Things That Make the Trader Joe’s Return Policy Ridiculously Awesome

Updated September 26, 2024 by Kyle James
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A good return policy is a beautiful thing. It let’s you shop freely without worrying about getting stuck with something you don’t need or want. So when I recently discovered just how awesome the Trader Joe’s return policy is, I knew I had to write about it. Here is everything you need to know about their liberal policy.

Things That Make the Trader Joe's Return Policy Ridiculously Awesome

The Trader Joe’s Return Policy is Risk-Free

From the Trader Joe’s site, “Try it. We think you’ll like it. If you don’t, bring it back for a full refund.”

Awesomely, Trader Joe’s is totally cool with you buying any food or drink and taking it home to give it a try.

Don’t like it? Simply bring back whatever you have left and you’ll get a full refund, no questions asked.

Trader Joe’s wants you to buy stuff and try it completely risk-free. Half-eaten box of chips or a frozen entrée, it doesn’t matter, they’ll take it all back.

See Also: The Best Buys at Trader Joe’s According to Employees

You Can Return Alcohol to Trader Joe’s (Even If It’s Open)

There is some debate on this question. Some places like Costco will often not let you return alcohol, but Trader Joe’s will take back all wine, beer, and liquor.

It can even be opened and half empty, they’ll still take it back, no questions asked.

Some state laws require Trader Joe’s to NOT offer a cash refund on alcohol, but rather an exchange for a different bottle of wine or 6-pack of beer.

Their policy makes for a great way to “taste test” wine and beer at home and return it for an exchange if you don’t like it.

No Receipt is Required

No receipt is required for a Trader Joe’s return.

This is because many of the items at Trader Joe’s are made specifically for the store and have the TJ name right on them.

In other words, it’s pretty obvious to the employee that you’re returning something you bought from them.

If it’s a more expensive item like vitamins or alcohol, you should definitely hold on to your receipt as it will make your return go much smoother.

See Also: 8 Brilliant Trader Joe’s Shopping Tips (Shop Smart and Save)

TJ’s Return Policy…the Fine Print

Like any return policy, there is some fine print you need to understand.

Here is what you need to know:

Returning Item With Receipt:

When returning items to Trader Joe’s with your receipt, you’ll get back the full purchase price to whatever form of payment you originally used.

Returning Item Without Receipt:

When returning items without a receipt, you’ll get back the lowest advertised price. Your refund will then be issued as a store credit to a Trader Joe’s gift card.

See Also: Safeway’s Return Policy is a Mystery…Until Now

Ask the Reader: Have you ever taken advantage of Trader Joe’s return policy? If so, was it an easy process?


By Kyle James

Photo credit to Eric Fischer.

Smart Ways to Score Free Chipotle Burritos and Burrito Bowls

Updated March 21, 2024 by Kyle James
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While Chipotle Mexican Grill works to reestablish their reputation as a safe, yummy, and “cool” place to eat, they’re providing many ways for you to score free Chipotle chow in an attempt to get you back in the door.

So I figured it was time to document all the clever the ways to get free burritos, burrito bowls, salads, and tacos. If you want some free Chipotle, you’re going to want to bookmark this article and revisit it often as I’ll keep it updated with new ways to score free food.

Smart Ways to Score Free Chipotle Burritos and Bowls

Who doesn’t love free (or cheap) burritos? Here are a few clever ways to make it happen.

Gift Card Deal

Several times a year, typically around Christmas and graduation season, Chipotle offers gift card deals where you can score a free burrito, bowl, salad, or tacos when you buy a $25 or $30 gift card.

It’s a pretty cool way to give the gift of Chipotle and get a free burrito out of the deal.

Chipotle Rewards

Join their rewards program for free and get FREE chips and guacamole after your 1st purchase as a member.

After that you’ll earn 10 points for every dollar spent and get a FREE entrée after you earn 1,250 points.

Boorito Deal on Halloween

Discounted Chipotle Burrito

Every October 31st, Chipotle rewards those who wear a costume into any of their locations.

Just come in sporting your costume and you’ll get a burrito, burrito bowl, order of tacos, or salad for only $3.

Teacher Appreciation Day

On May 8th, 2023, all teachers got free Chipotle from 3pm to close.

Keep an eye out for it every year.

Free Chipotle Coupons

Here are a couple clever ways to score free coupons for Chipotle that’ll get you a heavily discounted meal.

1. Matching-Game called “Love Story” – If you want free burrito coupons at Chipotle, you gotta play this fun matching game called Love Story.

