Did you misplace the box your Walmart purchase came in? And do you want to know if you can still return that item without the box?
We’re here to answer all your questions about Walmart’s return policy for box-less products.
Can You Return Something to Walmart Without the Box?
Walmart’s return policy states that returns must be in the original packaging. However, almost every Walmart product can be returned without the box at a Walmart store. You need to have the receipt for proof of purchase and return the item within 90 days of purchase (30 days for electronics.)
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- You can return something to Walmart without the box, even though technically it’s against company policy.
- It is at the discretion of the employee who is activating the return.
- Certain items, such as mattresses, DVDs, and video games, can never be returned without the box.
In this article, we will step through what items can and cannot be returned to Walmart without a box. As well as how strict Walmart actually is about these rules.
So you can figure out right now if your box-less Walmart is actually returnable.
What Items Can Be Returned to Walmart Without the Box?
Alright, let’s break down what items you can return to Walmart without the box.
The first thing to understand is that, technically, all Walmart returns require the original packaging.
However, as Walmart customers and employees have reported, that’s not totally true. Walmart stores will actually accept almost every item (with a few exceptions we’ll learn about shortly) without the box.
These items can include:
- Home Decor
- Clothes
- Home & Garden Equipment
- Auto Parts
- Some Electronics
It’s important to understand that in order to successfully return an item to Walmart without the box, there are 2 requirements.
You must have the receipt to prove the original purchase, and you need to initiate the return within the designated timeline for the item.
Most Walmart products can be returned within 90 days of the original purchase, but some electronics only have a 14 or 30-day window.
What Items Require Original Packaging to Be Returned to Walmart?
Now, there are some Walmart items that not only have to be returned with the original packaging but they also have to be unopened.
Here are a few examples of items that require original packaging:
- DVDs
- Video Games
- Mattresses
- Major Appliances
- Furniture
Also, you should understand that all products returned through the mail must be in their original packaging.
And some Walmart items, such as major appliances and furniture, can only be returned in the mail, which is why they are on this list.
Items like DVDs, video games, and mattresses not only need their original packaging, but legally, they also need to be unopened.
How Strict Is Walmart’s Return Policy Without the Box?
According to many reports from customers and employees, Walmart is not strict at all with their return policy about original packaging.
The bottom line is that any time you return an item to Walmart without the box, you and the employee aren’t actually following the policy. But it happens thousands of times a day across the country!
You should understand that even though Walmart isn’t strict about this policy, it is always at the employee’s discretion as to whether or not they will accept the return without the box.
So, when in doubt, keep the Walmart box. Just in case you need to return it and get a stickler at the customer service desk!
Conclusion
You can almost always return an item purchased at Walmart without the box. But it is vital to understand that it’s actually against company policy.
That means that an employee can deny the return if they want to. However, almost every Walmart employee will give it the go-ahead if you have the 2 requirements.
You will need the receipt for the item, and the return needs to be initiated within 90 days or 30 days for some electronics.
