Home Depot is the largest home improvement retailer in the US and has nearly 2,000 stores that carry all manner of building supplies, tools & accessories, furniture, mattresses, area rugs, generators, consumer electronics, and more. The average customer shops at Home Depot 13-times a year and includes the DIY shopper for home repairs to professionals like excavating contractors.
Before you spend thousands on home improvement projects, like supplies or appliances like refrigerators, help to understand the Home Depot return policy. Thus, you’ll know what to do if you no longer need some stuff, it comes damaged, or it doesn’t work well with your project needs.
To keep its loyal customers happy and buying, The Home Depot has a standard return policy that governs how returns work at its store locations.
So, can you return items to Home Depot without a receipt?
Short Answer: Luckily, you can return items to Home Depot without a receipt. Home Depot’s standard return policy requires new or unopened items to be returned within 180 days from the purchase date.
And suppose you used a Home Depot Commercial Account, Commercial Revolving Charge, or Depot Consumer Credit Card to make the purchase. In that case, you have a whole year —365 days— to return the item in its original packaging and receive a refund.
However, other items, like large furniture and mattresses, have a shorter return window of 30 days. But, despite a shorter return window, the same policies apply without a receipt.
If you purchased in cash, it helps to have the receipt because you’ll get an exchange, store credit, or a refund to the original purchase method used and at the original price. But if you lost the receipt, don’t panic.
Your purchase details should remain in the system for up to 30 days. So you can still return the items while presenting a valid ID or passport for verification.
If you used a debit or credit card to pay, Home Depot associates could look up purchase details on the system, up to 90 days. Just bring the original payment card and your ID.
If the purchase can be verified, you’ll receive a cash refund to the original payment method or an exchange for a similar item. However, unverified purchases only qualify for store credit at the lowest advertised price.
That said, some items don’t qualify for returns with or without a receipt, including discounted or special order items. Those select items have very strict conditions, such as being unopened in their original packaging and boxes and must have the original receipt. Plus, cancellations and Special Order returns may be subject to a 15% restocking fee.
What is Home Depot’s Return Policy without a Receipt?
The Home Depot return policy without a receipt requires customers to return items within 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, or up to 365 days, depending on the original payment method used and the item being returned.
If you’ve lost the receipt and you paid with cash, it helps to return the item within 30 days. That’s because cash purchase details remain in the Home Depot refund verification system for up to 30 days. Thus, they’ll still be required to use your ID to verify the purchase and issue a refund or exchange.
Don’t come without a credit card or debit card used for the purchase. It’s used to pull the details available up to 90 days. Thus, store associates can retrieve your purchase details from the system within this period.
Purchases made with Home Depot Commercial Account, Commercial Revolving Charge, or Depot Consumer Credit Card are eligible for returns up to 365 days without the receipt because the purchase can be tracked in the system.
Whatever the case, make sure you carry the valid ID and the original payment method used. Store associates will use your ID or passport to verify your identity and track the purchase. Mostly, non-receipt returns will qualify for a store credit. You can only use a Home Depot store credit for in-store purchases and not online.
Sometimes, unverifiable non-receipt returns for $50 and above may be rejected in some stores. Again, your returns without a receipt will be declined, and your account flagged if Home Depot establishes that you have a habit of making too many returns; there is a return without a receipt limit.
Save your receipt and keep it safe to avoid rejected returns at Home Depot. The system only tracks returns not accompanied with a receipt, according to Business Insider. That way, you can receive a full refund to the same payment method used, opt for an exchange or a merchandise credit.
What is Home Depot’s Return Policy After 90 Days?
Home Depot’s return policy after 90 days requires customers to return most items within 180 days after the purchase date and up to 365 days depending on the payment method used.
Unless stated otherwise, most cash, debit, and credit card purchases can be returned to Home Depot after 90 days. It’s easy, as long as you have the receipt. You’ll still be eligible for a full refund or exchange for up to 180 days.
