I’m proud to say that I still have 3 pairs of dress pants from Banana Republic that I bought during Obama’s first administration. I’ve always regarded them as making quality clothing that is also quite comfortable. But it doesn’t matter how well made clothing is, there always comes a time when you need to make a return. So I went out and researched the Banana Republic return policy and found answers to all your burning return questions to hopefully make your life a tiny bit easier.

How Many Return Days Do I Get?

30 days.

The Banana Republic return policy gives shoppers 30 days to try stuff on at-home and figure out of it’s right for them.

Unfortunately, this policy recently changed from 45 days to 30.

What Happens After 30 Days?

You’re NOT out-of-luck.

Even if they cannot find your order via your phone number or credit card, most stores will STILL give you store credit for the lowest selling price of the item in past 60 days.

If the item was bought recently, and still in stock, they’ll more than likely give you the price that you originally paid.

PRO TIP: BE CAREFUL BUYING FINAL SALE ITEMS ONLINE

I would recommend you avoid buying Final Sale items online unless you’re 100% positive what size you wear. For example, if you order some Final Sale jeans and they don’t fit, they will not let you exchange them. You’re stuck with them. So you may have saved money, but now you have jeans that you’ll have to sell on eBay or give to a friend. Before you start buying final sale items online, go to a Banana Republic store and try-on a bunch of different items and write down what size you are.

Do Any Clothing Items Have a Longer Return Window?

No.

Everything they sell, including clearance items, comes with a 30 day return policy.

See Also: Here’s Exactly How the Gap Return Policy Works

Can I Return Items I’ve Worn Once or Twice?

Maybe.

If you wear something and notice a defect like a small hole, or stitching that’s coming loose, Banana Republic will almost certainly take the item back for a refund or exchange.

But if you wear the item out to work or dinner and simply decide you don’t like it, your mileage will vary depending on the manager you encounter.

Do I Need My Receipt to Make a Return?

Yes, it’s highly recommended that you have your receipt as it will make your return very easy.

What If the Dog Ate My Receipt?

Take him to the vet and try and get Fido to throw it up cuz you’re gonna need it.

But seriously, they MAY be able to look up the receipt with the credit card you used for the purchase, but not always.

Also, depending on the manager, they may be able to issue you store credit for the last sale price of the item.

PRO TIP

If you’re a member of the Banana Republic Rewards program, they can typically look up the transaction and access your receipt. If for no other reason, it’s worth joining for free for this one cool perk.

Can I Make an In-Store Return on an Online Purchase?

Yes, absolutely.

Just bring back your items with original tags still on them to ANY Banana Republic store (not a Banana Republic Factory store).

You can use either your online invoice OR packing slip as proof of purchase and get your refund or exchange.

See Also: Old Navy Return Policy: Time to Break It All Down

Who Pays the Shipping Fee on an Online Return?

They do.

When you use the Returns Portal at Banana Republic, they will happily pay the return shipping fees on all refunds and exchanges.

For a straight refund, they’ll reimburse your original form of payment as soon as they receive the item(s).

For an exchange, they ask that you contact them first to make sure they send you the correct replacement item.

What’s the Policy at a Banana Republic Factory Store?

The return policy is IDENTICAL at a Banana Republic Factory store.

You have 30 days to return in-store or online via the prepaid return shipping label.

But keep in mind that you CANNOT return something bought from a BR Factory store to a regular location.

Factory clothing MUST be returned to a Banana Republic Factory Store.

How Do I Return a Gift Without a Receipt?

If you do NOT have a gift receipt, you will receive a gift card for the last sale amount of the item you’re returning.

If you want a cash refund, you’ll need to come up with the receipt or ask the gift giver if they still have it.

Can I Return BR Stuff to an Old Navy or Gap Store?

No.

You’ll need to head to a Banana Republic location to make your return as Old Navy and Gap have completely different inventories.

Can I Return Clothing from the Other Brands Online?

Yes.

For example, if you had stuff delivered from Banana Republic and Gap in one package, you can also return them in ONE PACKAGE.

The same goes for exchanges which is very convenient.

Ask the Reader: Have you ever had a problem with the Banana Republic return policy? Let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

I got an email the other day telling me about a major change in the Gap return policy and the idea for this post was born. I actually thought I had already written about the return policy at Gap, but alas, I’ve only written about the return policy at Old Navy. I hope this article answers all of your questions and makes your next return a walk in the park.

