6 Target Return Policy Tips To Keep in Mind

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Target is often referred to as the black hole of shopping, as you go in for a bar of soap and come out with $200 worth of toiletries and a new design scheme for your bathroom. If you are prone to impulse buying, worry not because when the shopping is this easy, so should be the return.

Read: Pocket an Extra $400 a Month With This Simple Hack

Quick Take: What Is Target’s Return Policy?

Target’s return policy ensures a refund or exchange for returned items that are new or unopened within 90 days. Here are some key takeaways:

• Certain items may have a modified return policy. 
• To get a full refund, unopened items must be returned within 90 days.
• You can add an extra 30 days to your return window if you paid with RedCard.
• You have a whole year to change your mind on Target-owned brand items or something from a registry. 
• Electronics, holiday or limited-time-only items may have a different or shorter return window. 
• Generally, your payment will be refunded to your original payment method such as your credit or debit card.
• This policy can be found on the receipt, packing slip, Target policy board, Target.com or in the item’s description. 
• Opened or damaged items or items without a receipt might be denied an exchange or refund.
• The following items cannot be returned: Trading cards, trading card accessories, open or defective collectibles, personalized items, digital downloads, opened or unsealed breast pumps, specialty gift cards, pre-paid gift cards and more. 

6 Tips To Get the Most Out of Target’s Return Policy

When it comes to returning items at best you get a full refund, and at worst, you’re stuck with an item you don’t want. Fortunately, Target offers an extensive return policy and here are six tips to make the refund process smoother:

1. Returning turn items to Target
2. RedCard vs. other payment methods
3. Electronics
4. Items you can’t return
5. Other limitations or exceptions
6. “Keep it” policy

1. How To Return Items to Target

If you have your receipt, the return policy is pretty straightforward. If you don’t, it can be more difficult, but not impossible. 

How To Return Items to Target With a Receipt

Here’s what you need to know about returning your items with a receipt, whether in-store or online.

In-Store Returns

For regular returns, take the item and your receipt, packing slip or order details page to the Guest Services counter at a Target store. The Target team member can also look up receipts using your original payment method.

For gift items, take the item and gift receipt or packing slip to the Guest Services counter at a Target store. You’ll receive a refund in the form of a Target gift card with these exceptions:

• In-store returns accompanied by a gift receipt aren’t eligible for same-day processing.
• Gifts returned without a gift receipt or packing slip might receive a merchandise return card — valid only for in-store purchases — instead of a Target gift card.

Online Returns

If the item was purchased from Target.com, you can return it by mail. If there are no exceptions, you can also can return it to a store. You’ll need to find the order on Target.com and follow the prompts in the Return section to get a return label. You can also contact Target.com Guest Services at 800-591-3869 for further information.

How To Return Items to Target Without a Receipt

Check your Target.com account for the receipt or a return barcode, or bring the item and your purchase payment method to the Guest Services counter at a Target store. For Target.com purchases, you can show confirmation emails and order barcodes in place of a receipt. If you have the Target app, you can pull up a digital receipt if you’ve lost the paper version.

2. RedCard vs. Other Payment Methods

The time frame to return or exchange items changes according to the method of payment used. Here are the details on Target’s return policy for credit card purchases and purchases made with other forms of payment:

3. Electronics

Under Target’s regular return policy, electronics and entertainment items must be returned within 30 days to receive a refund or exchange. Apple products, except for iPhones, must be returned within 15 days. If you purchase a mobile phone at a Target store or order one at Target.com and pick it up at a store, you’ll have 14 days to return it.

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4. Items You Can’t Return

Unfortunately, there are some items you can’t return to Target. For example, that air mattress your grandma bought for you to sleep on during your weekend visit and then gifted to you? It’s only available to exchange for a similar item. Here are some other items that you can’t return to Target:

• Open or defective collectible items, such as special edition Barbies, action figures and die-cast cars
• Personalized or digital download items
• Open video games, software, music and movies are only exchangeable for the same title on the same gaming platform or a different gaming platform
• Target gift cards, unless required by law
• Restaurant, entertainment and lottery cards, as well as other specialty or prepaid gift cards

5. Other Limitations or Exceptions

There may be some items that you can’t return, or other exceptions. Here’s what you should know so your return will go as planned.

• Refunds to a Target RedCard can take one to two days; refunds to a third-party credit card can take up to five days.
• For refunds in the form of a merchandise return card, you can only check the card’s balance and make purchases in a Target store.
• Large items like furniture and electronics might be eligible for pickup; call Target.com Guest Services at 800-440-0680 to find out if your item is eligible.
• Other exceptions to the Target return policy include items from Target-owned brands fall under a one-year return policy with a receipt.
• Target RedCard debit or credit card holders get an additional 30 days to return most purchases made at Target stores and Target.com with their RedCard.
• Holiday items and limited-time-only collections may be subject to modified return policies.

6. The ‘Keep It’ Policy

Target is one of many major retailers offering the option to keep your return and still get a refund. Aside from retaining customer loyalty, in many ways, it doesn’t make fiscal sense for these companies to process certain returns. Though this won’t be the policy for all items Target, along with other big names such as Walmart and Amazon also employs a “keep it” policy when it comes to some returns.

Final Take To GO

Now that you know more about Target’s policy, you can decide what to do next, whether you’re shopping or need to return an item. Making the most out of your refunding ability only enhances your shopping experience.

Caitlyn Moorhead and Chris Ozarowski contributed to the reporting for this article.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

The article above was refined via automated technology and then fine-tuned and verified for accuracy by a member of our editorial team.

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