Target really has it all for pretty much anything you could ever need: clothes, furniture, household essentials, and even groceries and plants. But when you wind up with products that don’t quite hit the mark, Target also makes it super easy to return your unwanted items without headaches or hiccups.
Whether you take your return to the nearest Target store or ship it back, the one-stop-shop retailer promises the process is not only easy but quite nice to your wallet, thanks to free return shipping labels and refunds that include shipping costs, in most cases.
Target also offers shoppers a generous time frame to return unwanted items and a special extended policy for customers who complete their purchase with a Target RedCard — Target’s debit and credit cards. Beyond that, you gain even more leeway on your return (up to a whole year!) when you purchase from Target’s extensive lineup of in-house brands.
Find out everything you need to know about Target’s return policy:
What Is the Target Return Policy?
So, what’s the official Target return policy? Although there are always exceptions to every rule, per Target, most unopened items in new condition and returned within the item’s designated time frame are eligible for a refund or exchange.
For most items, you have 90 days to return your unwanted purchases to Target. If you’re a Target RedCard holder, add an extra 30 days to that, making your return window 120 days from purchase.
How To Make Target Returns With a Receipt
You have up to a whole year to change your mind on Target-owned brands or registry items. Most new, unopened items gifted from your Target registry are eligible using your return barcode in-store, which is the longest return window that Target offers. Target-owned brands include Hearth & Hand with Magnolia, Durabuilt, Sonia Kashuk, and Xhiliration. Check out the full, up-to-date list.
How To Make Target Returns Without a Receipt
If you’ve lost or can’t find your receipt, Target has a few ways to locate your purchase to ensure you’re getting a full refund. However, for purchases made from a Target Plus Partner, you must have the proof of purchase, which is sent to your email when the order ships and again when it’s delivered.
Before you head to the store, check for your Target account first for return barcodes and receipts, as well as your Target Wallet through the Target app. Here’s how Target helps when you’re making a return without a receipt:
- Bring the item you’re returning and the payment method you used (a Target RedCard, debit card or credit card or third-party credit card) to a Target store and they can look up the receipt.
- If all else fails, you may receive a refund as a Target merchandise return card based on the current price of the item.
Target Returns Without a Receipt Limit
For items you’re returning to Target without a receipt, the most you can receive is $100 store credit per year. So our advice? Sign up for a Target account for easy access to your past purchases or put those Target receipts in a special place.
See which stores let you make returns without receipts.
Target Extended Holiday Return Policy (2023)
Holiday shoppers can rest easy because Target offers a special holiday return policy for items purchased between Oct. 6 and Dec. 25. Target’s regular 90- or 120-day return policy starts on Dec. 26. Target’s 30-day return policy for holiday electronic purchases also starts Dec. 26.
Target Return Policies on Merchandise
Returning Apple Products
You’ve got a tighter window when making a Target return on Apple products: 15 days for most Apple products. That’s compared to 30 days for most other electronics. If you’re shopping during the holidays, Target’s special holiday return policy might change that, so be sure to check. In 2020, Apple gifts had to be returned by Jan. 9.
Returning Video Games
Music, movies, video games, and software are only eligible for an exchange for the same title or for the same or different gaming platform if they have been opened. For Xbox All Access returns, the 30-day Target return window applies.
Returning Beauty Products
Most beauty products purchased in stores or online are eligible for returns, even if they’ve been opened, within 90 days with your receipt or up to 120 days if purchased with your Target RedCard.
Returning Electronics and Mobile Devices
Electronics, including mobile phones (excluding Apple) and entertainment items, have a return or exchange window of 30 days. However, mobile phones you purchase in-store or online are eligible for a refund or exchange within 14 days.
Plus, they might charge you early termination fees or a restocking charge of up to $35. So, if you’re on the fence about your new mobile device, don’t open it. You aren’t charged that restocking fee if you return it unopened.
Items You Can’t Return to Target
Though Target’s return policy is pretty lax for most purchases, there are some items that you can’t return. Besides the products already mentioned, these items aren’t eligible:
- Open or defective collectibles, like sports cards, action figures and special-edition Barbie dolls.
- Personalized items.
- Digital downloads.
- Specialty gift cards, such as those for restaurants, entertainment or lottery cards.
- Opened/unsealed breast pumps.
- You can only exchange air beds that are opened for a similar item.
- Lawnmowers and other gasoline-powered items can only be returned to a Target store and must be completely empty. You’ll need to contact Target Guest Services if any hazardous residue is left inside.
How To Make a Target Return
You can return items purchased in-store by going to Guest Services at any Target location. Take your receipt and the original form of payment. Super straightforward and super easy.
If you receive a gift from your registry that you no longer want or need, you can return it by generating a return barcode from your Target.com Registry Homepage.
Target customers who purchase online have a few more options for returning items. You can either go to Guest Services at a Target store or return it by mail. Some items are only eligible for an in-store return, which is noted in the “Shipping & Returns” section on the product page. Find out how to ship your return to Target and print a mailing label.
And finally, if you purchased a large or cumbersome item, you can return it at any Target store for a full refund and no restocking fee. If it’s impossible to return it to a store, you can contact Target.com Guest Services to schedule a pickup for your return instead.
How To Return an Unwanted Gift at Target
If you got a gift you do not want, you’re not alone, according to our 2022 holiday shopping survey. If that gift happened to come from Target, you can get a Target gift card for its value. Bring the unwanted merchandise to a Target store with the gift receipt or packing slip. If you want to return it by mail, call Target Guest Services at 1-800-591-3869 for help.
What if you don’t have a gift receipt or packing slip? The easiest thing to do might be to (nicely) ask the gift-giver for a gift receipt. If they don’t have it on hand, they can send the gift receipt to you digitally in their Target app! Ask them (nicely) to open their Target app, hit “My Target,” and then “Receipts.” Items eligible for returns with a gift receipt will appear, and then they can hit “Share Gift Receipt” and send it to you via text or email.
If that doesn’t work, you can go to Target with the unwanted gift and request a merchandise card. It’s kind of like a gift card but can be used only in-store.
How Long It Takes To Get a Target Refund
Target automatically credits your return to you using the original payment method, but you may choose your refund method when returning items in person at a Target store.
Also, keep in mind that returned items from your gift registry are issued as a Target gift card, and in-store returns without the original receipt or packing slip are refunded as a merchandise return card, per approval of a valid ID. You can redeem a merchandise return card only in a brick-and-mortar Target store, and you may need to show your ID upon redemption.
Here’s how long it should take to have your money refunded after returning your item to Target:
- Refunds to a third-party credit card typically take one to three days.
- Refunds to a Target RedCard typically take one to two days.
- Refunds credited to Visa, Mastercard, or American Express gift cards are returned to the card within seven to 10 days.
- Refunds for mail-in returns may take an additional five days to be processed per inspection by Target’s Online Return Center.
Target Curbside Returns
As of April 2023, Target shoppers will have a NEW return option: curbside returns. Just as you can use Target Drive Up to pick items up curbside, you’ll be able to do the same for items you’d like to return.
Target is rolling out this option, which might not be available at your preferred store yet. If curbside returns are available, you’ll see the option in the Target app:
Returning a purchase to another major retailer? This is:
- How To Make a Return at Walmart.
- How To Make a Return at Home Depot.
- How To Make a Return at Amazon.
- How To Make a Return at Kohl’s.
- How To Make a Return at Costco.
The post This Is Exactly How To Make Target Returns appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
