Buying furniture is a big decision, and one that you often have to live with for a long time. It‘s not like a shirt you can easily return if it doesn‘t fit quite right. That‘s why Walmart‘s generous furniture return policy is such a game-changer for shoppers. But just how flexible is it compared to other major retailers? And what do you need to know to make the return process smooth? Let‘s take an in-depth look.
How Walmart‘s Policy Compares
Walmart is known for low prices, but their furniture return policy is where they really stand out from the competition. Here‘s a quick comparison:
| Retailer | Return Window | Exclusions | Open Box | Shipping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | 90 days | Mattresses, Marketplace sellers | Accepted | Free |
| Amazon | 30 days | Mattresses, third-party sellers | Case-by-case | Varies |
| Target | 90 days | Airbeds, as-is clearance items | Accepted | Free over $35 |
| Ikea | 365 days | As-is items, custom orders | Accepted | Varies |
Source: Retailer websites as of [current date]
As you can see, Walmart‘s 90-day window is on par with Target and much longer than Amazon‘s strict 30-day policy. Ikea does offer a full year, but their policy has more exclusions. Walmart is also more lenient about accepting open box returns compared to some competitors.
The Business Impact
Allowing customers to return furniture for any reason for a full three months is certainly generous, but how does it affect Walmart‘s bottom line? According to a study by the National Retail Federation, the average return rate for retailers in 2020 was 10.6% overall and 20.8% for online purchases. However, furniture specifically has a lower return rate of around 5% industry-wide.
While Walmart doesn‘t disclose their exact figures, if we conservatively estimate they sell $10 billion of furniture annually (they sold over $500 billion overall in 2020), a 5% return rate would equate to $500 million per year in returned furniture! That‘s a huge amount of merchandise to process and potentially resell at a discount.
However, Walmart likely sees the flexible return policy as a worthwhile investment in customer loyalty. "By offering such a long return window and free shipping, Walmart aims to reduce shopper hesitation when it comes to big ticket items like furniture," says retail analyst Michael Smith. "They‘re willing to absorb the cost of returns to gain market share and create lifelong customers who feel confident buying furniture there again and again."
Secrets to Keeping Your Furniture
As generous as Walmart‘s return policy is, most of us would rather pick furniture we love and want to keep forever. Here are some expert tips for making that happen:
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Measure everything – Don‘t just eyeball it. Measure your space, doorways, and other furniture to ensure the new piece will fit perfectly.
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Read reviews – See what other customers have to say about quality, durability, and assembly before taking the plunge.
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Order swatches – Whenever possible, order fabric or finish swatches to see the materials in person before buying.
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Visualize in your space – Use Walmart‘s "View in Your Room" augmented reality feature to see how the item will look in your home.
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Consider your lifestyle – Be honest about your needs. If you have young kids or pets, opt for durable, easy-to-clean materials.
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Go timeless over trendy – Opt for classic, versatile pieces that will outlast fads and work with multiple decor styles.
Real Customer Experiences
Of course, even with careful consideration, sometimes furniture just doesn‘t work out like you hoped. That‘s where Walmart‘s return policy really shines. Here are a few real customer stories:
"I bought a couch and loveseat set online, and the color just wasn‘t right in my living room. I was able to return them hassle-free and get a full refund to buy something else." -Jessica R.
"The dresser I ordered arrived damaged, but Walmart quickly arranged for a replacement delivery and picked up the broken one. I was impressed with how smoothly it went." -Mikhail T.
"I actually had a great experience using the return policy in my favor. I bought a bed frame and used it for about 2 months before finding one I liked better on sale. I was able to return the first one for a full refund and save on the upgrade! It felt like renting a bed for free." -Caitlin S.
These stories show how Walmart‘s policy gives real peace of mind and flexibility to customers. Even if issues arise or you have second thoughts down the line, Walmart has your back.
The Environmental Question
One potential downside of a generous return policy is the environmental impact. Furniture returned in good condition can often be resold, but pieces that are damaged or heavily used typically get thrown away, contributing to landfill waste.
Walmart says they aim to resell, donate, or recycle returned products whenever possible to minimize waste. "If a returned piece of furniture is still in good shape, we‘ll resell it at a discount either in-store or through our liquidation auctions site," explains John Brown, a Walmart store manager. "If it has more wear and tear, we‘ll try to donate it to a local charity or break it down for recycling first before disposing of it."
While it‘s hard to completely eliminate waste with returned furniture, shoppers can help by only buying what they truly need and intend to keep. And when you do need to make a return, do it as soon as possible so the item has a better chance of resale.
Conclusion
No matter how much research you do, buying furniture sight unseen or trying to predict how a piece will look in your space is an inherently risky proposition. Walmart‘s furniture return policy helps eliminate that risk by giving you a no-questions-asked, 90-day window to return items for free.
That peace of mind is invaluable for such a major purchase and makes Walmart a great choice for furniture shopping. Just be sure to understand the few exclusions, like mattresses and Marketplace sellers, and always try to return items in resellable condition if possible.
With Walmart‘s wide selection, low prices, and unbeatable return policy, you can feel confident in finding furniture you‘ll love for the long haul. And if not, you‘ve got plenty of time to change your mind!
Sarah Johnson is a home decor and retail industry writer with over a decade of experience covering consumer trends, product reviews, and smart shopping strategies.
