Stores with the strictest return policies (and what's final sale)

Short answer: The shortest standard windows among stores we track: Apple (14 days from receipt); Best Buy (15 days (60 for Plus/Total members)); GameStop (15 days new unopened; 7 days pre-owned); Samsung (15 days from delivery); Adidas (30 days of receipt (online)); Amazon (30 days of delivery).

Academy Sports + Outdoors

• Final sale: firearms & ammunition (except Academy-exclusive brands), bows, crossbows, knives, many shooting/hunting items, gas/fuel-powered items, trading cards, gift cards

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-19

Adidas

• Final Sale items (marked on product page), face covers, MCBP and Points-for-Products items
• Seasonal surcharges nonrefundable; restocking fee possible for resellers
• Products with a protective polythene lining cannot be returned if the lining is removed. All components must be included.

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Amazon

• Non-returnable: perishables, many health/safety-risk items, customized products, Amazon Pharmacy, pet meds, certain digital goods, Final Sale (e.g. trading card games, Haul ≤$3)

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

American Eagle

• Final Sale items cannot be returned or exchanged

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-19

Apple

• Ineligible: opened software (if installed/seal broken), ESD downloads, software upgrades, Apple Gift Cards, Apple Developer products
• Repackage with all cords/adapters/documentation. Opened software generally ineligible if installed or seal broken; electronic downloads and gift cards not returnable.

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

AutoZone

• Gift cards final sale

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Banana Republic

• Final Sale: no returns/exchanges

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Bath & Body Works

• Gift cards not returnable

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Bed Bath & Beyond

• Non-returnable, final sale, or As-Is items

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Best Buy

• Nonreturnable once purchased: custom/personalized, Final Sale, many digital codes/gift cards, high Wh batteries, e-bikes/mopeds, plumbing items, trading cards, etc.
• Nonreturnable once opened: bodily-fluid products, SIM kits, LEGO, consumables, Marketplace entertainment physical media, etc.
• Like-new condition expected. Apparel unworn with tags. Missing accessories/packaging may mean denial or deduction. Many consumables/bodily-fluid items nonreturnable once opened.

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

BJ's Wholesale

• Final sale: trading cards, alcohol/tobacco/lottery, gift cards, opened DVDs/software/games, opened massage chairs, prescription eyewear, items with fuel added
• Opened mattresses (out of plastic) not returnable—manufacturer warranty

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Chewy

• Activated Chewy gift cards not returnable

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Costco

• Cigarettes/alcohol: no returns where prohibited
• Special Order Kiosk / custom installed: generally non-returnable except warranty issues
• Airline/live events, precious metals, shop cards, gift cards/tickets: non-refundable
• Satisfaction guarantee applies broadly, subject to listed exceptions (electronics window, custom orders, non-refundables).

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Crate & Barrel

• Not returnable: personalized items, custom/made-to-order furniture, NFL items, final sale, floor samples, live botanicals, cut fabric yardage
• Items must be new and unused/resalable. Items used or damaged through normal wear and tear are not returnable.

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-19

CVS

• Gift/prepaid/phone cards non-returnable except where required by law
• At-home COVID-19 tests non-returnable
• Some health/personal care items non-returnable even unopened
• Prescriptions: generally non-returnable by law (error handling via pharmacy/Customer Care)

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Dell

• Software can’t be returned unless it was installed by Dell on a returnable product (other narrow exceptions on Dell’s page)

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-19

Dick's Sporting Goods

• Final sale: trading cards, custom/special-order, autographed memorabilia, fuel-powered items, airbeds, gift cards
• Used baseball/softball bats not eligible
• Products must be clean and resalable. Football helmets, air beds, e-scooters/bikes, face coverings, mouthguards, Whoop trackers, and more cannot be returned once opened/seal broken.

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Dillard's

• Non-returnable: clearance marked down 65%+, certain extra-discount items, personalized merchandise

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Dollar General

• Merchandise purchased online cannot be returned at any Dollar General retail store (Terms & Conditions)
• DG Delivery: self-service refunds for broken/expired/incorrect items (up to 2 items or $5); delivery fees and tips nonrefundable

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

eBay

• Some Authenticity Guarantee purchases are final sale

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

GameStop

• Final sale: trading cards, blind items, clearance, digital, books, consumables
• Opened new hardware, software, accessories, collectibles, PCs are final sale (defective exchange allowed).

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Gap

• Final Sale: no returns/exchanges

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Guitar Center

• Not returnable: clearance, discontinued, Apple hardware, computers, opened software, downloads, books, CDs, vinyl, in-ear buds/monitors, earplugs, tubes, harmonicas, special orders

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-19

H&M

• No returns past 30 days in store or online

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Home Depot

• Live goods: perennials/trees/shrubs often 1-year guarantee; cut flowers non-returnable
• Whole-house/stationary generators, utility trailers, gift cards, custom paint samples: non-returnable

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

IKEA

• No returns: plants, cut fabric, custom countertops, as-is

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

J.Crew

• Not returnable: monogrammed, personalized, lingerie, vintage, altered, final sale

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

JCPenney

• Not returnable: gift cards, monogrammed/personalized/altered, body jewelry, face masks, false lashes, ear piercing kits, perishable food, services

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Kirkland's Home

• Personalized items and fresh-cut holiday trees & greenery: final sale
• Mail returns to the distribution center may have a 10% return shipping fee; shipping charges are non-refundable

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-19

Kohl's

• Non-refundable: beverages; opened/unsealed breast pumps & accessories; trading cards; blind box items/toys

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Lowe's

• Holiday decor: Christmas/Halloween must be returned on/before the holiday; post-holiday purchases final sale
• Nonrefundable: labor, install, many gift cards, whole-house generators, as-is, paint samples, trading cards, etc.
• Standard policy is framed around new, unused merchandise. Liquid paint and many sealed OPE categories have shorter windows. Biohazard-risk used items cannot be returned once used.

