William LipovskyShort Answer — Walmart generally accepts returns without the receipt within 90 days of purchase or delivery, as long as you have the original packaging. However, some items do require the receipt and/or have return windows shorter than 90 days, such as electronics and oversized furniture.
Walmart Returns Without a Receipt
Walmart usually accepts returns within 90 days of purchase or delivery, with or without a receipt under its standard return policy.
Take your item(s) to the customer service counter and let the store associate know that you don’t have a receipt. The associate will then start the refund verification process.
You’ll need to bring all of the original packaging and accessories — the item’s packaging has a barcode that the associate will scan to confirm the item was (and still is) sold at Walmart.[1][2]
You’ll also need to present a valid, government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or military ID.
Walmart will use information from your ID to keep track of your returns without a receipt in its system. The store may deny future return requests from customers with excessive returns on record.[1][2]
Any Walmart store can process returns for most items purchased in-store or on Walmart.com; you don’t have to go to the same store where you bought it unless returning a contract cell phone.[3]
See our related research for information about Walmart’s return policy for opened items, as well as more about returning online items to Walmart.
Exceptions
While most items are eligible for return with or without a receipt, the following items have shorter return periods and/or can’t be returned without a receipt:[4][1]
| Item(s) | Time Limit | Receipt Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Prepaid cellular devices (as previously reported) | 14 days | Yes |
| Consumer electronics | 30 days | Yes |
| Electric scooters | 30 days | Yes |
| Hoverboards | 30 days | Yes |
| Product care plans | 30 days | Yes |
| Prescription glasses | 60 days | Yes |
| Contact lenses | 60 days | Yes |
| Hearing aids | 60 days | Yes |
| Oversized furniture | 90 days | Yes |
| Outdoor play items | 90 days | Yes |
| Trees, perennials, and shrubs | One year | Yes |
| DVDs and Blu-rays | 90 days | Yes; must also be unopened unless damaged/defective (as previously reported) |
| Air mattresses | 90 days | Yes; must also be unopened/unused (as previously reported |
Additionally, you can only return tires to Walmart stores with a Tire & Lube Express (as previously reported), and unopened tobacco and alcohol are only returnable to the original store of purchase.[4] Find more about returning alcohol in our related article on alcohol return laws by state.
Final Sale Items
The following items are final sale, meaning you can’t return them with or without a receipt:[4]
- Diabetic supplies (meters, strips, lancets, syringes)
- Firearms, ammunition, airsoft and air weapons, BBs, and crossbows
- Gas-powered dirt bikes, mini-bikes, scooters, UTVs, ATVs, and ride-ons
- Home diagnostic testing kits
- Medical devices and hygienic medical equipment
- Pepper spray
- Pregnancy tests
- Prescription medicines
- Snow tires
- Trading cards
- Used or opened RV sewer lines
- Used or mounted tires
Defective Items
If your item is defective, Walmart may be able to help you send it back to the manufacturer for repair. The store might also give you the option of exchanging another of the same item or choosing a similar replacement. Store managers have final discretion over how to handle the return.[1]
Refunds
If Walmart can find a record of your purchase in its computer system using the credit or debit card of purchase, you’ll usually receive a refund to the original payment method.
However, if the store must process your return as non-receipted, you’ll only receive a refund if it passes the verification process.
Walmart offers cash refunds for items worth less than $10 and gift card refunds for items of greater value than $10. You also have the option to exchange the item.[4]
Denial of Return
Store managers may deny returns at their discretion.[4] If the store manager you’re speaking with doesn’t approve your return without a receipt, you can visit another Walmart store near you and attempt to return the item there instead.[1]
Would you be able to return a microwave without a receipt
Hello, Daniel! Yes, you should be able to make your return as long as the microwave passes refund verification. It’s important to bring the original box so an associate can scan the barcode and confirm that the microwave came from Walmart. If you don’t have the box or the receipt, the store will be more likely to decline the return. Best of luck with your return!
I have a bike that is currently defective I was given to me as a gift about a month ago I have used it. But the breaking and gear system has malfunctioned not by my own doing. If I wanted to bring it back to Walmart just for a one for one exchange would I be able to do that?
Hello, Trace! You should be able to make an exchange, though the final call will be at the discretion of your local store’s management. It helps to bring proof of purchase if you have it (a gift receipt, packing slip, or the original receipt), plus any packaging and accessories that came with the bike. You may also want to call ahead and ask about your situation before heading to the store. Best of luck with your exchange!
