{"id":352502,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:05","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/does-a-store-have-to-give-a-refund-on-a-return.html"},"modified":"2023-11-30T18:35:39","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T23:35:39","slug":"does-a-store-have-to-give-a-refund-on-a-return","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/does-a-store-have-to-give-a-refund-on-a-return.html","title":{"rendered":"Does a Store Have To Give a Refund on a Return?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Does a Store Have To Give a Refund on a Return?<\/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 aren’t legally required to offer refunds if you simply change your mind, but they must accept returns for defective products or breach of warranty. Some states mandate that stores clearly display their refund policies. Warranties \u2014 express or implied \u2014 can influence return rights. Stores may deduct restocking or shipping fees from refunds, but not for defective items. Refund methods vary by policy, often requiring proof of purchase. For complex refund issues, consider consulting a consumer protection attorney.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

No state or federal law requires retailers to refund your money if you change your mind about a product. Instead, many retailers voluntarily accept returns as part of their business practices.<\/p>\n

A retailer must accept returns if the product is defective or if it otherwise breaches a warranty or term of the sales contract. For more information, see FindLaw’s\u00a0Product Warranties and Returns<\/a>\u00a0section.<\/p>\n

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

Some states have unique laws for consumer refunds. States with these laws often require sellers to display refund policies and disclosures where you can easily see them before buying a product. For example, the seller may post a sign near the cash register.<\/p>\n

For example, in\u00a0California<\/a>, retailers must clearly show their refund policy unless they offer a full cash refund, exchange, or store credit within seven days of the purchase date. Retailers that fail to meet this requirement must accept full refunds within 30 days of purchase.<\/p>\n

Similarly,\u00a0New York<\/a>\u00a0stores must also post their return policies. Otherwise, the law requires stores to accept returns within 30 days of purchase.<\/p>\n

Return rules depend on state law. Many states allow retailers to set their own refund and exchange policies. To learn whether your state has a specific refund law, see\u00a0Customer Returns and Refund Laws by State<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Repairs and Replacements Under Warranties<\/h2>\n

Warranties are essentially\u00a0promises from the seller<\/a>\u00a0to the buyer before the time of sale. These promises often help customers decide whether to buy an item.<\/p>\n

A product’s warranties can affect whether you can get a refund or repair under the law. Warranties matter if the seller leads you to believe something that isn’t true about the product’s quality or function.<\/p>\n

Express Warranties<\/h3>\n

There are three ways a seller can create an express warranty, including:<\/p>\n