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Lululemon

• Final sale: gift cards, We Made Too Much sale items (unless member), customized products

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Macy's

• Backstage: 30 days to Backstage locations; final sale as-is
• Final sale examples: food/beverages/plants, gift cards, altered/personalized, family planning items, portable power stations, Last Act, gourmet gifts

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Michaels

• Opened trading cards, gift cards, cut fabric, clearance: final sale

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Microsoft Store

• Digital goods (apps, games, add-ons, subscriptions, movies, books) not returnable unless the law requires

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-19

Newegg

• Non-returnable: office supplies, software, ink/toner, warranty service, digital games, special orders
• Final sale: open-box items
• Opened returns accepted for many categories, but must include all accessories, packaging and labels. 15% restocking fee on opened hard drives, motherboards, graphics cards, projectors and TVs. Opened software, games, consoles and consumables are not returnable.

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-19

Nike

• Custom Jersey By You soccer jerseys not returnable
• Nike Clearance store purchases are final; other purchases cannot be returned to Clearance stores

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Nordstrom

• Gift cards cannot be returned
• Watchfinder & Co. pre-owned items: final sale

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Nordstrom Rack

• Final Sale / Non-Returnable items excluded
• Fine jewelry & designer items purchased at Nordstrom/Nordstrom.com not returnable to Rack or by mail to Rack channels

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Office Depot

• Cleaning, breakroom, safety, PPE, COVID tests: not returnable
• Gift/prepaid cards not returnable

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Old Navy

• Final Sale: no returns/exchanges
• Standard apparel returns/exchanges within window; Final Sale not returnable.

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Petco

• Prescription medicine/pharmacy: not returnable
• Saltwater aquatic life, grooming/training services: nonrefundable
• Mail return shipping deducted; shipping charges nonrefundable

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

PetSmart

• No returns: prescription medication; special orders in store

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

REI

• Final sale: in-store Re/Supply used gear, memberships, lift tickets, passes, gift cards

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Ross

• Some categories not returnable without receipt

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Sam's Club

• No returns: gift/prepaid cards, collectibles, trading cards, custom items, Truckload purchases, prescriptions

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Samsung

• Shipping, installation and other service fees are non-refundable

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-19

Sephora

• Sephora.com / store purchases cannot be returned at Sephora at Kohl’s (and vice versa)
• New or gently used accepted within 30 days. Gift cards and some Favorites kits / intimate care items final sale.

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

SHEIN

• Non-returnable: bodysuits, lingerie, underwear, jewelry, accessories, cosmetics, pet products, clearance, final sale

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

SKIMS

• Final Sale items cannot be returned

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-19

Staples

• Gift/prepaid cards nonrefundable

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Target

• Final sale: trading cards & accessories; personalized items; digital downloads; open/unsealed breast pumps; gift cards; select Partner items

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Temu

• Groceries/food not returnable (damaged fresh items: report within 72 hours)
• Some health, underwear, customized items not returnable
• Worn/washed clothing or removed tags/hygiene stickers not returnable; used/damaged returns get reduced refunds.

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

TJ Maxx

• Some high-value categories ineligible for in-store return (e.g., items over $1000; handbags/footwear over $499.99; long occasion gowns; luggage sets)
• Sister brands: tjmaxx.com items not returnable to Marshalls/other TJX banners
• In-store purchased merchandise cannot be returned online
• Used/worn/unsellable not accepted. Beauty opened or tampered with cannot be returned.

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Ulta

• Shipping charges non-refundable for ulta.com
• New or gently used OK within windows. Non-returnable: gift cards; salon wigs/extensions; intimate wellness devices; Mini Brands Capsules must be sealed.

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Uniqlo

• Not returnable: used/washed, damaged, altered, final sale, innerwear (underwear/bras), RE.UNIQLO used items, non-US purchases

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Walgreens

• Non-returnable: gift cards, prepaid/phone cards, mobile phones, bathing suits, underwear, earrings, sexual wellness, seasonal products, hazmat, COVID-19 test kits
• Prescriptions generally non-returnable by law

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Walmart

• 2 days: major appliances (unopened, factory-sealed appliances up to 30 days; not returnable in stores)
• Final sale examples: firearms & ammunition, prescription medications, diabetic supplies, pepper spray, home diagnostic tests, gas-powered recreational vehicles, used or mounted tires

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Wayfair

• Not returnable: open box, clearance, gift cards, made-to-order/personalized, live plants, swatches, certain dangerous goods
• Items delivered disassembled should be returned disassembled. Open Box items not returnable.

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Whole Foods

• Gift cards not returnable

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-14

Zappos

• Final Sale items are not returnable

Source: official policy · verified 2026-10-19