JCPenney Return Policy: Questions Answered So You Can Shop Smart
At first glance the 60-day JCPenney return policy looks pretty awesome, but when you start to look a little closer you notice that there are MANY exceptions that shoppers need to be aware of. Not only will I break down these exceptions, but I’ll answer all your burning return policy questions and even give you an insider hack for those who lost their JCPenney receipt. I hope this information helps.
How Many Return Days Does JCPenney Offer?
60 days.
JCPenney use to offer NO time limit on returns but recently went to a still fairly generous 60 day policy.
Your Receipt is Not Completely Necessary
If you lost your JCPenney receipt, you’re NOT out of luck.
You can still return items but will have to settle for the lowest advertised price in the past 45 days.
You can’t get a cash refund and will instead receive store credit to be used on a future JCP purchase.
Be prepared to show a valid I.D. as they’ll track your return history to avoid any misuse of their fairly generous return policy.
PRO TIP: USE THIER EXTENDED HOLIDAY RETURN POLICY
For items bought after October 15th, you can return them with a normal receipt or gift receipt all the way until January 15th.
Do This When Making a Post 60-Day Return
If it’s been more than 60 days since your purchase, you’ll want to make a receipt-less return and opt for store credit.
Like I mentioned above, you’ll get store credit for the lowest selling price of the item in the last 45 days.
Original Packaging Apparently Not Necessary
I called JCP and asked.
I used the example of a Keurig coffee maker that I had for a week, decided I didn’t like, BUT threw away the original box.
I was told “YES”, bring it back in and they would let me return it.
PRO TIP: DID YOU LOSE YOUR JCP RECEIPT?
Ask an associate to look up your purchase.
Apparently, according to the JCP Facebook page, you can ask an associate to use your credit card to look up your previous purchases.
I’m guessing your mileage may vary as some associates might not know how to do this…but it’s worth a shot.
If the associate looks at you kinda funny, ask if a manager can do it for you.
See Also: The Walmart Return Policy Finally Explained In a Way You Can Understand
There Any Exceptions to The 60-Days
There are quite a few items that have a different time limit on returns.
Here are the most notable.
Levi’s – I tried exchanging a pair of Levi jeans, with my receipt, but the tags were removed, and I was stonewalled. No exchange for me. I was told that Levi’s cannot be exchanged or returned at JCP without their original tags still on them.
Fine Jewelry – 60 days with a receipt. Also worth noting that watches must be unworn.
Smart Watches/Fitness Trackers – 10 days with a receipt and they must be unworn and you must have a receipt.
Body Jewelry – All sales are final.
Special Occasion Dresses – No time limit but dresses must be unworn with green return tag still on them.
Furniture – You have 30 days to return furniture and you must report damage or defects within 48 hours of delivery. Call them at 1-800-442-7902 to start your return. Also note that you’ll be hit with a 15% restocking fee and $85 pick-up fee.
Electronics – You have 30 days to return electronics and you must report damage or defects within 48 hours of delivery.
Major Appliances – 48 hours from time of delivery and you MUST have your receipt.
Mattresses – They give you 120 days from date of delivery to return your mattress. You’ll be hit with a 15% restocking fee, but your pickup fill will be waived if you select a different mattress. If you don’t select a different mattress you’ll be hit with a 15% restocking fee and a $85 pickup fee. Do NOT bring your mattress back to the store, they will not accept it. Call them at 1-800-442-7902 to start your return.
Custom Blinds & Drapes – Order must be cancelled within 24 hours of initial purchase. There is NO refund available after that since the items are custom made.
In-Home Window Treatments – You must request a refund within 3 days of original contract date.
Home Services – Includes things like flooring and counter-tops. You have 3 business days from your order date to request a refund.
Salon Items – 60 days and you must have a valid receipt.
Sephora Products – 60 Days with a receipt, if beyond 60 days you’ll get store credit. If you don’t have your receipt they may be able to “look up” your purchase if you have a Beauty Insider account.
Optical – Custom made eyewear comes with a 24 hour return policy. You can also exchange eyewear within 60 days, if not satisfied, for glasses of equal or lesser value.
Portrait – 60 days with a valid receipt.
See Also: Victoria’s Secret Return Policy: Time To Make Some Sense Of It
Mileage Will Vary When Returning Used or Worn Stuff
More than likely this one is going to DEPEND ON the discretion of the store manager on shift.
If items are gently worn, you stand a pretty good chance of returning the items.
If you buy a blouse, spill wine on it, then try to return it you might have a hard time returning it unless there is something wrong with the blouse that is not your fault.
The same can be said for items missing their original tags and packaging…your mileage will vary.
Return Items to ANY JCP Store
You don’t have to go back to the store where you made the original purchase.
You can return your items to any JCPenney store in the United States.
Some Items CAN’T Be Returned
There is indeed some stuff you CAN’T return to JCPenney for any reason.
- Gift Cards
- Monogrammed Items
- Personalized Items
- Altered Items
- Body Jewelry
- Perishable Foods
Everything else JCP sells is returnable.
How To Return a Gift
You can return items with a gift receipt BUT you can’t get cash for them.
You will have to settle for store credit or an even exchange.
Also, you’ll get the price of the item that’s listed on the actual gift receipt.
If you don’t have the gift receipt you’ll get the lowest listed price within the past 45 days.
See Also: Macy’s Return Policy: All The Facts As We Know Them
Can I Return a Swimsuit That’s Been Worn Once?
No, you can only return swimsuits if they are new with the tag still attached.
Try to Return Online Purchases In-Store
When you buy anything from the JCPenney website, you can definitely return it to your local brick and mortar location.
This is obviously the quickest and easiest way to make a return and avoids any fees…which leads to the following question.
