Target’s Holiday Return Policy: What To Know Before You Shop
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, one thing’s for sure: Gift returns won’t be a scarcity. In fact, 77% of shoppers will return at least a portion of their holiday gifts and 20 percent will return more than half, according to a study by Oracle Retail.
Target will likely see its fair share of gifts returned to its stores and through the mail. Find out everything you need to know about Target’s holiday return policy and how it compares to the retailer’s standard return policy, so you can reap the most benefits and avoid making rookie return mistakes.
What Is Target’s Holiday Return Policy?
Target’s holiday return policy is basically the same as its regular return policy.
Here are the conditions that apply to both the holiday and regular return policy:
- Unopened items in new condition: Returnable within 90 days for refund or exchange
- Some items might include modified return policy noted on the receipt, packing slip, within Target policy, on Target.com or in item’s department
- Opened or damaged items or items without a receipt might be denied an exchange or refund
The only difference between Target’s regular and holiday return policy is that the time frame to return or exchange certain items might be extended for certain holiday purchases. In addition, the time frame changes according to the method of payment used. Here are the details:
| Target’s Return Policy With Different Payment Methods | |
| Payment Method | Return Policy |
| Target RedCard | Additional 30 days to return most items — on top of the regular 90-day return policy |
| All other forms of payment | 90-day return policy on most items in new condition |
What Is Target’s Electronics Return Policy?
Under Target’s regular return policy, all electronics and entertainment items must be returned within 30 days to receive a refund or exchange. Apple products, excluding phones, must be returned within 15 days. But under the Target electronics return policy, the 30-day refund period will begin on Dec. 26 instead of the day of purchase. So if your new 4K TV isn’t quite big enough, or you’d rather have something else besides a pair of Beats headphones, you’ll have 15-30 days after Christmas to return your gift to Target.
What Other Gifts Can You Return to Target?
All kinds of reasons can come up that can cause you to want to return a gift. Perhaps the thread-count of the sheets you received doesn’t meet your standards, or maybe you prefer to get your spa treatments at an actual spa instead of using an at-home kit. Whatever the reason, most gift items are returnable under Target’s policies, including:
- Baby gifts
- Luggage
- Cosmetics or other beauty supplies
- Jewelry
- Accessories
- Clothing
- Toys
- Sports and outdoors gifts
- Furniture
Keep in mind that although you can return most gift items, some exceptions might apply.
Check Out: Stores With the Best and Worst Return Policies
What Can’t You Return to Target?
Unfortunately, there are some items you can’t return to Target. For example, that air mattress your grandma bought for you to sleep on during your holiday visit and then gifted it to you? You can’t return it to Target. It’s only available to exchange for a similar item. Here are some other items that you can’t return to Target:
- Open or defective collectible items, such as special edition Barbies, action figures and die-cast cars
- Personalized or digital download items
- Open video games, software, music and movies are only exchangeable for the same title on the same or different gaming platform
- Target Mobile or eGift cards, unless required by law
- Restaurant, entertainment and lottery cards, as well as other pre-paid specialty or gift cards
Exceptions to Target’s Holiday Return Policy
Besides the items you aren’t able to return to Target, a few other exceptions exist to Target’s holiday return policy. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Items from Target-owned brands fall under a one-year return policy with receipt.
- Target RedCard debit or credit card holders will receive an extra 30 days to return most purchases made at Target and Target.com with RedCard.
- Under regular return policy, all Apple products, except mobile phones, must be returned within 15 days; for Apple products, excluding mobile phones, purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 25, 15-day return period will begin Dec. 26.
- Holiday items and limited-time-only collections subject to modified return policies.
Restocking Fees for Certain Types of Returns
According to a Target representative, Target does not charge any restocking fees when customers return or exchange items.
How To Return an Item to Target
Target offers two types of returns: in-store and online. Here’s what you need to know about each one.