Is there a max value for receiptless returns? I have a Hart four-tool combo set unopened I bought last week for the impact gun included. Turns out, the impact gun isn’t what I thought it was. I just want store credit.
Hello, Willie! There is not a companywide maximum value for no-receipt returns, but your return will need to pass Walmart’s refund verification process. Walmart may deny the return at the discretion of the store manager or if you have a history of making frequent returns without the receipt. Best of luck!
I have a Sony soundbar, got two for a house warming. I would like to return one. The box has been opened but it hasn’t been out of box. I do not have a receipt, nor do I know how long ago it was bought. Can I return it?
Hello, Robin! Since the item was a gift and you do not have a receipt, you may be able to receive store credit. We detail the gift return policy in our overview of Walmart’s full return policy. Best of luck!
If you receive something as a gift & got 2 or more of the same item….if it was a gift how are you gonna have a receipt for it?? It was a GIFT from someone else!!!
Hello, Starr! Gift returns have different rules than returns where the original purchaser lost the receipt. Walmart generally accepts gift returns with a gift receipt. However, if you do not have a gift receipt, an associate may be able to look up the original purchase or offer you a refund as store credit. We cover this in our overview of Walmart’s return policy. Best of luck with your return!
I recently had a baby and received so many different brand diapers and sizes. I went to Walmart to swap out the brand and size without a receipt and was told that I couldn’t have a store credit that I had to swap out right then for the new items. I found that very unrealistic since I don’t know how long my baby will be in certain sizes and I didn’t want to buy more diapers that I had to try to return without a receipt. Why couldn’t Walmart give me a store credit and let me use it when I wanted to?
Hello, Ashley! Without the receipt, your return must pass Walmart’s refund verification process for you to receive store credit, as noted in our article on Walmart diaper returns. This process is automatic; the associate scans the item’s barcode, and the computer system tells them whether the item is eligible for return. It is possible that your items did not pass the verification process. The final decision regarding returns at Walmart is at the discretion of the store manager, so it is also possible that your local store follows an exchange-only policy for diapers with no receipt.
I bought an Instant Pot and it doesn’t work correctly. I don’t have the receipt or box. Can I still return it?
Hello, Joanna! Without the receipt or packaging, the store manager will have the final say over your return. As noted in our related article, Walmart typically does require the original packaging to process a return. (Without the receipt or packaging, it is difficult to prove that you purchased the item at Walmart.) However, since your item is defective, the manager may be willing to work with you to find a solution. Best of luck!
So I bought an airbed for my company to sleep on during the holiday and we opened it and did not use it, but we went to return it and they made us exchange it even though we had the receipt. I just want my money back and we have not opened the new one. How do i get my money back?
Hello, Ashley! Walmart has a specific return policy for air mattresses; for details, see our article on Walmart airbed returns. It will only allow exchanges if the airbed’s box is open, which is why you were unable to return the previous mattress. I would assume the receipt for your new mattress is marked as an exchange receipt? If so, the store may or may not allow you to return the unopened mattress for a refund; the final decision on returns is at the discretion of the store manager. Best of luck!
I got a Chromecast last week for my birthday and I don’t need it, I have a smart TV. I don’t have receipt as it was a gift. Can I return it?
Hello, Lorie! Unfortunately, Walmart does usually require a receipt for gift returns; we detail the gift return policy in our overview of Walmart’s return policy. If the person who gave you the gift ordered it online, an associate might be able to look up the order using that person’s email address. Additionally, all returns are at the discretion of the store manager, so it may be worth calling or visiting your local store to see if it will accept the return. Best of luck!
I have returned things back without a receipt about 3 times. Now I can’t… when will I be able to again?
Hello, Antoinette! The general rule is that you can return three items without the receipt in a six-month period. (We detail this rule in our article on Walmart’s refund verification process.) Six months after the first of those three non-receipted returns, you may be able to return an item without the receipt; however, the final decision on returns belongs to the store manager, so Walmart may continue to deny your returns for a longer period. Best of luck!
I got a router that I had asked for as a gift. Since I have had the gift I found out my old router was fine and wasn’t the problem with the issues I was having. I looked the price up of the router and it retails at Walmart for $79.00. Can I take this back without a receipt and just get in store credit? I hate to ask the person who got it for me for the receipt and I doubt they have it anyways. Thank you for your response.
Hello, Michelle! Walmart usually requires a gift receipt or some proof of purchase for gift returns. However, you may be able to get store credit. The final decision regarding returns is at the discretion of the store manager, so you’ll need to contact or visit your local store. We detail the process for gift returns in our overview of Walmart’s full return policy. Best of luck!
