Buying a new perfume or cologne can feel like a gamble. Will the scent that smelled so appealing in the store end up giving you a headache once you wear it all day? Will the fragrance gift you spent hours picking out for your hard-to-shop-for aunt end up languishing on her bathroom shelf?
Walgreens understands this struggle, which is why the pharmacy chain offers one of the most flexible and consumer-centric return policies in the game when it comes to fragrances. I put on my retail expert and smart shopper hat to unpack everything you need to know to buy and return perfumes and colognes with total confidence at Walgreens.
The Nitty Gritty of Walgreens‘ Fragrance Return Policy
Let‘s start with the foundational details. Walgreens‘ official return policy states that you can return any perfume or cologne, even if opened, within 30 days of the original purchase for a full refund in the original form of payment. If you‘ve lost your receipt, you can still likely return the item, but you‘ll receive store credit for the lowest advertised price in the last 30 days.
30 days is a decent chunk of time in the world of returns. When you consider that many retailers only give you a week or two to bring something back, a month feels downright generous. This extended grace period gives you plenty of leeway to really road test a new scent before deciding if it deserves a permanent spot on your vanity.
Even more impressive is the fact that Walgreens will take back fragrances that have already been opened and used. An overwhelming majority of stores require perfumes and colognes to be in new, unopened condition to qualify for returns, which frankly isn‘t all that useful. How are you supposed to know if a scent has staying power or secretly irritates your skin unless you actually wear it in real life?
"Walgreens‘ open-bottle return policy for fragrances is incredibly rare," shares Erica Jones, a longtime retail manager and fragrance aficionado. "It shows that they truly put the customer first and want you to be happy with your purchase, even if it takes a few wears to decide."
Going Above and Beyond the Perfume Return Policy Pack
To fully appreciate just how exceptional Walgreens‘ 30-day any-condition policy is, I compared it to the return guidelines of some of the biggest fragrance sellers out there. Here‘s what I found:
| Retailer | Return Window | Open Bottles Accepted? |
|---|---|---|
| CVS | 60 days | No |
| Rite Aid | 90 days (most products) | No |
| Target | 90 day exchange only | No |
| ULTA | 60 days | Yes |
| Sephora | 30 days (60 for members) | Yes |
| Macy‘s | 90 days | No |
| Nordstrom | 90 days | No |
As you can see, Walgreens outshines pretty much every other major player. The only other stores that will also take back spritzed scents are beauty behemoths ULTA and Sephora. But both of them have a 60 day window compared to Walgreens‘ 90.
It‘s clear Walgreens is willing to go the extra mile to guarantee customer satisfaction, even if it means potentially losing money on unsellable returns. This consumer-first philosophy is a big part of why the company has maintained such brand loyalty.
"Our generous return policy is meant to ensure customers can shop with certainty," says Kim Benson, a representative for Walgreens. "We want people to feel great about treating themselves or loved ones to a new fragrance without worrying that they‘ll be stuck with it if it‘s not a perfect fit."
Fragrance Shopping Struggles (and How Returns Help)
So what is it about perfume and cologne shopping that warrants such an accommodating return policy in the first place? Can‘t you just spritz a tester in store and know immediately if it‘s for you? Not quite.
"Fragrance is arguably the hardest beauty product to shop for," explains Sarah Davis, a consumer analyst specializing in the cosmetics industry. "What you smell in the bottle or on a tester strip can be drastically different than how it wears on your unique skin throughout the day."
Add in the fact that your nose can get overwhelmed after sampling multiple scents in one sniffing session, and you have a recipe for disappointment once you get that perfume home and actually wear it in real life. This is why return policies like Walgreens‘ are so important.
"The ability to return an opened fragrance takes the pressure off because you know you‘re not locked in if it doesn‘t work out," says Davis. "It allows customers to explore scents outside their comfort zone without fear."
There‘s also the matter of fragrance allergies and sensitives. Even if you don‘t have a known allergy to perfume, some essential oils and synthetic compounds can trigger headaches, skin irritation, and respiratory issues in certain individuals. It often takes prolonged exposure to figure out if your new eau de toilette is going to play nice with your system.
"Restrictive return policies can be especially frustrating for people prone to fragrance allergies," says Tasha Becker, a blogger who writes about living with sensitivities. "I always look for places that will let me return something I‘ve worn for a day or two in case my body ends up having a bad reaction."