After you play, you’ll be prompted to fill out a form to get a “Buy one Entrée, get 1 FREE” coupon. Two HUGE burritos or burrito bowls for about $7.75, sounds good to me.

2. Text Message Alerts – Sign-up for free Chipotle text alerts and you’ll get a bunch of exclusive deals and coupons.

These often included a BOGO coupon which’ll score you a free entree when you buy one.

See Also: The Ultimate Chipotle Secret Menu is Awesomely Delicious

Get a Bigger Burrito When You Order

Here are a few ways to get more chow added to your next meal at Chipotle.

  • Become a “Halfer” – For example, ask for half chicken and half steak and you’ll inevitable end up with a little more meat on your burrito at no extra cost. This is especially true if you’re polite and chat up the employee a little bit.
  • Order Both Types of Rice or Beans – Politely ask for a both pinto and black beans, or both white and brown rice. This will definitely get you a bigger meal, especially with a burrito bowl.
  • Don’t Ignore the Veggies – Don’t skip over the fajita veggies and corn salsa. Ask for both and you’ll get way more bang for your buck at Chipotle.

Ask the Reader: How do you get free Chipotle, or at the very least, discounted burritos and burrito bowls?


By Kyle James

Photo by Mike Mozart.

Free Starbucks: How to Score Free Refills, Free Coffee, and Free Gift Cards

Updated September 26, 2024 by Kyle James
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While there exists some clever Starbucks menu hacks that’ll definitely save you money, it’s really hard to beat “free”. As in free Starbucks coffee, free refills, and even free Starbucks gift cards. Here are some really easy ways to earn all three from your local Starbucks.

Free Starbucks: How to Score Free Refills, Free Coffee, and Free Gift Cards

Free Starbucks Refills

In order to score a free coffee refill at Starbucks, you’ll need either a registered Starbucks card or their mobile app on your phone.

Then use either to order any “Handcrafted Beverage” and you qualify for a free refill on that visit.

A handcrafted beverage is anything a barista makes with their hands. So it excludes bottled water, juice, and soda.

The refill drink can only be one of the following: Brewed Coffee (hot, iced coffee, or cold brew) or tea (hot or iced).

But the cool thing is you can order a mocha or latte, for example, and on your way out you can get a “refill” of iced tea or brewed coffee.

So you can order a latte, then after you drink it, you can order a free caramel iced coffee as you walk out the door. In the summer-time I’ll do this with brewed coffee and use it later in the day to make an iced coffee.

Free Starbucks Coffee

Here are some highly clever ways to score free coffee at Starbucks:

  • Free Birthday Drink: Join the Starbucks Rewards program and score a free drink for your birthday. Just present your Starbucks card or mobile app to redeem. The free drink will be added to your account 2 days before your birthday and will expire the day after your birthday. Anything on the menu is open for you to order as your birthday reward, even food items.

Free Birthday Coffee

Free Holiday Drinks: They always hand out thousands of free coffee around the holidays. Be sure to follow Starbucks on Facebook as they’ll let you know what days and times you can come in and score free coffee drinks.

Free Coffee via Discounted Gift Card: A very easy way to get free coffee at Starbucks is by purchasing a discounted gift card.

For example, right now on Gift Card Granny.com you can buy a $20 Starbucks card for $17.40. Basically a free $2.60 to use on a free mocha or latte.

Want even more free coffee? Check out Raise.com and get a $100 Starbucks gift card for only $92.

How do you get free coffee at Starbucks?

See Also: All 35 Places That Hand Out Free Stickers (Most Will Mail Them To You)

Free Gift Cards

Aside from buying discounted gift cards for Starbucks, there exists some slick ways to score absolutely free gift cards.

Swagbucks – Watch videos, play games, search the web, and shop online and earn cool “SwagBucks” that you can redeem for free gift cards at Starbucks.

Ibotta – Take your grocery shopping to the next level and start redeeming Ibotta “rebates” on stuff you’ll be buying anyways.

Then once you have $20 worth of rebates (which won’t take long) and you can score a free $20 Starbucks gift card.

ShopKick – Earn “kicks” just by walking into stores in your local area. Then earn more “kicks” by browsing products and even more by making purchases.

Once you earn these kicks, you can quickly turn them into a free gift card.

Ask the Reader: How do you get free stuff from Starbucks and feed your addiction on the cheap? Or do you just stay out completely and brew at home?


By Kyle James

Photo by Bfishadow.