{"id":352501,"date":"2019-10-24T11:01:51","date_gmt":"2019-10-24T16:01:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/do-retail-stores-have-to-accept-returns.html"},"modified":"2023-11-30T16:38:10","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T21:38:10","slug":"do-retail-stores-have-to-accept-returns","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/do-retail-stores-have-to-accept-returns.html","title":{"rendered":"Do Retail Stores Have To Accept Returns?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Do Retail Stores Have To Accept Returns?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Hannah Hilst<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Retailers may refuse returns, but consumer rights laws offer protections. State laws often require clear notification of return policies, while the FTC’s cooling-off rule allows returns within three days for certain sales. Defective products can be returned under warranty laws for repair, replacement, or refund. Final sale items and damaged goods often can’t be returned. Return policies usually include time limits, and consumers can seek legal help or file complaints if their rights are violated.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Often, a retailer can refuse to accept a customer’s return. Many business practices have policies that allow customers to return products for a full refund or store credit, but not every retailer has an accommodating refund policy.<\/p>\n

As a customer, you may wonder what options are available if you want to return or replace a purchase and the retailer doesn’t allow it. Your options may depend on whether the store has a legitimate reason to refuse a return.<\/p>\n

State Refund and Return Laws<\/h2>\n

Unfortunately, most states lack specific statewide refund laws<\/a>. Refund and exchange policies tend to vary widely by store.<\/p>\n

Generally speaking, the states with refund policy laws require a business to notify customers whether it has its own policy. In Hawaii, for example, merchants can choose one of four customer return policies and notify customers with clear signage. If they fail to do so, customers are entitled to a refund.<\/p>\n

Federal Refund and Return Laws<\/h2>\n

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a cooling-off rule<\/a>. This federal law gives customers a three-day period when they can legally change their mind about particular transactions, such as door-to-door sales.<\/p>\n

There are exceptions to the cooling-off rule, such as:<\/p>\n