Urban Outfitters is known as a popular lifestyle retailer providing customers with an array of trendy products from clothing to furniture. Shopping for clothing, especially online, can be difficult. Fortunately, the Urban Outfitters return policy is fairly reasonable, except for the fairly new policy of making their customers pay $5 for the return shipping charges. Read on to learn EVERYTHING you need to know about their return policy.

Urban Outfitters Allows 30 Return Days

Any return made within 30 days of the delivery date (for online purchases) or when purchased (for in-store purchases) is eligible for a refund.

I like how Urban Outfitters gives you 30 days from the “delivery date” for online purchases.

Other retailers, like GAP, give you 30 days from the “shipment date” which sucks as it often takes 5-7 business days to get the items to your front door.

The original tags on the merchandise must be attached in order to make a return at Urban Outfitters.

There Any Return Policy Exceptions

There are certain return exclusions and they include the following items:

– Swimwear and intimates that have been worn. The hygiene strips MUST also be untouched to be able to return.

– Worn shoes cannot be returned.

– Underwear and face masks.

– Gift cards you cannot return / are nonrefundable.

See Also: Here’s Exactly How the H&M Return Policy Works

Do I Need a Receipt to Make a Return?

Yes and no.

If you want a refund back to your original payment method, you’ll need your receipt.

But if you don’t have your receipt, you can STILL get store credit for the current selling price of the item.

According to this Reddit Thread, a former employee said many UO stores will actually take back items for store credit up to a year after your purchase. Even without a receipt.

The clothing must be unworn and have the tag still attached. They can look at the tag and see how old the item is, and if it’s not over a year, they’ll give you store credit which is pretty cool.

PRO TIP: CHECK FIRST TO SEE IF ITEM IS STILL STOCKED

A good way to tell if Urban Outfitters might take back an item is to see if it’s still available on their website. If it is, then it’s still officially in the UO system and they’ll usually take it back for merchandise credit.

But be aware that you might NOT get much money back for an item if you bought it 9 months ago (for instance) as the current selling price is probably a significantly reduced “clearance price”.

Mileage Will Vary Returning Worn Clothing

For some clothes like a dress or pair of pants, you can return them, technically even if you’ve worn them before.

As long as the original tags are on the merchandise and they are in the same condition as received, you can return these items.

However, if you purchased items like intimates that have a hygiene seal that you’ve taken off and worn, obviously you cannot return those items.

Other products like worn shoes and face masks also cannot be returned for hygiene purposes.

You Can Return Online Purchases In-Store

You can definitely return online purchases in-store.

Remember to bring your items and either the packing slip or order confirmation email to show as proof of your purchase.

PRO TIP: BE CAREFUL GETTING STORE CREDIT

When making a UO return after 30 days, you’re stuck with store credit for the CURRENT selling price of the item. And sometimes the current selling price is really cheap.

For example, my sister paid $80 for a sweater and only got $15 in store credit when she returned it after 30 days.

TIP: Sell it on eBay peeps! You can easily get 50% of the full retail price ($40 in this case) by selling it on eBay and the buyer will also pay for shipping.

See Also: ASOS Return Policy: Time to Cut Through the Crap

You’re On the Hook For Return Shipping Charges

If you opt to return your online order via the mail, you (the customer) are responsible for the shipping costs.

A flat $5 restocking fee will be taken out of your refund when your return is received.

Therefore, to get the most out of your refund, always opt for returning your online orders in-store for free when possible.

Urban Outfitters is just one of many retailers sticking their customer with the return shipping costs, time will tell if it’s a tactic that might come back to bite them.

How to Return Underwear and Swimsuits

As long as the hygiene strips are attached, you can return a swimsuit (given it’s unworn and in the same condition as originally purchased).

However, you CANNOT return underwear for basic hygiene purposes.

PRO TIP: USE THE EXTENDED HOLIDAY RETURN POLICY

For 2024, any purchases made between October 1 – December 24, 2024 you have until January 31st, 2025 to make the return or exchange the item.

After January 31st, you’ll be issued a store credit for the purchase amount, but you must have a valid receipt.

Furniture Return? Here’s How It Works

But you CANNOT return furniture in-store at Urban Outfitters.

If you want to return furniture, they ask that you contact them or call them at (800) 732-2306 to set up the return.

Also, it’s worth noting that you’ll typically be hit with a restocking fee when returning these large items.

See Also: A&F Return Policy: We Answer All Your Questions

Urban Outfitters Is Definitely Tracking You

If you make too many returns at Urban Outfitters, you can get banned from future returns.

They keep track of the frequency of your returns, ESPECIALLY those you make without a receipt.

Therefore, if you reach a certain threshold of returns at Urban Outfitters, you may get banned.

The frequency that will get you banned is currently unknown. But if you work for UO and you know the number, please leave a comment or email me so I can anonymously add the information to my article.

How To Track Your Online Returns

You can track your online return order status by clicking here and entering your order number and zip code.

Keep in mind that if you try to return an item online but do NOT have the order number and/or proof of purchase, you simply cannot make the return.

Also, if you try to make the return anyways, it will not be tracked and Urban Outfitters will not be responsible for sending it back (without providing proof of purchase).

Ask the Reader: Have you made a return to Urban Outfitters recently? Was it an easy process or a pain in the butt?

By Kyle James

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

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)