A roundup of retail return policies for unwanted gifts this holiday season

With 2020’s holiday sales in full swing, proactive shoppers who have already knocked out their gift-giving lists may be wondering exactly how long their gift recipients will have to return or exchange unwanted items. Fortunately, this year many retailers are extending their return windows: In many cases, as long as you have the original receipt — or your gift recipient has the gift receipt — you’ll be eligible for a full refund on any unopened or unused items through January 2021. We’ve rounded up details on return policies for big-box retailers and e-commerce sites to help you plan where to spend your money this holiday season. Take a look.

Amazon: Items shipped between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 31.

Apple: Items purchased at the Apple Online Store that are delivered between Nov. 10 and Dec. 25 can be returned through Jan. 8.

Banana Republic: Shoppers may return items within 45 days from the date of purchase.

Best Buy: Items purchased between Oct. 13 and Jan. 2 can be returned through Jan. 16. This excludes items purchased with a third-party contract (i.e., smartphones and tablets), holiday products (i.e., holiday decorations) and major appliances.

BJ’s Wholesale: Shoppers can return non-grocery items in new condition within one year of purchase. Undamaged electronics items can be returned within 90 days of purchase.

Brookstone.com: Items can be returned up to 30 days from the delivery date with the original packing slip. Customers are responsible for return shipping fees.

Columbia Sportswear: Items can be returned within 90 days of the purchase date.

Costco: Unwanted items can be returned at any time. This excludes electronics (must be returned within 90 days) and diamond jewelry larger than 1.00 ct (refund is contingent upon an inspection by a Costco graduate gemologist).

Dick’s Sporting Goods: Most items can be returned within 90 days of the purchase date. This excludes opened baseball and football equipment, bikes and scooters.

DSW: Shoppers have up to 90 days from the purchase date to return unworn products.

GameStop: Unopened products purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 can be returned through Jan. 15.

Home Depot: Shoppers may return items up to 180 days from the purchase date. This excludes furniture, area rugs, gas-powered equipment and tractors, and generators, which must be returned within 30 days.

HomeGoods: Purchases made between Oct. 11 and Dec. 24 can be returned through Jan. 24.

Ikea: Items can be returned up to one year from the purchase date (even if assembled, but must be unused).

Kohl’s: Items can be returned up to 180 days from the purchase date. Premium electronics items purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 25 must be returned by Jan. 31.

Land’s End: Unwanted items can be returned up to 90 days from the purchase date. Refunds requested after 90 days will be issued as store merchandise credit.

L.L. Bean: Unwanted items may be returned up to one year from the purchase date.

Lowe’s: Most new and unused merchandise can be returned within 90 days of the purchase date. This excludes winter holiday items, such as decorations, which must be returned by Dec. 26. Also, electronics items, major appliances, outdoor power equipment and paint must be returned within 30 days of purchase.

Lululemon: Returns must be made within 30 days of the delivery date.

Macy’s: Holiday purchases made through Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 31 or the last date allowed under the standard return policy (90 days) — whichever is later.

Marshalls: Items purchased between Oct. 11 and Dec. 24 can be returned or exchanged through Jan. 24.

Nike: Unworn items can be returned up to 60 days from the purchase date.

Nordstrom: No time limit. Returns will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. If an original or gift receipt isn’t provided, a refund will be issued via store gift card.

Overstock.com: Purchases made between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 31.

Patagonia: No time limit. Items returned after one year of purchase will be refunded via store gift card.

REI: Most items can be returned within one year of purchase. This excludes outdoor electronics, which must be returned within 90 days of purchase.

Sephora: In-store and online purchases made between Oct. 30 and Nov. 16 can be returned through Jan. 15 for a store credit. Purchases after Nov. 16 will follow the normal 60-day return policy guidelines.

Target: Most unopened items can be returned within 90 days of purchase. The 30-day return period for electronics and entertainment products purchased between Oct. 1 and Dec. 25 begins on Dec. 26. The 15-day return period for Apple products purchased during that same timeframe begins on Dec. 26.

T.J. Maxx: Purchases made between Oct. 11 and Dec. 24 can be returned through Jan. 24.

Ulta: Shoppers can return items up to 60 days from the purchase date.

Walmart: Most items can be returned within 90 days of purchase. For products with shorter return windows (i.e., some electronics items), Walmart has extended them as well.

Wayfair.com: Most items can be returned within 30 days of delivery. Customers are responsible for return shipping fees, and the item must be sent back in its original packaging. Items such as gift cards, clearance items, bundled goods and personalized products are not eligible for returns.

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