How Many Return Days Does Gap Allow?

30 days for both in-store and online returns.

Gap did allow for 45 return days, but in June of 2022 they lowered it to a measly 30 days.

For online purchases, you have 30 days from the shipped date, not the date of delivery, which SUCKS.

Make sure you try stuff on and return it quickly if you don’t like it.

Don’t let new clothing from Gap sit on your closet floor in the bag.

PRO TIP: AFTER 30 DAYS, THROW AWAY YOUR RECEIPT

If you’ve gone past the 30-day return window you’re better off throwing away your Gap receipt and making a receipt-less return. Don’t give them your loyalty number or credit card and take the merchandise credit for the current selling price of the items.

Are There Any Exceptions to 30 Days?

Yes, there are two exceptions.

– Final Sale Items – Anything at Gap marked “Final Sale” is exactly that, and cannot be returned or exchanged.

– Athleta – Clothing items with the Athleta label still comes with an extended 60 day return policy.

See Also: 8 Smart Tips to Saving Money at Athleta

Last Resort BONUS Tip: Give Gap a Call

From commenter Farrah, she let me know that if you’re stuck in the 30-45 day window to call your local store and ask if you can make the return.

She had success doing this and I think as many shoppers are still getting use to the 30-day return policy, you stand a great chance of success, at least for a while longer.

You have NOTHING to lose, pick up the phone and give it a try.

PRO TIP: GAP IS BUCKLING DOWN

I recently had a store manager tell me that in an effort to reduce return fraud, they are instructed to not take anything back after 35 days of purchase. Not even for store credit. The only exception is clothing that’s falling apart due to a manufacturing defect.

Do I Need My Receipt to Make an In-Store Return?

Yes.

There may be an exception made if store employees can track your purchase using your credit card, but in most cases you’ll need your receipt to make a return at Gap.

What If I Lost My Gap Receipt?

You might be able to talk the manager into store credit if the item still has the original tag on it.

For online purchases, you can login to your Gap account and find your order history and thus you can find your online receipt or invoice.

Can I Wear Clothing, Then Return It?

Yes, sort of.

I was told by a Gap representative that you can try and return a worn item, and as long as you DON’T remove the tags, you stand a good chance of getting your money back.

See Also: American Eagle Return Policy: All the In’s & Out’s

PRO TIP: DON’T ABUSE THE GAP POLICY

You can guarantee that Gap is tracking your receipt-less returns and will ban you from future returns if you make too many without a receipt. What the magic number is, I’m not sure. I’ve heard that 3 receipt-less returns is the max and I’ve also heard that anything over $100 without a receipt will raise a red flag.

What About Shoes Bought at Gap?

30 days.

Shoes from Gap come with the same 30-day return policy like the rest of their clothing.

How Do I Return a Gift Without a Gift Receipt?

This one can be tricky.

You can’t make this type of return via the mail but you stand a good chance in-store.

It will be up to the manager, but in many cases they’ll give you store credit for the lowest selling price of the item as long as it still has the original tags on it.

Can I Return Stuff Bought Online to My Local Gap?

Yes.

Just bring in the original packaging and invoice slip to your local Gap and they’ll happily help you with your return or exchange.

Also, it’s worth mentioning that you CANNOT return items bought at a regular Gap store to a Factory or Outlet store.

Are Online Returns Free?

Yes.

Both online returns and exchanges are completely free when you use the the Gap interactive return process.

You’ll be given the option to create a UPS or USPS prepaid label.

Then just pack your items in the original box or bag (or something similar), affix the label to it, then drop it off at the appropriate location.

Gap will refund you the cost of the items as soon as they receive them and email you a confirmation of the refund.

PRO TIP: DON’T SLEEP ON ONLINE RETURNS

With only 30 return days, you don’t want to wait on a possible online return. This is because Gap told me it can take up to 14 days for them to receive and process your return. So it’s more like a 15 day return window on online purchases. Treat it as such and you’ll save yourself a big headache down the road.

What If I Want an Exchange Rather Than a Return?

Not a problem.

You’ll process your return the same way as above, but you’ll fill out the exchange form stating what color or size you’d like to exchange the item for.

Can I Return a Gap Gift Card?

Yes.

Surprisingly, Gap lets you return gift cards.

