Things That Make the Trader Joe’s Return Policy Ridiculously Awesome
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.
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.
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)
Well, I’ve never tried the open-container return (tho mentally bookmarking for later), but I have returned an open package of bread that was questionable. No questions asked, even exchange at the register.
It’s a pretty cool policy. I chatted with a manager before I wrote this and he seemed to almost encourage people to do it. I think the thinking is that you’ll end up being a repeat buyer on many items and rarely return anything.
I have to say that I have made one return to Trader Joe’s and it was a bottle of olive oil. It had a cork in it instead of a screw-on top. On the way home, it tipped over in the bag and when I got home (about three hours later) the olive oil had leaked out all into my trunk (probably 2/3 of the bottle).
When I returned it (with the receipt), I explained to the clerk what had happened, stating that I did not get it out of the car immediately. She made a smart comment regarding the fact that I shouldn’t have left it in the car and that they can’t control it turning over in my car. I was sort of surprised at the comment as I felt shamed for asking to return it. But they did allow me to exchange it.
Everyone at my local Trader Joe’s (Lexington, KY) is always very nice and helpful (even this particular lady) so I was a bit taken back. I felt like the bottle maybe should have been secured a bit better and given that there was (in my mind) an ‘issue’ with the product (packaging) that I had a bit more of a reason to return it other than ‘I just don’t like it’.
But the reason I am seeing this article is because I Googled ‘Trader Joe’s return policy’ because I just purchased salsa that I very much dislike and remembered reading this article. Unfortunately it drudges up the one association of returns that I’ve had with TJ which was not awful, but certainly not with the cheerful, ‘stand by our policies’ demeanor that I expect from TJ.
I would clear it up with the manager and let he or she know that this incident put them in a different light in your mind, as it was a packaging problem.
Perhaps in a letter if face to face isn’t for you.
I, too, am here after I googled “TJ’s return policy” because I purchased some ridiculously awful salsa. After looking at the ingredients for their serrano salsa fresca and discovering some truly bizarre ingredients (ginger, cinnamon, mace?!) I spat it out and thought, WTH, this is going back IMMEDIATELY. Thanks for your assurance that when TJ’s makes such a terrible error in judgement I can send it back for a refund.
TJ Maxx sells salsa? Wow, who knew.
Update: My wife just bought their salsa and I really liked the one she picked out.
Yes, they are true to their word.
I called the store after being double charged for an item and they gave me a refund over the phone. Also had a bottle of wine splinter at the top when opening and they took it back without hesitation.
They have changed their return policy. I tried to return something that was unopened with receipt today in Chicago and they refused to refund my money. Coporate greed rears its ugly head.
It’s not “corporate greed”, it’s that they just don’t like you. I returned two almost identical items to Trader Joe’s last month and had absolutely no trouble getting a full refund.
I had purchased two different frozen desserts in different flavors and tried to serve the first one and not one of my guests at my get together took more than two bites of the dreadful treat.
Even though there were only scrapes of the first one Trader Joe’s cheerfully gave me a full cash refund and an apology.
Maybe it’s because you live in the Second City, I reside in the Northwest and I’ve never had that issue.
I’m not sure if the return policy is different now? but I used to work at Trader joes for a few months earlier this year and the return policy was very lax – any item with a barcode could get refunded even if it was completely empty. Additionally, at least at my location, all the non-spoiled food was collected every evening and brought to a local food bank! I’ve never worked in a food industry where corporate actually allowed us to do that and it made me happy.
Will bookmark this and update you all tomorrow with the result, because I plan to return a bag of frozen turkey meatballs that I made 3 of and can’t even eat the last one, it’s so gross. :/
Definitely let me know what they say!
I even returned a can of Trader Joe’s tomato paste about 2 years later for cash back. I love those guys especially for how liberal and lenient their return/exchange policy is.
Wanted to return 3 items my wife bought for me to “get healthy”. Fish oil, psyillium husks, and St John’s wort. I had no receipt but the items were unopened and had been purchased within a week. Trader Joe’s would not take any back, saying they were in some kind of list. Horrible customer service
Went searching for this information because I purchased a new facial cleanser from Trader Joe’s and it was way too drying for my dry, sensitive skin. I just called my local Trader Joe’s and asked if I could bring it back and he immediately said “yep, no problem, bring it on in”. YES! However, does anyone have insight on what they do with returned products like facial soap? I don’t really care about the 6 bucks or what ever it cost. I would hate to see it go to waste, which is why I’m seeking a return.
They’ve taken their return policy off their website. It doesn’t contain any info on returns and refunds as such. I guess it will have to depend on the store since there are so many now.
Will Trader Joe’s give you a cash refund regardless of how you paid for the item… If you paid using a creditcard but you don’t have the receipt can you have your refund in cash if you need a little cash?
No, the Trader Joe’s in Bellevue, WA and Redmond refused my return. I accidentally went over my budget by $100 give or take so I had to return some stuff I had bought the night before and so I embarrassingly had to return it and also without a receipt as the night before it was raining so much that my receipt got wet so I threw it away. So I returned my stuff and they refused me!! It made it all more embarrassing!! And on another time I was sent to buy fish and meat for a barbecue so I went and bought what was needed but on the way to the barbecue it was canceled so I had a bag of meat and fish and no way would it fit in my freezer so I had to return it and also the other store refused!!! SO NO, THEY DONT ALWAYS GO BY THERE POLICY!!
This just happened to me. I sent my husband shopping which he rarely does. He bought 2 different meats with ingredients I am allergic to. We took the meats back with original receipt and they refused to refund us. Been shopping there for 15 years and this has really turned me off to shopping there. Whole Foods takes back anything no question asked.
I have taken back various items to Trader Joe’s over the years. Including some almonds I did not like a couple weeks ago. I just did not like the flavor and they took back a half eaten bag and gave me credit towards my next purchase. 👍🏼
Will they take an exchange or refund for item that has expired