Does Target Have a 90-Day Return Policy for TVs?

The first thing to know about Target’s return policy is that Target accepts returns on most unopened items within 90 days of purchase if the customer can provide proof of purchase. While purchase receipts are the most common proof of purchase, Target also accepts packing slips (for orders received in the mail) and return barcodes (for orders placed through the Target app).

Unfortunately, there are a few exceptions to this generous policy. According to Target’s website, “electronics and entertainment items must be returned/exchanged within 30 days.”

This includes televisions, meaning that generally speaking, Target only allows a 30-day return window for TVs.

Target’s return policy also states that “items that are opened or damaged or do not have a receipt may be denied a refund.” That said, we have heard of many examples of customers still being able to return items even if they’ve been opened or lightly used.

You can read the full list of Target return exceptions here.

What Is Target’s TV Return Policy After 90 Days?

Target is famous for having one of the most generous and flexible return policies among major retailers, offering 90 days for returns on most items. You can read the company’s full return policy here.

Unfortunately, there are some exceptions to this 90-day policy, and TVs fall into that category. Electronics and entertainment items, including televisions, must be returned within 30 days of purchase.

But don’t worry! There are some loopholes.

First, most items purchased with a Target RedCard (including the Target RedCard Mastercard, credit card, or debit card) are given an additional 30 days for returns, meaning that Target RedCard holders generally have 120 days to return their items (60 days for TVs and other electronics). To learn more about the Target RedCard, click here.

The second major loophole is that if you received your TV as a gift from a Target gift registry, then you will have a full year from the date of your event to return it.

But wait! There is one more secret.

Target also has an extended return policy for some items during the holidays, making it easier to return televisions at certain times of the year.

Target’s return policy states that electronics and entertainment items (including TVs) have an extended return policy during the holidays, which begins on December 26th. This applies to any televisions purchased from Target between October 1st and December 25th.

In other words, if your TV is purchased during this time frame, then you will have from December 26th through January 24th to return your item.

It’s also important to know that if your television arrived damaged, then you will absolutely be able to return it for a full refund, but this will still need to happen within the allotted return window. Read more about Target’s policy for replacements and exchanges on damaged or defective items here.

Unfortunately, if your purchase doesn’t fall into any of these categories and it’s been longer than 30 days since your purchase, then you most likely will not be able to get a refund. You might still be able to get an exchange though for the current listed price. Try visiting your local Target store to find out.

What Is Target’s Return Policy During COVID-19?

Despite temporarily halting in-store returns and exchanges in 2020, Target has returned to its standard return policy as of 2022. There are currently no Covid-related restrictions on Target’s return policy.

How To Return A TV To Target

To return your TV to Target, simply follow these steps:

1. Arrive at any Target store with the TV you wish to return, plus your receipt or other proof of purchase (packing slips and return barcodes are considered valid alternatives)
2. Find the guest services counter (usually close to the front doors and registers) and explain that you would like to return your item
3. The employee or manager you speak to will have the right to decide whether or not to accept your return based on the item’s condition, whether or not you’re within the return window, etc.
4. If your return is accepted, you will be refunded for the full price you paid for your item to your original form of payment
5. If your return is determined to not meet the requirements for a full refund, then you might be offered an exchange or refunded in the form of a Target GiftCard or Target merchandise card

For online purchases, you will still be able to complete your return, but this will have to happen through the mail. To initiate a return for an item purchased online, simply follow these step-by-step instructions provided by Target.com.

You can also initiate a return through the Target app by looking up your purchase history and generating a return barcode. These barcodes are only valid for one day and must be used at the store you select when generating the barcode.

How To Return A TV Without A Receipt

If you’d like to return your TV to Target but you don’t have the receipt, there are a few different ways to make this work depending on how you made your purchase and how you’d like your return to be processed.

