Some of America’s top retailers like Walmart, Lowe’s, and Home Depot announced a 48 hour return policy on selected products. This announcement comes as a shock since consumers will now only have opportunity to return big appliances within two days. Other retail giants like Costco, still allows consumers to return their products within 90 days.
Walmart’s 48 hour return policy
This return policy may come as a surprise to many consumers, especially those dedicated to retailers like Walmart, Lowe’s, and Home Depot. These three retail giants has reduced the duration consumers have to return their products, especially the big appliances. These in-store big appliances include refrigerators, dishwashers, washers and dryers. Also, the retailers like Walmart and Home Depot’s 48-hour return policies pertain specifically to big appliances that have damages or defects.
On the other hand, the 48 hour return policy of Lowe’s does not specify that consumers can only return big appliances, that are damaged or have defects. Unlike that of Walmart and Home Depot. In addition, It has been stated that after the 48-hour window close, consumers will only be able to rely on the appliances’ warranty if any problems are detected. The retailers, Lowe’s and Home Depot, did not make any statements on the retailers’ 48-hour return policies.
Why the 48 hour return implementation?
It as been stated that there is no easy and clear answer to this question. However, some retailers my reduce the time frame of the return policy, to give consumers less time to make a return decision. If consumers will have less time available to return items, they may decide against returning it due to several reasons. Also, since the number of returns is continuously on the rise, this is also may also be a way to control that situation.
In addition, retail returns amounted to around $743 billion in 2023, as recorded by the National Retail Federation. A year later, in 2024, the report stated that the retail returns were expected to have amounted to $890 billion. This is evidence of the rise of return and the impact that will have on companies can only be imaged. Therefore, there is a need for an intervention that will address the loss that maybe companies are experiencing, all due to the return policy.
Return policies at various retail giants
Every retailer has their respective way of how they want to deal with their return policy, but it has always been set at a reasonable duration for consumers. Below is a list of return policies for big appliances for several retailers:
- Lowe’s: Made a change to 48 hours for opened big appliances, which includes items such as: refrigerators, freezers, washers and dryers, ranges, hoods, dishwashers, over-the-range microwaves, cooktops and wall ovens.
- The Home Depot: Set at 48 hours for big appliances, which includes items such as: refrigerators, washers and dryers, ranges, dishwashers and even some microwaves.
- Walmart: Also currently set at 2 days (48 hours) for big appliances, which includes items such as: refrigerators, washers and dryers, ranges, dishwashers and even some microwaves. According to a Walmart spokesperson unopened, uninstalled products may be eligible to be returned within a 30-day period. Consumers should also note that all big appliance returns should be made through the retailer’s website or mobile app, and will be accepted in person.
- Costco: Still has its 90 days for big appliances. These items includes refrigerators, freezers, ranges, cooktops, over-the-range and under-counter microwaves, range hoods, dishwashers, water heaters and washers and dryers. The returns if items can be made at any Costco store or even online.
- Kohl’s: “Most” items can be returned within 90 days. However, shipping charges for online sales will not be refunded. This was confirmed by a Kohl’s spokesperson. Also, it is important to note that items that were purchased in-store should be returned in-store.
- Target: “Most items” can be returned within a 90 days period, unlike the 48 hour rule with Walmart, Lowe’s and Home Depot.
- IKEA: 365 days for new, for items that are unopened and 180 days is items have already been opened.
- Best Buy: 15 days for “most items,” this includes big appliances. This information was confirmed by a Best Buy spokesperson. Also, if consumers want to return big appliances, they should start by calling 1-888-237-8289.
- Amazon: Has a 30 days return period for “most items.” These items includes big appliances, as long as the items are “in original or unused condition.”