Walmart Toy Return Policy In 2022 (All You Need To Know)

As a parent or gift-giver, you want to make sure the toys you buy will delight their recipient. But kids‘ interests shift rapidly as they grow. A toy that‘s exciting one month may be completely ignored the next. That leaves you stuck with barely-played-with toys taking up space. Here‘s what every shopper needs to know about Walmart‘s 2022 toy return policy.

What Is Walmart‘s Toy Return Policy This Year?

Walmart offers a 90-day return window for most new, unopened toys purchased in-store or online. You can get a full refund when you bring back the original toy with a receipt or order number within that timeframe.

For electronic and high-tech toys like tablets, gaming systems, electric ride-ons, etc., Walmart‘s return period is 30 days from the purchase date.

This generous policy makes buying toys at Walmart lower-risk, since you have time to see if your child enjoys and gets good use out of the item. You can exchange or return toys at any location without paying restocking fees.

Returning Toys In Walmart Stores

Heading to your local Walmart in person is the quickest way to exchange or refund toys. You‘ll leave with your money back or a replacement item on the spot.

Here‘s a step-by-step guide to in-store toy returns:

What to Bring

• The toy in its original packaging and condition
• Any accessories, parts, batteries, manuals that came with it
• Your receipt or order number (print or mobile)
• Original payment method – credit/debit card, gift card, etc.

At the Customer Service Desk

1. Get in line for returns and wait for an associate
2. Provide your receipt or order number for the toy
3. Associate scans the code to pull up the purchase
4. They may inspect the toy to verify it‘s unopened and undamaged
5. Choose whether you want a refund or even exchange for a different toy
6. Without a receipt, presents ID so they can look up your purchase
7. Refund is issued to your original payment method

Stores can look up purchases you made with a Walmart account or Walmart Pay to allow returns without a paper receipt. This makes it easier than ever to get your money back!

Returning Walmart Toys by Mail

If getting to a Walmart location isn‘t convenient, you can easily mail back toys for a refund.

Just follow these steps:

1. Log into your Walmart.com account on desktop or mobile
2. Under Account > Purchase History, find the toy order
3. Select "Return by mail" and print the free shipping label
4. Repackage the toy in its original boxes and accessories
5. Attach the printed label and drop off at any UPS
6. Walmart will process the return once received and issue a refund

• Allow 2-3 weeks from when you ship for the return to be completed
• Contact Walmart Customer Service if you need to mail a return without the order number
• Toys sold by third-party Marketplace sellers may have different mail-in policies

Mailing back toys directly from home makes returns convenient. You don‘t have to pack up the kids for a trip to the store or waste gas making a special trip.

Using Walmart‘s Mobile Express Returns

Through the Walmart app (iOS and Android), you can quickly start a return and instantly print a free shipping label. This feature is called Mobile Express Returns.

To be eligible, the toy must have been:

• Purchased directly on Walmart.com
• Paid for in-store using Walmart Pay
• Had the receipt scanned into your Walmart app

Then simply:

1. Open the Walmart app and select "Purchase History"
2. Find the toy order and tap "Return"
3. Pick Mobile Express Returns as the method
4. Confirm whether you want a refund or exchange
5. Instantly print the shipping label or have it emailed
6. Drop off the package at any UPS location

Returns initiated through the app are typically completed within 3-5 days. The refund will go back to your original payment method.

Mobile Express Returns offer a seamless, digital toy return experience. No need for boxes of receipts or hunting down order numbers.

Tips for Hassle-Free Toy Returns at Walmart

Follow these tips when returning or exchanging toys at Walmart to ensure a speedy, convenient experience:

• Check deadlines – Toys are returnable within 90 days, electronics within 30 days of purchase
• Keep all original packaging – Even tape or twist ties help show the toy‘s unused condition
• Bring payment proof – Having the receipt or order number speeds up the process
• No receipt? For returns over $25, provide ID so they can find the purchase
• Paid with a gift card? The refund can be returned to a new gift card
• Opened package? Walmart may still accept returns for defective/damaged items
• Marketplace purchase? Contact the third-party seller for return instructions

By keeping your receipt and packing toys with care, you can make returns easy.

