Shopping at Target can sometimes be a dangerous task.
You go to the store for one item, then end up leaving the store with 10 other items that you didn’t intend to buy.
During one of your shopping sprees at Target, you may end up buying a product that’s defective or that doesn’t fit your needs.
If you already threw out the receipt, then you may wonder what Target’s return policy will allow you to do.
Target Return Policy Without A Receipt
You can return an item to Target without a receipt.
However, you won’t receive a cash refund.
Instead, in many cases, Target will give you a merchandise return card instead.
The card allows you to buy whatever you want at Target for the sum of the return.
For example, if you return an item that was on sale for $20, then your merchandise return card will have $20 (plus tax, if applicable) on it.
It’s also important to keep in mind that Target sometimes won’t issue a complete refund.
If the item you bought drops in price between the time you bought it and the time you return it, Target will usually give you a refund based on its lowest price.
This is because, without a receipt, they can’t always verify when you made your purchase.
As such, they have to protect their interests and assume that you bought it when the item was at its lowest price.
Exceptions, of course, might occur.
The cashier can also print you a new receipt if you bought the item on Target.com since the order can typically be looked up.
For online purchases, Target can generate a receipt or barcode based on your purchase.
They can then use that information to give you the proper refund.
If you bought an item in a Target store, then they can also generate a receipt if you used a Target card to make your purchase.
As such, if you’re worried about losing a receipt, you might want to shop online or with a Target card to ensure you receive the maximum refund amount.
What Are The Return Exceptions At Target?
Although Target will accept most items, there are some exceptions.
Here are a few of the instances where Target won’t accept a return or has different policies regarding your refund.
1. Trading Cards
One item that you can’t return to Target is trading cards.
Target sells many trading cards like Pokémon, sports cards, and other collectible cards.
The appeal of trading cards is that you never know what’s inside the package.
You pay for the package, then open it to discover what cards you’ve added to your collection.
You might find that your cards are all common or even duplicates of some you already have.
You may even discover a rare card that you’ve been hunting for.
Because Target knows that people don’t always want to add more of the same cards to their collections, it also knows people will want to return their cards.
If they didn’t receive the card that they wanted, some people believe that they have the right to return the package.
That isn’t the case.
Target won’t accept any returns for trading cards.
2. Open Or Defective Collectibles
Target doesn’t just sell collectible trading cards.
They also sell collectibles.
Some of their collectible items include:
- barbies
- Action figures
- die cast cars
- Porcelain dolls
When buying a collectible item from Target, it’s worth double-checking that it isn’t broken.
If it is, Target won’t allow you to return it.
It’s also worth treating the item with care, so you don’t break it on the way home.
Target doesn’t accept returns on opened or collectible items because they know that the value immediately decreases once the packaging has been damaged.
Some collectors have no problem opening the package of a collectible item to display it in its full glory.
Others prefer a completely unopened collectible which often has more value.
If you open the package, then the value decreases, and Target can’t sell it anymore.
That also goes for breaking the collectible or discovering it’s defective.
Target won’t make as much money on it since no one is going to want to buy a broken collectible.
As such, they don’t accept any returns on opened or defective collectibles.
3. Personalized Items Or Digital Downloads
One fun thing to do at Target is to have a personalized item made.
You can have certain items engraved or personalized.
Target also sometimes allows you to personalize digital downloads that you can print at home.
Neither of these items can be returned to Target.
Since those items have been made specifically for you, there are very few people who will want to buy the returned product from Target.
For example, if you buy a picture frame and have your family name engraved on it and then decide to return it, it’s unlikely that anyone is going to buy that product in the future.
Target would lose money since they’d have to give your money back.
The same goes for digital downloads.
Digital downloads are relatively cheap, and Target can’t exactly resell them.
As such, once you buy a digital download, it becomes a final sale.
Target won’t refund you for personalized items or digital downloads whether you have a receipt or not.
4. Opened Or Unsealed Breast Pumps
Mothers use breast pumps to ensure they have enough milk to feed their babies.
If you bought a breast pump and found it doesn’t work well or doesn’t suit your needs, then you may wonder if Target will accept a return.
In most cases, Target will not accept an opened breast pump package or one that is no longer sealed.
Because breast pumps come in direct contact with the skin and bodily fluids, it isn’t safe for Target to sell an opened or unsealed breast pump to other people.
It’s possible for dangerous germs and illnesses to spread that way.
Even if the mother is healthy, there’s always a chance that illnesses or germs could spread to the milk and infect the baby.
To avoid a potential lawsuit or an unfortunate death, Target does not accept returns on opened or unsealed breast pumps.
5. Gift Cards And Specialty Gift Cards
A common question you might have is if you can return a Target gift card.
While there are some exceptions, in most cases, you won’t be able to return specialty cards like pre-paid gift cards or Target gift cards.
That’s because Target won’t give you cash for the gift card’s value.
Instead, the company prefers that you spend the gift card in the store.
If you buy something with the gift card and then want to return that item, then you can return that item provided it isn’t one of the items that Target doesn’t accept returns on.
Do You Need To Show Your ID To Receive A Merchandise Return Card At Target?
Yes, you will need to show your ID to receive a merchandise return card at Target.
If you don’t have a receipt and return an item to Target, then you’ll receive a merchandise return card.
However, before Target can issue the card to you, they need to confirm your identity.
To confirm your identity, they need your ID.
Once you show your ID, you’ll receive the merchandise return card.
You can use this card to buy items and services offered by Target.
You cannot use it on Target.com and instead must use it in-store.
Finally, if you already have a merchandise return card, you’ll still receive a new one.
Your new balance will not load onto an existing merchandise return card.
NEXT:
Does Walmart Accept PayPal? (Updated 2023)