To return items to a Target store without a receipt:

1. Check to see whether you have an alternative proof of purchase, such as a return barcode or packing slip. Return barcodes can be accessed through Target.com or through the Target app by looking up your purchase history.
2. With or without your proof of purchase, head to your local Target store and find the guest services counter.
3. Let an employee know that you would like to return your item.
4. The employee may ask you some questions to verify the return, such as when you purchased the item, why you’re returning it, etc.
5. If your return is accepted without any proof of purchase, you will receive your refund in the form of a Target merchandise card. This card can be used to purchase items in person at Target. If you provide proof of purchase in the form of a return barcode or packing slip, and your item meets all of the requirements for a full refund, then you will be refunded to your original form of payment.

To return items by mail through Target.com or the Target app without a receipt:

1. Visit Target.com or the Target app and log into your account
2. Select “Online” from the top toggle menu
3. On Target.com, select “Orders,” or select “Purchases” if using the app
4. Select “Return”
5. Select “Refund”
6. At this point, you will be given the option to access a return barcode which you can bring to a Target store location to return your item and receive your refund
7. If you would like to return your item by mail, select the “Mail” option
8. Target will provide a free return mailing label and packing/shipping instructions by email 

How To Return A TV Without the Box

Generally speaking, Target only accepts returns on new, unopened items. However, there are plenty of exceptions to this rule.

If your television arrived damaged or defective, then you probably won’t have any way of knowing this until you take it out of the box. So, it makes sense that refunds should still be allowed on open electronics.

If your television has been opened and you can explain why and how it’s not working properly, then Target will likely still be willing to consider your return. However, Target does specify that all original packaging should accompany the return. In other words, the box can be open, but you cannot return televisions or electronics to Target without their original packaging.

How To Return A Broken TV To Target

If your television arrived broken or defective, then you will be eligible for a full refund within 30 days (or during the extended holiday return window if your TV was purchased between October 1st and December 25th).

To return a broken television to Target, simply follow the same steps listed above for returns in store or online, and explain that you are requesting a refund due to the television being broken or defective.

If your television was broken or damaged during installation or use, then it will not qualify for a return or refund.

Can You Get A Refund After 90 Days?

You can absolutely get a refund from Target after the 90-day time limit in some situations. 

First of all, any Target-owned brand items are eligible for return within 1 year of purchase and most items purchased with a Target RedCard are eligible for return for 120 days (or 30 additional days beyond the standard return window). Televisions purchased with a Target RedCard are eligible for return for 60 days.

Remember that televisions received as gifts through a Target registry are eligible for returns within 1 year. Plus, televisions purchased from Target between October 1st and December 25th are eligible for return until January 24th the following year.

If your purchase does not fit any of these parameters, it’s still possible that you could be granted a refund, possibly in the form of a Target merchandise card. Simply visit your local Target location and speak to guest services to find out whether you qualify.

FAQs

Can you return a TV to a different Target store?

Yes. Target accepts returns at any of their locations regardless of where the item was purchased. However, just remember that if you are using a return barcode, you must return your item to the store location the barcode was generated for.

Why does Target let you keep returns?

It’s not often that Target will let customers keep their refunded items, but it’s possible. If Target knows that they won’t be able to resell an item, then sometimes they will opt just to let the customer keep it. This usually happens in situations where disposal of the item is likely.

Can you immediately get a cash refund on a cash purchase?

Yes. If you paid with cash on your purchase and you return your item in person at a Target location, you will be eligible for a full cash refund on the spot.

Does Target have a strict return policy?

Not really. Target’s return policy is known for being quite generous, and most Target stores are even more lenient with the policy than the official rules might make it seem. Target claims not to accept returns on opened items for example, but this is almost always not the case.

Conclusion

Returning a television to Target is pretty easy as long as you follow a few guidelines. First, if you return your TV within 30 days of purchase, you should have no problem receiving a full refund no matter the reason for the return. After 30 days, there are a few situations where you can remain eligible for returns for up to 1 year. Target RedCard purchasers get an additional 30 days for returns on all purchases made with a RedCard, and the holiday season also offers an additional 30 days for returns on electronics and entertainment items.