Home Depot Return Policy: The In’s & Out’s To Make It Work For You
Due to nature of DIY projects, the Home Depot return policy is one of the most used return policies in existence. Because of that, it’s nice to know exactly how it works, what the exclusions are, how receipt-less returns work, and even some insider tips for success. Here’s everything you need to know to make returning stuff to the Home Depot a breeze.
What is the “Official” Home Depot Return Policy?
90 days.
You have a generous 90 days to return an item to the Home Depot if you’re not satisfied for any reason.
Are There Exceptions to the 90 Days?
Yes, there are.
These items all have a different time window for returns.
- Furniture – 30 days.
- Mattresses – 30 days.
- Area Rugs – 30 days.
- Generators – 30 days.
- Paint Sprayers – 30 days.
- Gas Powered Stuff & Tractors – 30 days.
- Consumer Electronics – 30 days.
- Purchases made with a Home Depot Credit Card – 365 days (more on this below)
I wasn’t aware that The Home Depot sold consumer electronics but I’m guessing they mean speakers, drones, WiFi extenders, and HDMI cables, many of which they sell online.
See Also: 7 Highly Clever Ways to Save Money at The Home Depot
What’s the Return Policy on Major Appliances?
48 hours.
Always carefully inspect the appliance upon delivery to your home and “refuse delivery” if the item is damaged or defective.
If you don’t inspect the appliance carefully, then later notice an issue, call Home Depot at (800) 455-3869 within 48 hours of delivery or pickup time and they’ll help you with a return.
This policy applies to refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, washers, dryers, and some microwaves.
Lowe’s has a similar policy in place on major appliances, and based on the comments, it’s not very popular with shoppers.
Can Items Be Opened or Used?
Officially, “No”. Unofficially, “Yes”.
If you still have the original packaging, receipt, and still within 90 days, you can return most opened or used items.
With used items, it often comes down to the amount of “wear & tear” the product shows and is typically handled on a case-by-case basis.
For example, if you bought a Wooster paintbrush and use it heavily for an entire weekend then decide to return it, you’re probably out of luck.
But if you only used the paintbrush for a couple minutes, weren’t happy with, and cleaned it thoroughly, you stand a really good chance of them taking it back.
This is especially true if you’re okay with store credit or an exchange.
What If I Lost My Receipt?
In the past, if you didn’t have your receipt the return desk would try to find your order in their system using the credit card or debit card you used to make the purchase.
But recently, in an effort to thwart shoplifters trying to turn a quick profit, the Home Depot is BUCKLING down hard on receipt-less returns.
My investigation into this started when I received a comment from a shopper who was told they could not return an item without a receipt because it was valued at over $50.
As of this writing, this is NOT stipulated anywhere on the Home Depot website but I have come to find out that the new policy is rolling out nationwide as we speak.
I spoke with a Home Depot assistant manager about this issue and he confirmed the over $50 without a receipt will typically be DENIED.
He added that they use a 3rd party system who tells the employee whether or not to accept the return and it’s now out of their hands.
He also gave the great tip of signing up for the free Pro Xtra Loyalty program as it tracks your purchases and receipts for you so this will NEVER be an issue.
What’s the Return Policy w/ the Home Depot Credit Card?
365 days.
If you make your purchase with your Home Depot or Pro Xtra credit card, you get a whopping 365 days to make your return, and your purchase history and receipts are tracked for easy retrieval.
I’ve been told that the 365 days applies to everything except the products listed directly below, as well as anything that runs on gasoline.
Beware that the card comes with a high interest rate (29.99% APR), but if you pay it off every month, the extended return policy could be worth its weight in gold.
What Stuff Can’t Be Returned?
The following items are not returnable to the Home Depot…
– Custom Tinted Paint – For this reason, make sure you see the color of the paint before you buy it.
You also can’t return any “Oops” paint that you buy at a discount.
– Custom Blinds – The only blinds that can be returned say “Guaranteed to Fit” on them.
– Utility Trailers
– Generators
– Gift Cards/Store Credits
– Product Samples
I’ll keep this list updated in case new items become non-returnable.
What If I Have Receipt But Lost the Box?
In most cases, yes, the Home Depot will take stuff back without the original box or packaging.
Your mileage may vary from store to store depending on the employee you encounter, but I have personally returned stuff without the box.
What About Online Returns?
Another really cool feature at the Home Depot is their online return system.
They actually allow you to return purchases made via their website via UPS, as well as products bought in-store.
This is a handy feature if you live a LONG distance from the nearest location, or you just have trouble making it in-store for whatever reason.
To see if your item is eligible for an online return, visit this page, and click on “Return Items”. (See image above)
Be prepared to pay the return shipping costs unless the reason for the return is an error by The Home Depot.
