Target's Return Policy

Winnie Murugi

PissedConsumer Reporter

Target is one of the most easily accessible retail stores in America. It offers customers a wide range of products, from popular national brands to exclusive products and its own private labels.

However, customers often wonder: How easy is it to return items to Target? What is Target’s return policy, and is it favorable?

This article covers in-depth the Target return policy, including the return window, exceptions, refund policy, and return process for in-store and online returns.

Key Insights

• According to Target reviews, the company has a rating of 2.4 stars out of 5 possible.
• Target has 1978 stores across the USA.
• 8 out of 10 Americans shop at Target at least once a year.

What Is Target's Return Policy?

Target has a generous 90-day return policy. Most items can be returned for a refund or exchange within 90 days as long as they are in new condition. The return period starts once the order has been invoiced, i.e, when any part of it starts to be shipped.

Some items have a modified return policy, which is typically indicated on the receipt, packing slip, or product description if shopping on Target.com.

Certain items and purchases have an extended return period, while others have a shorter period as follows:

• Target owned brand items – 1 year
• EBT card purchases – 90 days
• Target Circle Card purchases – Additional 30 days
• Holiday and limited-time-only collections – As indicated when purchasing
• Electronics and entertainment items – 30 days
• All Apple and Beats products – 14 days
• Mobile phones -14 days
• Patio and outdoor furniture and accessories – 30 days
• Outdoor cooking appliances – 30 days
• Tools and accessories – 30 days
• Swim, watersports, and watersports accessories – 30 days
• Limited Time offers (LTO) Designer launches – 14 days

Target Circle Card offers an additional 30-day return period, however, it does not apply to Target Owned brands.

Target allows customers to return beauty products, even if opened within 90 days, and up to 120 days if purchased with a Target Circle Card.

What Are Exceptions to Target's Return Policy?

The following items cannot be returned to Target:

• International purchases
• Trading cards and trading card accessories
• Open or defective collectibles such as die-cast cars, Barbie dolls
• Personalized items
• Digital downloads
• Opened/unsealed breast pumps
• Specialty gift cards

On the other hand, airbeds, music, movies, video games, and software are only eligible for exchange if they have been opened.

How to Return Items at Target?

You can either return items in-store or online. Below is the Target returns process for each option.

In-store returns

Items purchased in-store or from Target.com at a Target near you. For all in-store returns, you must produce at least one of the following.

• A valid receipt
• A return barcode

If you don’t have a receipt, take the credit or debit card used to make the purchase; the store representative will use it to look up your receipt.

Bring the item you want to return to the Guest Services desk at a Target store near you. You may also initiate a return online and present a return barcode at the store.

Online returns

According to the Target online return policy, items bought in-store or on Target.com can be returned online via mail. Here are the steps for Target online returns:

1. Log in to your account on Target.com or the Target App.
2. Select Online to view your orders from the toggle at the top of the page.
3. Find the order you want to return under “Orders” on Target.com or “Purchases” in the Target app.
4. Select the “Return” option to initiate a return either to the store or by mail.
5. Follow the prompts to complete your refund request or to get a return barcode if you are returning the items in-store.
6. If returning by mail, you’ll receive a free return mailing label via email or on your order details page.
7. Proceed to pack the items, including the packaging they came in and the parts and accessories.
8. Attach the return label on the outside of the package.
9. Drop it off for shipping to a Target authorized UPS location.

Returns without a receipt

The standard Target Return Policy with receipt requires that customers produce proof of purchase when returning items. The most preferred proof of purchase is a receipt. You can access your receipts for online purchases or in-store purchases paid with an associated card through your Target account or wallet.

If you don’t have a receipt, Target will attempt to find other forms of proof, like your return barcode or order confirmation email. They may also look up the purchase using the credit/debit card used.

Target customer representatives may also attempt to look up your receipt using the credit or debit card used to make the purchase.

Without proof of purchase, you can only receive a refund in the form of a merchandise return card as per the Target return policy no receipt.

How Are Returns Processed?

Target may deny or limit a refund or exchange if the items are opened, damaged, or do not have a receipt. Furthermore, they state that they reserve the right "to deny returns, refunds and exchanges including but not limited to prevent fraud, suspected fraud or abuse."

According to the Target refund policy, once online returns have been received, they are inspected to determine if they are eligible for a refund or exchange. On average, it takes 7-10 business days to process your return and for a refund to be approved.

If you made the purchase using a Target Gift card, you will be given a new Target Giftcard with the respective amount credited. Similarly, for purchases made with a Target Circle Card, the refund will be credited back to the card.

The amount of time it takes for the refund to reflect on your end depends on your payment method. Generally, refunds to Target Circle Card take 2 days, while credit card refunds take up to 5 business days.

If returning mobile phones that have been opened, a restocking charge of $35 will apply, except in states where it is prohibited. Additionally, in some states the restocking fees are taxed.

Eligibility for shipping refunds depends on the reason for the return. For example, you will be eligible for a shipping refund if you return items for the wrong item received, or a damaged or broken item upon arrival, and in some other cases.

On the other hand, the items will not be eligible for a shipping refund if returned for the following reasons:

• Fabric doesn’t meet expectations
• Quality doesn’t meet expectations
• Wrong size
• Not compatible with existing systems
• Found lower price elsewhere
• Ordered by mistake
• Changed mind
• Doesn’t fit
• Purchased multiple items with intent to return

What Has Been Your Experience with the Target Return Policy?

The Target return policy is generally favorable. It offers customers a 90-day return period to return most items. However, different customers may have different experiences when returning items to Target.

Write a review on PissedConsumer.com to share your experience with returning items to Target.