Consumer World

2025 Return Policy Survey:
MOST POLICIES LARGELY UNCHANGED DESPITE FINANCIAL PRESSURE

shopping (BOSTON) -- Despite financial pressure from tariffs, inflation, and the costs associated with some $850 billion of merchandise expected to be returned by shoppers in 2025, most mainstream retail chains left their return policies largely unchanged or only made minor tweaks to them this year according to Consumer World's 22nd annual return policy survey. Amazon, Home Depot, Kohl's, and Best Buy were among the stores making some modest adjustments.

Most stores continue to offer extended holiday return periods whereby gifts purchased as early as October first, such as in Walmart's case, can be returned until mid- to late-January, considerably beyond the normal deadline. What hasn't changed is the complexity of stores' return policies that are designed in part to reduce return fraud which amounts to over $75 billion a year according to the National Retail Federation. The combined policies of the 11 chains surveyed amount to over 44,000 words and 126 pages of fine print. Gone are the days of simple return policies like "all returns in 30 days."

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Noteworthy changes and novel return policies for 2025 include:

  • Home Depot added a new 7-day return category for air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and some gas-powered equipment. Tinted paint is no longer returnable.

  • Kohl's added a holiday extension to its regular 90-day return window so most purchases made as early as October 5 can be returned until January 31. The regular return window for Sephora purchases was reduced from 60 days to 30 days (except for holiday purchases).

  • Amazon shortened the return window for mattresses from 100 days to 90 days; added a 100% late fee for returns received more than 30 days after their due date; and added a damage fee up to 100% (instead of 50%) for certain luxury items.

  • Best Buy added several nonreturnable items including golf carts, electric bikes and mopeds.

  • Marketplace items sold by third-party sellers on mainstream retailers' websites may be subject to different return rules and have a shorter return period than purchases made directly from the retailer itself.


    "Surprisingly, despite the many economic pressures that retailers are facing, most have not further tightened their return policies this year," said Edgar Dworsky, Founder of Consumer World®, a leading consumer education website. "Many still give customers more time to make holiday returns and haven't added new return shipping fees."

    Summarized below are some chains with generous regular or holiday return deadlines and their return fees, if any, for online purchases:

    Amazon.com January 31 for most items shipped Nov. 1 thru Dec. 31. Apple products deadline is January 15. Some returns have restocking fees. Most items have at least one free return option. Amazon Haul: 15-day return window only.
    Best Buy January 15 for most purchases except Apple made between October 31 - December 31. Loyalty members generally get more time. Some restocking fees. Free online returns.
    Costco No deadline, but 90 days for: TVs, computers, cameras, smart watches, MP3 players, cell phones, monitors, major appliances, etc. Free returns for Costco.com purchases.
    Home Depot 90-day deadline most items. Others 2-30 days. Free e-returns.
    Kohl's January 31 for purchases including premium electronics and watches starting October 5th; Sephora bought Oct. 31 or after returnable until Jan. 31. No free return shipping.
    Macy's 30-day deadline for most returns. Holiday return deadline of January 31 for most items purchased October 6 or later, but many exceptions apply. Free mail returns for orders made by Star Rewards members only, otherwise $9.99.
    Marshalls January 25 for in-store purchases October 5 - December 24; online purchases return deadline is Feb. 4. These retailers post clear in-store signs about their extended holiday return policy every year - a rarity among retailers. $11.99 fee deducted for postage/handling for mailed returns.
    Staples No deadline for office supplies. January 10 for electronics, and furniture bought since November 16. Free online returns.
    TJ Maxx January 25 for in-store purchases October 5 - December 24; online purchases return deadline is Feb. 4. These retailers post clear in-store signs about their extended holiday return policy every year - a rarity among retailers. $11.99 fee deducted for postage/handling for mailed returns.
    Target 90 days most items. 30 days for electronics and entertainment items, 14 days for most Apple items and cell phones. Count days beginning 12/26 for these non-90-day items bought since 11/1. RedCard holders get 30 extra days. Free mail returns.
    Walmart January 31 for most items purchased as early as October 1. Major appliances: 2 days. For the following purchases made from October 1 onward, 30 days (most electronics), and 14 days for cell phones and luxury items, but count days starting December 26. Free mail returns for online purchases.

    Return policy law varies state to state. Generally, a store can set up any return policy it wants, whether it is "all sales final", "merchandise credit only", or "all returns in 30 days." Many states require the policy to be clearly disclosed to the buyer prior to purchase, usually by means of a conspicuous sign. Some states do not consider a disclosure that only appears on the sales receipt to meet this requirement. It is not unreasonable, however, to require customers to provide a sales slip or gift receipt to establish where and when the item was purchased, and at what price. Those with a gift receipt will generally only receive an even exchange or store credit, but not cash.

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      TIPS FOR HASSLE-FREE RETURNS
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  • Don't fight the crowds on the return lines the day after Christmas. Go back a day or two later, or better yet, see if the store provides free returns by mail. To improve your chances of getting full credit, provide a sales slip or gift receipt, return the item in new condition, unopened if possible, and with all packaging material. Returns without a receipt are subject to the posted return policy, which might result in your receiving only a merchandise credit for the lowest price the item has sold for recently, or possibly no refund or exchange at all.
     
  • Check if online purchases are subject to any return fees. If possible, return those purchases to a retailer's brick and mortar location or free drop-off spots to avoid those charges and/or the cost of postage.
     
  • If the item to be returned is defective, some states such as Massachusetts, require the store to give the consumer his/her choice of one of the three "R's": repair, replacement or refund, irrespective of the store's posted return policy.
     
  • Consumers who have a problem returning a gift, should first contact the store manager or customer service department of the retailer. If a satisfactory resolution is not obtained, then a complaint can be filed with the state Attorney General's office or local consumer agency.

    Posted: December 15, 2025



  • Return Policy Survey 2025: retailers' return policies compared

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