Walmart Damaged Item Return Policy – A Complete Breakdown

It’s rare that it happens, but every now and then, you may receive a damaged item in your Walmart order. We’ve all had it happen; I can think of at least twice it’s happened to me. However, Walmart is committed to ensuring its customers’ satisfaction, and they have a very helpful and straightforward damaged item return policy.

Here’s how it works:

Under Walmart’s standard return policy, you can typically return or replace items within 90 days of receipt. This applies to items purchased in-store and damaged or defective items upon arrival. To return a damaged item, Walmart offers three convenient options: by mail, scheduling a pickup from your home, or in-store at your nearest Walmart location.

Returning Damaged Items

Returns are much easier than you think when it comes to damaged items. Walmart doesn’t just assume you did anything, but they will inspect it, of course, to confirm the issues you have. Let’s go

All you need to do is keep the receipt of the item you purchased, as it will be required for any returns or exchanges. I usually keep a copy in my drawer, or sometimes I’ll just scan it into the Walmart receipt lookup tool. Another thing, especially with electronics, is keeping a hold on that original packaging! It’s necessary for most returns.

To return a damaged or defective item, you have two main options:

1. Return by mail: You can return the item by mail for a refund or replacement. Follow the instructions on Walmart’s website to initiate the return process and print out a prepaid return shipping label.
2. Return in-store: Bring the item along with your receipt to any Walmart store for a refund. All of this is handled at the large customer service desk, usually found at the front of the store next to the Vision Center.

Because the policies can vary, I thought itd be nice to put together a list of items that can exchanged or refunded if they are damage or have a defect. I also included the return window:

Product Category	Exchange	Refund	Return Window
Electronics	Yes	Yes	30- 90 days
Clothing	Yes	Yes	90 days
Furniture	Yes	Yes	90 days
Home & Garden	Yes	Yes	90 days
Health & Beauty	Yes	Yes	90 days
Sports & Outdoor	Yes	Yes	90 days
Toys	Yes	Yes	90 days
Baby Products	Yes	Yes	90 days
Auto Parts	Yes	Yes	90 days
Food Items*	No	Yes	90 days

Keep in mind that most items can be returned within 90 days, but rules may vary for different product categories. Here’s a summary of what to expect:

• Items sold and shipped by Walmart can generally be returned or replaced within 90 days of receipt.
• For purchases made during the holiday season, most items bought from October 1st can be returned until January 31st, but some exclusions, such as electronics, may apply.

If you’re not sure about the eligibility of your return, you can always call the store to confirm before making a trip out there. You can reach Walmart Customer Care at 1-800-966-6546 or use their online support portal for assistance as well.

I think the online portal is usually the quickest method, and you can do it right from your phone with virtually no wait times.

Online Order Returns Of Broken Items

It’s frustrating to receive a damaged item, but don’t worry! Walmart makes it easy to return broken items from your online purchases. When dealing with damaged goods, several options are available to you through Walmart.com, the app, and even via mail.

To initiate an online return, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Walmart.com account or the app.
2. Locate the order with the damaged item in your order history.
3. Select “Return by Mail” or “Return to Store” option based on your preference.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the return process.

The one concern I’ve seen shoppers have is with Walmart Marketplace sellers. They have pretty standard return policies themselves, but sometimes the terms can be different than Walmart’s overall 90-day policy.

The process of the return can sometimes be different. For example, some sellers won’t accept returns in the original packaging and may want to ship out a new box to you instead to facilitate that return.

Since each marketplace seller has their own return policy, you definitely need to scan the seller’s profile on Walmart.com beforehand. That’ll save you the headache, trust me! In case of any confusion or trouble with the return, you can always contact Walmart’s Customer Care team at 1-800-966-6546 for assistance.

Return Exceptions and Special Cases

As we all know, every product is not the same, and certain types will have different rules to abide by at Walmart. Some items might have unique return policies, while others may be non-returnable or marked as final sale. That may seem confusing, but don’t worry; I’ll walk you through the most common ones.

Examples of products that may have exceptions or be non-returnable include:

1. Used or opened products: Some items may not be accepted for return if they have been used or opened for safety or hygiene reasons. Think certain types of grocery items, or single-use products like earbuds.
2. Prepaid phones: These could have specific policies as they are related to mobile carriers.
3. Drones, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers: These high-value electronics may be subject to special guidelines by manufacturers.
4. Prescription glasses: Custom-made items like prescription glasses could be non-returnable.
5. Perishable items: Shrubs, trees, and certain plants may not be eligible for return due to their perishable nature.
6. Prohibited items: Tobacco, tires, and medical equipment might fall under certain restrictions and are non-returnable.
7. Software and digital products: These items may have specific manufacturer restrictions, especially with license codes to activate software.

Payments and Refunds

Obviously the most imporatant thing when it comes to sending back damaged items to Walmart is getting a refund. Thankfully, you have several options for receiving refunds on damaged or defective items, depending on the payment method you used for your purchase.

If you initially paid using a debit card, credit card, or Walmart gift card, your refund will be credited back to the original payment method. In the case of credit cards, the refund may take a few days to appear in your account.

The refund process works slightly differently for those who paid with cash or check. Here are the refund options available:

1. Cash refund: You can receive a cash refund for purchases made with cash after returning the damaged item to a Walmart store. However, depending on the store’s policy and the item’s value, you may be issued a check or a Walmart gift card instead.
2. Check: If you made your purchase with a personal check, you may be eligible for a cash refund. Keep in mind that there is usually a waiting period of around seven days after the transaction date. Alternatively, you can receive a Walmart gift card as a refund.

Where things may get tricky is when you don’t have a receipt for your purchase. In that case, expect to get store credit or an item replacement of equal value and type.

Damaged Items Not Eligible For Returns

Every policy has exceptions, restrictions, and limitations. And, although most products can be returned or replaced within 90 days of receipt, some can’t be returned at all if they’re damaged.

This includes these items:

• Books
• CDs
• DVDs
• Video games
• Prepaid gift cards
• Phone cards