Walmart brings back a policy that has one big catch

Walmart brings back a policy that has one big catch

Nearly everyone has had the experience of getting a gift that’s perhaps not exactly what you want.

Maybe it was a Christmas sweater, and you’re Jewish and live in Florida, or perhaps someone made the bold decision to buy you one of those mini tabletop water fountains that don’t really work in a house that has cats.

Sometimes, of course, you make a gift-buying decision and decide you made a mistake before you actually give it. Maybe you bought a friend some warm socks for their trip to Norway, and they end canceling the trip.

Whatever the reason, most gift givers know to include a gift receipt, and if you made the purchase, a return should be easy enough.

That, of course, depends upon the retailer you bought the item from. Walmart already has a generous return policy, and it gets even more generous for the holiday season.

Here’s what Walmart’s return policy looks like

Walmart offers a 90-day return policy on most purchases.

“You have 90 days after purchase or upon receipt to return most items unless noted in our exceptions. Most Consumer Electronics are returnable within 30 days. Wireless phones are returnable within 14 days. To ensure your in-store item may be returned, review the exceptions on our Corporate Return Policy page,” the company shared on its website.

The holiday policy is a slight improvement.

“Most items purchased in-store or online from October 1 through December 31 are returnable until January 31,” the company added.

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Basically, that means that anyone who wants to start their holiday shopping in October gets an extended window for returns. The enhanced policy also includes some items that don’t qualify for the regular 90-day window, including some electronics, and items purchase in Amazon’s online Marketplace.

But there are still some exceptions, and “Marketplace seller participation varies,” according to Walmart.

These are Walmart’s 90-day return exceptions

Walmart has an extensive list of items that don’t qualify for its 90-day return policy.

Your item may have return restrictions and/or special instructions as follows:

• Wireless phones, Marketplace collectible, and Marketplace luxury items (most are returnable within 14 days).
• Marketplace and Consumer Electronics items (most items are returnable within 30 days).
• Items that are part of Consumer Electronics or Collectible bundles must all be returned together to receive a refund; downloadable software or video games are not returnable.
• Returns of certain items containing hazardous materials may be subject to specific requirements, such as mail-back or in-store returns only, or other seller-imposed conditions.
• Items that include a rechargeable battery (e.g., tools, drills, lawn equipment, laptops, eBikes, etc.) must contain the original battery to qualify for a return.
• Freight/oversized/heavy items are not returnable to stores.
• Items that require assembly (e.g., indoor/outdoor furniture, grills, etc.) must be fully disassembled and re-packaged prior to returning to a store or FedEx location.
  • FedEx may decline service for unpackaged assembled items.
• Items that contain fuel, propane, or other flammable liquid (e.g., items such as lawn equipment, recreational vehicles, propane tanks, etc.) should be completely drained and/or returned empty. 

There are other exceptions.

“Items that are non-returnable include diabetes monitoring systems, pharmaceuticals, weapons, ammunition, and more,” Walmart added.

Walmart’s published holiday policy does not provide a separate list of exceptions.

Walmart shoppers are starting early

Walmart’s extended holiday return policy makes sense because of how customers shop at the retailer.

“Customers aren’t waiting for the biggest shopping days to start making decisions. Among surveyed Walmart customers, half begin researching more than four weeks before the holidays, with another 20% starting three to four weeks out. And nearly half (48%) make multiple shopping trips during the holidays,” the company shared in Walmart Connect, a publication for the chain’s vendors.

Walmart urged its vendors to take a long view on the holiday season.

“Holiday shopping unfolds across weeks of researching, planning, shopping and returning for more. For brands, the opportunity is to stay relevant across the season, not just show up for its biggest days,” the company added.

Amazon, Costco, and Target’s return policies

Walmart’s policy already having started gives it and edge over Amazon and Costco, which have not yet added an extended holiday return window.

Amazon

Amazon has a shorter return window than Walmart, according to the policy posted on its website.

• Most items can be returned for a refund or replacement/exchange within 30 days of delivery as long as they are in original or unused condition. For eligible items, customers can return items for free at many locations. For information on an item’s return eligibility, check the product detail page before placing your order. After placing an order, you can find relevant information on an item’s return eligibility in your Order History.
• Amazon has not yet announced its 2026 holiday return policy.
• The retailer’s 2025 policy, however, was similar to Walmart’s and is still available on its website.
• “For the 2025 holiday season, most items purchased between November 1 and December 31 can be returned until January 31, 2026. This extended window gives you or your gift recipients plenty of time after the holidays to decide if items need to be returned,” Amazon shared.

Costco

Most Costco items can be returned without any window. There are some exceptions.

Costco has a lengthy return policy, which can be seen fully on its website. The highlights include:

• Electronics: Costco will accept returns within 90 days (from the date the member received the merchandise) for Televisions, Projectors, Major Appliances (refrigerators above 10 cu. ft., freezers, ranges, cooktops, over-the-range and under-counter microwaves, range hoods, dishwashers, water heaters, washers and dryers), Computers, Touchscreen Tablets, Smart Wearable Devices, Cameras, Aerial Cameras (drones), Camcorders, MP3 players, and Cellular Phones.
• Cigarettes and alcohol: Costco does not accept returns on cigarettes or alcohol where prohibited by law.
• Products with a limited useful life expectancy, such as tires and batteries, may be sold with a product-specific limited warranty.
• Special Order Kiosk and Custom Installed Programs: Custom product(s) manufactured to our member’s personal and unique specifications cannot be returned or refunded, except for warranty repair/replacement due to failure to meet specifications.
• Airline and Live Performance Event items are non-refundable.
• Precious metals are non-refundable.
• Gift Card and Ticket items are non-refundable.

Costco does not have a holiday returns policy, aside from allowing a longer window on some electronics items. That’s largely because the chain has a generous, non-traditional returns policy year-round.

Target

Target has a pretty straightforward returns policy, which it shared on its website.

• Most unopened items sold by Target in new condition and returned within 90 days will receive a refund or exchange. The return window for items sold on Target.com begins once you receive your items. This occurs when the order is delivered to you, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or picked up in store.
• Some items sold by Target have a modified return policy noted on the receipt, packing slip, Target policy board (refund exceptions), Target.com or in the item description. Items that are opened or damaged or do not have a receipt may be denied a refund or exchange.
• Returns and exchanges without a receipt may be limited. Other restrictions may apply.
  • Target Owned Brand items: If you’re not satisfied with any Target Owned Brand item, return it within one year with a receipt for an exchange or a refund.
  • EBT card purchases: Any item paid for with an EBT card online must be returned within 90 days of the date it was shipped, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or made ready for pickup. This 90-day return window is required by SNAP.
  • Holiday & limited-time-only collections: Items may have modified return policies.
  • Purchases at Target Optical, Warby Parker, Pharmacy, Starbucks & Target Tech: Items must be returned or exchanged at these areas.
• Target has not shared its 2026 holiday returns policy, but Newsweek shared its 2025 policy.
  • Purchase window: Items bought between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, 2025, with the return clock starting Dec. 26
  • Electronics: Non-Apple, non-Beats electronics and entertainment items had to be returned by Jan. 24, 2026
  • Apple and Beats: Returns had to be made by Jan. 9, 2026
  • Target Plus items: Most had to be returned by Jan. 24, 2026, but seasonal holiday decor from Target Plus sellers wasn’t covered
  • Everything else: The extension only covers the short-window categories. Most other items already get 90 days, which already reaches past Christmas.