Can You Return an Item to a Different Store Location? Answers by Retailer

For the most part, major retailers allow you to return items to any of their store locations. However, there may be exceptions where you must return the item to the store where you purchased it. Common examples include oversized items like appliances and any item you enter a contract to purchase (such as a rent-to-own contract). Below, we list return policies by store and detail which stores allow you to return items to a different location.

Stores That Allow Returns to Different Locations

Below, we list the chains that generally allow you to return items to a different store than the original place of purchase. To compile this information, we viewed each retailer’s corporate return policy online and confirmed the details with customer service representatives.

You can make a return at any of these stores at the customer service desk; some will also let you make returns at the register. Remember to have your ID handy when making a return — the store associate may ask to see it, especially if you don’t have your receipt.

Note that store managers often have some control over returns at their location. Occasionally, an individual store’s rules may differ from the corporate policy and require you to return particular items to the same location.

Apple Store

Note: While Apple allows returns between store locations, you cannot return Apple products that you purchase from other retailers (such as Best Buy) to the Apple Store.

• Location policy: Accepts in-store and online purchases for return at any U.S. Apple Store location
• Return window: 14 days
• Return requirements:
  • Must include all accessories (adapters, cords, manuals, etc.)
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Apple Developer products (membership, tech support, tickets)
  • Apple Store gift cards
  • Apple Print products
  • Electronic software downloads
  • Opened software (Note: The store may accept it if you have not installed it.)
  • Software upgrades
• Refund policy: You will receive a full refund with your receipt; without it, you may receive store credit.
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Best Buy

• Location policy: Accepts returns of in-store and BestBuy.com purchases at any Best Buy store
• Return window: 15 days for most items with extended return periods of 30 to 45 days for Best Buy Elite and Elite Plus members; 14 days for cell phones, cellular tablets, and smartwatches
• Return requirements:
  • Must include all packaging and accessories for a full refund m
  • Must provide a photo ID if you don’t have your receipt
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Completed services
  • Custom orders
  • Damaged items
  • Digital content
  • Gift packaging
  • Items missing major contents or not in like-new condition
  • Memberships
  • Opened, consumable items (batteries, cleaning agents, ink, cleaning agents)
  • Prepaid cards
  • Unsanitary items
• Refund policy: In most cases, you’ll receive a refund to your original form of payment.
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CVS

• Location policy: Accepts returns of in-store and online purchases to any CVS location
• Return window: 60 days
• Return requirements:
  • Items must be unopened or in new condition; CVS brand products have a satisfaction guarantee and can be returned open.
  • If you don’t have your receipt, you may need to show a photo ID.
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Gift cards
  • Home, health, and personal care products
  • Phone cards
  • Prepaid cards
  • Some health care items
• Refund policy: If you don’t have your receipt, you’ll receive a refund for the lowest advertised price as store credit. Otherwise, you’ll receive a refund to your original form of payment.
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Dollar General

• Location policy: Accepts returns of in-store purchases at any Dollar General store; you cannot return online purchases in stores
• Return window: 30 days
• Return requirements:
  • Your return must include the original receipt, packaging, and accessories, if possible.
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Gift wrapping services
• Refund policy: If you do not have proof of purchase, you’ll receive your refund as store credit. With proof of purchase, you’ll receive a full refund to your original payment method.
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Gap

• Location policy: Accepts returns to any Gap store (Note: Though Gap owns several other stores, including Banana Republic and Old Navy, you cannot return Gap items to those stores.)
• Return window: 45 days
• Return requirements:
  • Items must be in original condition (not washed or worn)
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Any items marked final sale
• Refund policy: If you have proof of purchase, you’ll receive a full refund. Without proof of purchase, you may receive a merchandise certificate.
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The Home Depot

