Jason Perlow/

There are always two parts to the holiday shopping season: the buying and gifting phase and the receiving and returning phase. If the abundance of Black Friday deals already available is any indication, we're currently in the midst of part one.

Also: Best early Black Friday deals: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and more

Truth be told, no matter how much you think you know that special someone, or yourself, not every holiday gift is a guaranteed smash hit. Perhaps you should've ordered that pair of fuzzy winter boots a size larger, or that "new" laptop can't seem to hold a charge; the odds are always stacked against you, and the ability to return a defective product is just as valuable as the discount it came with.

Below I've broken down the fine print of every major retailer and brand so you know exactly how long you have before the holiday shopping return window is closed, and which store offers the most security.

Holiday return policies for major retailers

Retailer	Return window	Return shipping	In-store returns	Unqualified items
Amazon	Until Jan. 31, 2024	Free, via UPS	Yes, via Whole Foods, UPS, or Kohl's	Products from third-party sellers, downloadable content, gift cards
Walmart	Until Jan. 31, 2024	Free, via FedEx	Yes, via Walmart	Products from third-party sellers, downloadable content, gift cards
Target	Until Jan. 24, 2024	Free, via UPS	Yes, via Target	Products from third-party sellers, downloadable content, gift cards
Best Buy	Until Jan. 13, 2023, or after 60 days for Totaltech members	Free, via UPS, USPS, and FedEx	Yes, via Best Buy	Activatable devices, downloadable content, gift cards
Costco	Within 90 days after purchase	No	Yes, via Costco	Activatable devices, downloadable content, gift cards
B&H	Until Feb. 1, 2024	Paid, via your shipping preference	Yes, via B&H	Products from third-party sellers, downloadable content, gift cards
Newegg	Until Jan. 31, 2024	Free, via UPSand FedEx	No	Products from third-party sellers, downloadable content, gift cards

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Holiday return policies for brands

Retailer	Return window	Return shipping	In-store returns	Unqualified items
Apple	Until Jan. 8, 2024	Free, via UPSand FedEx	Yes, via Apple store	Downloadable digital content, gift cards
Samsung	Within 30 days after delivery	Free, via FedEx	Yes, via Samsung store	None
Google	Within 15 days after delivery	Free, via FedEx	Yes, via Google store	Downloadable digital content, SIM cards, gift cards
Microsoft	Until Jan. 31, 2024	Free, via UPS	Yes, via Microsoft store	Downloadable digital content, gift cards
LG	Within 15 days after delivery	Free, via FedEx	No	None
HP	Until Jan. 14, 2024	Free, via UPS and FedEx	No	Downloadable digital content, gift cards, large format printers, "Final Sale" items
Lenovo	Within 30 days after delivery	Free, via UPS	No	Lenovo Outlet orders, server/storage products

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FAQ

What is Amazon's return policy?

While most of the items purchased from Amazon between now and Dec. 25, 2023 are eligible for a return until Jan. 31, 2023, the policy does not apply to every item on the platform. 

Also: Amazon's holiday gift to you: Extended returns signal start of shopping season

When shopping, you should pay close attention to whether you're choosing products that are sold and shipped directly from Amazon, which qualify for the retailer's extended return policy, and ones that are distributed by third-party sellers, which don't qualify. 

When in doubt, look for the "Returnable until Jan 31, 2024" label under the buy button on listings for confirmation. Downloadable and consumable digital products such as gift cards are not eligible for returns, period.

What happens if my item arrives damaged?

In the case that an item arrives damaged, either due to shipping or manufacturer defect, reach out to the retailer or brand's customer service line immediately for further instruction. In most cases, the return or replacement process will be the same as usual. 

However, there is a possibility that you may have to file an investigation claim with your local carrier if the damage is suspected to have occurred during shipping.

What if I don't have my receipt?

Most stores will require you to have either a physical or digital receipt should you want to return a product. If you ordered from an e-commerce platform like Amazon, Walmart, or Newegg, the receipt should be available to you on your Orders page. 

Also: The 50 best early Black Friday 2023 Walmart deals

That said, retailers like Costco, Macy's, and Target do accept receipt-less returns. In some cases, you'll have to settle for store credit instead of getting actual cash back. 

For physical purchases, it's always good practice to take a picture of the receipt in case the item is not as described or you change your mind.

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