Walmart Return Policy vs. Other Retailers

How does Walmart‘s return window compare to other major retailers? Here‘s a quick comparison:

Store	Regular Toy Return Policy
Walmart	90 days
Target	90 days
Amazon	30 days for third-party sellers
Toys "R" Us	No cash refunds after 30 days

Walmart and Target offer among the most generous return policies for toy shoppers. Their 90-day windows beat many competitors.

Meanwhile, toys ordered on Amazon Marketplace can have much tighter return restrictions depending on the independent seller. This makes Walmart and Target better options if you think a toy might need to be returned.

Returning Partially Used Toys to Walmart

Walmart reserves the right to deny returns on toys that show any signs of wear and tear or damage from use. However, they may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

According to Walmart employees who work at returns desks, here are some cases where they can be more lenient:

• If the toy breaks very quickly or arrives defective
• The wrong item was accidentally shipped
• The package was opened by mistake
• Trying out toys that require fitting like bikes or snow gear
• Pieces are missing from board games or puzzles
• Kids instantly destroy or lose parts of the toy

If your child only played with a toy once or twice before losing interest, be honest with the returns associate. Stay polite as they are more likely to work with you to find a fair solution, whether that‘s an exchange, store credit, or partial refund.

Holiday Toy Returns

The holiday season from Thanksgiving through December sees a huge spike in toy purchases…and toy returns afterward!

According to National Retail Federation data, an estimated $4.1 billion in holiday toys and children‘s products were returned in 2021. Toys topped the list of returned holiday gifts.

Walmart offers extended return windows over the holidays, often pushing the cutoff to mid-January. This gives shoppers more time to see which toys are a hit and which end up forgotten after the holidays.

Checking return policies in advance helps avoid issues. Know that unwanted gifts can be returned or exchanged at Walmart easily into the new year.

Can You Return Assembled Toys and Toy Sets to Walmart?

Many kids‘ toys now require extensive assembly before use, from dollhouses to basketball hoops.

Technically, Walmart‘s policy is that toys must be unopened in the original packaging for returns. But in practice, returns associates will often work with customers to find a solution if a toy was assembled and then needs to be returned.

Some tips from Walmart insiders:

• Keep all boxes, bags, plastic ties, manuals and packaging
• Carefully disassemble before returning
• Place loose parts in labeled bags to keep together
• Be prepared to wait for assistance repackaging
• There may be a restocking fee deducted around 15%

The key is being upfront that the item was assembled, and taking care to include all accessories. Reassembling toys shows consideration for Walmart workers.

The Easiest Toys to Return to Walmart

Based on consumer return patterns, here are some of the toys shoppers seem to have an easiest time exchanging or getting a refund for at Walmart:

• Arts and crafts kits – If colors, textures or activities aren‘t as advertised
• Slime and putty – Dries out too quickly
• Fidget toys – Pieces break off or don‘t work as expected
• Stuffed animals – Wrong size, mismatched eyes, lose stuffing
• Action figures – Broken/missing limbs and accessories
• Board games – Missing pieces, unclear instructions
• STEM toys – Don‘t engage or teach kids as marketed

Walmart aims to deliver smiles by making toy returns and exchanges smooth. Taking a few minutes to return an unused toy can save you from feeling guilty about wasted money and clutter.

Conclusion

Walmart‘s generous 90-day return window makes purchasing toys worry-free. You have time to see if your child truly enjoys the toy and gets value from it. If not, simply pack up the original toy and receipt to get a refund or exchange at any Walmart store.

Electronics and Marketplace purchases may have tighter 30-day policies, so check deadlines before buying. Knowing Walmart‘s return policy gives you confidence shopping for the hottest toys of the season!