MISSOURI, USA — This coming weekend starts with Black Friday and ends with Cyber Monday, two of the biggest shopping days of the year.
The weekend marks when most choose to buy gifts for their loved ones ahead of the holiday season. But, what if the gifts people buy or receive don't work out?
A 5 On Your Side viewer asked the VERIFY team whether she'd have extra time to make a return. We contacted the biggest players in the retail industry to find out.
The question:
Are any major retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart extending their return policy this holiday season?
Our sources:
- Spokespeople at Target, Walmart, Kohls, Best Buy and JCPenney
- Amazon’s online return policy
What we found:
Amazon's holiday return policy:
The online behemoth of Amazon confirmed they have extended holiday returns on their website.
"Most items purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 31, unless it's an Apple product—those must be returned by January 15th," the retailer's website said.
Walmart's holiday return policy:
Walmart told 5 On Your Side it is extending holiday returns for most items until Jan. 31.
Most electronics, including TVs, laptops, and video games, are included in the store's "Holiday Guarantee" return extension, but there are some exceptions, including:
- Wireless phones, due to cell phone carrier agreements, only have a return window of 14 days.
- Major appliances only have a return window of 2 days
- Luxury and collectible items bought through Walmart's Marketplace only have a return window of 14 days.
- Any protection plans are only able to be returned within 30 days from the time of purchase.
Target's holiday return policy:
Target's usual 90-day return window for most unused items remains in place, but they have extended their return window for electronics during the holiday season.
Return windows for shoppers who bought electronics between Nov. 7 and Dec. 24 will begin on Dec. 26 and run through Jan. 24. However, the store only allows a 14-day return window for cell phones, Apple products, and Beats products between Dec. 26 and Jan. 8.
Best Buy's holiday return policy:
The electronics retailer offers an extended holiday return policy, with most gifts purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 having a holiday return window through Jan. 14.
Devices that have to be activated and holiday decorations are Best Buy's two notable exemptions to the extended window, having 14-day and 15-day return windows, respectively.
Kohl's holiday return policy:
The retailer will accept most returns within 90 days of purchase. That window is extended to 120 days for purchases made with a Kohl's Card.
Kohl's also allows electronics, watches, and beauty supplies purchased after Nov. 1 to be returned until Jan. 31.
JCPenney's holiday return policy:
JCPenney has the longest extended return window of any of the retailers we looked into, but also has one of the highest numbers of product exemptions.
Purchases made in-store or on the retailer's website after Oct. 14 are eligible for a return or exchange with a receipt through Jan. 15. Shoppers who lost their receipt can still return their item and receive a JCPenney Merchandise Return Voucher, good for the item's lowest selling price in the last 45 days.
We can VERIFY: Yes, numerous retailers are offering extended holiday return policies.
Do you have a question you want us to VERIFY? Email verify@ksdk.com with your claim.