What Is Walmart Return Policy (All You Need To Know!)

Walmart provides a 90-day return policy on all products with the exception of select electronics including but not limited to computers, camcorders, digital music players and GPS units which must be returned within 15 days with receipt.

In most cases, retailers like Walmart don’t have a lot of requirements to meet when it comes to their return policies. Unless they’re legally required to do so, there isn’t typically much consistency across the board. It make things confusing for customers in that they can end up taking items from a store then find out later on that the retailer wasn’t obligated to accept it if it doesn’t adhere to their policies for whatever reason. If you need to return electronics at Walmart, here is what you should know about the company’s specific electronics return policy.

Walmart Electronics Return Policy

If you’re purchasing anything electronic-related at Walmart, you can only initiate returns during certain windows of time. And different products carry different return periods – so it’s important to know which product category a purchase falls under in order to determine how long you have before returning it becomes no longer possible.

For most electronics, you have up to ninety days after purchase to return them. This includes many popular items in the electronics department such as DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and video games, so long as they are unopened. However there are numerous exceptions with different timeframe requirements – for example, some items can only be returned within 30 days of purchase. Items such as 3D printers and 3D printer supplies should be returned within 30 days. Furthermore, a group of electronics should be returned within 15 days and they include; 

• E-readers
• Drones
• MP3 players
• Portable video players
• GPS units
• Pre-paid cell phones
• Printers (not including 3D printers)
• Digital cameras
• Camcorders
• Smartwatches
• Activity trackers
• Desktop computers
• Laptop computers
• Video game hardware (including pre-owned or refurbished)
• Tablets

Lastly, Walmart will only allow you to return a post-paid cell phone within 14 days after purchase. 

Items Not Eligible Under The Walmart Electronics Return Policy

Regardless of the reason, some items are not eligible for a return at any time at Walmart, and they include; 

• Software received through eDelivery
• Video game download cards
• Prepaid cell phone minutes
• Anything with an electronically fulfilled PINs
• Intimate massagers (including unopened ones)

Walmart’s Holiday Season Return Policy For Electronics

During the holidays, there seems to be a lot of uncertainty from customers and company management on whether many returns are being fraudulently filed by people trying to capitalize on others’ naivety. For example, if someone purchases a digital camera for $400 and then finds a better one for $200 in January, they can return the item with no questions asked. The question is whether the company will get caught short of merchandise during this critical time – which is why more companies are extending their return windows at this time of year as well.

Walmart also has a great customer service and a return policy that can be useful for anyone who has recently had a large purchase made at their store recently during the holiday season. The policy states that for some items, there’s extended refund coverage under certain specific circumstances. If you already made returns to the home department of your local Walmart, you could qualify for some extra time if you bought it during the holiday season between November 1st and December 25th because if it was returned while they were open until 10pm, then it qualifies as if it were returned on January 10th – so customers get another chance to take advantage of this guarantee! We’ve listed the items covered by this policy below. 

• E-readers
• GPS units
• Pre-paid cell phones
• Drones
• Digital cameras
• Camcorders
• Desktop computers
• Laptop computers
• Video game hardware
• Tablets
• MP3 players
• Portable video players

Third-Party Seller Electronics Returns

If you purchase an item through a Walmart Marketplace seller on walmart.com, then you’ll have to follow the return policies specified by that seller, who might offer different return options across their individual inventory. Many sellers offer a minimum 30-day return window while electronics usually carry shorter window periods as they can be more complex items that require special care and are difficult to send back any further than is absolutely necessary. Returns on the following items only will be accepted if they occur within 15 days of the delivery date. 

• MP3 Players
• Portable video players
• Pre-paid and post-paid cell phones
• Drones
• Printers (excluding 3D printers)
• GPS units
• Desktop computers
• Laptops
• Tablets
• E-readers
• Digital cameras
• Camcorders

The item you purchased from a third-party marketplace seller is not eligible for a return at your local Walmart. In this scenario, we recommend that you contact the company directly because they might be able to facilitate a refund or exchange. To find out more, please review the details of your purchase.

Walmart Refund Policy On Electronics 

If you made your purchase via cash or a check and have your receipt, you can most likely receive cash in return for the same amount of your purchase. When cashing-in an item you may even prefer to request a Walmart gift card, which would be great if you are shopping because they are convenient to carry around and more safe than carrying cash.

For debit card purchases, there’s no need to write a check. Your money should be easy to find, whether it goes back on your debit card or onto a Walmart gift card. Walmart doesn’t process cash refunds for credit card purchases if you have a receipt. If you have no receipt and don’t have a gift card, then your only option is to get a gift card as reimbursement. If, however, the value of the item was less than $25, then you can keep it!

Limitations For Using Walmart’s Electronics Return Policy

Most retailers require a valid government-issued photo ID as part of their return policy restrictions that help them against fraud and abuse. This is important because it allows employees to capture your customer purchase history so they can better assist you in making a more informed decision about the status of your return by checking the record pre-approved retailer policies when accepting returns.

There are very few return policies that have been strictly abused like the Walmart’s. It has a reputation of refusing to accept returns regardless of whether the customer has receipts or not. Most of the time, it’s because they don’t want to lose any money at all on certain items (usually when they were damaged upon purchase). If you make sure to read the policy carefully and act in accordance with it, you won’t run into much trouble as long as your returns aren’t frequent.

Return Policy Adjustments For Electronics Recalls

When you have an item that is recalled, there are special rules that you need to follow. For example, you don’t need the receipt or all of the product’s components if this happens. But make sure you check with the manufacturer prior to returning any items since some requirements differ based on what make and model of products which might be more value oriented than Walmart electronics products which don’t require original packaging or even a receipt as part of their return policy but do include other methods by which someone can get their money back such as gift cards at no additional cost.

Walmart offers refunds for all its customers. Although each return can vary, returns are guaranteed in most cases. For example, electronics that have been recalled are often refunded regardless of how they were purchased and when a customer no longer needs or wants certain products, Walmart guarantees a refund upon request! 

FAQs

How long is Walmart return policy on TVs?

Yes, some of the TVs you buy at Walmart can be returned to the company with no packaging or original box as long as you have a receipt and are within 30 days from purchase. The television also needs to be in its fully functional form with zero defects, damage, and all accessories should still be intact so that one can get a full refund or exchange.

Can I return my broken TV to Walmart?

Customers who want to return a damaged TV purchased at Walmart within 30 days of purchase are eligible for a return. If the customer does not have the original packaging, Walmart will give the customer shipping labels for returning the TV once it is tested by the company’s technicians.

Can I return opened electronics to Walmart?

According to some Walmart policies, most any items can be returned without a receipt in exchange for another. Some exceptions are there, like electronics, outdoor tools, entertainment items, computers (& camera), GPS units and other such electronics considered high-end equipment. For these items you can get a cash refund for the same price however.

Final Thoughts

Walmart will accept returns within 90 days of purchase. In a few exceptional cases, however, such as for electronics including but not limited to computers, camcorders, digital music players and GPS units; these items have to be returned within 15 days from when you made the purchase.

References:

https://www.walmart.com/help/article/walmart-standard-return-policy/adc0dfb692954e67a4de206fb8d9e03a
https://www.ajc.com/news/walmart-return-policy-5-things-to-know/KIN2BZUNFZHFRC2PFE7VEKN5WU

Last Updated on August 6, 2022 by Ana S. Sutterfield