Have you ever been stuck with something that’s brand spanking new that you know you’ll NEVER need or use? Whether it be that Tiger King t-shirt your Mom gave you, or that 2nd crock pot from the in-laws, there is always something you wish you could return if you just had the dang receipt. Well, now you can. I researched a bunch of popular retailers that will happily take back items without proof of purchase.
Because Costco keeps track of all your purchases in their computer system, they don’t require a receipt to make a return.
As long as you have your membership number they can look up your buying history and verify the purchase.
Pretty handy, especially since they allow you to return items at practically any point in the products lifespan.
The only exception is electronics which has a 90 day return policy.
I have personally returned a Keurig coffee maker without a receipt over a year after I originally purchased it. They took it back with no questions asked.
According to the Dick’s return policy, “If you no longer have your receipt from an in-store purchase, contact our Customer Service team by phone at 1-877-846-9997 or chat now to have a copy of your receipt sent to you, if available.”
If they can’t find it, they’ll ask for a photo ID and issue you store credit for the lowest selling price.
If you try to return items to The Home Depot sans receipt you won’t be completely out of luck.
According to their return policy, “Returns made without a valid sales receipt or an expired receipt may be exchanged or refunded to a Home Depot store credit or a Home Depot Commercial Account for the lowest advertised price.”
Store credit is WAY better than being stuck with a set of wrenches that you’ll never use.
If you lose your Home Good receipt you’re not completely out of luck.
They’ll give you merchandise credit buy you’ll have to show them your I.D. so they can track your return history.
Their website also states that the name on the merchandise credit must match the name on the photo ID if you ever want to actually use the credit in-store.
According to the Kohl’s return policy, if you don’t have you receipt, no problem.
From their website, they can “cannot locate your original purchase and/or for non-receipted returns, information from your valid ID will be stored to monitor your return activity.”
Kohl’s won’t give you cash back, but they will give you merchandise credit based on the lowest price of the item in the past 13 weeks.
According to the Lowe’s website, “In most instances, your receipt can be retrieved by using the original credit card, checking account number, MyLowe’s card or by your phone number.”
Lowe’s also leaves the option open to only give store credit (at the current selling price) on returns without a receipt in case they are unable to retrieve it.
5/15/20 Update: I received a comment from someone saying that Lowe’s has placed a $100 limit on items you can return without a receipt if you’re requesting CASH. Any truth to this? Let me know in the comments.
Macy’s claims they will take back items without a receipt as long as the product still has the original tags or price stickers on it.
As I wrote about here, they can also look up your purchase using “the credit card you used to make your purchase, your return label, packing slip, order or shipping confirmation email or registry number.”
Nordstrom should be able to help you find your purchase but they’ll probably need your original form of payment to do so.
If they can’t find it, they’ll ask for a valid ID, track your return, then give you credit via a Nordstrom gift card.
The folks at Office Depot will work with you if you don’t have a receipt but there are a bunch of caveats.
First, all returns without a receipt require a valid ID card and tech products without a receipt are NOT returnable.
From the Office Depot website, all other items returned without a receipt “that are active in our computer system will be refunded in the form of an Office Depot or OfficeMax Merchandise Card in an amount equal to the lowest retail price during the preceding 90 days.”
Not only will REI let you return something for up to a year after you bought it, but you don’t even need your receipt to make it happen in most cases.
If you’re a REI member they can look up your purchase easily, if you’re not, they can use your original form of payment to track it down.
You might be stuck with store credit but that ain’t so bad.
While it can be a bit tricky to return an item to Ross without a receipt, it can be done.
From their website, “Merchandise returns without a receipt will require a valid picture ID and if approved by the refund system, will be refunded in the form of a store credit or exchanged at the item’s current selling price.”
Hey, always worth a shot. Return items sooner, rather than later, as stuff gets lowered in price quickly at Ross and you’ll want to get the highest price-point possible.
Similar to Costco, Sam’s Club has some solid ways to find your receipt so you can make a return.
First off, you can visit this page, login using your membership number, and print any receipt from the past 3 years.
In most cases, you can also show up at a Sam’s location and they can lookup your purchase history so you can make a return without your receipt.
Worst case scenario you’ll get store credit or a partial refund if they can’t find any proof of purchase.
Staples will do their best to try and find your purchase using your debit or credit card.
If they can’t find it, and the item is still in sell-able condition, they will issue you store credit for lowest price in the past 30 days.
They reserve the right to say “no return for you” if they feel you are abusing their “no-receipt” return policy.
Target has the ability to look up your purchase, making an original receipt totally optional.
If the item was a gift, and you don’t have a receipt, you are going to be stuck with store credit.
But if you made the purchase with a Target RedCard, Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, or Discover card they can usually find your purchase.
If they can’t find any evidence they will deny the return or give you store credit.
TJ Maxx will happily give you store credit if you return items without a receipt but a valid ID will have to be provided.
Your store credit is redeemable both online or at any retail location.
If you’re returning an online purchase you can use your email confirmation if you lost your packing slip.
Tractor Supply has no problem taking your return if you don’t have the receipt, but be prepared to show a valid ID as they’ll track your returns that way.
If it’s a large order it will require manager’s approval.
You won’t get cash back but they’ll give you store credit for the item’s current price.
Walmart also has a fairly liberal return policy when you return items without a receipt.
With NO receipt, Walmart gives customers the option of a cash refund (if the purchase was under $25), or a gift card (if it was over $25), or an even exchange for an identical product.
It has also been suggesting in the comments that the number of allowed “no receipt” returns at Walmart varies from state to state.
Ask the Reader: Do you know of any other popular stores who will take something back without a receipt? Let me know in the comments and I will check them out.
Kyle James ( Owner/Founder )I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)
