Generally speaking, Walmart’s return policy states that customers are required to provide proof of purchase for all returns. However, this part of the policy isn’t as strict as it might seem.
Under their standard return policy, receipts are requested but not required for returns and exchanges to be approved. As long as you can provide a valid, government-issued ID, then you will still be eligible for a refund even if you don’t have a receipt. However, the store manager or supervisor has full discretion when it comes to granting you your refund.
So, there’s no guarantee your return will be approved, regardless of whether or not you have a receipt. Also keep in mind that Walmart’s standard return policy expects most items to be returned within 90 days. So, if you’re requesting a refund on an item that you purchased longer than 90 days ago, the chances you’ll be granted a full refund are slim.
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Walmart Return Policy Exceptions
The Walmart return policy is fairly flexible, but it does have quite a few exceptions as well.
The following items are only eligible for return for 14 days:
- Prepaid wireless cell phones
- Contract cell phones (except Verizon cell phones)
- If your phone is open or unlocked, it is only eligible for exchange
The following items are only eligible for return for 30 days:
- Verizon contract cell phones
- Electronics
- PC components
- New, unused drones
The following items are only eligible for return for 60 days:
- Prescription eyewear (including contacts)
- Hearing aids
Here is a list of items that are ineligible for return or exchange at any time:
- Firearms and ammunition
- Pepper spray
- Airsoft guns
- Gas-powered vehicles
- Prescription medications
For a full list of return policy exceptions, click here.
How To Return An Item Without A Receipt?
If you’re returning an item to Walmart without a receipt, then you will need to do this in person at a Walmart store. Online orders automatically have proof of purchase which can be accessed through your Walmart.com account, the Walmart app, or via the order confirmation email you received when you purchased your item.
To return an item to Walmart in person:
- Gather your item along with all of its original packaging and accessories, plus a valid, government-issued ID and your original form of payment
- Visit your nearest Walmart store (you do not have to go to the original store of purchase)
- Find the customer service desk and let an employee know you would like to request a return
- The employee will walk you through the rest of the process, which will include obtaining a copy of your ID
- If approval is needed for your return, a store manager or supervisor will be called over and might ask you a few questions
- If your return is accepted, you might be offered a refund in the form of a Walmart gift card or store credit due to the lack of proof of purchase
How Can You Get Refunds From Walmart?
Walmart offers refunds in a variety of ways. For returns on items that come with valid proof of purchase and are returned within 90 days, Walmart offers full refunds to your original form of payment. They also offer cash refunds for items under $10, regardless of how you paid originally.
However, for returns that stretch the requirements of the standard return policy, Walmart typically only offers returns in the form of gift cards or store credit. If your item was less than $10, then you might still be able to receive a cash refund even if you don’t have a receipt.
Remember that all returns are subject to the discretion of store managers and supervisors, so there is always a chance you could receive a full refund to your original form of payment even if you don’t meet the requirements of the return policy. Sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw.
Comparison Of Return Policy With Competitors
Walmart’s return policy gets points for being fairly straight forward on the surface, but it has a lot of exceptions when you look at the fine print. There also aren’t many ways to get around the limitations of the policy.
Some of Walmart’s competitors, including Target, offer a somewhat more flexible policy. Target allows shoppers to return items for up to 1 whole year if they shop with a Target rewards card. They also accept returns for up to 1 year on all Target-brand items. These benefits are hard to beat!
When compared to Amazon, however, Walmart definitely comes out on top. Despite being one of the most popular companies on earth, Amazon only accepts returns for up to 30 days, and does not accept returns on items from third-party sellers.
FAQs
How many times can you return to Walmart without a receipt?
All no-receipt returns are subject to store manager or supervisor approval. There is no formal limit on the number of no-receipt returns any one customer can request. However, if a certain customer attempts to return items without receipts too many times, a store manager or supervisor may step in and set a boundary.
Some sources have claimed that Walmart limits no-receipt returns to 3 per year per customer. However, we were not able to find anything confirming this in Walmart’s current policy.
How to return an item over $50 to Walmart without a receipt?
You can attempt to return an item of any value to Walmart without a receipt. However, all no-receipt returns are subject to the approval of a store manager or supervisor, so larger ticket items are less likely to be approved without proof of purchase.
Can you return something to a different Walmart without a receipt?
Yes. You do not have to return your items to the same store you purchased them from.
Does Walmart track no receipt returns?
Yes. Customers are expected to provide a valid, government-issued ID when requesting a no-receipt return, and Walmart uses this to keep track of returns requested by customers without receipts.
Can you return an online order to Walmart without a receipt?
No. Technically, all online or in-app purchases automatically have proof of purchase, because they are tracked through your purchase history through your Walmart account. To return an online order, you will need to find the record of your order on Walmart.com. If you do not have a record of the order, you will not be able to return your item.
Conclusion
Returning an item to Walmart without a receipt isn’t super complicated, but it can be a bit of a gamble. Depending on where you go and who you talk to, your chances could vary in terms of whether your return is accepted. Arrive prepared with your government-issued ID and be aware that Walmart tracks customers who request returns without a receipt.
If your refund is granted, there’s a chance you’ll receive it in the form of a gift card or store credit instead of to your original form of payment.
That said, it’s always possible you’ll get lucky and receive a full refund, especially if it’s your first time requesting a no-receipt return.
You forgot to mention that without a receipt Walmart will refund the lowest price that item sold for the past 90 days. So how do you verify what that lowest price was? You have to take their word for it even though it never sold for it. My son purchased a truck liner kit for $72 that was never opened. Lost the receipt and was given $30 in store credit because that was the price in their system. Something fishy there as far as I am concerned. Seldom does automotive items marked down that low ever.
I tried to return a new heater that had smoke coming out. The manager says the same Honeywell heater at their store started smoking too?I got this for my mom with Alzheimer’s and paid cash. So thinking they had the exact same problem, they tell me since it cost over 25.00. (35.00) They cannot replace it or give me a Wallmart card. I could not believe it? They told me to call Honeywell. This is Wallmart in Oak Grove ,MO. 64075 so the store could catch on fire and so could my mom and they are so greedy they could care less . They told me these are their new rules? Sam Walton would roll over in his grave.