Target Changes Return Policies. Will Other Stores Offer Easier Christmas Gift Returns?

If you shopped at Target or Walmart during last year's Christmas holiday season and required a receipt to return items, what a difference a year makes! Did you realize that you may be able to return items to Target without a receipt this year? If not - and you lost your receipt after a bout of Christmas shopping, you could simply assume you are out of luck. No returns.

But tough times, including a rocky economy, could help explain Target's more generous store return policy this year. While I think Walmart still offers clearer return policies (and they can be found online), Target does allow items to be returned without a receipt (with certain limitations, described below).

If you're checking for info on Target's new return policy online, the new rules don't exactly stand out. When I checked online for Target's return policy info, the first sentence noted that a receipt dated within 90 days was required for all returns. I had to scroll down the page to discover that a receipt was not necessarily required. Confusing? I thought so!

If you want to stay on top of Target and other store return policies, consider following these guidelines:

Savvy Shoppers Realize that Return Policies at Stores Like Target Can Change Quickly

When I went to my local Target store during the Christmas gifts and holiday shopping season last year, I was told that a receipt was required for a return. Now Target has made things easier for Black Friday and Christmas shoppers - and year round shopping - even if customers don't have receipts. Returns are unlimited and the spending limit is $70 per return but...

Holiday shoppers should double check local holiday return policies for local Target and other stores

I called a local Target store in Indianapolis to double check the information I found online. Although info at ConsumerReports.org indicated that items (up to $70 in value) could be returned as many times as desired, the customer service representative at the local Target in Indianapolis told me that the limit was $70 per year, not $70 per return. A driver's license will be required for identification.

Smart Christmas Shoppers Check Return Policies Carefully, Making it Easier for Gift Recipients to Return Unwanted Presents

If that Wii or Glamour Barbie or other item is on clearance or there is a stated "no return" policy, gift recipients are not likely to be able to return gifts (although my personal experience is that some stores are more lenient about this than others) during the Christmas shopping season, including Black Friday sales.

So ask a store manager if returns will be honored. In this tough economy, I've found that many managers are eager to please customers, putting more buying power on the customers' side. They may also offer an on the spot discount for some items. I've experienced that, too.

Fair is Fair - or Don't Try to Push Target or Other Store Return Policy Rules

If a toaster or microwave doesn't work, of course gift recipients have the right to return the item. But if an item is obviously used, damaged or broken after purchase, don't try to return it. Food crumbs in the microwave and indications of frequent use? Consider yourself stuck with the item. Even if Target and other stores change their return policies, don't try to push your luck by trying to return merchandise which is clearly used.

Sources:
Phone call to Indianapolis Target, Guest Services, Nora location, (317)810-0081, Oct 28, 2009
Target's Hidden Return Policy, April 29, 2008, Consumer Reports.org
Target's Return policy info: www.target.com/b/ref=br_bx_0/182-9564826-1203848