Walmart Return Policy: Refunds, No Receipt Returns & Marketplace Rules

Understanding the Walmart Return Policy helps save time, money, and a lot of hassle with one of the world’s largest retail companies when shopping at the store. If you purchased your product online or via Walmart Marketplace, or if you got it in-person, Walmart has a positively flexible return policy to assist returning purchased items with customer satisfaction in mind. 

In this thorough guide, we will cover every detail of the Walmart Return Policy from the standard return period, refund period, Marketplace exceptions, and returns without a receipt. This information will be supplemented by further details from a thorough analysis of Walmart’s official help and support page.

Read Also: Amazon Refund Policy: How Refunds, Returns & Replacements Work

 Overview of the Walmart Return Policy

Walmart Return Policy generally applies to almost all products purchased at Walmart U.S. stores, Walmart.com, Walmart Business, and Walmart Marketplace. The company wants no-nonsense returns policies with accommodating timings and multiple return options.

Most products purchased from Walmart can be returned within 90 days from the date of purchase or date of receipt (if applicable). However, certain product types, such as electronics or wireless phones, may have shorter return timelines. Depending upon the item and whether it was purchased at a store or online, customers are able to return items electronically or in the mail or to a store.

Walmart has a policy to strike a balance between convenience to customers and protections for sellers, to maintain fairness.

 Standard Return Timeline

Most Walmart products must comply with the standard Walmart Return Policy that allows returns within 90 days of purchase, which applies to both in store and online purchases.

The following is an overview of how long customers may return items based on their type:

Product Type	Return Window
Most General Merchandise	90 days
Electronics (e.g., TVs, computers)	30 days
Wireless Phones	14 days
Marketplace Items	30 days
Holiday Purchases (Oct 1 – Dec 31)	Returnable until Jan 31

All things considered, Walmart return policy gives shoppers plenty of time after the purchase to consider their items and return the items if they do not meet their expectations. The holiday season additionally helps gift givers, because items may be returned until January 31.

Read Also: Steam Refund Policy: All You Need to Know Before Requesting a Refund

Walmart.com Returns

If you ordered the item from Walmart.com, you can return most items within 90 days from purchase or delivery. Items that are sold and shipped from Marketplace vendors (third-party merchants on Walmart.com) may have different return policies, often 30 days. Read more on: Walmart Return Policy.

To return the item online:

1. Log in to your Walmart account.
2. Visit your Purchase History.
3. Select the item that you wish to return.
4. Pick a reason for the return.
5. Decide to receive either a refund or replacement, as applicable.

Walmart generates printable return labels for returning the item via mail, or you may be permitted to drop off the return at your closest Walmart location, depending on the item.

If the item was damaged or defective, it may be eligible for a full refund or for replacement. You should always attempt to return an item via Walmart’s return portal, so that the possible return policy is applicable.

 In-Store Returns

If you are returning something purchased from Walmart (the retail store) then the return procedure is similar to returning a Walmart purchase online (see above link). According to Walmart’s Returns Policy, most items purchased online can generally be returned, at any time, usually up to 90 days from the date of purchase. You just take your receipt into any Walmart store and start the return process at the Customer Services desk.

There are a few things you might want to keep in mind to facilitate returning the items.

1. Don’t forget to take the original receipt (and if the item you are returning was packaged, take that as well.)

2. If you are returning electrical items, it is best to take any original accessories, manuals, parts, etc. The associate may raise questions about whether those items may have come with the item you returned for you to consider in other instances.  

3. There may also be limits or restrictions on returned electronics (for example, the number of times you can return a prepaid cellular wireless phone or items like fishing rods may have limits or have different limits on the return time).

Read Also: Menards Return Policy: Time frames, Rules, and Customer Hacks

 Returns Without a Receipt

A very customer-friendly aspect of the Walmart Return Policy is the ability to return an item without a receipt. While having a receipt will speed things up, Walmart has the ability to look up the purchase by using a government-issued photo ID.

Here’s how it works:

1. An associate at Walmart will scan your ID and they will be able to verify your purchase.
2. The associate will allow you to take one of the following options if your purchase is found in the system:
3. You can exchange the item for another product.
4. You may be given a Walmart Gift Card in the amount of the item’s value.
5. If the issue is applicable, the item can be sent to the manufacturer for repairs. 

In either case, Walmart has limitations on high frequency of no-receipt returns for security reasons and stores have the ability to track those return activities to avoid abuse.

 Refund Methods and Timelines

Refunds, in accordance with the Walmart Return Policy, depend on the payment method selected at the time of purchase.  Here’s a breakdown: 

Payment Method	Refund Timeframe
Credit/Debit Card	Up to 10 business days
Prepaid Card	Up to 30 business days
Walmart Gift Card	Up to 3 hours
PayPal	Up to 30 business days
EBT/SNAP	Up to 3 hours
Affirm	Up to 5 business days
Third-Party Gift Cards	Up to 10 business days (can be longer for international banks)
Refund Credit / Walmart Cash	Up to 3 hours

Refunds are typically made to the original payment method. Should the original payment method be unavailable or cannot be scanned, the refund will be performed via Walmart Shopping Card or Gift Card.   

