Sam’s Club Return Policy: We Answer Q’s Even They Won’t
The Sam’s Club return policy is pretty darn solid. But is it as good as Costco’s? Not only will we explore that question, but we’ll answer all your other concerns about Sam’s policy. Here’s everything you need to know so you can shop smart and carry on.
How Many Return Days Do I Have?
Unlimited.
Similar to the Costco return policy, Sam’s allows you to return items ANY TIME after your purchase on most items.
See Also: 7 Ways to Shop at Sam’s Club Without a Membership
Any Exceptions to the Unlimited Return Days?
Yes, there are quite a few note-worthy exceptions.
– Tires and Batteries: Depends on the manufacturer’s warranty. Check it out first.
– Cell Phones: 14 days from date of purchase.
– Televisions: 90 days.
– Computers and Tablets: 90 days.
– Contact Lenses: 30 days.
– Electronics: 90 days. Before you return an item you might want to call 1-877-758-4346 for free technical support from tech experts.
– Games and Software: 90 days.
– Movies and Music: 90 days. If you open it, they’ll only take it back if the CD or DVD is defective.
Can Items Be Opened or Used?
Yes, items can be opened and used and still be returned.
What If I Lost My Receipt?
They prefer that you hold on to your receipt to make your return a breeze.
But…if you don’t have your receipt, they’ll do their best to locate it within their computer system.
Apparently it is not a given that they’ll be able to locate your purchase history.
In any case, be prepared to show your driver’s license so they can track your return history.
This is NOT as a good as Costco as they’ll always be able to look up your purchase when sans receipt.
UPDATE: Thanks to Dirk for letting me know that you can login to your Sam’s account online and access all your old receipts.
You can simply view and print copies of them and make your return at Sam’s a piece of cake.
Can I Return Items Bought Online to a Sam’s Warehouse?
You can return 99.5% of items bought online to any Sam’s location.
A few of the notable exceptions include golf carts, vending machines, and auction purchases.
I have NO idea what a Sam’s Club “auction purchase” is. If you know, let me know in the comments, thanks.
See Also: Cabela’s Return Policy: Can You Return Firearms and Ammo?
Are Any Items Non-Returnable?
Yes, glad you asked.
You’ll have a hard time trying to bring back any of these items…
– Alcohol: This one varies by state, ask at your local Sam’s if you’re not sure about your state law.
– Cigarettes and Tobacco: This is not 100% true. Some Sam’s locations do allow you to return cancer sticks.
– Personalized Items: Think about items like a personalized birthday cake.
– Contact Lenses: This is only true if you open the box they came in.
– Eyeglasses: 14 days from date of purchase.
– Gift Cards: BTW, Sam’s is a great place to buy discounted gift cards for local restaurants and retailers.
– Hearing Aids: Make sure they work before you leave Sam’s.
– Ticket Sales.
– Prescriptions: There are some exceptions, ask the pharmacist about it when you get your free consult.
– Car Tires and Batteries: This one depends on the manufacturer’s warranty.
What’s the Return Policy on Mattresses?
I started a live chat session with Sam’s Club as I couldn’t find their return policy on mattresses anywhere.
At first they told me they need to contact the vendor as they give them return instructions.
I then said, “It’s a Serta, will you take it back? It’s very uncomfortable and hurts my back.”
They immediately said, “Yes, definitely we can take it back.”
If you bought it in-store, take it back to Sam’s.
If you bought it online, call them at 1 (888) 746-7726 for specific instructions.
Who Pays Return Shipping Charges for Online Returns?
If you decide you simply don’t want the item then you’ll have to pay return shipping charges.
If the reason for the return is an error by Sam’s, or a defective product, then they’ll pay the return shipping fees.
Can Items Bought in a Club Be Returned Online?
Nope, bummer.
You’ll have to return them via their online return system.
Can I Return Items to a Different Club?
Yes, you can with these 3 important exceptions:
– Alcohol: If you live in a state that allows you to return alcohol you have to bring it back to the Sam’s Club that you bought it from.
– Cigarettes and Tobacco Products: Same as above.
– Contact Lenses: Unopened contacts must be returned within 30 days to the Sam’s where you bought them.
Can Their Return Policy be Abused?
Because their return policy is quite generous, Sam’s inevitably gets shoppers bringing back some pretty crazy items.
Many of which border on “policy abuse”.
Keep in mind that like any generous return policy, it will eventually go away if abused.
Can I Be Banned From Returning Items?
Yes, you’ll be banned if you regularly return items like brown bananas or an invisible watermelon.
Return smart and carry on.
Which Return Policy is Better: Costco or Sam’s Club?
