Store Return Policies For Kohl's, Target, Macy's And More FL Retailers

FLORIDA — Did you receive an ugly sweater for Christmas that the giver thought was cute, or maybe some leggings that are the wrong size? Many Florida retailers have extended the time you have to return holiday gifts, even if you don't have a receipt.

Most stores will exchange merchandise, although a receipt simplifies and speeds up the return process. There's one area where that isn't true: Do not open the packaging for music, movies, video games or computer software if there's a chance you will return it. Once those items have been taken out of the package, the best you can hope for is an exchange for a similar item in the store.

Return policies vary widely among national retailers, from practically no limits at Lands' End, Nordstrom and Kohl's, to stringent rules that allow only unopened DVDs and computer software to be returned at Best Buy and other retailers.

Many businesses extend their normal deadline for returns for the holiday season, including Amazon's holiday policy, which gives you until Jan. 31 to return gifts that were purchased between Oct. 11 and Dec. 25.

Among the stores known for their best return policies are Walmart, Nordstrom, L.L.Bean, Costco, Zappos, JCPenney and Kohl’s, according to RetailMeNot.com.

Here are some the best store return policies, if you need them:

Walmart: For the 2022 holiday shopping season, Walmart is offering even more flexibility. Eligible purchases made on or after Oct. 1 can be returned all the way through Jan. 31, 2023. Most items can be returned or exchanged within 90 days of purchase.

Amazon: Most items purchased between Oct. 11 and Dec. 25 can be returned until Jan. 31, 2023. Learn more.

Athleta: This division of Gap, Inc. specializes in athletic apparel for women. Although Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic accept returns only if you haven’t worn the clothes, Athleta has a Give-It-a-Workout-Guarantee, so you can try out an item, and if it doesn’t perform as you want, you can return it within 60 days.

Bath & Body Works: The retailer allows full refunds on used items within 90 days or less from the original purchase date if you’re not satisfied with the quality, with a receipt. If you don’t have the original receipt or packing invoice, you’ll be able to exchange or get a merchandise credit based on the lowest selling price of the item.

Best Buy: Most gifts purchased between Oct. 24 and Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 14. There are some exceptions, including major appliances and phones. Returns can be made at Best Buy stores or online within 15 days of purchase. If you have a receipt, you will receive a full refund.

Bloomingdale’s: Shoppers have 365 days to make a return for a refund or store credit as long as the item is still in saleable condition. If you don’t have a receipt, there are a few options. The store can credit your Bloomingdale’s account or issue a merchandise credit. Either way, the no-receipt policy states that you’ll receive the lowest-selling price in the last 180 days.

Costco: There’s no time limit for returning most products. Just bring them into your nearest Costco store for a cash or check refund. Electronics are one of the few exceptions, but the 90-day return policy on TVs, computers, cameras, tablets, smartphones and other consumer gadgets should be adequate for most shoppers.

Home Depot: They offer an easy 90-day instant return policy for most items as long as you have a receipt — with a few exceptions like rugs and furniture that must be returned within 30 days.

Ikea: allows customers up to 365 days to return new and unopened merchandise for a full refund.  You can also return open products within 180 days with your proof of purchase for a full refund.  You just need a receipt and a valid government-issued I.D. to make returns or exchanges.

JCPenney: As of October 2021, purchases made at JCPenney stores or online can be returned with a receipt within 90 days of the original purchase date. If it’s after 90 days and you have a receipt, you are still eligible for an exchange or JCPenney merchandise return voucher at the item’s lowest selling price within the last 45 days. If you purchased an item at Sephora inside JCPenney stores, you can return to JCPenney with a receipt.

Kohl’s: The store’s return policy includes a receipt lookup feature so Kohl’s can look up your purchase on Kohl’s Charge or major credit card purchase for up to 180 days, and give you a refund. If you wait longer or don’t have a receipt, you can still get store credit or a corporate-issued refund.

Lands’ End: As your return request is made within 90 days of your purchase, they will refund you in the original form of payment. If your refund request takes place 90 days after the date of purchase or without a receipt, you may be given a Lands’ End Merchandise Credit.

L.L.Bean: The company’s lifetime guarantee on products ended in 2018, but they still offer a generous one-year return, even if you’ve worn items. Proof of purchase is required.

Lowe’s: A 90-day return policy applies to most new, unused merchandise. Outdoor power equipment, major appliances and liquid paint are a few exceptions that must be returned within 30 days and look “like new.” Don’t have your receipt In most cases, Lowe’s can track down your purchase via your credit card, checking account number, MyLowe’s card or phone number. If they still can’t find it, Lowe’s may issue in-store credit for the item’s current selling price.

Macy’s: You can return most items purchased from Oct. 3 to Nov. 3 through Jan 31, 2023. Purchases made on or after Nov. 4 will follow the usual 90-day return policy. You have 90 days to make most returns at Macy’s — items must be in original, saleable condition with original tags.

Nordstrom: The liberal return policy means there is no return time limit, no receipt required and no paperwork. The store provides free return shipping, or you can take the item back to a physical store. Refunds are expected in five to seven business days. You’ll be refunded the same way as your items were purchased.

REI: Customers receive a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. So, you can return or exchange anything from the store within one year. The only exceptions are outdoor electronics (which must be brought back within 90 days).

Target: Most items purchased between Oct. 6 and Dec. 25 can be returned through Jan. 24. Learn more. Target’s return policy offers refunds or exchanges on most unopened items in new condition within 90 days of purchase with some exceptions, including electronics and Apple products. Target Owned Brand items come with a one-year return policy. Target will accept returns if you’ve misplaced your receipt; store staff can use your credit card, gift card, or check to look up your purchase.

Trader Joe's: The grocery store offers refunds on all the items it sells, no matter why you want to return them, whether they’re open or not.

Zappos: The online shoe and clothing store will waive the shipping fee for U.S. customers. Zappos will also accept returns for a full refund within 365 days, so long as the product’s still in its original condition and packaging, so you’ve got plenty of time to decide if the goods really work for you. If you have questions, you can talk to a Zappos representative at any time via the site’s 24/7 live-chat feature. They will process your return within 5-10 business days.