Target Return Policy Explained in Detail (Time Limits, Refund Policy, etc)

Target Return Policy

Target allows returns or exchanges within 90 days for most items purchased in stores and online, with or without the receipt. If you don’t have a receipt, you’ll need to show your photo ID to make a return. Your item should be in new condition, or Target may deny the return or exchange.^[1] Some items have a modified return policy — if your item does, the return policy will appear on the receipt or packing slip.^[2]

We called Target stores in Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, and North Carolina to verify the details of its return policy. All of the locations we spoke to follow the corporate return policy.

Exceptions

Our related research features the details of Target’s return policies for specific items, including clothing, underwear, diapers, formula, furniture, makeup, swimwear, car seats, and TVs. Most of these items fall under Target’s general return policy, except for TVs, which you must return within 30 days of purchase.

There are a few additional categories of items that don’t fall under Target’s standard return policy, including the following:

RedCard Returns

Target RedCard debit and credit cardholders have an additional 30 days to return most items purchased with the RedCard, meaning a total return period of 120 days. This applies to both in-store and online purchases, but it excludes non-returnable items (as listed below), Target Optical purchases, or contract mobile phones.^[2]

Target-Owned Brands

You have one year from the purchase date to return items from Target-owned brands for a full refund or exchange. If you don’t have the receipt, Target may deny your return or exchange.^[2] Target-owned brands include:^[3]

• All in Motion
• A New Day
• Art Class
• Auden
• AVA & VIV
• Boots & Barkley
• Bullseye’s Playground
• Casaluna
• Cat & Jack
• Cloud Island
• Colsie
• Goodfellow & Co
• Hearth & Hand with Magnolia
• Heyday
• JoyLab
• Knox Rose
• Kona Sol
• Made By Design
• More Than Magic
• Opalhouse
• Open Story
• Original Use
• Pillowfort
• Project 62
• Prologue
• Room Essentials
• Shade & Shore
• Smith & Hawken
• Sonia Kashuk
• Spritz
• Stars Above
• Sun Squad
• Threshold
• Universal Thread
• up & up
• Wild Fable
• Xhilaration

Extended Holiday Returns

The Target holiday return policy applies to electronics and entertainment items. These items (except for Apple-brand items), when purchased from early October through Christmas Day, will have a 30-day return window start date of December 26. Apple-brand items, which follow a 15-day return policy outside of the holiday season, will have a 15-day holiday return window (which also begins on December 26).^[2]

Gasoline-Powered items

Lawnmowers and other gasoline-powered items are for sale at Target stores and Target.com; however, you can only return gasoline-powered items to a Target store. If you need to return a gasoline-powered item, be sure it’s empty of all gasoline and/or oil. Call Target Guest Services at (800) 591-3869 if your item contains any hazardous material residue.^[2]

Mobile Phones

You have 14 days from the date of purchase or delivery to return a mobile phone you purchased from Target. You might pay a $35 restocking fee if you opened the package. If you purchased the phone under a carrier contract, you might also be subject to the carrier’s early termination fees.^[2]

Freight Deliveries

You can return any item delivered to you by freight to a Target store, and you will not need to pay any restocking fees.^[1] You can also call Target Guest Services at (800) 591-3869 with your order information to determine if your large item is available for return pickup. You should also contact Guest Services if your freight delivery arrived damaged.

Typically, only items weighing more than 150 pounds are eligible for pickup.^[1] You should disassemble and box the item and include the packing slip. The freight driver will require the signature of someone over the age of 18.^[2]

Non-Returnable Items

There are a handful of items that you can’t return to Target, including:^[2]

• Gift cards (including specialty and prepaid cards)
• Personalized items
• Digital downloads
• Open or defective collectibles
• Open music, movies, video games, and software
• Open airbeds (as previously reported)

Return Process

In Stores

You can return most online and in-store purchases at the customer service desk at the front of your local Target store during regular store hours. However, keep in mind that you must return purchases from Target Optical, Starbucks, and Target Tech to the area of purchase.^[1]

It’s best to have your original receipt on hand, though Target may be able to look up your purchase. You shouldn’t need the original box (unless it’s an item that must be returned unopened) as long as you have proof of purchase.^[2]

For online purchases (including Target Plus items and brands), you’ll need to log in to your account to begin your online purchase return, even when returning it to a Target store. Once you find your order, select “Return an item” and choose “Return to store.” You can present your email receipt, print a receipt from your account, show the return barcode in the Target app, or show the delivery or shipping confirmation for your order. You will also need the original form of payment.^[2]

By Mail

To return an online purchase by mail, follow the prompts in your Target.com account to select the reason for the return and choose whether you want a replacement or a refund. Keep in mind that replacements are made based on item availability. You must return the item in the original package and in new condition.^[2] Follow the steps to print your free UPS return mailing label from your account. Finally, drop off your return at a UPS drop-off location.

Some items, such as lawnmowers, can’t be returned by mail, as noted above; check the shipping and return information for the item or the online product page for specifics. If you have multiple things to return, you can send them back in the same package as long as they all appear on the same shipping label; otherwise, you will need to send them separately.^[2]

Refunds

Your refund will be credited to the original payment form in up to about 10 business days. If you paid by credit or debit card, bring it with you when making an in-store return.^[2]

Note that if you purchased the item(s) with PayPal, your refund will be on a Target gift card. Additionally, if you don’t have a payment method on file, you will receive a refund check in up to 14 business days.^[2]

For online purchases, if the reason for your return is not due to an error made by Target, you may not receive a refund for your shipping charges. Call Guest Services at (800) 591-3869 to verify if you’re eligible for a shipping refund.^[2]