In-Store Returns
For regular returns, take the item and your receipt, packing slip or order details page to the Guest Service counter at a Target store. The Target team member can also look up receipts using your original payment method.
For gift items, take the item and gift receipt or packing slip to the Guest Service counter at a Target store. You’ll receive a refund in the form of a Target GiftCard with these exceptions:
- In-store returns accompanied by a gift receipt aren’t eligible for same-day processing.
- Gifts returned without a gift receipt or packing slip might receive a merchandise return card — valid for in-store only purchases — instead of a Target GiftCard.
Online Returns
If your gift was purchased from Target.com, and you don’t want to return it to a store, you can return it by mail with your gift receipt or packing slip. Contact Target.com Guest Services at 800-591-3869 for further information.
Tips for Returning Items to Target
When returning items to Target, it helps to know a few things so your return will go as planned. Here are some tips to take note of:
- Refunds to Target RedCard can take one to two days; refunds to third-party credit card can take one to three days.
- For refunds in the form of a merchandise return card, you can only check the card’s balance and make purchases in a Target store.
- Items from Target-owned brands can be returned up to one year from date of purchase.
- Items purchased with a Target RedCard have an extended return policy of 120 days, instead of 90.
- Large items, such as furniture and electronics, might be eligible for pickup; call Target.com Guest Services at 800-591-3869.
- Under the Target return policy, no-receipt returns are possible. Check your Target.com account for the receipt or a return barcode, or bring the item and your purchase payment method to the Guest Services counter at a Target store. For Target.com purchases, you can show confirmation emails and order barcodes in place of a receipt.
Find Out About: Amazon’s Return Policy
Exchanging an Item at Target
In the event the gift you received wasn’t the right size or color, or you made a purchase and decide you want a different item, know that items can be returned or exchanged within the return policy period. Items purchased online or in-store can be exchanged in the store.
Call Target.com Guest Services at 800-591-3869 for help exchanging a Target.com purchase via mail. The Guest Services team can process a refund for the item you wish to exchange and place a new order for the item you desire, if available.
How Does Target’s Policy Compare With Other Major Retailers’?
In case you’re wondering how Target’s return policy measures up to the return policies for other major retailers, you’re in luck. Here’s an at-a-glance table with the important highlights.
| Target’s Return Policy vs. Other Major Retailers’ | |
| Retailer | Return Policy |
| Target | For standard returns, most items can be returned in new condition within 90 days
Some items (including electronics and entertainment items) purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 25 will have a return period starting Dec. 26 instead of the date of purchase |
| Walmart | Under standard return policy, most items can be returned within 90 days.
Many items purchased between Oct. 24 and Dec. 25 are eligible for an extended return period:
|
| Best Buy | For standard returns, most items can be returned within 15 days; return period extends to 30 days for Elite members and 45 days for Elite Plus members.
Items purchased between Oct. 18 and Jan. 2 can be returned through Jan. 16 . |
| Costco | For Costco returns — standard or during the holiday season — almost all items, including electronics, can be returned within 90 days |
| Amazon | Under standard returns for Amazon.com, you can return items for 30 days.
Items shipped by Amazon.com between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 can be returned until Jan. 31 . |
| Macy’s | 90 days for most standard returns; Last Act merchandise must be returned within 30 days.
Jewelry, watches, small electrics, social dresses and Backstage items purchased from Oct. 5, can be returned Jan. 1 ; tech items and Apple products purchased must be returned within 14 days of purchase. |
Related: Get the Details on Walmart’s Holiday Return Policy
Making Target’s Return Policy Work for You
As long as you adhere to Target’s return time frames for the item you want to return, you’re more than halfway to getting your money back — or at least getting a Target GiftCard. Having some form of proof of purchase, such as a receipt, gift receipt, packing slip or order detail page is also super helpful in processing your return. But if you don’t have any of these, all hope is not lost because a member of the Target team might be able to assist in finding your receipt.
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Information is accurate as of Jan. 24, 2022.
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