In an effort to help shoppers, many retailers have made temporary changes to their return policies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are a few of the most significant changes so you can plan your return strategy once stores do reopen for business.

Amazon

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Amazon has extended it’s return policy to both U.S. and Canadian shoppers.

Orders placed between March 1 – April 30 can now be returned all the way up to May 31, 2020.

Items bought after April 30th revert back to the standard 30 day return policy.

Costco

Costco is buckling down on returns that include high-demand items.

High demand items include things like toilet paper, water, paper towels, and Lysol.

It should also be noted that not all Costco stores are posting this new policy, but keep an eye out at your local Costco for signage informing you of this temporary return policy change.

Target

Starting today, Target is not accepting in-store returns for 3 weeks.

If you made a purchase with a return window that expires in the next 3 weeks, NO WORRIES as you’ll have 3 weeks from the date they reopen to bring back your items.

See Also: Returning a Gift? Know These Return Policy Changes

Kroger

Kroger has also temporarily ended grocery returns for the safety of their shoppers as they can’t control what happens to products once they leave their stores.

They’ll still accept returns of meat, deli, produce, and seafood items that don’t meet their standards.

Apple Store

Apple recently closed all their retail stores temporarily in the U.S. but they have vowed to accept all returns for 14 days after they reopen.

Kohl’s

Kohl’s announced that they will extend their 180 day return policy by 30 days once they reopen their stores.

They are still accepting online returns and here is the form if you need it.

Nordstrom

Norstrom has extended their return policy to 45 days after stores reopen, this includes Nordstrom Rack.

For stuff bought online after February 1st, you can either return via snail mail or bring back to a brick and mortar location up to 45 days after stores reopen.

TJ Maxx

TJ Maxx is extending their return policy to 30 days from when their stores reopen, and 40 days from when their online business reopens.

Bed Bath & Beyond

Bed Bath & Beyond is extending all of their return policy timelines by 60 days.

This temporary policy change applies to all purchases made after February 20, 2020.

Home Goods

Home Goods has extended their return policy by 30 days from the date they reopen their stores.

This policy has also been extended to 40 days for online purchases. In other words, 40 days from when their online business reopens.

Old Navy, GAP, Banana Republic

All 3 retailers closed their stores on March 19th due to the COVID-19 crisis.

But all 3 stores have extended their return policy to July 1, 2020 for ALL purchases made between January 1 – March 31.

JCPenney

JCPenney recently announced that they will be extending their return policy by 30 days from the date they reopen their stores. 

So consider their reopening date your “purchase date” and you have 30 days from then to make your returns.

Macy’s

Until further notice, Macy’s has extended their return policy by 30 days.

I’m assuming this is 30 days from when they decide to reopen their brick & mortar locations.

American Eagle

American Eagle is asking you to hold on to your returns and they’ll take them back once they reopen.

For online purchases, they are currently NOT accepting returns by mail so hold on to them until further notice.

J.Crew

The folks at J.Crew are extending their return period to 60 days for all orders placed after March 1st.

This policy is bound to change if their stores can’t reopen in a reasonable amount of time.

Ask the Reader: Did I miss any significant return policy changes? Let me know below.

By Kyle James