If you paid with The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card, items will still be eligible for a refund or exchange up to 365 from the date of purchase. But if you lost the receipt, try to make non-receipt cash returns within 30 days and debit or credit card returns within 90 days before the purchase details vanish from Home Depot’s refund verification system.
Otherwise, your unverified return is only eligible for store credit or gets rejected if the product is discontinued. Also, you’ll get declined if you’ve returned too many items in the past.
What’s on the Home Depot 90-Day Return Policy Exception List?
Not all items purchased at Home Depot are allowed the 90-day return window. To protect itself from dishonest buyers, it has a few exceptions to the 90-day return policy. Thus, some items have a shorter return window of only 30 days, including
- Furniture
- Consumer electronics like TVs & computers
- Mattresses
- Generators
- Area rugs
- Gas-powered tractors or related commercial equipment
What Items Cannot be Returned to Home Depot?
Not all items can be returned to Home Depot stores, including:
- Major appliances
- Gift cards and store credits
- Stationary and whole house generators
- Utility trailers
- Cut flowers and floral arrangements
- Labor, delivery, carpet cleaner rentals, renting a pickup truck, and installation services
- Product samples – Paint, flooring, fabric, wallpaper, and related
- Custom products – blinds and custom paint
What is Home Depot’s 180 Day Return Policy?
Most items can be returned to Home Depot stores within 180 days from the purchase date. The Home Depot 180-day return policy requires customers to send items back within this timeframe for a full refund, exchange for a similar item, or store credit.
It’s much easier if the item is unopen in its original packaging and you have the original purchase receipt for verification. In that case, you’ll be eligible for an exchange or full refund to your original payment method.
However, don’t give up if you’ve lost the receipt. Depending on the payment method used, your purchase details can still be looked up in a third-party refund verification system.
Most of the time, non-receipt returns will qualify for a Home Depot store credit. However, your return may get rejected in the worst-case scenario, especially if the item is open or used.
That said, cash, credit, and debit card purchase details only remain in the Home Depot system for 30-90 days. So if you make the return after 90 days without the receipt, Home Depot may have a way to verify it. After that, it’ll be up to the store manager to decide whether or not to accept the return.
Of course, there are exceptions. Here’s a video of a product return 19 years later to Home Depot with a receipt. My jaw dropped!
What is Home Depot’s Policy for Open Items?
The Home Depot still has a lenient policy for open items, and you can return defective items within the stipulated return window. Just wrap the items with the already opened packaging and all accessories and be ready with the original purchase receipt.
Some store managers will also allow you to return opened items without the receipt, as long as the item’s purchase details still appear on the Home Depot’s POS system.
Mostly, opened items may only be eligible for Home Depot store credit without a receipt or an exchange if you have the receipt. However, that decision rests with store managers at that specific location. In addition, your previous purchase and return history with the store may come to play.
Can I Make a Return to Home Depot Without Packaging?
Yes, Home Depot will take stuff back without its original box or packaging within the specified return period, even without the receipt. It’s returnable as long as the purchase still appears on the refund verification system.
However, if the return is past the stipulated return window, you may have to provide the original receipt for a refund or exchange to be processed.
That said, return eligibility without the original packaging may vary from store to store. That means it’ll be at the store manager’s discretion to decide whether or not to accept the items.
To make returns easier, make it a habit to keep the receipt and the original box until you’re fully satisfied with the purchase. That’s because non-receipt returns without the original packaging may only be eligible for store credit or get rejected altogether.
What is Home Depot’s Online Return Policy?
Items purchased on HomeDepot.com can be returned to a nearby Home Depot store or via mail before the return window elapses. You’ll need to bring the shipment confirmation email, packing slip, or the order confirmation email as proof of purchase when making the return at your local Home Depot store.
Alternatively, log into your Home Depot account to initiate an online return. Not all items can be returned online, so check the eligibility criteria to avoid wasting time. If your items qualify for a return, you’ll receive a shipping label that you should use to send back the item.