• Location policy: You can return items to any store location unless you enter into a contract with a specific store when making a purchase (such as when ordering a large appliance for delivery).
• Return window: 90 days for most purchases, though furniture, rugs, generators, gas-powered equipment, and consumer electronics have a 30-day window; The Home Depot credit account holders (consumer or commercial) can make returns within 362 days
• Return requirements:
  • Items must be new and unopened.
  • Must show a photo ID if you don’t have a receipt
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Custom products (including blinds)
  • Cut flowers
  • Floral arrangements
  • Labor, delivery, and installation services
  • Major appliances after delivery (unless damaged/defective)
  • Product samples
  • Store credits/gift cards
  • Utility trailers
  • Whole-house and stationary generators
• Refund policy: If you do not have proof of purchase, you may receive store credit for the item’s lowest advertised price. With proof of purchase, you’ll receive a full refund to the original method of payment.
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JCPenney

• Location policy: Some items (factory-shipped items, furniture, and major appliances) must be shipped back to the supplier. You can return other items to any JCPenney location.
• Return window: No specific return window for most items; 48 hours for fitness equipment and mattresses, 60 days for fine jewelry, and 10 days for fitness trackers/smartwatches
• Return requirements:
  • Items must be in their original condition.
  • Must show photo ID if you don’t have your receipt
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Altered items
  • Body jewelry
  • Custom blinds, shades, or draperies
  • Gift cards
  • Monogrammed items
  • Perishable foods
  • Personalized items
  • Services
• Refund policy: With proof of purchase, you’ll receive a full refund to your original payment method. If you don’t have a receipt, you’ll receive store credit for the lowest price of the item within the last 45 days.
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Kmart

• Location policy: You can return in-store and online purchases to any store, but not third-party marketplace purchases.
• Return window: Varies by item (anywhere from 7 to 365 days); extended return periods available on some items for Shop Your Way members
• Return requirements:
  • Items should be in original packaging with all parts/accessories; clothes and shoes should be unworn and include the original tags.
  • Must provide proof of purchase
  • May require photo ID
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Custom items
  • Gift cards
  • Intimate health products
  • Open electronics, music, movies, software, video games, and collectibles
  • Seasonal items
  • Services like delivery and installation
  • Whole-house generators
• Refund policy: Kmart issues refunds to the original form of payment unless you have a gift receipt, in which case you can exchange the item or get your refund on a gift card
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Kohl’s

• Location policy: You can return all purchases (in-store or online, and of any type of item) to any Kohl’s location.
• Return window: 180 days for most items; premium electronics have a 30-day return window, and holiday returns have a cutoff date (usually at the end of January)
• Return requirements:
  • Items can be open
  • Receipt not required; an associate will attempt to look up your purchase.
  • Without the receipt, you’ll need to show a valid photo ID.
• Items ineligible for return:
  • None
• Refund policy: If Kohl’s is unable to locate your purchase using your receipt or original payment card, you’ll receive merchandise credit. With proof of purchase, you’ll get a refund to your original method of payment.
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Lowe’s

• Location policy: Accepts in-store and online purchases for return at any U.S. store, except for highway trailers (which you must return in the original state of purchase)
• Return window: 180 days for most items
• Return requirements:
  • Items should be in new, unused condition unless defective
  • May need to provide a photo ID
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Gift cards
• Refund policy: With proof of purchase, you’ll usually receive a refund to your original method of payment. Without it, or if you paid with a gift card/in-store credit, you’ll receive store credit. Note that refunds for online purchases won’t include the original shipping charges.
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Macy’s

• Location policy: Accepts in-store and online purchases for return at any store
• Return window: 90 days for most items
• Return requirements:
  • Items must be in original condition with tags
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Food and beverages
  • Macy’s Beauty Box items
• Refund policy: Items with proof of purchase will receive a refund to the original payment method. Gifts or items without proof of purchase will receive store credit. Note that refunds for online items will not include the original shipping or delivery fees.
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Rite Aid

• Location policy: Accepts returns of in-store purchases at any Rite Aid location
• Return window: 90 days
• Return requirements:
  • Products can be open but should include the original packaging, if possible
  • Must show your receipt, wellness+ card, or photo ID
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Cigarettes
  • Gift cards
  • Lottery tickets
  • Money services
  • Prepaid cards
  • Prescriptions
  • Tobacco
• Refund policy: Items returned without a receipt will be refunded the lowest sale price within the last 45 days to a gift card. If you have your receipt or wellness+ card, you’ll receive a refund to your original payment method.
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Sears

