Jennifer Kostuch
Most major retailers allow you to return items to any of their store locations.
However, there may be exceptions where you must return select item types to the store of purchase, or where certain items are ineligible for return.
Below, we list return policies by store and detail which stores allow you to return items to a different location.
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Stores That Allow Returns to Different Locations
Below, we list the chains that generally allow you to return items to a different store than the original purchase location.
Note that store managers often have some control over returns at their store. An individual store’s rules may differ from the corporate policy and require you to return particular items to the same location.
Apple Store
- Location policy: Accepts in-store and online purchases for return at any U.S. Apple Store location;[1] Note that while Apple allows returns between store locations, you can’t return Apple products that you purchase from other retailers (such as Best Buy) to the Apple Store.[1]
- Return window: 14 days[1]
- Return requirements:
- Items ineligible for return:
- Apple Developer products
- Apple Print products
- Gift cards
- Electronic software
- Opened software (Note: The store may accept it if you haven’t installed it.)
- Software upgrades[1]
- Refund policy: You will receive a full refund to the original payment method with your receipt; without it, you’ll usually receive an Apple gift card if the return is accepted.[2]
- Find a store
Best Buy
- Location policy: Accepts returns of in-store and BestBuy.com purchases at any Best Buy store[3]
- Return window: 15 days for most items with extended return periods of 30 to 45 days for Best Buy Elite and Elite Plus members; 14 days for cell phones, cellular tablets, and smartwatches; 15 days for major appliances[3][4]
- Return requirements:
- Items ineligible for return:
- Completed services
- Consumable items like batteries and cleaning products
- Custom/personalized orders
- Digital content
- Memberships
- Opened SIM kits
- Plumbing items
- Prepaid cards
- Vehicle replacement key fobs[3]
- Refund policy: In most cases, you’ll receive a refund to your original form of payment.[3]
- Find a store
CVS
- Location policy: Accepts returns of in-store and online purchases to any CVS location[6]
- Return window: 60 days[6]
- Return requirements:
- Items must be unopened or in new condition; CVS brand products and beauty products have a satisfaction guarantee and can be returned open.
- Whether you have a receipt or not, you may need to show a photo ID.[6]
- Items ineligible for return:
- Gift cards
- Home health and personal care products
- Phone cards
- Prepaid cards
- Some health care items
- Special-order items[6]
- Refund policy: If you don’t have your receipt, you’ll receive a refund for the lowest advertised price as store credit. Otherwise, you’ll receive a refund to your original form of payment.[6]
- Find a store
Dollar General
- Location policy: Accepts returns of in-store purchases at any Dollar General store; you can’t return online purchases in stores.[7]
- Return window: 30 days[7][8]
- Return requirements:
- Items ineligible for return:
- Gift cards and prepaid cards
- Gift wrapping services[8]
- Refund policy: Most returns will receive a refund to the original payment method.[7][8]
- Find a store
Gap
- Location policy: Accepts online and in-store purchase returns to any Gap store (Note: Though Gap owns several other stores, including Banana Republic and Old Navy, you can’t return Gap items to those stores.)[9][10]
- Return window: 30 days[11][10]
- Return requirements:
- Items must be in original condition (not washed or worn)[12]
- Items ineligible for return:
- Any items marked final sale[12]
- Refund policy: Gap generally issues refunds to the original form of payment.[13][14]
- Find a store
The Home Depot
- Location policy: You can return items to any store location.[15]
- Return window: 90 days for most purchases, though furniture, rugs, generators, gas-powered equipment, paint, and consumer electronics have a 30-day window; Home Depot credit account holders (consumer or commercial) can make returns within 365 days.[15]
- Return requirements:
- Items must be new and unopened.
