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UPDATE: On Nov. 6, 2020, a proposed class action lawsuit against Walmart over its temporary pandemic return policy was allowed to inch forward after a judge ruled employees of the retail giant inconsistently applied rules about whether consumers can return goods.
Walmart’s return policy has reportedly changed amidst the ongoing COVID pandemic, according to recent legal allegations against the retailer.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many personal care items have been in high demand – including toilet paper, hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, and more. Some consumers may have purchased more than they needed or may have grabbed the wrong items. Unfortunately, these consumers may not be able to return their items to Walmart based on the company’s COVID return policy.
According to Walmart’s website, the company has made several changes to their return policy throughout the course of the pandemic. Between April 20 and June 15, the store reportedly “temporarily paused” returns for food, paper goods, home cleaning supplies, laundry soap, pharmacy, health & beauty and apparel items.
However, as of June 15, the company restored its previous Walmart return policy of 90 days and will be allowing returns through Sept. 15 of previously prohibited items purchased while the former policy was in place. Items purchased in the subject categories before April 20 will reportedly be subject to the normal 90-day return period.
Although consumers may be excited to return items they no longer need, the retailer’s website notes that returns and exchanges are still prohibited in numerous states including: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia and Wyoming.
Returns and exchanges of food, paper goods, home cleaning supplies, laundry soap, pharmacy, health and beauty and apparel will reportedly be paused in these states. After these restrictions are lifted, Walmart says it will extend its return period by six weeks.
The retailer directs consumers to their online return app or website if they need to return any item, including those in restricted categories.
“It’s easy and may allow you to complete your return without coming to the store,” Walmart states on their website.
Several other retailers, such as Target and Costco, have reportedly made similar changes to their return policies amidst the ongoing pandemic.
Consumers may find themselves inconvenienced and burdened by the new Walmart return policy COVID changes. This frustration has even led some consumers to take legal action against the retail giant.
Walmart Legal News
Earlier this month, plaintiff Danielle Hubmer filed a Walmart return policy class action lawsuit challenging the company’s COVID-19 changes. According to Hubmer, she and other consumers were not properly informed of the changes, causing them to make purchases they otherwise would not have.
Humber says she purchased several items, including clothing, from her local California Walmart on April 25 – a mere five days after the Walmart return policy COVID changes went into affect. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Humber was allegedly unable to try on her clothing items but purchased these anyways, assuming she would be able to return the items at a later date.
Two days later, Humber allegedly returned to her Walmart to return some of the items she had purchased but was rebuffed by the store employees.
Although she was within the normal return period and the clothing had tags still intact, Walmart allegedly “refused to provide Plaintiff with a cash refund, store credit, or an equal exchange for the full price of the purchase of her goods.”
Instead, she says she was told the store was not accepting returns, a fact she had not been told when originally making her purchases.
Humber argues that many Walmart employees are not sufficiently trained in their employer’s return policies, meaning that misinformation is common and consumers may be confused about the true Walmart return policy.
“The lack of proper information or straight out misinformation disseminated by Defendant’s employees and given to consumers is widespread and pervasive,” the Walmart return policy class action lawsuit claims.
“Indeed, internet searches regard ‘Walmart’s return policy’ will yield thousands of consumers complaints,” the Walmart class action lawsuit adds – referencing around 100 such complaints in an additional court document.
Hubmer seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, restitution, interest, court costs and attorneys’ fees. She also seeks injunctive relief prohibiting Walmart from future deceptive actions regarding their return policies.
Have you attempted to return items to Walmart during the COVID-19 pandemic. Have you been surprised by the Walmart return policy COVID changes? Share your experiences in the comment section below.
The plaintiffs are represented by Mitch Kalcheim of Kalcheim Law Group PC.
The Walmart Return Policy COVID Class Action Lawsuit is Danielle Hubmer, et al. v. Walmart Inc., Case No. RIC2001569, in the Superior Court of California for the County of Riverside.
Join a Free Coronavirus Class Action Lawsuit Investigation
If you believe your rights were violated in a way that is directly related to the coronavirus pandemic, you may qualify to join this coronavirus class action lawsuit investigation.
