Maybe it’s the wrong size. Maybe you’ll never use it. Maybe it’s the most aggressive shade of pink you’ve ever seen.
Whatever your reason for returning a gift, you are far from alone. Holiday presents are returned at a dramatically higher rate than everyday merchandise — up to a 35% return rate for holiday gifts purchased online versus a 16% return rate for regular online purchases, according to industry estimates.
In anticipation of the wave of holiday returns, many retailers make the process easy on shoppers by offering extended deadlines for returns. However, some return policies are stricter than others, and rules can vary depending on where and when the gift was purchased and what kind of item it was.
We know making returns can be a major pain, so to help cut down on the hassle, we’ve rounded up a list of the holiday gift return policies at popular retailers, plus tips for making the gift return process as seamless as possible.
Holiday Gift Return Policies to Know in 2024
Amazon Gift Returns
Amazon is flexible with returns year-round, allowing shoppers to return most items within 30 days of receiving their order. It’s free and easy to make an Amazon return: Simply mail in the item with a free shipping label or drop it off at one of Amazon’s many return centers located in participating UPS stores, Whole Foods, Kohl’s and many more.
What Is the Amazon Holiday Return Policy?
For the holidays, Amazon is extending its return window. Most items (except for Apple brand products) purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 can be returned up until Jan. 31, 2025. Apple products purchased during this time may be returned until Jan. 15, 2025.
See the Amazon Holiday Return Policy
Apple Gift Returns
Compared to some of its competitors, Apple enforces a pretty strict return policy. The standard Apple return policy gives shoppers 14 days to return an item from the day it was received.
What Is the Apple Holiday Return Policy?
Good news for Apple lovers: The tech giant is relaxing its return policy for the holidays. Most Apple products received between Nov. 8 and Dec. 25, 2024, can be returned through January 8, 2025.
Best Buy Gift Returns
Similar to Apple, Best Buy has a fairly stringent return policy. For most of the year, the tech retailer gives shoppers 15 days to return most items. For cellphones, smartwatches and other activable devices, the store allows 14 days to make a return. Best Buy offers an extended return window of 60 days on most products (excluding activable devices) to members of My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total members.
What Is the Best Buy Holiday Return Policy?
In the spirit of the season, Best Buy is temporarily extending its return window. Most items purchased between Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 14, 2025. This extended return window excludes activable devices and holiday decorations.
See the Best Buy Holiday Return Policy
Costco Gift Returns
Costco says its return policy is designed for 100% satisfaction, promising shoppers a full refund on the purchase price of most items at any time. A noteworthy exception to this unlimited return policy is electronics, which must be returned within a 90-day window. With a few exceptions, including tires and alcohol, no receipt is required to make a return at Costco.
What Is the Costco Holiday Return Policy?
Costco hasn’t announced any changes to its return policy for the holidays.
Gap Gift Returns
Since Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta are owned by the same company, their return policies are virtually identical. These four retailers give shoppers 30 days to return an item after they receive it. Returns are free and can be made in-store or using a prepaid shipping label or QR code.
What Is the Gap Holiday Return Policy?
Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta have not extended their return policies for the holidays.
Kohl’s Gift Returns
Kohl’s return policy is uber-generous. It lets shoppers return most items for up to 90 days after the purchase date for non-Kohl’s Card transactions and 120 days after the purchase date for Kohl’s Card transactions.
There are two exceptions:
- Premium electronics and watches must be returned within 30 days with the original packaging and valid receipt.
- Beauty products must be returned within 60 days with a valid receipt and must be in good condition.
What Is the Kohl’s Holiday Return Policy?
Premium electronics, watches and Sephora beauty items purchased at Kohl’s after Nov. 1 can be returned until Jan. 31, 2025.
See the Kohl’s Holiday Return Policy
Lululemon Gift Returns
Officially, Lululemon lets shoppers return items within 30 days of delivery for online purchases or within 30 days of purchase for in-store purchases. To be eligible for return, items must be unworn and unwashed with tags attached, and accompanied by proof of purchase.
In addition, Lululemon replaces items that do not perform as intended for up to one year after purchase, per their Quality Promise. Quality Promise returns are handled on a case-by-case basis, and proof of purchase or ID is required.
What Is the Lululemon Holiday Return Policy?
