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Can You Return Baby Clothes Anywhere (What If I Don’t Have a Receipt?)

Can You Return Baby Clothes Anywhere (What If I Don’t Have a Receipt?)

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Maybe your baby hit a growth spurt and you have a whole slew of clothes they have grown out of and never got around to wearing. Or maybe you received duplicate outfits at a baby shower but don’t have a receipt. Will you be able to return these items?

Most retailers will accept returns or exchanges on new clothing items (unwashed, unworn, and with tags attached) for at least 30 days from the purchase date as long as you have a receipt. Some retailers have the ability to look up your purchase via your payment method and reprint the receipt. Registry gifts often have an extended return window.

Read on to find out the return policies on some of the most popular retailers as well as their stance on returning used or washed clothing items.

Table of Contents

Can you return or exchange new, unworn baby clothes

Most retailers will allow you to return or exchange new, unworn clothing, especially if you have the receipt.

Clothing items that still have the tags on and that are unwashed should have no issues being returned as long as a significant amount of time hasn’t passed from the date they were purchased.

If you don’t have the receipt, you may have to do a little bit of research to determine where the clothing might have been purchased from – in that case, your best bet would be to attempt to make a return or exchange at the retailer with the most generous return policy.

Can you return or exchange worn baby clothes?

Trying to return or exchange worn baby clothes can get a bit tricky.

Many stores won’t allow returns on items that have been washed or that show obvious signs of wear. The exception to this may be if the clothing item was defective or if the item didn’t hold up as it should have, for example, the color faded after one wash, a button popped off, etc.

Returning baby clothes to Target

Target is a popular choice for baby clothes given the variety of children’s clothes available, the shopping conveniences offered by big box stores, and the relatively generous return policy.

Target’s return policy states that you have 90 days to return your item for a full refund, just bring your item and receipt. If you paid with your Red Card, you have an additional 30 days to make a return. Or, if your item is a Target brand, you have up to a year to bring it back.

Cat and Jack is Target’s primary children’s clothing brand, but a full list of Target house brands is available on their website.

Can you return new baby clothes to Target without a receipt

If you don’t have a receipt, Target says they will be glad to look up your receipt by your payment method.

However, the fine print says that any used or opened items, damaged items, or items with no receipt may be denied a refund.

Can you return worn baby clothes to Target

Target’s return policy says that you may be denied a refund on opened or used items so it may still be worth a shot to try to return worn baby clothes, especially if the clothing item was defective.

For instance, you only washed the item once according to the directions on the tag and it still shrunk or the zipper malfunctioned after one use, etc.

Returning baby clothes to Walmart

Like Target, Walmart offers consumers the option of picking up an inexpensive outfit for baby on an unrelated shopping trip.

Walmart gives you 90 days to return your purchase by either returning your item in-store, for free by mail, or by a scheduled pickup at your home. If you have a Walmart account, you can start the return process by using your Walmart app.

Once your return has been approved, print the confirmation page and bring it along with your item to a Walmart store. 

Can you return new baby clothes to Walmart without a receipt

Walmart will still accept returns on items without a receipt with a few stipulations. You must bring a government-issued photo ID and your return must pass the store’s refund verification process.

However, without a receipt, you will only get a full refund if the item is under $10. If the item is over $10, you can exchange the item in-store or have the amount issued on a Walmart gift card.

Walmart can also attempt to look your receipt up on their computer if you paid with a debit or credit card. 

Can you return worn baby clothes to Walmart

Whether you can return worn clothing items to Walmart is not addressed on their return policy on their website. It does state, however, that they reserve the right to deny any returns or exchanges. 

Returning baby clothes to Amazon

Amazon is a popular shopping outlet for just about everything, and baby clothes are no exception. 

You have 30 days from the delivery date to return any new items that were sold and fulfilled by Amazon though they list in the fine print that they will accept returns on baby items for up to 90 days.

It’s important to note that while third-party sellers on Amazon typically have the same return policy as Amazon, some may vary so you will have to check if you bought an item from a third-party seller.

Can you return new baby clothes to Amazon without a receipt

The great thing about an online retailer like Amazon is you always have a built-in receipt listed in your order history that you can access at any time.

You simply log in to your Amazon account and click on the “Returns & Orders” tab at the top. From there you can print out a return label to place on your package to mail back to Amazon as well as check on the status of a return.

If the clothing was a gift and you didn’t receive a gift receipt, Amazon customer service may be able to find the receipt if you have provided some of the buyer’s personal information.

Can you return worn baby clothes to Amazon

Amazon does not address whether they will accept worn baby clothes on their online return policy but they do state that they will accept returns for up to 90 days on baby items.

Breast pumps and breast pump parts are the only baby item Amazon specifically states that they will not accept returns on if used or opened. 

Returning baby clothes to Costco

Costco states that they have a “risk-free 100% satisfaction guarantee” on all their merchandise (excluding electronics, some jewelry, tobacco products, and alcohol). They do have specify in their disclaimer that limitations may apply and to visit the membership counter in store for more details.

