The Home Depot is known to have a flexible return policy for any returned items. But what if an item in backorder does not meet the customer’s needs once it arrives? What if it takes too long to be delivered?

The answer is simple: The Home Depot has a flexible return policy for all its products, including back-ordered items.

While there can be limitations to the return process depending on the kind of product, the policy can allow returns for up to 3 months after making a purchase. However, would a backorder policy change the ability to return a product?

The Homer Depot Backorder Policy

Backorder items are rare, but when they happen, the customer will not be charged until that item ships. Since the item ships once it is available, Home Depot will cancel all orders after 60 days of being placed if the item does not come back in stock. To extend the wait, the customer must manually request an extension via their online account.

Additionally, the customer can cancel their order if the item does not ship and they cannot wait anymore. Cancelation of any back ordered items come at no charge to the customer. When a backorder item becomes available, the estimated delivery date appears for the customer to know when they can expect the item to arrive, and once it ships, they will see the charge on their card.

As with a regular purchase, these backorder items qualify for returns if they do not meet the customer’s needs or expectations.

General Return Policy

The Home Depot is known to have a flexible return policy; however, it does carry its limits depending on the items purchased. For example, if a customer buys a piece of wood and has it cut at the store, that piece of wood is not returnable if it does not work for a project.

The store recommends that customers consider whether they will be returning an item. The store takes items so long as they are unopened and purchased within 90 days from the return date. In addition, customers with The Home Depot credit card can make returns for up to one year (365 days) so long as the item in question was purchased using the credit card.

Customers must ensure that the items they purchase meet certain criteria and are of certain types. Ideally, it would be best for a customer to determine whether a product fits their needs for their project or home as soon as possible because the store recommends that items not be opened. However, this is not a dealbreaker. Sometimes, the customer must open the box to tell if a product needs to be returned because of a defect or missing part.

Some of the exceptions to their 90-day return policy are the following:

1. Furniture
2. Area Rugs
3. Gas Powered Equipment and Tractors
4. Generators (other than Whole House and Stationary Generators)
5. Consumer Electronics (Televisions & Computers)

All items listed above must be returned within 30 days of purchase, or they can no longer be returned to the store. Home Depot encourages customers to coordinate the return of these items as soon as possible.

Making a return

Customers can begin their return process by going to the customer service section at the store or beginning their return online. While not all orders are eligible for an online return, that is an available option, and customers can receive their UPS return slip through the online portal to attach to their package.

If the item purchased is a highly flammable product, the customer must bring it into a physical store to complete the return process because it is not an item that can be mailed due to safety concerns.

Where No Returns are Accepted

Like many retailers, especially those dedicated to home improvement, some items just cannot be returned because of the nature of the product or service. These products and services are as follows:

1. Gift cards and store credits 
2. Whole house and stationary generators 
3. Utility trailers 
4. Cut flowers and floral arrangements
5. Labor, delivery, and installation services 
6. Product samples
7. Custom products, including blinds and the home depot design center

• These products are made specifically to fit a unique space. The Home Depot allows for exchange only in these cases.

Appliances Have a Unique Return Policy

A different return process applies to these purchases if the customer is returning a major appliance. Home Depot asks that customers look at the appliances carefully before accepting delivery or taking the item from the store to look for any visible damages.

For any damages or defects identified after the appliance leaves the store, the customer must call (800) 455-3869 within 48 hours of delivery to report the issues and schedule a service to have the problem addressed, or the appliance returned.

The customer must accept the delivery of the purchased appliance within 30-days, or the order will be canceled.

Canceling Orders

While uncommon, sometimes orders come with a broken part or come damaged. In the event of this, customers can go to the store and exchange the item for another, or they can call 1(800) 430-3376 within 30 days of purchase for a resolution provided by the customer care team.

If the customer realizes that the item they ordered is no longer needed, they can go to the store and talk to the customer service department or online to their account to make changes. These changes can only be made while the product has yet to ship.

Even though customers can call the customer care center, going to the physical store and requesting a return or exchange is the quickest way to resolve an item that came broken or damaged.

Next Time You Need To Make A Return

Even if the purchased item was initially in backorder, The Home Depot has a flexible return policy that accepts most items sold within 90 days of purchase. While several categories carry exceptions and have unique policies, most products sold are returnable for 90 days since purchase. Plus, if the customer purchases the item with a Home Depot credit card, they have up to a year to make any needed returns.