Mostly used for weddings and baby showers, gift registries are a convenient way for spouses-to-be and parents-to-be to let their friends and family know exactly what they need and want most on their big day.
While some registries only apply to the stores they’re set up through, Target offers a universal registry, meaning that items sold by third party, non-Target retailers can be added to a Target registry.
But registries don’t always work perfectly. Sometimes you end up getting gifted the same thing twice, or realizing after the fact that some clothes don’t fit, the colors aren’t right, or something else about the item just isn’t up to your standards. But since you didn’t buy the item yourself, can you still receive a refund?
After the date of your event (in this case, your baby shower), you have up to 1 year to return your registry items using a gift receipt or return barcode (which can be accessed through the “Registry” page of your Target account).
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Can You Exchange Target Baby Registry Items?
If you’d rather exchange your item for something new, Target also allows exchanges on registry items.
Keep reading to find out exactly how returns and exchanges work for registry items purchased at Target.
How To Return Baby Registry Items At Target?
The easiest way to return a baby registry item at Target is with a gift receipt.
If you received a gift receipt with your item, simply visit the customer support desk at any Target location and let them know that you would like to return your item.
If no more than 1 year has passed since the date of your event and your item is unopened and unused, you will receive a full refund in the form of a Target GiftCard, which can be used anywhere in the Target store as well as on Target.com.
If you don’t have a gift receipt, don’t fret! You will still be able to return or exchange your item.
To return your baby registry items at Target without a gift receipt, you’ll need to access your return barcode, which you can find on your Target.com registry page.
- Log into your Target.com account
- Visit the Registry page and select your registry
- In the “Offers & benefits” section on your registry’s home page, select “Start a return”
- Select the store location where you wish to complete your return (this must be done in person, so choose a store near you)
- A return barcode will be generated, which is only valid at the selected store for the date it is generated on
Once you have your barcode…
- Head to the selected Target store location and find the customer support desk
- Show the Target employee your return barcode along with the item or items you wish to return or exchange from your registry and they will walk you through the rest of the process
Note: If you’re returning an item that hasn’t been marked as purchased on your registry, you will receive a refund in the form of a merchandise return card, which can only be used to purchase Target merchandise inside of a physical Target location.
Can You Return Used Baby Registry Items At Target?
According to Target’s more general return policy, they typically only accept returns and exchanges on new, unopened, and unused items.
However, we have heard quite a few stories of Target accepting returns on new and lightly used items, such as makeup and clothing. So, chances are, you might get lucky with trying to return some gently used baby items.
Can You Return Items Without A Receipt?
The one strict requirement of Target’s baby registry return policy is that items must be returned with a valid proof of purchase in the form of either a gift receipt or a return barcode (generated through your registry page on Target.com). Without either of these, you will not be able to return or exchange your registry items.
Benefits Of Target’s Baby Registry
Registries have so many benefits, and Target’s registry system goes above and beyond the standard.
Here’s a list of five great benefits of using Target’s registry tool for your baby shower:
Get exactly what you want and need
We all love receiving gifts on holidays and special occasions. But it’s always a little awkward when you receive something you don’t actually want (and definitely don’t need). Registries are the perfect solution to this age-old problem, allowing you to be completely upfront about what you’d actually be excited about receiving.
Allow your gift givers to shop with confidence
Registries are a win-win situation. Not only will you receive gifts you actually want and need, but your gift-givers will be able to shop with confidence, never having to worry whether they’re buying the right gift for you on your special day.
Less risk of duplicate gifts
While not all registry systems do this, Target’s registry has a built-in system to reduce the risk of duplicate gifts. When your gift-givers purchase something from your registry, they should scan both the registry barcode and the barcode for the item they’re purchasing at checkout. This will mark the item as “purchased” on your registry page, letting other shoppers know to opt for something else on the list.
Add items from multiple retailers with Target’s universal registry
Another bonus of using Target’s registry system is that you can add items from other retailers rather than being limited to items sold by Target. It takes a few extra steps to activate, but once you have your universal registry set up, you will be able to add items from a wide variety of retailers.
Return gifts with no stress for up to 1 year
Last but not least, Target’s registry system has a generous return policy, allowing an extended return window of up to one year. So, even if your registry shoppers forget to mark their items as purchased and you end up with some duplicate gifts, you won’t have anything to worry about.
There aren’t very many downsides to using Target’s registry service, to be honest!
FAQs
Will the gift giver know if you return a baby registry item to Target?
It’s possible. While Target does not notify gift givers when a registry item is returned, the past purchases record on Target.com (accessible through the gift-givers account) will show “refund issued” for the item. So, if they happen to check their purchase history, then they will know!
Does Target refund returned baby registry items in cash?
No. Target registry items are refunded via either Target GiftCards or Target merchandise cards. GiftCards can be used to make purchases anywhere in a Target store as well as on Target.com, while merchandise cards can only be used in store on Target merchandise, excluding some items.
Does Target accept returns on opened baby items?
This depends. Technically, Target’s return policy states that they generally only accept returns of unopened items, but there are plenty of stories of Target stores being very flexible around this and accepting exchanges and returns on opened items as well.
Can you return a baby registry item to a different Target store?
The store you return your baby registry item to will depend on which store address you selected when you accessed your return barcode. Registry items can only be returned to the store location that matches what you selected while generating the barcode. However, if you received a gift receipt with your registry item, then you can return it to any Target location.
What will happen to the returned baby registry items?
This depends on the type of item. New, unopened, and undamaged items such as toys, clothing, etc. may be returned to the floor for discounted resale. However, other items or items that have been opened or used will either be discarded or sent to liquidation stores.
Conclusion
Using the Target registry tool is a great way to ensure that you will receive all the perfect (and necessary!) gifts you’ve been dreaming of for you and your baby. But if anything doesn’t quite hit the mark for some reason, you will also be able to return your registry items to Target within 1 year of your baby shower.
Hold on to your gift receipts if you have them, and remember that you can always get a return barcode from Target.com for any items you don’t have receipts for.
