There’s no reason to keep an unwanted gift. Here’s how to return them without a hassle.
Macy is a writer on the AI Team. She covers how AI is changing daily life and how to make the most of it. This includes writing about consumer AI products and their real-world impact, from breakthrough tools reshaping daily life to the intimate ways people interact with AI technology day-to-day. Macy is a North Carolina native who graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a BA in English and a second BA in Journalism. You can reach her at [email protected].
Expertise Macy covers consumer AI products and their real-world impact Credentials
- Macy has been working for CNET for coming on 2 years. Prior to CNET, Macy received a North Carolina College Media Association award in sports writing.
The gifts have been unwrapped, your family has headed back home, and now you’re looking at a few select presents you don’t actually want or need. It happens to everyone eventually. Maybe your cousin got you something you already have, or Mom snagged you a new sweater in the wrong size. Whatever the reason, knowing how to return it to the retailer is crucial.
Every store has its own rules for refunds and exchanges, including how long you have to bring something back. Some windows are generous… others, not so much.
Keep reading for a quick breakdown of return policies at Amazon, Apple, Walmart, Target, Best Buy and Macy’s. And if you’re shipping anything back, you’ll also find tips on cutting those shipping costs.
Amazon returns
Items bought from Amazon — even Amazon Warehouse — typically have a 30-day return window. Since 30 days can come and go quickly, it’s always best practice to open the package immediately to determine if you want to keep it. If not, box it back up in the same packaging and ship it back as soon as possible.
If you need to make a return past the 30-day window, you may be able to get a refund for up to 80% of the total price on an Amazon gift card. Many Amazon retailers will also exchange the item for another size or color for free. Amazon sellers may all have different return policies, so be sure to read the product details to catch any special considerations.
For tips on how to ship the Amazon return, follow these guidelines.
Apple returns
Apple’s standard return policy is 14 days from the date you received the product. Note, only items that have been purchased directly from Apple, either online or at an in-person Apple Retail Store, can be returned to Apple.
Apple has an extended holiday return policy. Eligible products from Apple Store Online received between Nov. 12, 2025, and Dec. 25, 2025, may be returned through Jan. 8, 2026.
Best Buy returns
Best Buy offers a standard 15-day return policy for most products and a 14-day return window for activatable devices like phones or tablets. My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total members have a full 60 days to return anything purchased, excluding activatable devices.
If you’re returning a gift you received, you’ll get store credit for the purchase price if you return it in a store. If you return the gift by mail, the gift buyer will get the credit.
Best Buy also offers an extended holiday return policy. Purchases made Oct. 31, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025, have an extended return window through Jan. 15, 2026, with a few exceptions.
Macy’s returns
Items from Macy’s must be returned within 30 days. If it’s an item from a gift registry, you have a 90-day window from the event date to return it.
For the holiday season, Macy’s return timeframe is extended. Most purchases in-store or online made between Oct. 6, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2025, will be returnable until Jan. 31, 2026.
Target returns
Target also has a standard 90-day return policy, with a few exceptions. If you have the RedCard, Target’s credit card, you have a full 120 days to make returns. And you’re returning a Target brand item or an item from your registry, you have a full year to make the return.
Target also offers an extended holiday return policy for certain items:
- For all electronics and entertainment items (excluding Apple & Beats products) purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, 2025, a 30-day refund period will start on Dec. 26, and items must be returned by Jan. 24, 2026.
- For Apple products, including Beats, and mobile phones purchased in-store or online as a pickup order between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, a 14-day refund window starts on Dec. 26, and items must be returned by Jan. 8, 2026.
- For most Target Plus items, excluding seasonal holiday décor, will have 30 days from Dec. 26 to make a return, so items must be returned by Jan. 24, 2026.
Walmart — like many other retailers — offers extended holiday returns.
WalmartWalmart returns
Walmart’s standard online or in-store return policy is typically 90 days from the purchase date. That means most items purchased between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025, are returnable through Jan. 31, 2026.
Walmart does have some exceptions for returns. For instance, Marketplace and consumer electronics items are only returnable within 30 days. When purchasing an item, double-check Walmart’s full return policy for details.
For more, here are seven Amazon Prime tips you shouldn’t forget.