Simply pack the item in its original packaging, along with all its accessories and the purchase slip, then it drop off at the nearest assigned third-party shipping store, like UPS. Once your return has been received, Home Depot will process your refund and deposit the fund to the original purchase method.
You may have to pay for return shipping costs unless the reason isn’t your fault, such as a defect or the wrong product was sent. Plus, mail returns take longer to process than in-store. So you’re better off returning items purchased online to the nearest Home Depot store to avoid delays and get your money back faster.
What Is Home Depot Return Policy for Air Conditions?
Air conditioners are exempt from the 90-day return policy. Home Depot’s return policy for air conditioners is 30-days. So don’t wait too long because you only have a month.
Home Depot returns without a receipt for air conditioners have a similar return process. Depending on the payment method used to cover the purchase, Home Depot can look up the purchase in the POS system for a full refund, exchange or store credit.
If you’ve got the receipt and the item is unopened in its original packaging, you’ll have a faster return process and a refund to the original payment method.
If you don’t have the receipt, ensure you carry a valid photo ID and the original payment method used. It helps the store associates quickly verify your identity, trace your return history, and look up the purchase.
What is Home Depot’s Mattress Return Policy?
Mattresses are excluded from the 90-day return policy but instead have a shorter 30-day return policy.
Thus, if you purchase a mattress in-store or online from the Home Depot website and want to return it to the store for a refund, you have to do it within 30 of purchase.
Providing a receipt makes the return process easier. However, Home Depot will take back a mattress without a receipt if they find the purchase details in their system.
What is Home Depot’s Lumber Return Policy?
Home Depot’s wood return policy gives customers 90-days after purchase or the delivery date to return unused lumber to the store or via UPS.
Customers must provide proof of purchase such as the receipt or online purchase slip or invoice to obtain a full refund when returning lumber.
Can you Return Cut Wood to Home Depot?
Unfortunately, Home Depot’s wood policy doesn’t allow customers to return cut lumber to its stores. That said, you may be lucky to find some Home Depot stores that are willing to accept cut lumber and hardwood wood as long as it’s in usable condition.
Ultimately, it rests upon the store manager’s discretion to decide whether or not to accept cut lumber returns.
What is Home Depot’s Return Policy for a Lawn Mower?
The Home Depot lawn mower return policy varies by the type of lawnmower you purchase. For instance, a gas-powered lawnmower must be returned within 30 days of purchase, while electric and push lawn mowers have a longer return window of up to 90 days of purchase.
Despite the return window, equipment must be in its new, unused condition and the original purchase receipt for a full refund.
It’s even easier to return a lawnmower without a receipt if you paid using the Home Depot Credit card.
What is Home Depot’s Rug Return Policy?
Home Depot’s rug return policy allows customers 30 days to return unwanted rugs. You must meet the following rug return requirements:
- Make your return within 30 days
- Bring the original purchase receipt for your rug
- Take a valid ID or passport
- Bring the credit card used for your purchase
What is Home Depot’s Tile Return Policy?
Home Depot’s tile return policy allows customers to make tire returns within 90 days from the purchase date. The tiles must be undamaged, unopened, and in their original boxes.
Bring the original receipt, the original payment method used, and your valid photo ID for easy return processing.
You can bring tiles purchased online to the nearest Home Depot location or mail them back via UPS.
What is Home Depot’s Tree Return Policy?
Home Depot’s Christmas tree return policy falls within the 90 days to 365-day return window. Although Home Depot requires most plants to be returned to its store within 90 days, perennials and landscaping plants are eligible for return for an entire year.
Again, Home Depot offers an unconditional one-year guarantee for all tropical, landscape, and in-house plants, including perennials, shrubs, and trees.
So if your Christmas tree starts dying early, just bring what’s left within the accepted return window for a refund or exchange. You can also opt for store credit if the plant is no longer in stock, such as a type of indoor succulent.
To make a Christmas tree return at Home Depot, you’ll need to bring your receipt or online purchase slip as proof. If you lost the receipt, visit the store with your valid photo ID and the original payment method used to make the purchase.
