In Canada Walmart remains one of the stores with the lowest prices on groceries and beyond. If you shop at Walmart, you should educate yourself about the store's return policy. Let's dive into that and uncover some gems hidden in fine print [updated for 2023].
You can return virtually everything you buy at Walmart Canada with a few exceptions. Let's see how you can return your purchases to Walmart painlessly in 2024.
Return Timeframes at Walmart
As a smart shopper you need to know how Walmart treats timeframes for returns.
For your in-store buys, the return timeframe starts on the date when you bought the product.
For your online buys on Walmart.ca, the return timeframe begins on the date of your order's arrival.
When you make an in-store purchase at Walmart make sure to keep the receipt. When it's an online order, mark down the date of your order's arrival to your doorstep.
Walmart's Return Policy
Walmart Canada allows to return any buy within 90 days. This is generous! But there are some exceptions that we need to list below.
The exception to the 90-day return policy are applied to a handful of product categories.
14 days
The majority of electronics sold at Walmart Canada can be returned within 14 days only. These products are: computers, laptops, monitors, cameras, wearable tech, video game consoles, computer games.
30 days
Larger electronic devices like TVs, audio systems, headphones, mp3 players, drones can be returned within 30 days.
Some more products fall under the 30-day return policy. See them below:
- Tents
- Pools
- Air Conditioners
- Mattresses
- Movies
- Ink cartridges
- Software products
- Breast pumps
- Outdoor power equipment
- Disposable contact lenses
- Eye glasses (from Walmart Vision center)
Is there a catch?
Unfortunately, there is a catch. The following products that can be returned within 14 or 30 days should be unopened:
- Video Games
- Computer Games
- Portable Video Players
- Headphones & Portable Audio
- Prerecorded Music
- Movies
- Software Products
- Ink Cartridges
- Disposable contact lenses
- Air Mattresses
- Breast Pumps
- Drones with GPS function
- Personal Care Items
You should make sure that you decision about keeping the above products final before you open the box.
365 days
You can return trees and shrubs within 1 year after the purchase.
Bulk items
Some bulk items can only be returned to a store even if they were purchased online. Walmart Canada is clear about such products. They want these products to be returned to a store only:
- Outdoor power equipment
- Dangerous goods (chemicals, gas, liquids)
There are some other products that can only be returned with a scheduled return delivery. These are usually oversized products over 100 lbs like mattresses. Jewellery also falls into this category.
No returns allowed
There are also certain products that you cannot return if you bought it at a Walmart in Canada.
Here are the products that you will not be able to return:
- Prescription Medication
- Gift Cards
- Prepaid Phone Cards
- Ammunition
- Fireworks
- Digital Downloads
- Pierced Earrings
- Special Order Jewellery
- Photo Custom Services
- Underwear
- Swimwear with the hygiene liner removed
- Sexual Wellness items
- Family Planning Products
- Clearance items
Alcohol products can only be returned if there is a product quality issue.
Returns for Online Purchases at Walmart.ca
As a smart shopper you should know that Walmart.ca is actually a marketplace where third-party sellers can sell their products.
You can see if a product is sold by a third-party seller by checking the “Sold & shipped by” section on any product page or at checkout on Walmart.ca.
The rule of thumb is that you can return any product under $150 at any Walmart store. For purchases of over $150, Walmart recommends contacting the seller directly.
Whether it's for a return or for any other product related questions, Walmart recommends to get in touch with the third-party seller if you are not happy with your purchase. This is done via your Walmart.ca account. If the seller is not responsive (not responding within 3 days), you will need to contact Walmart's customer service.