Your Complete Guide to Retail Return Policies

A return policy outlines the terms for customer returns, like the number of days allowed for a return and the condition the item should be in.

Typically, a retail return policy ranges from 14 to 60 days. The period may extend during holidays and also depends on whether the purchase is online or in-store.

This policy details how to return products and how refunds are processed, like via credit or debit cards, or through replacements. Shipping costs for returns might also be specified.

Common policies usually offer a 15- to 30-day return window. However, some businesses extend this up to 90 or even 365 days, especially for gift receipts.

A 'no refund' policy means all sales are final. It must be clearly stated before a sale. The absence of a policy might require returns based on state laws.

In small retail businesses, the policy outlines reasons and timeframes for accepted returns, ranging from damaged items to change of mind.

In the U.S., a refund can be legally refused unless state laws or cooling-off periods apply. Refunds are obligatory for defective or damaged products.