They will refund the value of the card back to the original form of payment, so you’ll NEED your original receipt to make it happen.

Is the “Gap Factory” Return Policy the Same?

Yes.

Purchases from a Gap Factory store also come with a 30-day return policy and require a receipt.

Ask the Reader: Are you a fan of the Gap return policy? How do you feel about the new 30-day return window?

By Kyle James

Photo credit to Mike Mozart.

If you’re considering applying for a job at Costco, you’re probably wondering what their drug policy is. So I set out and found answers to all your important questions thanks to some very helpful Costco employees and even an assistant manager. I hope this information helps you out and maybe you’ll land a job at Costco which is a great place to work by all accounts.

As part of the interview process at Costco you’ll be asked to take a drug test and you’ll have to sign a written consent form to authorize the test.

If you refuse a drug test you’ll be removed from the hiring pool.

I had a current employee tell me that they’ll typically have you take a drug test after the 2nd interview as part of the final applicant hiring process.

TIP: BE PREPARED FOR SAME DAY TEST

Costco will ask you to visit an off-site drug testing lab immediately after leaving the interview to avoid any foul play. By knowing this ahead of time, it should lower your stress level as you know what’s coming…at least it would for me. Thanks to employee Charlie for giving me this information.

See Also: 9 Sweet Costco Employee Benefits, Perks, and Discounts

All Employees Are Subject to a Drug Test

Unlike some big-box stores, who only requires drug test for those operating fork lifts, all Costco employees are required to take a drug test.

This includes overnight stockers, cashiers, lot attendants, and food court employees.

NOT ALL COSTCO “WORKERS” REQUIRE A DRUG TEST

Some Costco workers, like optometrists and pharmacists, are considered independent contractors and thus are NOT subject to a Costco drug test. But if you’re a pharmacy technician you’ll be required to take test which makes sense as your around potentially dangerous drugs.

See Also: Know the Costco Dress Code Before You Apply for a Job

Costco Will Test For Alcohol When Necessary

If Costco asks you to get tested for alcohol you’ll first do a “screening test”.

If you’re blood alcohol level is less than .02 you will pass the test.

If you’re over .02 you’ll then have to do a confirmation test.

If you test over .04 during the confirmation test, you’re considered a positive result.

If you test between .02 and .0399 you’re considered a negative test BUT will be asked to leave for the remainder of your work shift and will have to use personal or vacation time to cover your absence.

The Type of Test Depends on The Substance

If you’re getting tested for alcohol you’ll be asked to pee in a cup.

Otherwise, Costco uses a mouth swab drug test which tests for marijuana, meth, amphetamines, opiates, and phencyclidine.

Costco Will Also Test For Marijuana

Unlike Amazon, Costco definitely tests for marijuana, regardless of the state you currently live in.

Costco’s reasoning is that marijuana can impair your job performance and in some cases create an unsafe work environment within the warehouse.

Also, it doesn’t matter of you have a medical marijuana card, they will still test you and not hire you if your test comes back positive.

To be safe, the consensus seems to be to not use marijuana for at least 72 hours prior to your test.

While Rare, They Will Do Random Drug Tests

Costco reserves the right to have an employee perform a drug test at any time.

This is typically only done when management has reason to believe an employee may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

See Also: Does Walmart Drug Test? Great Info for New Hires

If You Refuse a Drug Test You Won’t Be Hired

If you refuse a drug test you will NOT be hired by Costco and will have to wait 1 year to apply again.

The same goes for random drug tests, you will probably get fired if you refuse to do a drug test after you’re employed with Costco.

Costco Performs Background Checks Too

In order to get past the final applicant stage at Costco you must consent to a full background check.

Fortunately, according to a manager that I talked with, Costco pays all fess associated with a background check but you must provide your social security card, birth certificate, or valid driver’s license.

Costco checks for any criminal history, driving record, and social security verification to see if you are who you say you are.

HOW FAR BACK DO THEY LOOK?

Most background checks go back the past 7 years of your life to see if you’ve committed any crimes or have have any major driving violations. Keep in mind that this is not an instant “no hire” if you have a record. I was told that Costco looks at what you’ve done recently with your life and is very happy to give you a 2nd chance at being successful.

Ask the Reader: What was the Costco drug testing process like when you got hired? Let me know what I may have missed.

By Kyle James