During the holidays, Lululemon is offering extended returns. Items purchased between Oct. 15 and Dec. 24 can be returned or exchanged until Jan. 23.
See the Lululemon Holiday Return Policy
Macy’s Gift Returns
Most of the year, Macy’s gives shoppers 30 days to return most items. Returns made in-store are free. Return shipping is free for Star Rewards members and costs $9.99 for nonmembers. Original shipping costs are not refundable, and returns must be in like-new condition with original tags and packaging.
What Is Macy’s Holiday Return Policy?
This holiday season, Macy’s is accepting returns up until Jan. 31, 2025, for anything purchased on or after Oct. 7.
See the Macy’s Holiday Return Policy
Nordstrom Gift Returns
The Nordstrom return policy is famously generous. Technically, there’s no formal return policy, and the store handles returns on “a case-by-case basis with the ultimate goal of making our customers happy.” There is no time limit on returns or exchanges, and no receipts or original tags are required. The policy applies to items returned in-store and online, and online return shipping is free.
What Is the Nordstrom Holiday Return Policy?
Nordstrom is sticking to its year-round return policy during the holidays — which makes sense, considering how generous the policy already is.
Sephora Gift Returns
For most of the year, Sephora runs a straightforward return policy. The policy gives shoppers 30 days from purchase to return new or gently used products for a full refund. Returns made within 31 to 60 days of purchase can be returned for Sephora.com credit (if returned by mail) or Sephora store credit (if returned in-store).
What Is the Sephora Holiday Return Policy?
In honor of the holidays, Sephora is extending its longer, return-for-credit window. The retailer will accept returns of purchases made between Nov. 1 through Dec. 1, 2024, until Jan. 31, 2025, for in-store or online credit, depending on how the return is made.
Target Gift Returns
Target lets shoppers return most items for a full refund within 90 days. A notable exception to this policy are electronics and entertainment, which must be returned within 30 days, and Apple products, which must be returned within 14 days. Purchases made with a Target RedCard get an extra 30 days to return.
You can make a Target return in-store or by mail using a free, prepaid mailing label.
What Is the Target Holiday Return Policy?
Target is extending the 30-day return window for electronics and entertainment for the holidays. For electronics and entertainment items purchased between Nov. 7 and Dec. 24, the 30-day return period will start on Dec. 26.
Target is offering a similar extended holiday return policy on Apple products: For Apple tech purchased between Nov. 7 and Dec. 24, the 14-day return period will start on Dec. 26.
See the Target Holiday Return Policy
Answers to Your Holiday Gift Return Questions
If you think there’s any chance you’ll be making a gift return this season, it pays to be prepared. Here’s what to know before heading to your store or mail carrier to make a return:
What’s the Deadline for Holiday Gift Returns?
It’s common for stores to offer an extended return window during the holiday season, but policies and extensions vary widely from retailer to retailer. Be sure to triple-check the store’s policy for the exact time frame before trying to make a return.
Do I Need a Receipt to Return a Gift?
In most cases, having a gift receipt can make the return process smoother. However, many stores offer alternative options for showing proof of purchase, such as looking up a transaction by credit card. To figure out your options, review the return policy of the store where your gift was purchased.
Can I Return a Gift Purchased Online to a Physical Store?
Many online retailers provide the option to return items in-store. However, this isn’t universal, so check the online store’s return policy to confirm whether in-store returns are accepted.
Can I Return a Gift Without the Original Packaging?
Having the original packaging is always preferable. That said, many stores may accept returns without it. Check the retailer’s return policy for specific information on packaging requirements.
Can You Return Personalized Gifts?
This one is tricky. Customized items are often nonrefundable. To find out whether a personalized gift is refundable, check the product description and the store’s return policy. If returns aren’t allowed, it never hurts to reach out to customer service.
Can You Return Gift Cards?
In most cases, no. Once a gift card is purchased, it is typically considered final sale. Most stores and brands have policies against returning gift cards for cash. However, some companies may allow exchanges for other gift cards or merchandise. If you’re determined to get rid of a gift card, review the terms outlined in the store’s gift card policy. If all else fails, consider selling your gift card on a resale marketplace like CardCash.
The post A Hassle-Free Guide to Holiday Gift Returns for 2024 appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