Are There Ever Any Restocking Fees?
The only items that might incur a restocking fee are Special Order returns or cancellations.
Be prepared to pay a 15% restocking fee on these items.
What About Returning Flowers or Plants?
According to Home Depot, they will unconditionally guarantee all tropical, house, and landscape plants (only perennials, trees, roses, and shrubs) for one year.
If your plant dies just bring whatever is left of it, the original pot it came in, and your receipt, and they’ll replace it or issue a refund.
If the plant is no longer available, a store credit will be issued.
The key here is perennials, trees, and shrubs.
They don’t offer a 1-year guarantee on annuals, but they still offer a 90 day return window.
Thanks to reader Gail who informed me that clearance plants (with yellow price sticker) are NOT returnable and are considered final sale.
Ask the Reader: Have you ever had trouble with the Home Depot return policy? How did it happen and what was the end result?
By Kyle James
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)
Hi Everyone.
I have run into an issue with Home Depot’s return policy. Tuesday I attempted to return a drill set and buy a more expensive one and was denied.
Home Depot uses a third party service called The Retail Equation (TRE) which uses an algorithm to flag “suspicious” returns.
I made the origional purchase with a Home Depot gift card and store credit from earlier returns. I had all my receipts documenting my purchase.
I asked a manager to explain the reason for the denial and he said once the return is denied by TRE there is nothing Home Depot can do.I had one return this year with the receipt for $7.48!
I am a homeowner and a long time customer who has spent thousands of dollars at Home Depot over thirty years.
Numerous calls to both Home Depot in Georgia and TRE in California have gotten nowhere.
Any ideas or suggestions how I solve this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I had the same problem, file a small claims and then they will respond.
Lowes is where I shop now
Home depot is fruad. No were does it say with out receipt you are not allowed to get nothing at all bo store credit nothing . Today I went to home depot in Flowery branch ga sign says without receipt u gwt store credit . But the refuse and corporate said they no longer do return with out receipt but cannot show written prove . They said to me we can do what we and go what against what our sign said. Isn’t that a lawsuit
Same here. Christmas gift. Tried to return for store credit. Denied. Called TRE, they were nice enough but they hated ‘their own policy’. They told me to use my Passport, no good either. 25 years buying there as a Contractor. $50000+ a year spent there. I WILL NEVER SHOP AT HOME DEPOT AGAIN!!! Here I come Lowes…
The problem is the store credit – am going through it now and just talked with THD resolution and TRE. If you return something bought with store credit, it will be DENIED even though there is NO disclaimer on your receipt, that no-one told you when you accepted the store credit that you would not be able to return items purchased with it, that the people at the return counter could not tell you that is why your return was denied, and that the website says “Returns for purchases made with a Store Credit or gift card will be refunded as a Store Credit. Registration of Store Credit may be required. Please bring a valid driver’s license or government-issued photo identification for registration.”
After reading some of the replies here I’m getting a bit nervous about getting refused for a exchange or a refund. I bought a large bbq online and it was shipped. When it arrived I took it out of the box and the doors were dented in. Yet the shipping box looked fine. I contacted the company and they eventually sent new doors. The doors came 6 days later and I set up the grill. But the gas did not go through the burners. So after numerous emails and a new hose, it still didn’t work. They recommend me to take it back to home depot for an exchange or a refund. But there is no mention in the return policy about bbqs and i don’t have the box it came in. Any thoughts?
I have same issue. By the time the manufacturer sent me the part that I thought would make it work then only to learn it still doesn’t work correctly, I am over 30 days. Were you able to return your item? If so, how long after the date of purchase was it?
You CAN absolutely return your bbq in store for a full refund. It was a .com order so just bring it in with the receipt. If you are told no just request an ASM
I just successfully returned a battery operated string trimmer. I gave the man the receipt, he got a new one of the shelf for me, for a nice exchange. I’m a happy camper. What happens if my new string trimmer goes wrong as well. I never got a new receipt.
Hi there, can I return a 6 day old electric water heater?
I just called Home Depot’s Major Appliance line and the rep told me that I could take mine back to the store because it was purchased there instead of online. Did you have any luck with your return?
Hello! I bought a toshiba floor a/c and it is horrible! It wont even cool my bedroom! I have the receipt and everything but i threw the box away because for $329.00 why would i think it wouldn’t work. Am i able to return it for an LG which is what i already have….?
