at Macy’s is one of the better ones. However, the most generous policy is at Nordstrom, which doesn’t place a time limit on returns and doesn’t require a receipt for returns.

• Days to return for a full refund: No time limit
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 90
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes

• Days to return for a full refund: 365, except for defective items, which will be considered for returns beyond a year
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, if other evidence of purchase can be found
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes, for Star Rewards members. Non-Star Reward members will be deducted a $9.99 return shipping fee plus tax, where applicable, from your refund.

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes

• Days to return for a full refund: 30 days, with the exception of Chanel handbags, accessories, apparel and shoes which are eligible for returns within 14 days of purchase and exchange within 30 days
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes, within 15 days

• Days to return for a full refund: 60 days 
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 180, except for premium electronics during the holiday season
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No — even exchanges only
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No 
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 45; 60 days if purchased with a Lane Bryant Credit Card by a Lane Bryant Reward Member), less the $5.95 return shipping cost.
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for exchanges or gift card
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: N/A

• Days to return for a full refund: 30 for in-store purchases, 40 for online purchases
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30 for store purchases, 40 for online purchases
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30 
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit and you must show ID
• Free shipping for online returns: N/A

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: N/A
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: N/A

Unfortunately, electronics and game stores have some of the worst return policies. In fact, Apple and GameStop have pretty tight deadlines.

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes, so long as parcel is under 50 pounds.

• Days to return for a full refund: 14
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes

• Days to return for a full refund: 7 days on select products; 14 days on select products; 15 days on select products. A 15% restocking fee may apply. 
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes

• Days to return for a full refund: 15 — restocking fee may apply
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes

Among health and beauty stores, Ulta has the most generous refund policy in terms of timeline.

• Days to return for a full refund: 60, but exceptions may apply 
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes

• Days to return for a full refund: 90
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30 days 
• Returns accepted without a receipt: N/A
• Free shipping for online returns: N/A

• Days to return for a full refund: 30; returns made 31-60 days later eligible for store credit only 
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: No, unless it’s Sephora’s fault

Some home goods stores offer only 30 days to return items, and several don’t allow returns without a receipt. But Ikea is pretty lenient!

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit; some form of proof of purchase is required
• Free shipping for online returns: No, unless it was the retailer’s fault

• Days to return for a full refund: 365 
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 120
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: N/A

• Days to return for a full refund: 0; You have 30 days to get store credit only
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 90
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: Depends on the reason for the return

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: No

Fortunately for DIYers, the two biggest home improvement stores — Home Depot and Lowe’s — offer relatively generous return policies. But be careful: One only offers store credit for returns without a receipt.

• Days to return for a full refund: 90, though some products cannot be refunded. If your purchase was made with a Lowe’s Commercial Account (LCA), Lowe’s Business Advantage (LBA), MyLowe’s Rewards Credit Card, Lowe’s Business Rewards (LBR), or Lowe’s PreLoad Plus Mastercard® you have 365 days
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit if purchase can’t be verified
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes

• Days to return for a full refund: 90; Special Order returns or cancellations may be subject to a 15% restocking fee and must be returned to the same store where the purchase was made.
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Proof of purchase required
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 90
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: No

The stores that sell these items have consumer-friendly return policies. The best, by far, is at Staples — which allows returns at any time for a full refund or store credit if you don’t have a receipt.

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes

• Days to return for a full refund: 90
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 60
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes

• Days to return for a full refund: 90
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: No

Amazon has one of the best store credit cards, which you might want to consider if you frequently shop on the site. It also has a pretty good return policy.

• Days to return for a full refund: 30 (though some items cannot be returned)
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes — unless it was an on-demand item made for you

• Days to return for a full refund: 30
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: Only for defective items or Overstock error

Don’t forget Fido or Fluffy. You’ll likely find what you need for your animal friends at Petco and PetSmart. But do these two popular pet stores have the return policies you need, too? Turns out, their return policies are essentially identical.

• Days to return for a full refund: 60
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 30; returns made 31-60 days after purchase applicable only for store credit 
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: No

Online shoe retailer Zappos provides free shipping and ample time to make returns for a refund — 365 days. However, other retailers aren’t quite so generous.

• Days to return for a full refund: 365
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes

• Days to return for a full refund: 90
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: No, unless you’re a DSW Gold or Elite member — then return shipping is free.

• Days to return for a full refund: 45
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No
• Free shipping for online returns: No

If you’re shopping for sports fans or outdoor enthusiasts, one retailer stands out for its return policy: Big 5 Sporting Goods. You can return store purchases for a full refund at any time if you have a receipt and for store credit without a receipt. The one drawback is that it doesn’t offer free shipping for returns.

• Days to return for a full refund: No time limit for store purchases; 90 days for online purchases
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 365 if a store member, otherwise 90 days 
• Returns accepted without a receipt: No, unless you’re a REI member
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 60; fee charged on refunded returns
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes, but only for store credit
• Free shipping for online returns: No

In addition to low prices, these stores make it easy to return items if you’re not satisfied with them. Of these retailers, BJ’s Wholesale Club has the most lenient return policy.

• Days to return for a full refund: 90
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: Yes

• Days to return for a full refund: No time limit, except for contact lenses, which get 30 days
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: No

• Days to return for a full refund: 365, though some exceptions apply
• Returns accepted without a receipt: Yes
• Free shipping for online returns: No

Daria Uhlig and Cameron Huddleston contributed to the reporting for this article.