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86 thoughts onWhat is the COVID-19 Walmart Return Policy?
Walmart needs to take a biology class! Coronavirus can’t survive on surfaces, it’s a proven fact! Walmart is ripping off millions of shoppers because of their ignorance! Let us return our products!
I have tried to return items and have not been allowed to. I called the other day and a Walmart employee stated they were not taking returns. Thus is bs.. I am very frustrated by this. Other stores are taking returns yet Walmart refuses
I bought my grandson a pair of boots on June 22nd an tried to just exchange them the next day and was told NOPE not today don’t know when as these are his WORK BOOTS and has to have them I had to buy another pair so I am out $60 until WHO KNOWS WHEN!!! DIDN’T SEE ANY SIGNS SAYING THE POLICY!!!
Not surprised one little bit by the change in policy, my store had signs in EVERY SINGLE department of what could not be returned. Was I inconvenienced? Slightly, I had purchased shorts and a swimsuit for my daughter, I wasn’t going to bring her to the store, so I purchased what I thought would fit, it didn’t, so I kept the items and receipts safe, returned them as soon as the policy was back to normal in my area.
It was all over social media about the return policy change, on the news, all over the store, and we are in a pandemic, best advise for next time, when you see things changing at your store, hours, masks, lack of toilet paper, ASK AN EMPLOYEE or CALL. Absolutely No need for a lawsuit. Refunds will be issued.
Not true… I know several people who have not been able to get refunds even after the policy exception for covid was lifted including me. And i was told i had 5 days to get a refund for a purchase i was double charged for by a Walmart cashier and i went on the 6th day and was told i could not get a refund at all not even a credit. It was their mistake but i suffer??? Not ok whatsoever
Add me please
I bought some clothes from the Avon, Indiana Walmart store. There was no notices of no returns posted in the clothing department nor did the cashier make me aware of the no return policy. So because of this I have been waiting to be able to return over $100 of stuff. It makes no sense to me that you can return items in house wares when someone could easily sleep on the bedding or use the towels and return them. There should not be limits on what you are able to return. They should either allow returns for all departments or not allow them for all departments. So know Indiana is still one of the states where returns are temporarily on hold. Its absolutely ridiculous and no one can tell me when they will allow returns in my state.
I bought sun dresses at the east green bush NY walmart because I was told by the fitting room attendant I could not try them on, but they would accept a return if anything that didnt fit right. I went home, tried them on, and none of them fit correctly. I called them a couple hours later to find out how late customer service was open so I could exchange the dresses out for a larger size, which had I been able to use the fitting room I would have done there. The person who answered the phone informed me that walmart is not accepting returns with or without receipts on appearel items. I made my poi t about fitting rooms and what the attendant told me and the lady apologized for the inconvenience and told me to have a good day. I now have a bag of sun dresses that are too small for me collecting dust in my closet to the tune of around $50 wasted.
Same here in Naples FL and on line purchases
No return , no signage , when this pandemic is over ..
add me to your list
Add me please
Not only did I purchase items in store where there was no signage and nothing printed on my receipt, but I ordered 2 pairs of shoes online and wasn’t made aware of the change in policy and was unable to return them or even exchange them. When I call the store asking if they have a date when returns will resume, I am told that there is not an end in sight. I shop at Gabe’s and back in April when I shopped there, the cashier told me that I would be unable to make returns until July 1 and did I want to put any items back. She also told me that the temporary return policy along with the dates, would be printed at the bottom of my receipt. Gabe’s had a clear, fair and informed policy. Walmart just didn’t want to give us our money back and risk red ink in the midst of Covid. Please file a case. They did it in store and online.
Toni in Tennessee
Had no choice but to guesstimate my child’s size due to a growth spurt during stay at home. Wasn’t allowed to try on and can’t return. Nothing was posted about the return policy change when purchased. Only a notice taped to the automatic sliding door when I tried to return. By the time GA lift restrictions bet they still won’t take them due to being out of season.
Add me
I purchased a pair of shoes for my husband. I grabbed the wrong size. I tried immediately to return the shoes. They told me that they arent excepting any returns at this time. They are still not accepting the returns. I would like to be added to this class action against Walmart.