I was given a six pack of Angry Orchard Rose cider for Christmas. I do not like the Rose flavor and took it to the local Neighborhood market to exchange for the Crisp Apple flavor. I was told that it was not exchangeable without a receipt and then only within 24 hours of purchase to the same store where it was originally purchased. I was told this was an ATF rule. I have searched the ATF website and cannot find this rule. I have also searched the Walmart site and cannot find this rule. I have returned excess liquor in the past when too much was purchased for a party (not to Walmart, but a regular liquor store), so I do not understand this policy. What possible reason could be behind such a policy? These are bottles and obviously not opened, in a carton. I supposedly spoke with a manager, but she was not wearing a badge.
Hello, Janice! Rules regarding alcohol returns vary by state. Walmart’s policy varies by store location following state rules; where returns are permitted, it does require a receipt for exchanges or returns of alcoholic beverages. We have updated our article to include this information. For more details, see our article on alcohol return policies by state.
I tried to return a $97.00 grill three days past the 90 days. Store refused. Grill is brand new box unopened. Clerk did not even offer me in store credit. Do you think I would have better luck at a different store? She said because it was past 90 days, nothing she could do!
Hello, Sukhontha! As noted in our article on Walmart returns past 90 days, the store manager has the final say on whether to accept returns after 90 days at each location. Many Walmart stores are willing to accept returns after 90 days, so you may have luck at a different store in your area, but there is no guarantee. You may want to call a few stores near you before visiting to find out whether they are willing to accept your return. Best of luck!
How often can you return an item to Walmart without a receipt?
Hello, Kimberly! There isn’t a set restriction on the amount of time between returns. However, you generally cannot make more than three returns without the receipt within a six-month period, and the store manager has the final decision on whether you can return the item. We have more details about this in our article on Walmart’s refund verification process. Best of luck with your return!
Hello,
When you mention “three returns within a six-month period” is that three ITEMS (or do you mean three separate TRANSACTIONS, i.e., three trips to the store). In other words, if I return two items in one return transaction on the first of the month, does that mean I only have one more item (for total of three items as you mentioned) that I can return within the remaining time period/six months? Or does that mean I have two remaining return transactions available within the upcoming six months (that may involve returning more than one item in transaction)? This of course, all subject to ultimate approval of store manager and Walmart policy. Thank you.
Great question, Sandy! You are correct that store managers have the final authority on returns, but the limit will usually be three return transactions, not three items. We reached out to Walmart and were told that the “three” relates to the number of times your ID is checked against Walmart’s returns database; so, if you make three return transactions, associates will check your ID three times and you will hit your return limit. Best of luck with your returns!
Can I return a gift item with the original receipt purchased with a debit card and receive a cash refund? The gift costs $25 and I do not want a Walmart gift card or the money to be returned to the giver.
Thanks
Hello, Carl! You can find the details of Walmart’s gift return policy in our overview of Walmart’s full return policy. Walmart usually requires a gift receipt in order for you to get a cash refund. However, contact your local Walmart; all returns are at the final discretion of the manager, and since you do have proof of purchase, they may be willing to work with you. Best of luck!
How difficult is it to exchange an ONN tablet without receipt or packing? Only had it for six days. It doesn’t work.
Hello, Lynn! Tablet returns and exchanges at Walmart must be within 15 days of purchase and typically do require the receipt. Since you do not have your receipt, Walmart may deny your return. However, if your item is defective, the store manager may be willing to approve your exchange. If you paid by debit or credit card, you might also want to try using Walmart’s receipt lookup tool before speaking with the manager. Best of luck with your return!
I never receive cash for a returned item even with tag on but no receipt, and it’s under $25. Can an individual store arbitrarily do this whenever?
Hello, Susan! Were you given a refund on a Walmart gift card? The official corporate policy is to offer a cash refund for items under $25 with no receipt. However, managers do have the authority to deny the return or offer a gift card rather than cash.
Purchased a 43-inch VIZIO Smart TV online and Thursday, Aug. 1st I picked it up at FedEx. Today (Sunday) a techie from AT&T checked and said that the TV was defective and would not connect to Netflix. They suggested to contact Walmart. Problem: tomorrow is garbage pickup and box and packing are cut up and in garbage. Please advise.
Hello, Joseph! Walmart generally does not accept returns if you do not have the original packaging but may be willing to do so since your item is defective. You will need to contact Walmart.com’s customer service department at (800) 966-6546 or visit a Walmart store and speak with a manager to see if they will approve your return. We have more details in our article on Walmart’s return policy for opened items. Best of luck!