TJ Maxx Return Policy: Tips and Tricks to Make It Work For You

September 20, 2017 by Kyle James
Updated: September 26, 2024

The TJ Maxx return policy is both loved and hated at the same time. It’s loved because they’ll take back most items even after the return window has closed. It’s hated because they can be a bit stingy on taking back items that have been washed, even when there is nothing malicious going on. Let’s break down their return policy fully, along with some hacks to make it really work for you in the future.

TJ Maxx Return Policy: Tips and Tricks to Make It Work For You

How Many Return Days Does TJ Maxx Give Me?

30 days.

You have 30 days from the date of purchase to bring back any items to a TJ Maxx location for a return or exchange.

After 30 days, returns with a receipt (and often without a receipt too) will be given store credit for the item’s current price.

Is a Receipt Required for a Return?

The TJ Maxx official line is this, “To make your returns quicker and easier please keep your receipt.”

But having a receipt in hand is NOT a requirement for a return. In most cases, they’ll happily give you store credit when you don’t have your receipt.

To make a return happen without a receipt you’ll need to provide a government issued photo ID, name, signature, and address.

They collect this information to track your returns and make sure you don’t abuse their return policy.

While they don’t have an official policy on how many “no-receipt returns” you can make, it’s safe to assume that several a month will get their attention and they could ban you from returning items for a specific amount of time.

See Also: 9 Killer Ways to Shop Smart and Save Money at TJ Maxx

Can I Make Too Many Returns Without a Receipt?

Yes.

If the TJ Maxx return “system” thinks you’re making too many returns without a receipt, you’ll be given a printout which essentially is a “warning” about making too many of these types of returns.

The printout will also state that your next receipt-less return might not be accepted and you could be banned from making returns without a receipt in the future.

It’s my understanding that the “return ban” could be permanent, although some shoppers seem to think it only lasts a year. (Let me know in the comments if you know)

TIP: The best way to avoid this is to ALWAYS select “Email and Print Receipt” when checking out. That way you’ll have the receipt in your inbox in case you ever need to retrieve it.

Can I Return Something After 30 Days?

Yes.

If you bought an item over 30 days ago, you can STILL return it for store credit as long as the tags are attached.

You’ll get whatever the current selling price is.

Tip: If you find something in your closet two years after you bought it from TJ Maxx, you can return it but DON’T bring your receipt as you do not want them to know how long ago you bought it. Also, from commenter Nicole, “DO NOT MENTION that it has been years.”

Can I Return Something That I Washed?

This one gets a bit tricky.

Their official policy is NOT to accept returns on items that have been worn or washed.

But if you plead your case, the manager will often agree to the return. This is especially true for items that shrunk badly in the wash or lost most of their color.

You might need to be the squeaky wheel to make this happen.

A word of warning: Know exactly what you’re buying and wash it in accordance to the label instructions so you don’t have to deal with this issue.

How Do I Return an Online Order?

You have 2 options. You can either return items in-store or via UPS.

  • In-Store Returns: Completely free to return online orders in-store with 40 days. Just bring items back to your local TJ Maxx with your receipt, packing slip, or shipping confirmation email.
  • Return via Mail: This is gonna cost you a $11.99 shipping and handling fee. Be sure the item gets back to TJ Maxx via UPS before 40 days. Otherwise you’ll have to settle for merchandise credit. Your original package comes with a return shipping label.
  • Note: An exact exchange is NOT available when returning online orders via the mail. This is due to an ever-changing online inventory.

If you have a TJ Maxx in your area, you’re obviously much better off returning items in-store to avoid the return shipping fee.

The only way they’ll waive the $11.99 fee is if the item is defective.

Any Items Not Eligible for a Return?

Yes, glad you asked.

  • Gift Cards: You can’t return them for cash, nice try though.
  • In-Store Purchases Can’t be Returned Online: Only online purchases can be returned via the mail.
  • Items over $1,000 Can’t Be Returned In-Store
  • Handbags priced over $499.99 Can’t Be Returned In-Store

I’ll add new items that are non-returnable as I discover them.

What About Returning Items with a Gift Receipt?

When returning items with a gift receipt, be aware that you’ll only get store credit or an exact exchange.

You won’t be given cash.

Do this after 30 days of purchase and you’ll be stuck with the current price of the item. Hopefully it won’t be on clearance as you’ll be stuck with the clearance price.

What is TJ Maxx’s Holiday Return Policy?

TJ Maxx has a very helpful holiday season extended return policy.

All purchases made between October 8th – December 24th can be returned through January 25th.

Their normal return policy applies to all purchases made on or after 12/26.

See Also: 37 Popular Stores That Also Offer Extended Holiday Returns

Can I Get a Cash Refund If I Used a Debit Card?

If you still have the receipt and you’re still within the return window, YES you can get cash back.

What Happens If I Return Items Bought with a TJX Rewards Credit Card?

Many shoppers are curious about this.

So I pulled out my magnifying glass and found the boiler plate on the TJX site and discovered that “Points will be deducted for any returns or credits made on your account.”