The Staggering Scale of Fragrance Returns
All this perfume purchasing uncertainty adds up to a whole lot of returns. The beauty industry as a whole has a notoriously high return rate, with some estimates putting it as high as 20% compared to just 8-10% for other consumer goods.
Fragrance is a big driver of that percentage. A survey by the NPD Group found that nearly 40% of consumers have returned a perfume or cologne in the past, largely due to the scent not meeting expectations after wearing it at home.
Returns of this magnitude can put a serious dent in a company‘s bottom line. When you consider that the global fragrance market is worth over $40 billion, even a small percentage of returns means millions in lost revenue.
"Perfume returns are especially costly because they‘re almost always unsellable," explains retail analyst Simon Pauker. "Even if a bottle looks barely used, no one wants to buy something that‘s been sprayed by a stranger."
This means that most returned fragrances end up getting tossed or donated, translating to a total loss for the company. By accepting open-bottle returns, Walgreens is shouldering a financial burden that many of its competitors aren‘t willing to bear.
The Environmental Impact of Fragrance Returns
In addition to the financial implications, the staggering scale of fragrance returns also has a notable environmental impact. The beauty industry is already a major contributor to landfill waste, with billions of plastic bottles and containers thrown out each year.
Returned fragrances only compound this issue. Most perfume and cologne packaging isn‘t easily recyclable due to mixed materials and decorative elements. The actual juice itself can also be hazardous thanks to the high alcohol content and synthetic ingredients.
"Returned fragrances pose a unique challenge from a disposal standpoint," says Pauker. "They can‘t just be poured down the drain because of their chemical composition."
So what does Walgreens do with all those half-used bottles of designer eau de parfum? The company partners with 501(c)3 organizations to donate what they can. Fragrances that are lightly used or still sealed get a second life through charities that provide goods to those in need.
Any bottles that are too far gone for donation are disposed of through regulated waste management partners to minimize their environmental impact. It‘s not a perfect solution, but it‘s a responsible approach to a challenging retail reality.
"No company wants to see returned product go to waste," says the Walgreens rep Benson. "We do our best to keep returned fragrances out of landfills by donating whenever possible and disposing of the rest safely and conscientiously."
Tips for Fragrance Shopping Success
Of course, the best way to minimize the financial and environmental impact of fragrance returns is to avoid making them in the first place. As a consumer expert and self-proclaimed scent snob, here are my top tips for picking a perfume or cologne you‘ll actually want to wear:
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Get hands on. Always test a fragrance on your actual skin, not just a paper strip. Your unique body chemistry can dramatically change how a scent smells, so it‘s important to get an idea of how it will wear on you specifically.
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Give it time. Don‘t just do a quick sniff and decide then and there. Let the fragrance dry down and evolve on your skin for at least 30 minutes before making a call. The top notes that you smell initially can be very different from the base notes that linger for hours.
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Try before you buy. If you‘re on the fence about a scent, ask for a sample to take home before committing to a full bottle. Most retailers are happy to make you a little tester vial so you can road test the fragrance for a few days.
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Know your notes. Familiarize yourself with the fragrance notes and families you tend to like (citrus, floral, woody, etc.) and let that guide your shopping. Don‘t be swayed by pretty packaging or brand name alone.
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Start small. If you‘re trying a scent that‘s totally new to you, opt for the smallest size available for your first purchase. That way if it ends up not being for you, there‘s less product (and money) wasted.
By shopping smart and doing your due diligence, you can significantly cut down on the likelihood that you‘ll need to make a fragrance return. But if you still end up with occasional misses, it‘s reassuring to know that Walgreens has such a generous policy in place.
The Bottom Line on Walgreens‘ Best-in-Class Fragrance Returns
At the end of the day, Walgreens‘ 30 day no-questions-asked return policy for perfumes and colognes is a consumer‘s dream. It‘s one of the most flexible and customer-centric options out there, outshining even major beauty specialty stores.
By giving shoppers the freedom to really test drive a fragrance without fear of buyer‘s remorse, Walgreens creates a uniquely positive purchasing experience, even if it comes at a cost to the company.
"Accepting used perfume returns is expensive and logistically tricky," Pauker points out. "But Walgreens has made the calculation that the long-term customer loyalty it builds is ultimately worth more than the incremental losses."
In a world where restrictive return policies can make consumers wary of branching out beyond their signature scent, Walgreens‘ approach is a breath of fresh (perfumed) air. The perfume counter can feel a bit like a gamble, but Walgreens stacks the deck in your favor.
