Walmart’s standard return policy allows returns and exchanges on most items within 90 days of purchase. To be eligible for a full refund, you must provide your purchase receipt or other proof of purchase. Your item must also be unused and unopened in most cases. Returns made without a receipt are only eligible for store credit or exchange.
There are a few exceptions to this policy, though…
The following items are only eligible for return within 60 days of purchase:
- Prescription eyewear (including contacts)
- Hearing aids
The following items are only eligible for return within 14 days of purchase:
- Prepaid wireless cell phones
- Contract cell phones (except Verizon cell phones)
- If your phone is open or unlocked, it is only eligible for exchange
The following items are only eligible for return within 30 days of purchase:
- Verizon contract cell phones
- Electronics
- PC components
- New, unused drones
The following items are specifically required to have original packaging in order to qualify for a return:
- Major appliances such as large refrigerators, ranges, and washing machines
- Toilets, toilet bowls, and urinals
- PC components such as motherboards, RAM, and graphics cards
But are there any items that Walmart won’t accept at all? Keep reading to find out.
Contents
List of Items that Cannot Be Returned
Unfortunately, despite having a fairly generous return policy, Walmart draws the line on certain items.
The following items and item categories cannot be returned to Walmart for any reason:
- Firearms & ammunition
- Airsoft guns & BB guns
- Pepper spray
- Gas-powered vehicles (such as dirt bikes, go karts, ATVs, etc.)
- Prescription medications and devices
- Over-the-counter medications containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine & phenylpropanolamine
- Sex toys
- Pregnancy tests, ovulation tests & home-diagnostic testing kits
- Diabetic supplies
- Hygienic medical equipment (such as bed pans, bath seats, breast pumps, etc.)
- Trading cards
- Used tires, wheels, or rims
- Gift cards
Acceptable Conditions For Walmart Returns
In order to qualify for a return, your item is expected to be new and unused. Walmart prefers that returned items contain all of their original accessories and packaging and be accompanied by a purchase receipt.
If your item is damaged, used, worn, etc., it will not qualify for a refund at Walmart.
Alternative Methods For Non-Returnable Products
If you can’t return your item to Walmart, you might feel a little defeated. But don’t give up yet. There are always options for getting rid of unwanted items, and you might even be able to make some of your money back in the process.
Here are some things to try if your item is not eligible for return at Walmart:
- Try selling your item on Craigslist, OfferUp, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace – Especially for high price tag items like dirt bikes, ATVs, medical equipment, etc., re-selling on a site like Craigslist or eBay can be a great way to make your money back. Just make sure to read up on how the process works to make sure you’re staying safe as a seller.
- Sell your firearms on a gun resale website – While guns can’t be sold on standard marketplace websites like Craigslist or eBay, you can still find some great places online to sell your firearm as an independent seller. Just remember to stay safe and make sure you trust the person you’re selling to. It’s also a good idea to read up on the gun sale laws in your state to make sure you’re staying within the n necessary guidelines.
- Donate the item to a local thrift store or charity – For some items, you might not be able to find a buyer, but you can still make sure the item doesn’t go to waste by donating it to a thrift store or charity. Some thrift stores might even be willing to pay a small fee for donations.
- Gift the item to someone who might want or need it – Maybe you have a friend or family member in your life who could use the very item you realized you don’t need. Try brightening up someone’s day with a surprise gift.
- Find a way to make use of your item – If worse comes to worst, you might end up deciding that simply keeping your item and finding a use for it is your best option. Who knows? You might even end up being grateful you weren’t able to return it.
Whatever you decide, just remember that keeping your item out of the landfill should be a top priority!
Does Walmart Have A Strict Return Policy?
In most cases, Walmart is quite strict about their return policy. This is likely because they already offer quite a generous policy, so they aren’t willing to bend much on the rules.
To stay safe, make sure you abide by the rules of the return policy from the beginning.
FAQs
Can Walmart ban you for too many returns?
Yes. Walmart reserves the right to ban any customer at any time for any reason from taking advantage of their returns policy. Depending on the store’s management, a customer who requests excessive refunds may be banned from making returns.
Can you return an item at Walmart without packaging?
Yes. While Walmart does specify that original packaging should be included with all returns, they aren’t as strict on this part of their policy.
Can you return items to a different Walmart store?
Yes. With only a few exceptions, items purchased at Walmart can be returned to any Walmart location. However, when returning items such as alcohol or tobacco products, these must be returned to the same location where they were purchased.
Can you return a third party item to Walmart?
Yes. The following information comes directly from Walmart.com:
A Marketplace item is an item sold at Walmart.com by a seller other than Walmart. Most items are returnable within 30 days. Returning items purchased from a Marketplace seller is easy. Simply:
- Start a return by logging into your Walmart account
- Verify the return window, follow the instructions & return the item in its original packaging
- Box & prepare the item for shipping. No box? Simply bring eligible items to a Walmart store for packaging
- Drop it off for FedEx delivery or at a Walmart store, if eligible
- The store will provide a shipping label for eligible items
NOTE: Some Marketplace items are not eligible for return to a Walmart store. These are typically odd-sized, freight, hazmat, or luxury items. Use the Marketplace seller’s instructions for return shipping for such items.
Please reference the Marketplace seller’s return policy for details regarding refunds, return shipping fees & possible restocking fees (up to 20%). Insuring items valued above $500 is recommended prior to return shipping.
Within 48 hours of receiving an eligible returned item, the Marketplace seller will verify the item & process the refund minus any applicable fees. Applicable amounts will be refunded back to the customer’s original method of payment within 10 business days.