Outbound shipping charges (i.e. freight or surcharges) are not refundable unless, the return was made in error by Walmart, or the product was defective.

 Marketplace Return Policy

The Walmart Marketplace Return Policy applies to products that third-party sellers sell on Walmart.com. Walmart has specific minimum requirements but sellers can have their own return policies. 

Everyone can expect returns to have the following characteristics:

• A 30-day return from delivery date. 
• Returns may need to be shipped directly back to the seller.
• Refund times can take from the seller’s policy, once they are approved. 
• Users are encouraged to read the seller’s return policy before purchase.

If there are concerns or issues users can contact Walmart’s Customer Support who can help mediate a case if it involves a Customer and Marketplace seller.

Read Also: Revolve Return Policy – Fast, Easy & Stress-Free Way To Get A Refund

Damaged or Defective Items

If the product is defective, damaged, or missing items upon arrival, Walmart will allow you to initiate the return process through the mail or in-store for a refund or replacement. The return process can be started in the Purchase history section of Walmart.com (or the Walmart mobile app). 

Depending on the situation, you will receive : 

•     Full refund back to your original payment method. 
•     Replacement item shipped to you for free. 
• For electronics that are defective, return the item with all packaging and accessories. 

Walmart Holiday Return Extension

Walmart is aware that shopping early, buying gifts, and even purchasing gifts at the last minute often happens during this time of the year. For this reason, the Walmart Return Policy has a holiday period. 

• Any purchase made from October 1 to December 31 is eligible to be returned until January 31.  
• Marketplace sellers may or may not follow this holiday extension. So be sure to check the item listing for further information. 
• The holiday extension will give flexibility for all the people who receive gifts during this time and want to return/exchange items after the holidays.

 Non-Refundable Items

There are some products and services that cannot be returned or refunded according to the Walmart Return Policy. Most of the exclusions involve financial services. These exclusions are:

• Express Bill Payments
• Walmart Money Orders
• Money Transfers
• Financial Services Fees

All of these non-refundable items are clearly listed on Walmart’s Return Policy page. Be sure to check the terms prior to a purchase for Walmart Financial Services.

 Canceled Orders and Authorization Holds

In case you cancel your order before it ships, Walmart Return Policy will release the authorization hold from your payment card to signify that nothing is being charged at the moment. Once the order has shipped, you can no longer cancel the shipment.

 You will then simply have to wait for delivery, and once you have received your item, feel free to return it for a refund. In the end, this supports payment protections, security, and ensures anti-shrinkage, while giving the customer time to cancel purchase requests and return prior to the item shipping.

 Why Walmart’s Return Policy Stands Out

• After discussing Walmart Return Policy, we had noticed some attributes that are impressive, which although also varies with Walmart from many large/major retailers: 
• Time: Usually, a customer would have 90 days to return it, which is a longer period than many retailers.
• Options for returning the item: Customers can return items online, by mail, or in person; just to name a few. 
• No receipt: Customers can verify the item using a government issue ID. (This is available to anyone.) 
• Refunds: Many funds to the customer would take place hours after receiving notice, especially if the transactions are electronic and/or for refunds on a card. 
• Holidays: Time to return an item can be extended depending on the time of return. 

 Common Mistakes to Avoid

While reviewing the Walmart Return Policy you may find some pitfalls that will catch many consumers off guard: 

• Not verifying if an item is listed as an exception; certain items, such as cell phones, airbeds, or software may have a shortened return policy or none at all. 
• Returning a Marketplace item at the store; a majority of third-party Marketplace items will need to be mailed back to third-party sellers.
•  Not having item packaging; in many cases, discarding original packaging will slow and/or completely prohibit your chance at a return; this mainly applies to electronics. 
• Failing to have an appropriate form of ID when attempting to return an item without a receipt; if possible, do not forget your government submitted photo ID if the item is returned without a receipt.

If you can avoid these common pitfalls, then each time you get a refund or an exchange and perhaps even less hassle.

Read Also: Dick’s Return Policy: Here’s How to Get a Refund on Everything & Get Your Money Back

 Summary: Key Takeaways

• In Brief, the Walmart Return Policy: 
• Most products and items may be returned within 90 days from the initial date of purchase.
• The majority of Marketplace items can be returned within a 30-day period. 
• Refunds will revert to the original payment method, when and if warranted. 
• If returning an item without a receipt, provide a submitted photo ID. 
• There will be some product category items that will not be subject to refunds. 

 FAQs About Walmart Return Policy

Conclusion For Walmart Return Policy

The Walmart Return Policy can be considered one of the flexible and customer-based return policies in today’s retail environment. In other words, you have up to 90 days to return an item with available options for returns, and you will hopefully understand the next steps and expectations of process or refund. Walmart believes in customer satisfaction. 

We long to have you feel confident in your decision no matter if it was an online purchase, a Marketplace purchase, or a transaction in the store. When you understand Walmart Return Policy, you will feel better about this decision. Once you know a little about the process and obtainable timelines, you most often can enjoy a pleasurable return experience every time you shop with Walmart.