Walmart-requiring receipt for all returns (price, stores, review, best)

[subwayfan]

My local Wal-Mart is requiring a receipt for any and all returns. I was told the policy was implemented there, just within the last month.

I can understand it, but to me the change is huge, given that my shopping habits and possibly others shop quite a bit in a given year at Wal-Mart.

Is this policy being implemented at all Wal-Marts? The person at customer service said yes, but I need to know from others. To me this is big news.

From what I remember, Best Buy and Staples permit some returns without receipt up to a certain value limit, and grocery stores often do as well.

Circuit City required a receipt (and see what happened to them), Target's general policy requires a receipt (but my store has made exceptions).

[Honeycrisp]

It's been the policy in our Walmarts for a long time - not sure what happens if you get a gift and have no receipt and want to return it though (I think you may be out of luck or else they'll take the return and give you the lowest sale price (after seeing your drivers licenses)) - and there's a limit, they'll only do that once or twice a year.

I like Targets policy, if you charge it and dont have the receipt, they can look it up to verify that you bought it there - no hassle at all. If you pay cash and dont have the receipt, like at Walmarts you're out of luck - but I think the same return policy applies (they'll take it back but only will do it once or twice a year - maybe).

[GloryB]

I thought it was for a cash return you needed the receipt. If you are exchanging an item that doesn't work or a gift you don't want, you can return it for store credit without a receipt.

Or did they change this from the last time I returned something? They sure may have since lots of people were abusing their liberal return policy.

[texdav]

Likely they found abuse.Most stores are having a problem with people stealing them returning the items it seems from a national thef report I saw.

[beach.guy]

Pretty much every store I shop in requires a receipt for returns and exchanges.Has been that way forever.Circuit City's demise had nothing to do with requiring a receipt.

[DC at the Ridge]

I've returned things without a receipt, though usually I have the receipt. I think if it's in its original packaging, so that they can scan it, that they will let you return it.

[VegasGrace]

I just returned a gallon of sour milk w/o a receipt. She saw the SELL BY DATE was NOV 13,
so I guess there was no question I just bought it.

Yep, spiders and roaches in the bakery goods, now sour milk.

[firefightermom]

Originally Posted by texdav

Likely they found abuse.Most stores are having a problem with people stealing them returning the items it seems from a national thef report I saw.

In college I worked for JCPenney's, in the security department. You would not believe how many times people tried to return things they had stolen. We had lists of known shoplifters who regularly came in to return items. No receipt meant a call to security to check the list before any return was made, and then name and address was always recorded in an attempt to track a possible shoplifter. Some stores do try hard behind the scenes!

[Flamingo13]

I think you should need a receipt for a return, people steal then try to return for cash, I know some got an expensive product from a rewards program I belong to that you are supposed to review and some proceeded to take it to stores such as WalMart to get the cash. The receipt required policy is because so many were ripping off the stores, costing us all in the long run.