Americans may love to shop, but we’re just as enthusiastic about returns. A 2025 Consumer Reports survey found that 91 percent of consumers returned at least one item in the past year, while 62 percent returned between one and five purchases. What we don’t love? Strict return policies and added return fees. In fact, the same report shows that 86 percent of shoppers will only buy from retailers that offer free online returns.
Given these preferences, it might seem like offering flexible, free returns would be standard practice. Yet return policies vary widely across the retail industry, and many retailers still fall short of consumer expectations. Read on to discover which retailers offer the best return policies (and which ones don’t) before making your next purchase, with expert insight from Dr. Pridap K. Shukla, business consultant and professor at Chapman University in California.
How To Evaluate Return Policies
According to Shukla, look for return policies that have clearly written time periods for returns, multiple return options (in-store, ship back, home pickup), customer service agents empowered to assist with problems and fast refunds issued.
A generous return window usually falls between 30 and 60 days, though some retailers give you 90 days, or even a full year. Having multiple ways to return an item is a plus, but always check the fine print, as some stores only accept unopened items in the original packaging, while others are more flexible.
Although many retailers can now track purchases through your credit card, a few still require proof of purchase, so be sure to hang on to receipts. Look out for restocking fees on appliances and electronics, and finally, confirm you can receive your refund to your original payment method and not just store credit.
Best Overall Return Policies
Shukla places Costco, Target, Amazon, Nordstrom and Kohl’s in his top five for customer-friendly return policies. Other notable mentions include LL Bean, Zappos, REI, Target, IKEA and Walmart.
Breaking Down the Policies
Costco
Costco will essentially accept returns anytime after purchase, no questions asked, if you are not 100 percent satisfied. There are a few exceptions, like electronics, which need to be returned within 90 days.
Target
Target offers a 90-day return window on most items, and up to a year for Target-brand products. They also offer free return shipping for online purchases, but do require a receipt for in-store returns to issue a full refund to the original payment method.
Amazon
The online shopping giant offers a 30-day return window for most unused items with a full refund to the original payment method. Returns are free when brought to a designated Amazon return center, but returns via UPS or home pickup will incur a fee.
Nordstrom
For unworn items with a receipt, there is no set return timeline for a full refund. Nordstrom also offers free returns both in-store and via mail.
Kohl’s
This brick-and-mortar retailer accepts returns up to 90 days, or 120 days for Kohl’s card members. Receipts are not needed and returns can be in-store or via mail, although you will be responsible for return shipping costs.
Return Policies to Watch Out For
Shukla says to beware of exclusions on returnable items like electronics or restocking fees, which can be up to 15 percent of the purchase price. He also points out that “some sellers require an authorization code for returns, some have short return windows, and some have small-print language stating that all sales are final. It’s best to know a retailer’s return policy before making a purchase.
Specifically, Apple, eBay, Wayfair and GameStop all have return policies to watch out for. Apple products are only granted a 14-day return window with proof of purchase. GameStop also has a 14-day window for items purchased new, with restocking fees for opened merchandise. Many private sellers on eBay do not accept returns at all, and at Wayfair, buyers are responsible for return shipping on bulky items, which can be expensive.
Additionally, many retailers now charge fees for mail-in returns on online purchases, reserving free returns for in-store returns only. T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s charge $11.99 for mail-in returns, and JCPenney, Macy’s and J Crew have similar policies.
FAQ
Can you ever return used items?
Yes, most retailers will accept returns of items that have been used but are defective. If there is a “Satisfaction Guarantee” or if the return policy does not state “must be returned unopened or unused” you should be able to return used items within the stated return time period, Shukla says. Obviously, if there is a recall or safety issue, you can return a used item.
Are free returns really free?
Free returns do come at a cost to consumers, retailers and the environment. Shoppers pay with their time and effort, and often with higher prices as retailers absorb losses from returns. “Also, from an environmental perspective, returns are not really free, Shukla says. When a consumer returns the item, they add to the environmental cost by driving back to the retail store or to a drop-off destination.
About the Expert
Dr. Pradip K. Shukla is CEO of BestCEOAdvisor, offering executive coaching and consultant services. Dr. Shukla is also a business professor at Chapman University in California.
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