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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?
The same thing happened to me in North Carolina. I was trying to return some baby items, sheets, blankets etc. all still in plastic packaging that I ordered thru their website. I was told that they were not accepting any returns on baby items because of COVID 19. So now I’m stuck with almost $100 worth of items that I don’t need. The customer service rep was very rude and condescending . Told me to come back in a few months and they’d see what they could do! So YES, please include me in this lawsuit
Please add me too i forgot post this in my orginal post**
Bought 5 pairs shorts tried 1 on at home didnt fit was too big. I went to return the 4 pairs i didnt try on and was told i cant… this very odd since their sister company sams club take back all items even clothes.
I have a pair of pants I can’t take back yet and curling iron not used. Curling iron is still in plastic container, pants still have tag. Ugh!!!!
I recently purchased clothing & swimwear a month ago thinking the same thing. If dressing rooms were not available, I would just return the items if they didnt fit. There wasn’t any notices posted indicating that there would be a delay or restriction to return. My bill was over $200 that they are collecting intrest on that I can’t get refunded. This makes it a financial strain to not be able to return items, and be returned your money!!! Where is the due process?!
Add me and they practice reverse discrimination in chicago area freely! Was yelled at and comments made by several employees in regards to my disability!
Same thing happened to me
Terrible customer service. First of all, no signage stating that no refunds or returns are being accepted. The Walmart website states that returns are being accepted in most states. An employee told me to keep my receipt and hold on, and must return within 6 weeks of purchase. I bought 2 sport bras several weeks ago. I accidentally bought the wrong size as the fitting rooms are closed. I bought them anyway, thinking I can return items like usual. The sizes at Walmart are unpredictable. When I took my items back … I was told to hold my items and receipt for 6 weeks …… as I am holding the items. I did it again, went and bought a blouse and set of pajamas, but I guess their sizes run a little bigger, I just figured that out. I called the store, and an employee said they are not giving any refunds. They should stop selling clothing or have a sign saying “buy at your own risk!” In California
Walmart fitting rooms are closed so I purchased two different sizes thinking I could just return what didn’t fit. I go back to the store next day, to be turned away by the service desk. Over $50 in clothing that I cannot return. I have the receipt and the tags are attached. The employees were rude. There were no signs initially saying no return.
I bought a $28 can of formula walked out of the store and realized it was the wrong one. I turned around and walked right back into the store not even going to car. I was told I could not exchange it or return it because of the covid return policy. So I am still stuck with a can of formula since May 15th with no idea of when I can get my money back. Thank God we weren’t depending on that money…. It has been a major inconvence to say the least. The “Covid return policy” is not posted anywhere and yet the dressing rooms are closed. It’s extremely frustrating, the signs that your expected to keep 6ft apart are all over…. wear your mask is posted in plain view. Yet the special return policy is not… is it because some purchases would be delayed or not made???
In May, I bought four pairs of shorts and two days later I went to return them on May 30th and was rudely advised by the customer service employee that they are not accepting returns and try back sometime in July.
I’m a social worker and I purchased clothing for a resident at my nursing home last week using his funds. The clothes don’t fit. I wanted to return them for a refund to order the correct size but they won’t take my return. No signs were posted that their return policy changed. Now my resident doesn’t have pants that fit him unless I spend my own money and hang on to these pants until Walmart wants to accept them back.
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