Some retailers have cracked down on the timeframe customers can return in-store purchases on major appliances, like refrigerators, dishwashers and washers and dryers.
Major retailers like Walmart and home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot have quick return guidelines for these appliances at just 48 hours. Specifically, Walmart and Home Depot’s 48-hour return policies pertain to major appliances that have damages or defects. Lowe’s return policy does not specify, on the other hand. In most cases, after these 48-hour windows close, customers must rely on the appliances’ warranty if any defects are found.
Lowe’s and Home Depot did not provide statements on their 48-hour return policies when contacted by USA TODAY on July 25.
These two-day policies contrast with longer, more generous timeframes, like Costco, which allows up to 90 days for returns of major appliances. Costco’s return policy, in fact, has recently sparked controversy, as some fear the liberal conditions can be easily abused.
Interested in seeing how return policies compare? Here’s what to know.
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How do return policies for appliances compare at different retailers?
Here’s a look at how return policies for major appliances compare at several different retailers:
Lowe’s: 48 hours for opened major appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, washers and dryers, ranges, hoods, dishwashers, over-the-range microwaves, cooktops and wall ovens.
The Home Depot: 48 hours for major appliances, including refrigerators, washers and dryers, ranges, dishwashers and some microwaves and original shipping charges for online purchases will not be fully refunded.
Walmart: 2 days for major appliances, including refrigerators, washers and dryers, ranges, dishwashers and some microwaves, a Walmart spokesperson confirmed. Unopened, uninstalled products may be eligible for return within a 30-day window. All major appliance returns must be made through the Walmart website or mobile app, not in person.
Costco: 90 days for major appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, ranges, cooktops, over-the-range and under-counter microwaves, range hoods, dishwashers, water heaters and washers and dryers. Returns can be made at any Costco warehouse or online.
Kohl’s: “Most” items within 90 days and shipping charges for online purchases will not be refunded, a Kohl’s spokesperson confirmed. Items purchased in-store must be returned in-store.
Target: “Most items” within 90 days.
IKEA: 365 days for new, unopened products and 180 days for opened products.
Best Buy: 15 days for “most items,” including major appliances, a Best Buy spokesperson confirmed. To return a major appliance, customers must start be calling 1-888-237-8289.
Amazon: 30 days for “most items,” including large appliances, as long as they are “in original or unused condition.”
The Walmart, Kohl’s and Best Buy spokespeople all requested not to be named.
Target and IKEA’s return policies do not specify the timeline for returning major appliances. These retailers did not immediately respond for clarification on their return policies when contacted by USA TODAY on July 25.
Lowe’s 48-hour return policy also applies to utility vehicles, like golf carts and go-karts; air conditioners and outdoor power equipment, like pressure washers and chainsaws. Lowe’s products that are in original, unopened and undamaged factory-sealed packaging may be returned within 30 days, the Lowe’s return policy states online.
Why do some retailers have shorter return periods than others?
There isn’t a black-and-white answer as to why some retailers have longer return windows than others. But simply put, some retailers want to give customers less time to make a decision on whether to bring an item back or not, especially as the number of returns continues to be on the rise.
In 2023, retail returns amounted to approximately $743 billion, according to a National Retail Federation report. And in 2024, retail returns are expected to have amounted to $890 billion, another National Retail Federation report states.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Return policies: Some retailers only offer 48 hours for appliances
