Walgreens Return Policy: A return policy is a set of guidelines that a company establishes to dictate how customers can return items they have purchased.
The policy usually states the timeframe within which customers can make a return, the conditions that must be met in order for them to be eligible for a refund or exchange, and the type of product that is covered by the policy.
Generally, all grocery stores have a return policy for items that were purchased in their store.
The policy may vary from store to store, but most will accept returns within a certain timeframe (usually 30 days) and give customers a refund or exchange for the item.
However, stores generally do not accept returns for items that were not purchased at their location.
Have you bought something at Walgreens recently? Wondering if you can return it?
Check out Walgreens’ return policy below to find out its returns deadline, items that are eligible for a return, receipt requirements, and refund policy.
Walgreens Return Policy
As of 2022, Walgreens has a generous return policy that allows its customers to return items. So, if you are not happy with your purchase, you can always return it to the store.
However, there are some products that aren’t covered by the policy, so make sure to contact a store associate working at your local Walgreens.
Currently, Walgreens’ return policy does not require customers to have a receipt in order to return products.
Showing your receipt is not mandatory but is highly recommended in order to get a full refund.
Keep on reading to find out what happens when you return products to Walgreens without a receipt, the items that you cannot return without a receipt, how refunds are processed, and how long it takes for the store to issue a refund.
In-Store Policy
The In-store return policy at Walgreens is that customers can return eligible items for a full refund within 30 days of purchase.
You can also ask for an exchange, but you will only receive store credit if you don’t have the original receipt.
Walgreens has a verification process in place for returns, and the store reserves the right to limit or refuse returns.
So, the first thing that the store will ask for when you want to make a return is your driver’s license or any other form of government-issued photo ID.
Anything that Walgreens thinks is harmful to its customers or is fraudulent will not be accepted as a return.
So, the store manager has the right to refuse a return if he or she feels it’s not in the customer’s best interest.
Most importantly, after a return is processed, the store will store the customer’s purchase information in a database so that it will be easy to validate any future returns.
This makes it easy for Walgreens for identifying customers who may be abusing the store’s return policy.
Online Policy
The online return policy for Walgreens.com is generous, with a full refund offered for most products within 30 days of purchase.
When you purchase something online, you can always return it to the store if there is one near you. If not, you can mail the product back using the original receipt and receive a full refund.
Items classified as Hazmat must be returned by contacting customer care.
You can make a call to (877)250-5823 for more information regarding the return process for those specific products.
In the case of pickup orders, you should not return the product by mail. Such items must be returned to a nearby store by you and not by mail.
Because, the policy clearly states, “Store Pickup orders can only be returned to a store.” Or else, you may not be refunded.
In the case of items that are marked as Shipping-Restricted, you will not be able to use the return shipping label that is included with your purchase.
You must contact customer care in order to receive specific instructions for returning those products.
Returns Without A Receipt
Lost your original Walgreens receipt? Wondering how to return an item to Walgreens with no receipt? Don’t worry!
Here’s what you need to do when you don’t have the original receipt –
- Box up the item(s) you want to return.
- Take the product to the store where you purchased it.
- At the checkout counter, tell that you wanna return the product but don’t have the receipt.
- Show your government-issued ID to prove your identity (If asked).
- Tell him/her about the payment method you used.
- Now, the cashier will run a system check to track down the purchase.
- After tracking down the purchase, the cashier will thoroughly check the product for any potential damage.
- Your return will be accepted/declined at the discretion of the store manager.
- If it’s accepted, you’ll get the lowest advertised price of the product in the last 60 days as a store credit or gift card.
That’s it! This way, you can always return products to Walgreens, even if you don’t have the receipt. However, it’s best to keep the receipt safe and sound, just in case.
Items
As per the return policy of Walgreens in 2022, returnable items must be accompanied by the original receipt in order to be eligible for a full refund.
The policy is pretty straightforward and there are not many items that are not returnable.