- Must show a photo ID if you don’t have a receipt[15]
- Items ineligible for return:
- Custom products (including blinds)
- Cut flowers
- Floral arrangements
- Labor, delivery, and installation services
- Major appliances after delivery (unless damaged/defective)
- Product samples
- Store credits/gift cards
- Utility trailers
- Whole-house and stationary generators[15]
- Refund policy: If you don’t have proof of purchase, you may receive store credit for the item’s lowest advertised price. With proof of purchase, you’ll receive a full refund to the original method of payment.[15]
- Find a store
JCPenney
- Location policy: Accepts returns at any JCPenney location[16]
- Return window: 60 days for most items; damages and defects must be reported within 48 hours for fitness equipment, furniture, and mattresses; 60 days for fine jewelry, 24 hours for optical items, 60 days for portraits, and 10 days for fitness trackers/smartwatches[17]
- Return requirements:
- Items ineligible for return:
- Altered items
- Body jewelry and ear piercing kits
- Custom items and services
- Face masks
- Gift cards
- Monogrammed items
- Perishable foods
- Personalized items[16]
- Refund policy: With proof of purchase, you’ll receive a full refund to your original payment method. If you don’t have a receipt, you’ll receive store credit for the item’s lowest price within the last 45 days.[16]
- Find a store
Kohl’s
- Location policy: You can return all purchases (in-store or online and any type of item) to any Kohl’s location.[19][20]
- Return window: 180 days for most items; premium electronics have a 30-day return window, and holiday returns have a cutoff date (usually at the end of January)[19]
- Return requirements:
- Items can be open
- Without the receipt, you’ll need to show a valid photo ID.[21]
- Items ineligible for return:
- Gift cards[20]
- Refund policy: If Kohl’s can’t locate your purchase using your receipt or original payment card, you’ll receive merchandise credit. With proof of purchase, you’ll get a refund to your original method of payment.[19][20]
- Find a store
Lowe’s
- Location policy: Accepts in-store and online purchases for return at any U.S. store, except for highway trailers (which you must return in the original state of purchase)[22]
- Return window: 90 days for most items; 30 days for TVs, electronics, outdoor power equipment like mowers and pressure washers, liquid paint, and highway trailers; 48 hours for major appliances with a few exceptions[22]
- Return requirements:
- Items should be in new, unused condition unless defective.
- May need to provide a photo ID
- Special orders may require a 20% restocking fee[22]
- Items ineligible for return:
- Gift cards
- Safety masks/facial coverings
- Shipping charges
- Labor and installation charges[22]
- Refund policy: With proof of purchase, you’ll usually receive a refund to your original method of payment. Without it, or if you paid with a gift card/in-store credit, you’ll receive store credit. Note that refunds for online purchases won’t include the original shipping charges.[22]
- Find a store
Macy’s
- Location policy: Accepts most in-store and online purchases for return at any store[23][24]
- Return window: 90 days for most items[23]
- Return requirements:
- Items must be in original condition with tags[23]
- Items ineligible for return:
- Alexandre London custom orders
- Altered items
- Food and beverages
- Live plants
- Macy’s Beauty Box items
- Special orders[23]
- Refund policy: Items with proof of purchase will receive a refund to the original payment method. Gifts or items without proof of purchase will receive store credit at the lowest selling price of the item within the last 180 days. Note that refunds for online items will not include the original shipping or delivery fees.[23]
- Find a store
Rite Aid
- Location policy: Accepts returns of in-store purchases at any Rite Aid location.[25][26]
- Return window: 90 days[25]
- Return requirements:
- Products can be open but should include the original packaging, if possible.
- Must show your receipt, wellness+ card, or photo ID[25]
- Items ineligible for return:
- Cigarettes/tobacco
- Gift cards
- Lottery tickets
- Money services
- Prepaid cards
- Prescriptions[25]
- Refund policy: Items returned without a receipt will be refunded the lowest sale price within the last 45 days to a gift card. If you have your receipt or wellness+ card, you’ll receive a refund to your original payment method.[25]
- Find a store
Sears
- Location policy: You can return Sears and Sears.com purchases to any store location, but not third-party marketplace or Sears Outlet purchases.[27]
- Return window: Varies by item (anywhere from 7 to 365 days) and is typically longer for Shop Your Way members[28]
- Return requirements:
- Items should be in original packaging with all parts/accessories
- Must provide proof of purchase
- May need to show a photo ID[28]
- Items ineligible for return:
- Adjustable beds/foundations
- Custom/personalized items
- Display/”as is” items
- Gift cards
- Installed automotive products
- Open music, movies, software, video games, and collectibles
- Replacement merchandise
- Seasonal items after the holiday/season passes
- Whole-house generators
- Worn or untagged clothes and shoes[28]
- Refund policy: Sears typically issues refunds to the original form of payment; items with gift receipts may receive an exchange or store credit.[28]
- Find a store
Staples
- Location policy: You can return items to any store location, but note that Staples can only look up receipts at the same store where you made the purchase.[29]
- Return window: Varies by item; office supplies and unopened/unexpired ink are returnable at any time, but other items like electronics and furniture have a 14-day limit.[29]
- Return requirements:
- Items must be in saleable condition with their original packaging and accessories.
