What is the COVID-19 Walmart Return Policy?

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.

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