What is Home Depot’s Generator Return Policy?
Home Depot’s generator return policy allows customers to return unsatisfactory generator purchases within 30 days of purchase. For your return to be accepted, the generator must be like new, well packaged in its original box, and include all accessories.
You can carry the generator to your local Home Depot store or call customer service to arrange a pickup. To make it easier, bring your original purchase receipt, payment method, and a valid photo ID.
Plus, you may have to pay shipping charges when sending the generator back via mail unless it results from an error.
What is Home Depot’s Return Policy for Used Tools?
Used tools may be eligible for returns within 90 days of purchase. However, the tools must be in their new or near new condition. If they show signs of wear and tear, the return will be rejected right away.
For instance, you may return a Wooster paintbrush after using it for a couple of minutes if you’re unhappy with it. But you won’t be able to return a paintbrush that’s been used heavily for an entire weekend.
What’s Home Depot’s Plant Return Policy?
Perennials, shrubs, and trees have a 1-year guarantee and can be returned to Home Depot within 365 days.
If you buy live goods online that are damaged or dead, contact Home Depot customer services within three days of delivery to get a replacement at no charge.
Cut flowers and floral arrangements are exempt from this policy.
What’s Home Depot’s Paint Return Policy?
Home Depot has a 30-day paint return policy. Thus, you have only a month to return unsatisfactory interior or exterior liquid paint purchases. The paint department will either correct your paint or give you a comparable can of paint.
However, the Home Depot paint return policy excludes paint issues resulting from improper application or surfaces, color samples, liquid stains, and “OOPs” merchandise.
Again, non-stock products, labor and installation issues, 3rd parties, custom tinted paints, or paints you bought at a discount are not eligible for a return.
What is Home Depot’s Blinds Return Policy?
Most blinds cannot be returned to The Home Depot. The only blinds that are eligible for a return are the ones labeled “Guaranteed to Fit.” Otherwise, you can’t return any other types of blinds to Home Depot stores.
Does Home Depot Price Match After Purchase?
Yes, Home Depot will price match before and after your purchase for 30 days. They will price adjust general merchandise like plants, SodaStream carbonator bottles (but don’t refill CO2 tanks), tools, extension cords, hardware, refrigerators and freezers, house humidifiers, lumber, returned batteries, and more. The stores will not price match installation fees, appliance removal fees, key copy service, final-sale items, or customized products.
Bring in the ad or printout of the competitor’s identical product. The competing retailer must have the item in stock, and an associate may contact the competitors to verify the price, the sale, and whether it’s available.
Home Depot will price match purchases from the following competitors:
- Lowe’s
- Ace Hardware
- Menard’s
- Amazon
- Target
- Northern Tool
- Costco
- Best Buy
- Sam’s Club
- Other Home Depot Stores
- Walmart
- Bed Bath & Beyond
Its primary home improvement competitors are Lowe’s, Menard’s, and Ace Hardware.
Home Depot Return Policy Summary
Home Depot offers different return policies depending on the type of merchandise and the payment method used to cover the purchase. However, despite the timeframe, a Home Depot return without receipt works pretty much the same.
First, you should have the receipt and the item unopened in its original packaging for easy return processing and an exchange or refund to the original purchase method.
Bring your valid photo ID and the original payment method to the nearest Home Depot location if you’ve lost the receipt. A customer service associate will look up your purchase in their refund system during Home Depot’s return hours. It’s not a 24-hour hardware store, but most stores are open late until 10 pm and open on Sunday.
If the purchase can be verified, you may be eligible for a refund or exchange. However, unverifiable non-receipt purchases will only be eligible for a Home Depot store credit.
That said, it’s safe to say that Home Depot has one of the most generous return policies that’s hard to beat. Depending on the type of product and the payment method used, you can return items to Home Depot within 30-365 days. Though, most items are returnable within 90-180 days with or without a receipt.
Before you buy anything, know the exchange and return policy.
