A painting project can be a lot of work since you have to first choose a paint color, find the perfect shade, and then actually do the painting.
Although you may do your best to estimate how much paint you need, in most cases, you end up with more than is necessary for your project.
You sometimes also discover that the color you chose doesn’t work at all with the rest of the room’s aesthetic.
When this problem occurs, you may wonder if you’re able to return the paint to the store.
If you shopped at Lowe’s, in particular, you may wonder if they accept paint returns.
Can You Return Paint At Lowe’s?
Yes, you can return paint at Lowe’s.
There are some exclusions.
Lowe’s does reserve the right to reject a return if they believe it’s fraudulent.
For example, if a company or individual regularly returns paint to Lowe’s due to some “complaint,” then Lowe’s might grow suspicious.
They might believe that the company or individual is attempting to receive paint for free.
As such, Lowe’s has the right to cancel or reject a return if they believe it’s done for fraudulent purposes.
Otherwise, you can return paint whether it’s opened or not to Lowe’s.
What Is Lowe’s Return Policy On Paint?
In order to receive an exchange or refund on your paint, you need to follow Lowe’s policies and requirements.
Here are some of the rules you need to follow to receive a refund or exchange on your paint return.
1. Keep Paint In The Original Container
Most importantly, you need to bring the paint to Lowe’s in its original container.
Lowe’s might not accept your return if the paint is in another container.
A good way to ensure you’ll receive your full refund is to test your paint first before moving it to a different container.
Then, if you discover the paint isn’t what you need or it’s defective, you can simply bring it back to Lowe’s in the original can or container.
2. Bring Your Receipt
Secondly, you need a receipt.
While Lowe’s might be able to accept the paint without a receipt, in most cases, it’s much better to have one available.
If you don’t have a receipt, then the good news is that Lowe’s has means of proving your purchase.
They can generate a receipt through your credit card and sometimes even your phone number.
If you have a MyLowe’s card, then they can also look the information up through that account if you used it to purchase the paint.
Regardless of if they can prove the purchase or not, you’ll need to bring your ID.
A valid ID verifies your identity.
If the worst happens and they can’t find proof of purchase, then they might reject your return.
Lowe’s might also choose to give you in-store credit instead of exchanging the paint or giving you a refund.
As such, if you want your money back, then you should hold onto your receipt.
3. 30-Day Return Window
A final aspect to consider when returning paint to Lowe’s is that it needs to be done within a certain window of time.
Lowe’s gives you 30 days to return your paint from the day you bought it.
If you had your paint delivered to your home, then the 30-day countdown begins on the day the paint arrived at your home.
30 days is plenty of time to test the paint and make sure it’s what you need.
If you try to return the paint after 30 days have passed, then Lowe’s may not issue you a refund or allow you to exchange the paint.
Can You Return Custom-Tinted Paint At Lowe’s?
Yes, you can return custom-tinted paint provided Lowe’s did the tinting for you.
Lowe’s allows you to tint certain colors to create unique shades of paint perfect for your home.
If you discover that the paint is defective, however, then you can return it to Lowe’s and receive an exchange.
You cannot return custom-tinted paint to Lowe’s if you mixed it yourself, however.
For example, if you bought several different paints and then mixed them together into one can of paint, then Lowe’s might not offer you a refund or exchange.
Another aspect to consider is that you’re unable to return custom paint to Lowe’s if you don’t like the color.
For example, if you bought a custom-tinted paint at Lowe’s then brought it home and discovered that you don’t like the color, Lowe’s won’t give you a refund or exchange.
It’s a better idea to have a sample mixed first so you can determine if you enjoy the color.
In addition, Lowe’s does not accept returns on paint samplers either.
Is There A Time Limit For Returning Paint To Lowe’s?
Yes, there is a time limit for returning paint to Lowe’s.
You have 30 days to return your paint to Lowe’s.
Paint expires after a certain amount of time.
It loses its integrity.
Unsealed paint degrades even faster.
As such, if you wait beyond 30 days to return your paint to Lowe’s, then there’s a good chance that it may have expired by that point.
Lowe’s can do little with potentially expired paint, so it’s just a loss to them.
To ensure you’re able to receive your refund or exchange, you need to return your paint to Lowe’s within 30 days.
What Should You Bring With You When Returning Paint To Lowe’s?
To receive a refund or exchange on your paint, you’ll need to bring the paint, a receipt, and your ID.
The paint must be in its original canister.
The receipt will help the store clerk determine how much to refund you.
The container can help them identify what color you need if you wish to have the paint exchanged.
Your ID proves that you were the one who made the purchase.
While it is possible to make your return without a receipt, the process is a lot smoother if you’re able to provide it.
Are There Any Exclusions Or Restrictions To Lowes’ Return Policy On Paint?
Yes, Lowe’s has a few exclusions and restrictions on returning paint.
Here are some of the exclusions and restrictions to keep in mind.
1. Improper Surface Preparation
You might discover that your paint doesn’t look great because you didn’t prepare the surface of the wall correctly.
A lot of homeowners simply think that they can apply paint to the wall immediately.
That isn’t always the case.
Walls usually need some form of cleaning and preparation beforehand.
For example, it’s common to use a primer to ensure the paint adheres to the wall correctly.
If you don’t like the paint because you didn’t prepare the wall beforehand, then Lowe’s might not give you a refund or exchange for the paint.
2. Color Samples
Another item that isn’t eligible for a return is a color sample.
Color samples are popular because they allow you to try out different colors in small batches.
It’s a cheap way to see which color goes best in certain rooms.
Because they’re small samples, Lowe’s won’t accept a return on them.
This is also the case even if they are defective.
3. Mis-Tinted Items
A mis-tinted item is a type of paint that either came out of the machine wrong or was a return from a customer.
It isn’t defective or the wrong color—it’s just a color that the machine didn’t make right or that someone just didn’t enjoy.
You’re unable to receive a refund on the paint or exchange it for another color because Lowe’s is unlikely going to be able to reuse or resell the paint again.
NEXT:
Can You Get Free Starbucks On Your Birthday? (2023 Updated)