When Making a Return via the Mail, Who Pays the Shipping?
Unfortunately, you will.
The biggest negative with their return policy is that you’ll be on the hook for the $8 return delivery fee.
If you don’t have a JCP in your area, and you need to return via UPS, you’ll need to use the “Return & Exchange” UPS form that came with your package to process your return.
The $8 is a flat fee and you can return as many items as you want in a single box and only pay the fee once.
JCPenney claims this fee is “significantly discounted” to make us somehow feel better about paying it, but I’ve talked to many shoppers who tell me it’s made them VERY hesitant to shop their website.
Time will tell, but I think it’s a sign that JCPenney is struggling and may not be around much longer, despite their “Revival Plan”.
Ask the Reader: Have you made a return recently at JCPenney? Was it an easy process or a total pain in the butt? Let me know!
By Kyle James
Photo credit to Mike Mozart.
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)
I returned a ill fitting blouse a few days after receiving it. I sent it back with the receipt etc. How long does it take for a refund and is there any where in my account info online to notify me of JCP receiving the package?
I returned school uniforms that wasn’t needed and only received a small portion back for my return. I kept g th he run about when the full return will be given. They keep extending doing the time. These people are frauds. Ugh..wish I never bought from them.
I was told today that clearance items are final sale. However, good luck seeing that info anywhere upon purchase. I was on the phone with a JCP rep and within 1 minute the person was shouting at me over and over again like a robot. The first time I called I was told items were returnable for full refund. So I have two different policies from two reps. Apparently it’s deep somewhere in the fine print of the return policy that clearance items are final sale according to the rude second rep. This is a first for a big retailer like JCP. Macy’s, WM, Nordstrom etc. are a lot more clear about their policy. How confusing and duping.
I just received my order with many clearance items.
Now when trying to make a return for any of the clearance it says they are NOT returnable !! Why isn’t this mentioned before items are purchased ??
On the JCP website it says their policy starting sometime in Oct 21 is 90 days. However, they offer very little to clarify.
A few years ago JCP was in big trouble- long before Covid. I was rooting for them like all retailers because they provide goods and jobs for communities. However, the company management seems to be lacking while the local store staff are very congenial. If JCP fails it will be because of corporate. My husband told me to shop at Nordstrom because of their CS. Lots of stores have great CS. I can’t understand why JCP CS on the phone is so messed up.
Got a shirt for Christmas to big no tags or receipt can I return it its to big
I tried to return 2 pair of men’s Levi’s with all tags still in place and the JC Penny’s stamp on the price tag( to identify the merch came from them). I had lost my reciept. I was even helped by a manager and was told that the policy in place for a number of years now was that they do not return OR exchange any Levi’s jeans without a receipt. Then was told that this is a kind of secondary return policy directly from Levi that JC Penny’s has no say on the matter and couldn’t help me if they wanted to. Now I’m stuck with $180 merch that is useless to me and I don’t even know anyone that is big enough to GIVE the jeans away to.
My online order got delivered to my winter address although I had changed my shipping address on site. How do I receive my merchandise at my summer address??
I have tried several times returning when my receipt was lost and the associates have bad attitude and lazy and will try for a minute or so then tell you can’t find item . Then ask for a manager and you will get a lecture and feel to be stupid for losing your receipt .chesterfield Michigan location is the worst
I bought $600 worth of clothes during their “holiday” season. I have had medical issues and just now feel like returning what didn’t fit to jcpenney’s. I paid with cash. Will they give me a refund now?
If you bought within the last 60 days, yes. If not, and you still have your receipt they should give you store credit if everything still has the tags on it.
Can I return a Christmas gift that I got on Tuesday 3/14/2023 without a receipt?
I’m trying to make a return now, but i can’t find my order!
So, I say it’s a pain in the butt. If I can’t find how to return a shirt I ordered that has a stain on it, I will shop at another place.
I bought à dress for 109.00 on 5/12, decided it made me look like I was trying to be 18 again so I went to return it on the the 22. I paid cash and lost the receipt, I was told by 2 cahiers i could not return it , not even for store crédit. That “prom dresses” can not be returned. Reading their return policy on line I should’ve been able to get store crédit for it. The cashiers were rude and obviously doesn’t know their own return policy. Both should be fired.
That’s when you ask to talk to a manager and explain the situation. Did the dress still have the original tags on it?
Every store I have ever shopped online has offered a return label and does not make the customer pay for return shipping, which by the way is more than the $8 that they say it is. No more Penney online shopping for me. There was no return fom enclosed with my order.
I’m a supervisor at jcp. Even if you pay cash we can look up your receipt as long as you have a rewards account with us. Just have us put in your phone number or email address at the beginning of each transaction; you’ll earn points, get coupons (that are one of the few that will stack with other coupons) and if you need to return an item but lost the receipt we can still help you out at the full price you paid using the same phone number/email (within 60 days on most items).
Ordered jeans on line, don’t fit. No return form in order.can only return by ups or return to a store, store is 80 miles away. Would be easier to return by usps. Not easy for returns at all.
Can i return a pair of pants that are different sizes on the sticker than the pants but are the same pants? I just wanna exchange them for a different size but the sizes are 38×32 on the pants & the tags say 32×30. I have the receipt they were a gift but someone messed up & the wrong tags aren’t the same size as the pants.
Yikes. 60 days is really short. I went in to return a Christmas gift bought in November on January 28, and the store would not give me cash even with receipt. Almost every store extends returns for November through Jan. 31. I will not be shopping there anymore. The industry standard for returns is 90 days. They went from one of the best places to shop to one of the worst.
Yes, exactly.
60 days is not generous. Industry standard for brick and mortar clothing stores is 90 days.
I have actually had not problems with returns. Keep your receipts or they can usually just look it up.