In short, they will take back the points you earned when you make a return.

See Also: Temu Return Policy: Way Cheaper Clothes Than TJ Maxx

Can I Return Opened Food Items?

No, you’re stuck with food items once you open them.

The only caveat to this is if the food is unsafe to eat through no fault of your own, in which case you have a good chance for a refund.

Can You Return TJ Maxx Items to Marshalls?

No.

Even though both are owned by the same company, you can’t mix returns between the two.

TJ Maxx Return Policy Hacks:

1. Keep Tags on Items

Don’t take the tag off the item until you’re absolutely sure you want to keep it.

This is because many stores will give you the price on the tag when making a return, no matter how long ago you made the purchase.

2. Swimwear & Lingerie Returns

The price tag must be “properly attached” to all swimwear and lingerie if you want to return it.

Not exactly sure what “properly attached” means. In any case, this is a health issue and this policy attempts to keep worn items off the rack.

3. Jewelry Returns

You’ll need to return jewelry items directly to the TJ Maxx jewelry counter. Because of this, you must return jewelry ONLY to a location that actually carries jewelry.

4. Purchases Made with a Gift Card

When returning these purchases you’ll have to settle for store credit which can be used for both online and in-store purchases.

5. Purchases Made using PayPal

When using PayPal for an online order, you’ll be refunded via PayPal on a return, but you’ll have to pay $10 to mail the package back.

For an in-store return, you’ll be forced to accept merchandise credit.

See Also: HomeGoods Returns: Can You Return TJ Maxx Stuff to Home Goods?

BONUS Tip: PayPal Warning On Online Purchases

As mentioned above, be careful using PayPal for online TJ Maxx purchases.

When trying to make a return in-store, you’ll be STUCK with merchandise credit.

If you want to get the money refunded to your PayPal account, you’ll have to pay $10 to mail the package back to them.

Thanks to commenter Bee for this great tip.

Ask the Reader: What’s been your experience with the TJ Maxx return policy? Good, bad, or ugly, let me know in the comments.


By Kyle James

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Liz

Thank you so much for the holiday return policy information!!! Very helpful
Xx
Liz

Pat

With my receipt within 13 days paid w a check do I get cash back?

Joanne

Can I get a refund for an open food item?

Jen

No

Andrea

How many times can you return without a receipt and in what time frame?

Crystal

I was wondering the same thing

Gail Duhon

I just purchased makeup items like concealer, elf palettes, and eye palette, lip glosses, etc. I pulled off the stickers with the price and bar code. And have receipt. I bought them for mother n law, and she can only wear a certain type of makeup. Can I still return them? Or will they give me poop about the sticker tags being off of the box? Thank you!

Carol

TJ Maxx makes a killing on return handling fees. I ordered shoes in my normal shoe size. This particular shoe did not run true to size. I used my $25.00 gift card to make purchase. After sending shoes back, with no option to order next size up, I received $6.25 credit on gift card. They do no refund shipping ($8.99) and they charged $9.99 handling fee to return items. Will not be shopping at TJ Maxx again. They just took my money.

Cathy

I’m also done with online purchases. Their process to return in store is one of the dumbest things I’ve seen in a LOOOONG time.

Gloria

Do I need to go the same store I bought the item to be able to return it? or can I go to another Tj Maxx store?

Savannah Fite

Any tjmaxx

Laura

I bought a shower curtain and a throw rug over SIX months ago. Got busy, forgot about them and just found them again in the back of my closet. Still in wrapping and with all tags but no receipt. Funny how six months can change your perspective on things. I really don’t want these. Can I still take them back? Or am I stuck with E-bay?

Savannah Fite

You can take it back and get store credit

Saroya

I purchased a Michael kors watch December 2018 for Christmas and now it’s June 2018 and I’ve only been wearing this watch for a month now and it’s not working. Is there any way I could exchange or return it? I bought it with my tjmaxx credit card.

Judith

They’re strict with jewelry so no you can’t. You really should pay attention to return policies!

Jay

Can you get cash refund with receipt if you purchased with debit card?

Jillian Lloyd

I need to know this as well.

Abbi

Yes

Precious

Can you make a return with a tjmax rewards credit card? I used my tjmaxx rewards credit card to buy a sweater and it doesn’t fit my uncle.

Gisella

I have the TJX reward credit card and I only pay with it to get the points and eventually the $rewards. If I make a purchase with this card at a store, get the rewards and then decide to return that entire purchase, will my rewards points be cancelled? Because if I have 30 days to return, my $rewards will arrive to me before then..

Amy

How do I return items that were used with my rewards discounts? For example , I bought $55.00 worth of clothes and various time but I used 2 ($10.00) coupons. I need to return 4 shirts? Do I get my full price I paid for the shirts or are they discounted because I got a total of $20.00 off my purchase using the TJMaxx rewards bucks?

Tami

Can exchanges be done after 1 year if not worn and tags still on.

Alex

I returned clothes after 30 days and got store credit. If I buy something with the store credit and decide to return that later on within 30 days will I get cash or store credit again?

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