Anyone else experiencing the latest problem with Home Depot… when looking at your online order page there is no Return Items button on ANY of your orders that are still within the return period? Since it’s impossible to initiate the return from the website AND since they’ve done away with online chat (tough luck if you’re deaf/mute/etc and can’t telephone them), the ONLY option (for those that can) is to call and sit on perpetual hold listening to them repeat the same message every 30 seconds and (unlike every other major retailer’s phone system) it doesn’t provide an estimated hold time. You just have keep waiting and waiting with no idea how much longer you need to keep waiting! It’s like they’ve abandoned common sense and are doing everything possible to make it so difficult to return anything that maybe they think you’ll just give up and they’ll avoid some returns. But all it does is make me give up on shopping at Home Depot.
Yes. Exactly. I purchased hundreds of dollars worth of supplies. only after reading the return policy. I only need to return 2 items amounting to $25, but there are no Return Items buttons on any of my many purchases, though they are well within the return period. I don’t want to go to the store to return right now. I also don’t want to be waiting on the phone line hearing that message repeat over and over again, ad infinitum. I will not be ordering from Home Depot again.
You don’t want to return it to the store and you don’t want to call them about the return. Looks like the items are yours to keep now.
If you need to call store when the voice starts asking what you are calling about just dial 101 and you will be directed to an Assistant Store Manager.
Yes, I know for sure. HD, Lowes and Walmart have had a 1 year ‘guarantee’ on all plants, shrubs, etc. (excluding annuals) for several years now. It’s not noted, but, this policy does not apply to items on Clearance. Not ‘Sale’, but clearly marked down for the last time on ‘Clearance’ and it must have the Yellow sticker with the clearance price. I had a problem with 1 front end manager who refused to take back several fruit trees I bought on sale. One call to Corporate in front of her (and after she gave Corporate a hard time refusing to speak to the rep ‘in front of customers’) she reluctantly reimbursed my purchase.
I have exercised my right to this several times and recently a comment was made “wow, almost to the day” with a sarcastic attitude. Purchase was May 2019 and I returned within a day or 2 of the 1 year mark this May, 2020. I said ‘this is the guarantee. 1 year’. Not sure why she was unhappy. It’s the policy and she can take it up with the store manager or Corporate.
It is posted on their website (as well as in their stores in NJ):
https://www.homedepot.com/c/Return_Policy
What I was NOT aware of was their ‘Exclusive Grow a Garden Guarantee’. When buying Bonnie plants and a Miracle Gro product, you CAN return vegetable plants that crap out before the end of the season!
I will note that I was told on more than one occasion by employees from each of these stores that I must retain and return the original nursery pot. Easy enough. Speaking of, I have $500+ in small evergreens to dig up and return this week. These shrubs came with a case of ‘bag worm’ that really did a number on them.
What number did you use to call corporate? Their usual 800 number?
I tried to return two 5 gallon bucket of Henry’s roofing tar and I was denied. I paid cash for them and as far as the receipt goes I didn’t have it. Why was I denied I’m sure I haven’t returned anything in a few years now.
Because you had zero evidence that you actually bought them from The Home Depot.
I quit Home Depot over their return policy. I keep my drivers license in my car, not in my pocket. Menards and Loews take returns without an Id
They dont require id unless u don’t have a receipt, or if u do have receipt but item was purchased with a store credit. Lowes wont return without id if u dont have receipt either.
Lol. This is a reason to quit an entire chain? You keep your license in your car… because it’s too tough/heavy to grab it into carry.
I purchased items to redo a whole bathroom and the shower doors where falling out of the slider (bathroom, was being done by contractor),the tenant brought it to my attention and I phoned HomeDepot and the pro desk manager advised me to take the leaking tap(warranties for life ) out and the sliding doors and return it. When I returned it the pro desk manager had quit and I dealt with the assistant manager on duty who advised me to leave the items and he will get the store manager to call me about a credit. Never heard back and when I returned to the store they had gotten rid of my items and refused a credit or gift card. I have been dealing with this now going on for 2 years,even with their HO,who advised me once the store manager refuses a return there is nothing they can do. Please HELP
I had a dewalt string trimmer with 90 money back guaranteed. Well the receipt had been sprayed with alcohol in light of pandemic, and became unreadable. Weed wacker died within a week, attempted to return with distorted receipt and was turned down even though I could make out the date and time, price and part of product name, and knew the register I was at.
can I return a door thats more than five years, not used, but has some filth. Was a gift.
If it’s that old, probably not, worth asking as you might get a nice manager who gives you store credit for the lowest selling price in the past 5 years.
Can cabinets be returned? I don’t see anything listed on the return policy or my receipt.
Home depot has the most generous returns policy. I wouldn’t dream if going in demanding a refund with out a receipt from any other store. Really, think about what you are expecting. Also be nice it will get you further.
Does anyone know if they will take back carpet that was cut to length but not installed?