- If you don’t have the receipt, you’ll need to show a photo ID.[29]
- Items ineligible for return:
- Digital software
- Open software (exchange only)
- Prepaid cards[29]
- Refund policy: Without a receipt, you’ll receive store credit for your return at the item’s lowest retail price within the last 30 days. Otherwise, your refund will usually return to your original form of payment.[29]
- Find a store
Target
- Location policy: You can return in-store and Target.com purchases to any store location.[30][31]
- Return window: 90 days for most items (or 120 days for REDcard holders); one year for Target-owned brands[32]
- Return requirements:
- Items ineligible for return:
- Digital items
- Gift cards
- Open airbeds
- Open or defective collectibles (e.g., special edition dolls or action figures)
- Open music, movies, video games, and software
- Personalized items
- Prepaid cards[33]
- Refund policy: If you have proof of purchase, you’ll typically get a refund to your original payment method; without it, you may receive a merchandise return card.[35][33]
- Find a store
T.J. Maxx
- Location policy: You can return T.J. Maxx purchases to any store but can’t return items to sister brands like Marshalls.[36]
- Return window: 30 days for in-store purchases;[36] 40 days for online purchases[37]
- Return requirements:
- Items must be in new, unworn condition.
- Must provide a valid photo ID if you don’t have your receipt[36]
- Items ineligible for return:
- Items in unsellable condition
- Swimwear and intimates without properly attached garment protection stickers
- Worn/washed items[36]
- Refund policy: With a receipt, you’ll get a refund to your original form of payment; without a receipt, with a gift receipt, or after 30 days will receive store credit.[36]
- Find a store
Walgreens
- Location policy: Accepts returns of in-store and online purchases at any location; note that managers have discretion over some returns, like cosmetics and electronics[38]
- Return window: 30 days[38]
- Return requirements:
- Must show a photo ID[38]
- Items ineligible for return:
- Refund policy: Returns with the receipt will receive a refund to the original payment method; non-receipted returns will receive store credit at the store manager’s discretion.[38]
- Find a store
Walmart
- Location policy: Accepts returns of in-store and online purchases at any location, except for some marketplace items (which you must return to the seller) and contract cell phones (which you must return to the store of purchase).[40][41][42]
- Return window: 90 days for most items[43]
- Return requirements:
- Certain items require a receipt or unopened packaging for return; see our overview of Walmart’s return policy for more information about these items and those with shorter return periods.
- Items ineligible for return:
- Air mattresses (exchange only)
- Ammunition
- Damaged/defective funeral products (exchange only)
- Diabetic supplies
- Dirt bikes, gas-powered mini bikes, scooters, ATVs, and UTVs
- E-delivery software (exchange only)
- Firearms, BB, air weapons, and crossbows
- Funeral products
- Gift cards (except where required by law)
- Medical equipment
- Minutes or PINs for prepaid cell phones
- Mounted/installed tires
- On-demand videos
- Pepper spray
- Prepaid gaming cards
- Prescription medications/medical devices
- SIM cards
- Trading cards
- Unlocked wireless phones (exchange only)
- Digital video games[43]
- Refund policy: Most returns with the receipt will receive a refund to the original form of payment (cash, credit card, debit card, or Walmart gift card). Purchases by check will receive cash if you have the receipt. Non-receipted returns must pass return verification (as previously reported) and may receive a cash refund or store credit.[43]
- Find a store
For more information on store return policies, see our list of stores that let you return clothes with or without tags.
Stores That Don’t Allow Returns To Different Locations
In the course of our research, we found that the following stores don’t allow returns to different locations:
These were the only chain stores we identified that require returns to the store of purchase for all items.
Most retailers allow returns to any location for most items. However, as noted above, other stores may implement same-location restrictions for particular items or without a receipt.
Cathy Desmet
Lindsey Desmet
William Lipovsky
Erika Crawford
Loren Eaton