Tough question, but I’d go with Costco for ONE reason.
Costco is better in terms of tracking your purchases so you don’t need a receipt.
If you lose your receipt with Sam’s, it appears to be a 50/50 chance that you can make the return.
Ask the Reader: What has been your experience with the Sam’s Club return policy?
By Kyle James
Photo credit to JJBers.
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 bought a trampoline from Sam’s Club for Christmas for my grand children. It was delivered in 2 boxes one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.On Christmas Eve, we tried to put it together. In the process of putting it together, we realized we had half the parts for 2 deferent trampolines. After 3 deferent calls, I still have heard nothing about Sams picking it up and crediting to my account.I am so mad.It is sitting in my garage taking up space from my car. I paid $260 for this.
I am curious did they ever pick up your items, I am in a similar situation but a different item.
I’m also in the same situation. What was the outcome? Did they pick up the items? Did you get your money back?
Can’t hearing aids be reprogrammed for sale after refund
Yes, they can be reprogrammed – but only for the original purchaser. Most state laws ban resale of used items as if they are new and unused. So ultimately the answer is NO!
I’ve been a hearing specialist inside Sam’s for 7 years. Yes they can be returned within 90 days at any sams club for no fee(they are returned as nonresellable and we then ship them back to manufacturer site in Pennsylvania). And yes they can be reprogrammed to someone else for $250 per hearing aid only at another sams club. Other hearing aid centers may not offer this, but Sam’s does.
I was told that I couldn’t bring back the hearing aids before my 90 days were up and if I did they would charge my $500.00. The only reason I tried them was because if I didn’t like them I could get my $ refunded in full. There was no mention of them keeping $500.00.
We bought a Casper Element mattress at our local Sam’s Club, after 10 days we decided it wouldn’t work out for us so I called customer service about returning it. I never thought this was an issue because Casper will pick up a returned mattress or tell you to donate it and show them proof. But Sam’s Club said we need to bring the mattress back to the store, mind you this is a king size foam mattress that inflates when you take it out of the box, it will never fit back in that box and it’s heavy as hell. I asked how we were supposed to get it back to the store and the said “that’s your problem, but make sure that when you bring it back it is completely wrapped in plastic” So what do we do? The mattress is very heavy and awkward to move unless you drag it on the ground. It won’t fit in my SUV when it’s out of the box. I called Casper they said they will “look into it” but I have yet to hear back from them. I am furious, Sam’s Club admits that this policy is only for “bed in a box” mattresses that if you want to return a regular mattress you dispose of the mattress any way you want and tear off the tags and bring those in with the receipt.
Can I return my items (clothing) to Walmart that we bought at Sam’s?
NO! Why would you think you could do that? You have to take it back to the store you bought it from. Walmart doesn’t have your payment you made to Sam’s to give back to you, Sam’s would have that. Nowhere in one store’s inventory would they have items you bought at another store. Same with the financial records. That would essentially mean that Walmart would be BUYING clothes you bought somewhere else. ?????
If you use Scan and Go, all of your purchases/receipts are stored on there.
Not true. If you ever get your card replaced, you will lose access to the history on the previous card. Sams can see your past history on their terminal, but you don’t have access to it through your Sams app or Sams website on your desktop. If you call the toll free number on the back of your card, you get customer support in a 3rd world country, they don’t have all the answers.
If I buy a roomba and decide I don’t like it after a year, will they accept the return?
Yes, it’s my understanding that robot vacuums don’t fall under the 90-day return policy on electronics.
Can you return a grill?
Yes.
Can you return clothes with tickets on after almost 2 years? I used one pants but didn’t like it, so I didn’t use other 2.
Return them now that they are out of style? NO!
I know this post is almost a year old. But precovid sams had an online auction site. My dad was hooked on it. He got so many things way under listed price he was able to get my kids a bounce house for 40% off what Sam’s had it online for. I think around Covid they stopped with the auctions and stated it was gor safety concerns (maybe the items were returns?) either way everything he won from sams auction were in perfect condition and he was able to snag them for a great price bummer they stopped the auction site.
I bought a vacuum cleaner today. Tomorrow it goes on sale, $100 cheaper. How can I get this cheaper price?
I am in the same boat. I did have this happen once before. They told me to take the item to the store then they will give me discount with proof of purchase.
Update: I took an item back today that was purchased online. It was $20 cheaper online this week, but they wouldn’t give me the difference. Had to return the item and then reorder the same item.
I had similar situations and showed them my receipt n the refunded me for the price difference
What about shoes? I bought shoes in club and then went to Amazon an there many bad reviews. I have been walking inside but I feel I won’t know until I walk outside.