• Location policy: You can return Sears and Sears.com purchases to any store location, but not third-party marketplace purchases.
• Return window: Varies by item (anywhere from 7 to 365 days) and is typically longer for Shop Your Way members
• Return requirements:
  • Items should be in original packaging with all parts/accessories; Sears may accept returns with missing packaging or tags on a case-by-case basis.
  • Must provide proof of purchase
  • May need to show a photo ID
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Adjustable beds/foundations
  • “AS IS” items
  • Custom/personalized items
  • Gift cards
  • Installed automotive products
  • Open music, movies, software, video games, and collectibles
  • Seasonal items after the holiday/season passes
  • Whole-house generators
• Refund policy: Sears typically issues refunds to the original form of payment; items with gift receipts may receive an exchange or store credit.
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Staples

• Location policy: You can return items to any store location.
• Return window: 30 days for most items; 14 days for items like computers, tablets, cell phones, and drones
• Return requirements:
  • Items must be in saleable condition with their original packaging and accessories.
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Open software, movies, and music
• Refund policy: Without a receipt, you’ll receive store credit for your return at the item’s lowest retail price within the last 90 days. Otherwise, your refund will return to your original form of payment.
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Target

• Location policy: You can return in-store and Target.com purchases to any store location.
• Return window: 90 days for most items (or 120 days for REDcard holders); one year for Target-owned brands
• Return requirements:
  • Items should be unopened and include all accessories, if possible (though Target will accept open-box returns)
  • Must show a photo ID if you don’t have proof of purchase
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Digital downloads
  • Gift cards
  • Open airbeds
  • Open collectibles (e.g., special edition dolls or action figures)
  • Open music, movies, video games, and software
  • Personalized items
  • Prepaid cards
• Refund policy: If you have proof of purchase, you’ll get a refund to your original payment method; without it, you may receive a merchandise return card.
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T.J. Maxx

• Location policy: You can return T.J. Maxx purchases to any store, but cannot return items to sister brands like Marshalls.
• Return window: 30 days
• Return requirements:
  • Items must be in unworn condition
  • Returns of swimwear and intimates require the garment protection sticker
  • Must provide a valid photo ID if you don’t have your receipt
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Worn/washed items
  • Items in unsellable condition
• Refund policy: With a receipt, you’ll get a refund to your original form of payment; without a receipt, with a gift receipt, or after 30 days will receive store credit.
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Walgreens

• Location policy: Accepts returns of in-store and online purchases at any location
• Return window: 30 days
• Return requirements:
  • Must show a photo ID
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Birchbox BYOB
  • Gift cards
  • Phone cards
  • Prepaid phones
  • Reloadable prepaid cards
  • Seasonal products
  • Sexual wellness products
• Refund policy: Returns with the receipt will receive a refund to the original payment method unless the return window has passed, in which case you’ll receive store credit. Non-receipted returns will receive the item’s lowest advertised price as store credit.
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Walmart

• Location policy: Accepts returns of in-store and online purchases at any location, with the exception of marketplace items (which you must return to the seller) and contract cell phones (which you must return to the store of purchase)
• Return window: 90 days for most items
• Return requirements:
  • Certain items require a receipt or unopened packaging for return; see our overview of Walmart’s return policy for more information about these items and those with shorter return periods.
• Items ineligible for return:
  • Ammunition
  • ATVs
  • BB guns and air guns
  • Dirt bikes
  • Downloadable or e-delivery software
  • Firearms
  • Funeral products
  • Gas-powered mini bikes
  • Gift cards (except where required by law)
  • Go-karts
  • Minutes or PINs for prepaid cell phones
  • On-demand videos
  • Pepper spray
  • UTVs
  • Video game downloads
• Refund policy: Returns with the receipt will receive a refund to the original form of payment. Non-receipted returns must pass return verification (as previously reported) and may receive a cash refund or store credit.
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More Information About Returns

For more information on store return policies, see our list of stores that let you return clothes with or without tags.