It’s great to receive gifts. What’s even better? Exchange that gift for something that’s a better fit, or something you actually wanted.
Once the annual holiday gift exchange concludes, it’s time for a second round of exchanges. Returning a gift to a store or online retailer to exchange it for another item.
Of course, this happens all year round, and a report released earlier this month by the National Retail Federation and the UPS company Happy Returns estimates that by 2024, returns will account for about $890 billion, or about 17% of annual sales. It is expected.
Holiday gift returns have exceeded those at the end of the year, with retailers expecting return rates to increase by about 17%, the report found.
Throughout 2024, retailers competed for sales from customers weary of inflation during the shortened holiday season. To get the action started, Amazon, Walmart, Target and other retailers held early Black Friday events to drive traffic.
Holiday Sales: Shop this season’s hottest products and sales, handpicked by our editors.
Now, retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Target are bracing for an influx of customers returning holiday gifts.
Here’s what you need to know about Amazon, Walmart, and Target’s return policies.
Amazon return policy
Amazon’s Returns Center allows gift recipients to return items that were marked as a gift at the time of purchase. Your digital gift receipt will include your 17-digit order number. If the order ID or tracking number is missing, the gift purchaser must contact Amazon.
The gift recipient will be refunded the gift price in the form of an Amazon.com gift card. If you wish to exchange, you can reorder the desired item after you have received the gift card amount.
Most items purchased between November 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024 must be returned by January 31, 2025 under Amazon’s holiday return period. (Apple-branded products purchased during that period can be returned until January 15, 2025.) For the remainder of the year, Amazon.com and most sellers on Amazon.com will accept returns within 30 days of receiving your shipment. We regularly offer returns for items within. Items that cannot be returned include:
Hazardous materials such as flammable liquids and gases. Laptops, desktops, Kindles, and other devices that are more than 30 days old. Digital products such as downloadable software products, open software, and online subscriptions after access. gift cards (unless required by law); prepaid game cards (World of Warcraft, Xbox 360 Live, Wii Points, etc.); Collectibles like trading card games and Funko Pop figures and accessories. Other products include fresh produce and groceries (like groceries and pet food) on Amazon. ;Purchases via Amazon Bulk Liquidations Store (these are final sales and cannot be returned). Discounted items marked “Final Sale”.
Strikes: Where are Amazon and Starbucks employees striking? And why? Here’s what you need to know
target return policy
Target allows you to return most items within 90 days. Target Circle members and cardholders have an additional 30-day grace period to return most items. The company allows returns on store-branded products for one year.
Exceptions to this policy include:
Non-Returnable ItemsTrading Cards and Trading Card AccessoriesOpened or Defective CollectiblesPersonalized Items and Digital DownloadsOpened/Opened Breast PumpsOpened Items Eligible for ExchangeMusic, Movies, Videos Games, and software must be exchanged with the same title Airbeds must be exchanged with a similar item Return or exchange periods have been reduced Electronics and entertainment items excluding Apple and Beats products are 30 Apple and Beats products including mobile phones must be returned or exchanged within 14 daysMobile phones must be returned or exchanged within 14 daysHolidays and limited time Collections are subject to change in return policy
Target: Where will new stores open? See a list of planned locations across 15 states
Walmart return policy
Walmart accepts returns for most items purchased from October 1st to December 31st or within the standard 90 days after purchase. Exceptions to this policy include:
Non-Returnable ItemsDiabetes Monitoring SystemsMedicinesWeapons and AmmunitionGas Powered Recreational VehiclesTrading CardsPrecious MetalsExchangeable only if openedUnlocked within 14 daysRadiophones within 30 daysDrones, projectors within 30 daysAirbeds and Air Mattress90 Durable Medical Equipment Within 90 Days Short Return or Exchange Most wireless phones can be returned. 14 days Most appliances can be returned within 30 days Most e-bikes can be returned within 30 days Most PC components can be returned within 30 days
Follow Mike Snider on the thread with X: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.
What is everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter and get the latest news of the day
