Online shopping has revolutionized the way we purchase everything from groceries to furniture. The convenience of browsing and buying from your couch can‘t be beat – until you change your mind and need to cancel an order.
As a retail expert and admittedly picky Walmart shopper myself, I know the stress that comes with wanting to cancel an online purchase. Maybe you found a better deal elsewhere, accidentally ordered the wrong size, or just got caught up in the excitement of a late-night "add to cart" spree. Whatever the reason, I‘m here to walk you through the process of canceling your Walmart order hassle-free.
In this ultimate guide, we‘ll cover:
- Step-by-step instructions for canceling on Walmart.com and the app
- Walmart‘s cancelation policies and restrictions
- What to do if you miss the cancelation window
- Tips for avoiding the need to cancel altogether
- Getting refunds for canceled orders
- Making returns if you can‘t cancel
- How to get help from Walmart customer service
Whether you‘re a first-time Walmart.com shopper or a frequent buyer, knowing how to quickly cancel an order can save you time, money, and headaches. So let‘s dive in!
How to Cancel a Walmart Order in 4 Easy Steps
According to a 2022 survey by ShipStation, 89% of online shoppers have canceled an order in the past year. The top reasons? Deciding the item was no longer needed, finding it cheaper elsewhere, and realizing it wouldn‘t arrive in time. Sound familiar?
Luckily, canceling your Walmart order is usually quick and painless, as long as you catch it before it starts processing. Here‘s exactly what to do:
Step 1: Log into your Walmart account. If you checked out as a guest, find the order confirmation email and click "View Order Details."
Step 2: Go to "Purchase History" and select the order you want to cancel. You can also access this from the homepage by clicking "Track Orders."
Step 3: On the order details page, look for the "Cancel" button next to each item. Click it for anything you want to cancel.
Step 4: Receive a cancelation confirmation email. If you don‘t, your order may have already started processing and will need to be returned instead. More on that later!
Here‘s a quick visual of what the cancelation process looks like:
[Insert screenshot of Walmart purchase history page with cancel button]Walmart‘s website and app make it easy to cancel with just a few clicks. But there are some important policies and exceptions to know about before you get started.
Walmart‘s Order Cancelation Policies
To keep things running smoothly in their warehouses and prevent logistical nightmares, Walmart has a few rules around order cancelations:
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30 minute window: In most cases, you‘ll have a half hour after placing your order to cancel penalty-free. After that, it may already be processing and no longer eligible for cancelation.
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Expedited orders: If you chose a rushed delivery option like same-day or next-day, your order may process faster and need to be canceled ASAP. I once ordered same-day delivery at noon and my order was being packed for shipment by 12:15!
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Non-cancelable items: A few types of products can never be canceled due to unique vendor agreements or faster processing times. This includes:
- Digital products like video game downloads and e-books
- Custom or personalized items
- Fresh grocery items
- Prescriptions
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Pickup orders: If you cancel a pickup order less than 4 hours before your scheduled slot, Walmart may charge a $30 restocking fee. I almost got stuck with this once when I forgot I‘d selected pickup instead of shipping!
The good news is, none of these policies are secret. You can find all the details in the "Cancelations" section of Walmart‘s Help Center before you buy. When in doubt, read the fine print.
[Insert screenshot of Walmart Help Center cancelation policy page]What If You Miss the Cancelation Window?
It happens to the best of us. You get distracted by a work email, the dog needs to go out, and suddenly an hour has passed and your cancelation window has closed. Now what?
First, check your order status page. If the "Cancel" button has disappeared, your order is likely already processing. At this point you have two options:
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Contact customer support ASAP. There may still be time for them to stop your order before it ships out. The Walmart reps I‘ve spoken to have always been extremely helpful and willing to try to push cancelations through when possible. It never hurts to ask nicely!
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Wait for delivery and return the item. While not ideal, returning your order is still an option if you can‘t cancel. Walmart allows free returns on most products within 90 days. You can mail it back or return in-store. Jump to the return policy section for more details.
The sooner you notice you need to cancel, the better. But if worst comes to worst, you‘re not stuck with an unwanted order thanks to Walmart‘s flexible return policy.
5 Tips to Avoid Needing to Cancel in the First Place
As an experienced Walmart shopper, I‘ve learned that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of returns. By putting a little extra care into your order upfront, you can avoid the whole cancelation song and dance. Here are my top 5 tips:
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Triple check sizes, colors, and quantities. I once ordered 3 king size sheet sets when I meant to order 1. Oops! Now I always do a quick double and triple check of the details before adding to cart.
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Read product descriptions and reviews thoroughly. Don‘t rely on the pictures alone. Look at the specifications, materials, and customer reviews to ensure the item is exactly what you want. I like to filter reviews to see only the negative ones and check for any red flags.