However, pharmacy items, sexual wellness items, and seasonal items bought from Walgreens cannot be returned under any circumstances even if you have the original receipt.
| Returnable | Non-Returnable |
|---|---|
| Household Essentials | Gift Cards |
| Toys, Games, & Books | Seasonal Products |
| Baby & Kids products | Phone Cards |
| Fitness & Nutrition Items | Sexual Wellness Items |
| Cosmetics | Prepaid Cards |
| Electronics | Covid-19 Testing Kits |
| Contact Lens | Opened/Damaged Contact Lenses |
| Photo Center Items | Shipped Prescriptions |
Products that are categorized as “heavy electronics” and “household appliances” must also be returned with the original receipt.
If you do not have the receipt, you will only be eligible for a store credit or exchange.
In some situations, you won’t be able to return these heavy appliances if you fail to show the original receipt.
So, it’s better to be safe than sorry and always keep the receipt of your Walgreens purchases.
Used Products
As per Walgreens’ return policy in 2022, you can return used products at its stores. Used typically means that you opened the item and used it but didn’t damage it.
However, there are some restrictions stated in the in-store and online return policies of Walgreens regarding used or opened items.
These restrictions apply to certain products like shipped prescriptions, contact lenses, etc. These are the items that aren’t accepted by Walgreens.
But, you can still return them if the store has made any mistake like sending in the wrong items that don’t match your prescription products.
Almost all other used/opened/damaged items can be returned to Walgreens within the 30 days period. If you miss this deadline, your return will be rejected.
For example, opened makeup kits including lipstick are allowed to be returned or exchanged at Walgreens but not used contact lenses.
However, returns and refunds at Walgreens work as per the store manager’s discretion.
So, let’s say that you wanna return a lipstick you just bought.
Then, the store manager will go through the original packaging in order to make sure that it is unused, and only then he/she will issue a full refund or lets you exchange it for a new one.
Medicine
Medicines come under the Pharmacy section of Walgreens’ return policy. As per the policy, you cannot return medicines or prescription products to Walgreens.
So, regardless of whether the medicine you bought is unopened or opened, you will be unable to return it to Walgreens.
This is because almost all the U.S states have strict laws regarding returning used medicines to grocery stores like Walgreens.
However, if you think Walgreens has made a mistake by shipping you the wrong medicine, you can dial this toll-free number: 1-877-250-5823 – to inform about the same.
In such a case, Walgreens will cross-check your prescription and may allow you to return the medicines and get a full refund.
Can Walgreens Look Up Receipts?
Lost your receipt? Here’s what you can do:
- If you paid with a Walgreens Balance Rewards card, Walgreens can print the receipt for you.
- If you paid with a credit or debit card, Walgreens might be able to look up the purchase using your card details, but it can’t print the receipt.
- If you made an online purchase, you will be able to print a copy of the receipt from the Walgreens website.
Looking up a past purchase is only possible if you made the purchase using a Walgreens Balance Rewards card.
However, if you lost your receipt, don’t worry – Walgreens can print a copy for you by using your card’s details.
In the case of cash payments, Walgreens will not be able to track or print a receipt for you.
Refund Process
Refunds at Walgreens work this way –
- You will bring the product to return
- A Walgreens store manager checks it
- A full refund will be issued to your original payment method
Credit Cards & Debit Cards: After successfully returning an item, Walgreens issues a refund to your card instantly but your card provider takes up to 7 days to process the funds. So, wait up to a week to get your money back!
Cash: In case you purchased the item with cash, you may get your money back in the form of cash or store credit, or a gift card.
No Receipt: If you end up asking for a refund with no receipt, Walgreens issues a store credit or a gift card with an amount that equals the lowest advertised price.
Summary
As of 2022, Walgreens accepts returns on most of its products including beauty items, groceries, home goods, toys, books, games, heavy appliances, electronics, etc. There is a deadline of 30 days for all these eligible items. However, contact lenses have a 14-day return policy whereas prescription products, sexual wellness items, covid-19 kits, gift cards, phone cards, and prepaid cards cannot be returned. At Walgreens, you are allowed to return items even without a receipt but your refunds will be processed onto a gift card or as store credit. Original receipt is mandatory for electronic appliances.