Walmart offers a standard 90-day return policy on most items sold in-store or online, as long as you provide a receipt and a valid photo ID. In most situations, you will have the option of a refund or can simply exchange your item for something better suited to your needs.
Some items can’t be returned due to state or federal laws such as alcohol, and there are some items that you need to return earlier than the standard 90-days or just have slightly different return policies, such as car batteries, air mattresses, makeup, and Apple products.
Can You Return Electronics to Walmart?
Walmart allows you to return most electronics within 30-days of purchasing the item. You will need to bring back the item, all packaging, and all accessories that came with the item. You will also need the standard receipt and photo ID to get a refund.
If you’ve opened the item, it will be checked for damage, but lightly used items with no visible damage will be accepted for return without any issues. This can include TVs, computer screens, or any other electronic device.
If you’ve purchased any kind of additional protection, you will need to cancel that separately; this includes the Walmart protection plan and Applecare+.
Quick Walmart Electronics Return Guide
Refund | Exchange | No Return | |
Unopened Item | ✓ | ✓ | |
Damaged Or Faulty Item | ✓ | ✓ | |
Opened With Minor Use | ✓ | ✓ | |
Opened With Heavy Use | ✓ |
How to Return Electronics To Walmart
To return Electronics purchased in-store, you must return it to a store; Walmart prefers you to start the return process online, but you can still bring the item and your receipt to the Walmart customer service desk.
If you have a Walmart account, start the return process by logging in, the link is here.
- Select an item for return and choose return to store
- An email will be sent to you with a barcode you’ll need for return.
If you don’t have a Walmart account, start the return process here.
- Select an in-store return
- An email will be sent to you with a barcode you’ll need for return.
You must bring the item, packaging, receipt, and barcode to the store for a smoother refund or exchange for both methods.
How To Return Electronics By Mail To Walmart
You can return electronics purchased online to a store with the details above or return them via mail using the details below.
If you have a Walmart account, start the return process by logging in, the link is here.
- Select the item you’d like to return or replace and choose why you’re returning it.
- Select return by mail to get a return label you can print
- Package the item with all original packaging and parts, then drop it off at USPS or FedEx.
- Once received and confirmed, you’ll get a refund or replacement.
If you checked out as a guest, start the return process here.
- Enter the email you used and the order number from your original emailed receipt.
- You’ll then be able to follow the steps listed above to print a return label.
Do Mobile Phones Fall Under The Electronics Policy?
Mobile phones have a 14-day return policy with Walmart. However, if you’ve signed a contract with a carrier for the phone, then you may need to discuss directly with the carrier if it can be canceled or changed.
Prepaid phones can be returned to any store, while postpaid phones will need to be returned to the original store you purchased it from.
If you’ve opened the phone, then it can’t be refunded, but you can exchange it for the same phone or another phone of the same or lesser value.
Can You Return Marketplace Items?
Marketplace items have a different return policy, and there are many electronic devices in the Walmart.com marketplace. Walmart does require sellers to have minimum return policies, but this can mean your electronic device only has 14 days to be returned.
Ensure you know if your device is directly from Walmart or a 3rd-party seller. When you purchase the item, it will indicate “Sold by” and if it says Walmart, then you have the full 30 days. If it’s not Walmart, then you will need to check the return policy for that specific seller.
Marketplace items can be returned via mail or in-store. Refunds won’t be issued until the seller verifies the return.
Can I Return Electronics To Walmart After 30 Days?
Electronics can not be returned after 30 days for any reason. If you feel your situation falls outside the standard return policies, then you can talk to the service desk, who will discuss it with the store manager, who has the discretion to accept returns outside standard policy times.
The only exception is during the Christmas purchasing period. Items purchased between November 1 and December 25 will not start the 30-day countdown until December 26. As a result, marketplace sellers may not offer this holiday return option.
Walmart Electronics Return Exceptions
What If The Electronics Are Damaged: If you open the electronic device and find there is damage or that it’s faulty, you can return it for a full refund or exchange. Just make sure you keep all of the packaging and your receipt until you verify the device works as expected.
What If I Don’t Have A Receipt: Electronic items do require a receipt for a refund. However, the service desk should be able to help you find a copy of the receipt as long as you have details on when it was purchased and by what method.
Walmart may refuse a refund if you try to return too many items without receipt too often.
You can look up a lost receipt online by going to the Walmart receipt finder here.
What If I Don’t Have The Original Packaging: You will not be able to get a refund or exchange on an item that you don’t have the original packaging for. The only potential exception to this is when the item is defective within 30 days of purchase.
Items found to be defective after 30 days will need to be handled via the manufacturer’s warranty which is usually 1-year.
What If The Electronics Is Opened Or Partially Used: You can return opened and used electronics as long as there is no damage caused by you.
If there is damage, then Walmart will need to verify how it was damaged and determine if a refund or exchange will be provided or not.
Benjamin is a certified financial advisor, with over 10 years of experience in the industry. He is knowledgeable about various business and financial topics, such as retirement planning and investment management. Ben has been recognized for his work in the financial planning industry. He has also been featured in various publications.