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Beware of sneaky subscription sign-ups. Some cleaning and personal care products will have a checkbox for subscribing to regular deliveries. Make sure this isn‘t accidentally selected if you only want a one-time purchase.
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Confirm your shipping address. I recently moved and forgot to update my default shipping address. An order showed up at my old apartment and I had to awkwardly text my former roommate to hold it for me. Lesson learned!
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Make a list and stick to it. Impulse buys are a big culprit behind order regret and cancelations. To avoid checkout temptation, I make a shopping list and put a hard limit on extras like "one fun item under $20." It keeps me from going overboard.
Mistakes still happen, but taking a few mindful moments before clicking "place order" has significantly reduced my need for cancelations as a choosy Walmart shopper.
The Refund Process for Canceled Orders
One of the most common questions I get as a retail expert is "When will I get my money back for my canceled order?" The good news is that Walmart typically processes refunds automatically and quickly.
Here‘s what you can expect for different payment methods:
| Payment Method | Refund Process | Typical Refund Time |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card | Automatic refund to card | 3-5 business days |
| Debit card | Automatic refund to card | 7-10 business days |
| PayPal | Automatic refund to PayPal account | 3-5 business days |
| Gift card | Refund to original gift card | Immediately |
| Cash or check | Refund check mailed to billing address | 7-10 business days after cancelation processed |
To check your refund status, go to your Walmart account > Purchase History and find the relevant order. You should see a "Refund Processed" status once it goes through.
[Insert screenshot of Walmart order with refund processed status]If you don‘t see your refund after the typical timeframe, reach out to Walmart‘s customer service for help. They‘ll be able to look up your order and see what‘s going on.
Quick Tip: For cash and check orders, make sure Walmart has your current billing address on file or your refund check could get lost in the mail. I once had a check sent to an old address and had to contact customer service to void it and reissue.
Walmart‘s Return Policy: What to Do If You Can‘t Cancel
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we miss the cancelation window and end up with an order we don‘t want. In that case, Walmart‘s return policy is your friend.
Walmart allows returns on most items within 90 days of purchase, with a few exceptions:
- Electronics: 30 days
- Airbeds: 15 days
- Tires: No returns, only exchanges for same item
- Perishable items: Non-returnable, contact customer service for refund or replacement
To start a return, go to your account > Purchase History and find the item you want to send back. Click "Return or Replace Items" and choose your preferred return method:
- Mail it back with a free return shipping label
- Drop off at any FedEx location
- Bring to your local Walmart store
I‘m a fan of the in-store option because it‘s immediate and I don‘t have to fuss with shipping. Plus, I can usually find something else I need while I‘m there. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade!
[Insert screenshot of Walmart return options page]One important note: Make sure you don‘t open or use the item if you plan on returning. Walmart only accepts returns in new, unopened condition. I once opened a toolset and lost a piece before deciding to return. Totally my fault, but I was stuck with it.
Getting Help from Walmart Customer Service
If at any point during your cancelation journey you need some extra assistance, Walmart‘s customer service team is just a click or call away. I‘ve found their representatives to be consistently friendly, knowledgeable, and solution-oriented.
There are a few ways to get in touch:
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Live chat: The fastest option. Click the "Help" icon in the bottom corner of Walmart.com or tap "Contact Us" in the app to start a chat anytime.
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Phone: Call 1-800-925-6278 to speak with a human Mon-Fri 8am-11pm and Sat-Sun 9am-9pm EST.
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Email: Fill out the contact form on Walmart‘s Help Center page for a response within 24 hours.
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Social media: Reach out on Twitter @walmarthelp or visit the Walmart Facebook page. The social team is quick to reply on weekdays.
Before contacting, gather your order number, billing address, and payment method so you can verify your identity and help them locate your issue faster.
I recently had to email about a missing refund and they asked me to confirm the last 4 digits of the card I used and my order date to look it up. Having that info ready to go will speed things up.
[Insert screenshot of Walmart Help Center contact form]Wrapping Up
Canceling a Walmart order doesn‘t have to be a huge headache. By following the simple steps in this guide and keeping Walmart‘s policies in mind, you can typically get your order canceled and refunded in just a few minutes.
Of course, no system is perfect. If you run into any cancelation roadblocks, don‘t forget about your other options:
- Returning the item for a full refund
- Contacting customer support for help
- Reselling or gifting the item if you can‘t return it
As a veteran Walmart shopper, my biggest tip is to make your purchases intentionally from the start. Take a few beats to really look over your cart and make sure everything is exactly as you want it. Your future self will thank you!
I hope this guide has armed you with the knowledge and confidence you need to master Walmart order cancelations. Remember, it‘s always okay to change your mind. After all, that‘s one of the great things about online shopping.
Now go forth and "add to cart" worry-free! And if you have any other Walmart hacks or cancelation tips, I‘d love to hear them in the comments.
