Target’s Return Policy Now Includes Drive-Up Returns (+ Everything You Need To Know)
We’ve given a full breakdown of the Target return policy to make shopping stress-free.
Change your mind about your latest Target purchase?
Target is a happy place for all of us, but that doesn’t mean we’re satisfied with every purchase. Luckily, they have a generous return policy in place and are always trying to find ways to improve it.
Target recently announced that they have a new way you can return your items — you can now use Drive-Up! This means that you don’t even have to get out of your car to return unwanted items – sweet!
To make your Drive-Up return, all you have to do is go into the Target app and start a return from your Order Details. Once there, choose Drive-Up as the return option, let them know when your on your way to the store, click “I’m Here” when you arrive, and wait for an associate to meet you at your car. How easy is that?!
This new way of making returns is not available at all Target locations, but they will hopefully be available by the end of summer.
Although Target has a generous return policy, it is pretty extensive with several exceptions and details you may not know of.
Because of this, we ran through Target’s policy and are breaking each section down so it’s easier to read and clearer to understand. All information is from Target’s official help page.
So, what is Target’s return policy?
Simply put, Target will accept returns when you bring the item and its barcode to the Guest Service area of your local Target. You can find the barcode on the order details page, the packing slip, or its UPC on the receipt. When it comes to items from a Target-owned brand, you can actually return them within a year with your receipt for a refund or exchange. Note you cannot return anything from an international order.
Items from departments like Optical, Pharmacy, Starbucks, and Target Tech have to be returned specifically to those departments. Seasonal items may be subject to your local Target’s policy, so check in with them first.
What about a Target return policy without receipt?
If you don’t have your receipt, Target can attempt to look it up for both store and online orders via your original method of payment within 90 days. The store can look it up if you paid using a Target RedCard, or a Third-party Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover credit card.
No shot at finding the reciept? There is a chance that you may only be eligible for a merchandise return card if you can’t show proof of purchase, so it doesn’t hurt to ask!
Skip the store with the Target online return policy.
Don’t feel like heading to the store? You can get free shipping on every online Target.com return! Simply click your order details and print your complimentary prepaid return label for UPS or FedEx – whichever is most convenient.
This page will also have the status of your return so you can track when to expect your refund. Target will also email you when they’ve received your order and when your refund will be ready!
The Target electronics return policy slightly differs…
The window for returning is much shorter with electronics and entertainment. Excluding Apple, these items are returned within 30 days. Excluding phones, Apple products have 15 days to be returned or exchanged. Lastly, mobile phones have two weeks to be returned or exchanged. Phones may be subject to additional fees.
Here are some notable exceptions to look out for…
The following items can’t be returned:
- Open or defective collectibles (e.g., sports cards, special edition Barbie dolls, porcelain dolls, action figures, and die-cast cars)
- Personalized items and digital downloads
- Opened/unsealed breast pumps
- Specialty gift cards, pre-paid gift cards, and Target GiftCards cannot be returned or redeemed for cash or credit except where required by law. This includes Target GiftCards, Visa®, Mastercard®, or American Express® Gift Cards, restaurant, entertainment, and lottery cards.
The following items can only be exchanged, not returned when opened:
- Music, movies, video games, and software (same title for music and movies and same title or different gaming platform)
- Airbeds (same or similar item)
Now you can shop at Target risk-free!
Even if you’re unhappy with your orders, you can now shop stress-free knowing the ins and outs of the Target return policy. Happy shopping!
Check out the latest Target Deals!
Just curious, but does the same apply for clearance items that were bought and need to be returned, or are those excluded or ineligible?
Hey there! I don’t find clearance items listed as excluded. 💖
Interesting. I have returned maybe 5 items in my life. I never even read the return policy as I never think about returning items. LOL
Thank you for this. I work at a local Target at the guest service desk. So many people don’t understand the policy and get upset when their return is declined. I really appreciate this post.
You’re very welcome, Bremoeller!!!🥰
Price adjustments? Do you have to physically bring in an item to the store to get a price adjustment? (I was told this, and I am shocked!) was the employee being lazy or is this something new?
Depends on your store. My store doe not required that just the original receipt. We can not do price adjustments from a digital receipt at this time.
I tried to return an item my daughter got for her birthday. A talking Bluey stuffed animal retails for $21. I did not get a gift receipt and they refused to return it without one. They said the computer said it has to have a gift receipt. Has this ever happened to anyone before? It was first for me for Target.
Some items do require a receipt to be returned. That has to do with the manufacture’s requirements.
I just read the Target coupon policy. I read it, because every time I go to Target they will not take the coupon.com coupons. It happened the other day with a buy 2 Neutrogena items – specific ones – I bought both and they would not take the coupon. Today it happened again on Zyrtec. I bought the right item, and it came up and said they would not accept the coupon. The lady told me she did not think they were going to take coupons.com anymore. I would love to know if this is normal for all of you.
So sorry to hear you’re having trouble with those, heidi! Currently, this is what’s listed at top of their policy – “Only one manufacturer coupon (paper or digital), one Target coupon (paper or digital), and one Target Circle offer can be combined per item.” Further on down, it does say “We gladly accept valid internet coupons with a scannable barcode.” You might try asking customer service at your store if they can clarify their policy with paper coupons with what you are trying to use. Hoping this helps! 💕
Same thing happened to me the other day. I was at customer service and I felt like they didn’t believe I printed them from coupons.com and was trying to pull a fast one. 🙁
Thanks so much. I have talked to customer service even before my comments. So weird.
Target has allocated so much of the parking lots to drive-up customers that it’s hard to find a parking space!
Amen to that. There are at least 12 parking spots taken up by online shopping that sit empty most of the day. They are the prime spots right in front. Customers that actually shop at the store have to park so far away. Why can’t they move online pick up to the side of the store with a special entrance for the workers. I don’t get it. I actually asked the girl about it at customer service and she just rolled her eyes and said they’re not gonna pay any attention to you if you complain.
Can I return a gift? I don’t have a receipt and it was ordered online from another state. I have the persons name but no credit card info for looking up.
Great question, Kristy! I spotted this info on returning a gifted item without a receipt for you – “If you don’t have the gift receipt or packing slip for the item, you may receive a merchandise return card in store. Items purchased from Target.com can also be returned by mail using the gift receipt or packing slip. To return your gift by mail, call Target.com Guest Services at 1-800-591-3869.” Hope this helps! ❤️