13 Surprising Items Walmart Won't Let You Return

Walmart has more than 4,000 stores in the U.S. alone. So, there’s a good chance you’ve probably shopped at a Walmart before.

Walmart also has a generous 90-day return policy, and you don’t even need a copy of your receipt. This can help you save more money .

But like other retailers, Walmart does have some exceptions to its policy. So, before you head to your local Walmart with a return in hand, take a look at some of the items Walmart won’t take back.

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1. Firearms and ammunition

Walmart’s return policy does not include any firearms or ammunition for firearms sold by the store. The policy also doesn’t cover airsoft and air guns, BB guns, or crossbows that may have been purchased at the retailer.

2. Prescription medications

A great everyday shopping hack at Walmart is to save money by using Walmart’s pharmacy to fill prescriptions. You can get some generic prescriptions for only $4 for a 30-day supply or $10 for a 90-day supply.

However, be aware that prescription medications cannot be taken back as a return because of the nature and specialization of the product.

3. Gas-powered vehicles

If you pick up a gas-powered vehicle from Walmart, don’t expect to drive it back to the retailer and get a refund. Walmart’s list of gas-powered items you can’t return includes dirt bikes, go-karts, scooters, and ATVs.

The retailer will take back other gas-powered equipment, such as lawnmowers and chainsaws, for example, but the gas needs to be drained from the machinery before it’s returned.

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4. Gift cards

You may have received a Walmart gift card for a birthday present or as a stocking stuffer at Christmas. But any gift cards for Walmart are ineligible to return for a refund.

Instead, you may want to look into ways to turn gift cards into cash. You may not get the face value of your card, but you might be able to turn it into cash that you can spend somewhere else to get what you want.

5. Diabetic supplies

If you have diabetes, you may be quite familiar with the supplies you need to keep your illness in check. But items like meters and strips to test your blood glucose levels are not eligible to be returned to Walmart.

6. Test kits

Walmart’s policy prohibits any refunds for health-related test kits, such as pregnancy tests or home-diagnostics tests. And remember that the no-return policy includes COVID-19 test kits, which you may have stocked up on during the pandemic.

7. Used tires

If you bought tires from Walmart’s auto department, you may be eligible for a return. But any tires that have been mounted or used in any way won’t be taken back by the retailer.

8. Trading cards

There are all kinds of trading cards you can buy at Walmart, from traditional baseball cards to those used for card-based games like Yu-Gi-Oh! or Magic: The Gathering.

None of these card packs can be returned, either opened or unopened. And yes, this also includes Pokémon cards.

9. Medical equipment

Depending on the equipment you purchase from Walmart for medical reasons, it may or may not be eligible to be returned.

Items like crutches, walkers, or slings can be exchanged for exact or similar items within 90 days or refunded if they are new and unopened. But hygienic items like bedpans, bath seats, and other personal medical items can't be returned.

10. Breast pumps

Walmart carries a variety of breast pumps, with some costing hundreds of dollars for a high-end model. That could be a significant investment for new moms.

But like other personal medical equipment, breast pumps that have been opened already are not included under Walmart’s return policy.

11. Electronics (Limits on returns)

Walmart will allow for some products to be returned, but the retailer has placed a limit on what can be returned and when.

Consumer electronics, for example, are allowed to be returned, but you have to get them back to the retailer within 14 days of purchase instead of the typical 90-day window.

12. Drones (Limits on returns)

Drones may be a great hobby or a good gift to give to friends or family. Walmart has plenty of options at a variety of price points depending on what you want. But like other electronics, they can only be returned within 30 days of purchase.

13. Luxury items (Limits on returns)

Items such as watches and jewelry above $300 are consider luxury items and must be returned within a window of 14 days, like most electronics.

Fine art, loose gems and gemstones, and even collectible items such as stamps and coins also fall into this category.

Bottom line

While there may be some exceptions, Walmart does have a good 90-day return policy for most qualifying items bought by Walmart shoppers.

This could help you save money on everyday essentials or in your monthly grocery budget by letting you get your money back from purchases that didn't pan out or on items that weren't what you were expecting.

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