Return policies for major retail stores

Now that the holidays are over, we have entered the season of returns. If you find yourself needing to return or exchange a gift that just isn't a good fit for your needs, check out the following return policies for major retailers.

Whether you are returning an item via mail or in your local store, it's important to understand how much time you have to make the return or exchange.

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Return policies for major retailers

Amazon.com: You may return most new, unopened items sold and fulfilled by Amazon within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
Most items shipped between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 can now be returned until Jan. 31, 2024. See the full return policy on their website.

Bath & Body Works: You can return anything, at any time and for any reason at Bath & Body Works if you have a receipt. If you return a gift in stores with a gift receipt, an exchange or merchandise credit will be issued for the purchase price on the gift receipt (excluding shipping & handling charges). See the full return policy on their website.

Bed Bath & Beyond: You have up to 90 days after the purchase to make an exchange or return an item. If a purchase was made with a gift card, it will be refunded as Merchandise Credit. See the full return policy on their website.

Best Buy: Purchases made Oct. 27 through Dec. 30 have an extended return period through Jan. 13, excluding items purchased with a third-party contract. My Best Buy Elite members and My Best Buy Elite Plus members have different return windows up to 45 days after purchase depending on when the product was purchased. See the details for these returns and the full return policy on their website.

Costco: They will refund your purchase price at any time if you are not satisfied with some exceptions including electronics (most have 90 days return window), diamonds, cigarettes and alcohol, Special Order Kiosk and Custom Installed Programs and some products with a limited useful life expectancy (like tires). See their website for all the details.

The Home Depot: You can return most new, unopened merchandise sold by The Home Depot within 180 days of purchase, with valid proof of purchase. If you made the purchase with The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card, The Home Depot Commercial Revolving Charge, or The Home Depot Commercial Account, you'll have 365 days from the ate of purchase to receive a full refund, with some exceptions. See the full policy on their website.

JC Penney: With a receipt, items are eligible for exchange or refund of the purchase price on the original method of payment. Without a receipt, items are eligible for exchange or refund at the item’s lowest selling price within the last 45 days. You'll receive a merchandise return voucher. See the full return policy on their website.

Kohl's: Items can be returned within 180 of the purchase for most products. Premium electronics purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 25 may be returned through Jan. 31 as long as they are in their original packaging and you have a valid receipt or the purchase can be verified through account lookup. If you have the original receipt, you will get a refund or even exchange. If you have a gift receipt, you will get an even exchange or a Merchandise Credit. If you do not have a receipt, and they cannot locate the original purchase, you will receive a Kohl's Merchandise Credit (the amount is calculated based on the lowest discounted 13-week sale price). See the full return policy on their website.

Lowe’s: They offer a 90-day return policy on most new and unused merchandise with proof of purchase. If you do not have a receipt, they may issue in-store credit for the current selling price of the item. Some items have a 30-day return window with receipt including TV's, major appliances, outdoor power equipment (only unused products in original, unopened, undamaged, factory-sealed packaging) and more. See the full policy on their website.

Macy's: Most Macy's returns can be made by mail and in stores within 90 days of purchase. For most purchases made through Dec. 31 you have until either Jan. 31 for the last date allowed under the normal applicable return policy, whichever is later. See the exclusions and the full return policy on their website.

Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta: Returns and exchanges are free and can be made in the store or the prepaid return shipping label included in your package. According to their website, "You have up to 45 days to return items purchased at Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. Items purchased from Athleta can be returned within 60 days."

Target: Most new, unopened items can be returned within 90 days for a full refund. If you paid with a RedCard, you get an extra 30 days. For Target owned brands or items purchased from a registry, you have up to a year to return the item. See the full return policy on their website.

Walmart: Most products from Walmart must be returned within 90 days of purchase. If you made the purchase between Oct. 16 and Dec 25, items with shorter return windows of 14 to 60 deals will have an extended return time frame. See the full return policy, exclusions and the extended time frame for specific return windows on their website.