Sometimes when you shop online, you hold your breath and just pray you end up loving the item. Because you know return shipping would cost more than the item itself. (I’m looking at you, Wayfair.)
But other online retailers make you feel good about your order by offering free return shipping. Those are the retailers we’re going to focus on today, so you know where you can feel confident shopping online.
As you do your online shopping, be sure to download the KCL app so you don’t miss out on any deals or super-saver strategies.
1. Amazon always has at least one free shipping option.
Amazon offers free returns within 30 days from the day it’s delivered to your porch. There are hacks to return items past the return window, though.
Return shipping is usually free. You’ll be able to return your order via:
- The UPS store,
- Whole Foods drop points,
- Kohl’s drop points or
- Amazon Hub lockers.
If your order is over 50 pounds, you might run into some fees. Or if you’re buying from a third-party seller. But otherwise, you should be set to go without any further charges.
Does Amazon pay for return shipping fees?
Yes. Amazon usually pays for return shipping via UPS — unless your return is over 50 pounds or you’re buying from a third-party seller.
Does Amazon refund original shipping fees for returns?
Refunds for original shipping fees are usually only issued if they weren’t able to get you your package on time. If you’re a Prime member, you probably didn’t pay shipping anyway.
2. Best Buy always covers the cost of a UPS return shipping label.
You can easily make Best Buy returns via UPS. You’ll print out your free shipping label online, but how long you have to make your return depends on your Best Buy status.
- The standard return period is 15 days. (Yikes! That’s short.)
- You have 60 days to make a return if you have the My Best Buy Plus ($49.99/year) or My Best Buy Total ($179.99/year) membership.
Does Best Buy pay for return shipping fees?
Yes. Best Buy pays for return shipping via UPS.
Does Best Buy refund original shipping fees for returns?
Best Buy does not promise to return original shipping fees in its return policy.
3. Costco pays for your return shipping and refunds your original shipping costs.
Costco is pretty amazing in that there are no time restrictions for returns. On top of giving you a free shipping return label, they go even further by refunding your original shipping fees, too. This is rare and makes Costco’s return policy one of the best around!
There are also very few exceptions to this return policy. Here’s the ones you should know about:
- You have 90 days to return electronics.
- Alcohol and cigarette return policies are going to vary by location, and are often set in accordance with local law.
Does Costco pay for return shipping fees?
Yes. Costco pays for return shipping.
Does Costco refund original shipping fees for returns?
Yes, Costco is one of the few stores that goes a step further to refund your original shipping fees.
4. Lowe’s return shipping via FedEx is always free.
Lowe’s offers free return shipping via the post office. This can be a nice option as you can actually schedule a pickup with USPS right off your front porch — you don’t even have to drive anywhere.
The Lowe’s return window is typically 90 days. But if you made your purchase using a Lowe’s credit card, that return window extends to a full year.
Does Lowe’s pay for return shipping fees?
Yes. Lowe’s pays for return shipping via FedEx is always free.
Does Lowe’s refund original shipping fees for returns?
No, Lowe’s does not refund original shipping fees for returns.
5. Macy’s returns are free via UPS if you’re a Star Rewards member.
Macy’s does free return shipping, too. But as of Aug. 2, 2023, it’s only free for Star Rewards members (there’s a free level, Bronze). Once you print your label and get your package together, you can send your return off at any UPS or Macy’s store.
Typically, Macy’s return policy gives you 90 days to make returns. There’s a butt-ton of exclusions, though, so make sure you know the return policy for your specific item so you don’t miss your window.
Does Macy’s pay for return shipping fees?
Yes. Macy’s pays for return shipping.
Does Macy’s refund original shipping fees for returns?
No, Macy’s does not refund original shipping fees for returns.
6. Sephora offers free USPS return labels.
Sephora offers free return shipping via USPS. You won’t get your original shipping costs refunded unless you’re returning the order because Sephora messed something up.
Sephora’s return policy is a little tight at 30 days. If you can mail your return in and they receive it at their warehouse within that time frame, your payment will be refunded to whatever method of payment you originally used to make the purchase. But if they receive the order at Day 31 or after, you’ll receive your refund in store credit.
TIP: Don’t want to pay initial shipping charges in the first place? Sephora offers free shipping on orders of $50+. So in theory, you could order more makeup than you need to get the free shipping. Then return the extra items without being charged return shipping costs. You’ll have to do the whole good for your wallet/bad for the environment calculation on your own, though.
Does Sephora pay for return shipping fees?
Yes. Sephora pays for return shipping via USPS.
Does Sephora refund original shipping fees for returns?
No, but you can get free shipping by placing an order over $50.
7. Target pays return shipping even on used items.
Target allows you to return even items that have noticeable wear and tear — and they never charge you for return shipping. You’ll be able to print out your label at drop it off at any UPS dropoff location.
The return window is typically 90 days. But if you’re a RedCard member, the deal gets even sweeter. If you made your purchase on your RedCard, your return window is extended to a whole 120 days.
Does Target pay for return shipping fees?
Yes. Target pays for return shipping via UPS.
Does Target refund original shipping fees for returns?
It depends. Target refunds original shipping fees if there was an error on their end. But if you just didn’t like the cut of that new tee, they will not.
RELATED: These Stores Have Ridiculously Long Return Windows
8. Walmart returns are free for items shipped and sold by Walmart.
You can make returns for 90 days with the following exceptions:
- Trees, plants and shrubs can be returned for up to a year.
- Electronics must be returned within 30 days.
Once you’ve printed your free return shipping label, you’ll be able to get your order sent off by taking it to the post office or your local FedEx store.
Does Walmart pay for return shipping fees?
Yes. Walmart pays for return shipping fees as long as you didn’t purchase from a third-party seller.
Does Walmart refund original shipping fees for returns?
Walmart will sometimes refund original shipping fees. It’s worth calling customer service to make the request.
RELATED: Lost your receipt? It actually probably doesn’t matter.
9. Apple returns via FedEx are always free.
There’s good news and bad news with the Apple return policy. The good news is that you can return almost any item — even if it’s open box. The other bit of good news is that return shipping is always free through FedEx, whether you visit your local FedEx location or arrange for them to pick up your return item at your house.
The bad news is that the return window is ridiculously short. You’ve only got 14 days to make your return. That’s even shorter than Best Buy.
TIP: If you’re on the fence about your purchase and think you may need to make a return, it may be wise to purchase your Apple product through Walmart or Costco where you have a longer electronics return policy rather than purchasing through the manufacturer themselves.
Does Apple pay for return shipping fees?
Yes. Apple pays for return shipping via FedEx.
Does Apple refund original shipping fees for returns?
There are no shipping fees on Apple orders, so there are no refunds.
What are your favorite stores that offer free return shipping? Let us know in the comments!
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