Can you return new baby clothes to Costco without a receipt

The great thing about Costco is they have the ability to reprint receipts at the membership counter. You will need to provide your membership ID number and the date of service.

They may even be able to assist you if you don’t know the date you bought your items. 

Can you return worn baby clothes to Costco

Costco does not address whether they accept returns or exchanges on worn baby clothes. Most retailers do not, but you could visit the membership counter in store for more information.

Since Costco does have a 100% satisfaction guarantee on most of their merchandise, it might be worth your while to check it out and see.

Returning baby clothes to Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club, like most retailers, has several different options for how to return items.

Items purchased in-store need to be returned in-store, however, Sam’s Club states that they prefer you have your original receipt but that they will do their best to process your return if you don’t have it with you.

Can you return new baby clothes to Sam’s Club without a receipt

According to their website, they would like for you to have your original receipt when making a return but will try to process the return without one if they can.

While other retailers have stated they are able to look up your purchase via payment method or membership number, Sam’s Club has not stated if they are able to do that.

Can you return worn baby clothes to Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club does not address opened or used items in the online return policy. If you have your original receipt and have a clothing item that has proven defective, it may be worth a shot.

Returning baby clothes to Buy Buy Baby

Buy Buy Baby will allow you up to 90 days to return or exchange new, unused clothing items with tags if you have a government-issued ID and your original receipt.

They state if you don’t have a receipt or if they can’t track one down, you will be issued a merchandise credit (minus 20%) of the item’s current selling price. The 20% difference is to compensate for the coupon they are assuming you used during the original purchase. 

Can you return new baby clothes to Buy Buy Baby without a receipt

Buy Buy Baby will allow you to return new baby clothes without a receipt in exchange for a merchandise credit (or store credit).

Just be aware that they will give you the current selling price (minus 20%) not the purchase price you may have bought the clothing item for. The 20% difference is to compensate for the 20% off coupon the store is assuming you used at your original purchase.

Can you return worn baby clothes to Buy Buy Baby

Buy Buy Baby’s return policy specifically states that clothing items can be returned if they are new, unused, and have original tags still in place.

It is unlikely that they will return used merchandise but if you have extenuating circumstances you could give it a try.

Returning baby clothes to Kohl’s

Kohl’s has probably the most generous return policy of any retailer on the list.

They give you up to180 days from the purchase date to return merchandise. Just head to the customer service desk with your return and the receipt.

Can you return new baby clothes to Kohl’s without a receipt

Kohl’s return policy says that they may be able to look up your receipt at the customer service desk.

If they cannot locate your purchase history, they will offer a gift card or merchandise credit for the lowest discounted 13-week sale price for the item you are returning.

Can you return worn baby clothes to Kohl’s

Kohl’s return policy does not specifically state what condition the merchandise has to be in for a return to be accepted. It does state, however, that refunds may be limited or denied. 

Returning baby clothes to Old Navy

You have up to 45 days to return clothing items to Old Navy unless the purchase date falls under their extended holiday return policy. If your item is a final sale item you will not be able to return it.

Old Navy states that they only accept returns on items that are in their original condition, meaning unwashed and unworn. They will accept returns on damaged or defective merchandise at any time.

Can you return new baby clothes to Old Navy without a receipt

You may return items without an original receipt to Old Navy but you will be issued a return in the form of store credit.

Can you return worn baby clothes to Old Navy

Old Navy’s return policy is pretty clear that it will only accept returns on clothing items that are still in their original condition, meaning unwashed and unworn.

However, it also states that they will accept returns on any defective or damaged merchandise at any time.

Returning baby clothes to The Children’s Place

The Children’s Place will issue a refund for unwashed, unworn, or defective merchandise within 45 days of the purchase price with the original receipt and price tags attached. 

Can you return new baby clothes to The Children’s Place without a receipt

Returns to The Children’s Place will not be accepted without the original receipt. They will allow an exchange for the same item/color in a different size.

Can you return worn baby clothes to The Children’s Place

It is pretty clearly stated that The Children’s Place will not allow returns on clothing that has been washed, worn, or without the tags attached. They will allow returns for defective merchandise for 45 days.

Returning baby clothes without a receipt

It is pretty common to end up with a slew of baby clothes after a baby shower. Oftentimes, the clothes end up all being the same size while not getting many of the other sizes you need or receiving clothing that won’t work out with the seasons that your child will be that size. For instance, getting lots of shorts and sleeveless outfits in the size your child will be during the winter months. Or, maybe you received duplicates of the same outfit.

You would like to return the item(s) so that you could get something that would get more use. However, it can be hard to know where something was purchased without a gift receipt. Here are a few tips to help you:

  1. Try searching for the item by how it’s listed on the tag to see what retailers carry that item. Sometimes only certain stores will carry that specific item and you can narrow down where the item was purchased.
  2. Certain brands, such as Carter’s, may be sold under different names depending on the retailer. For instance, Walmart carries the Carter’s brand “Child of Mine,” while Target carries Carter’s “Just One You.” Clothing that just says “Carter’s” was bought either straight from Carter’s or possibly a department store.
  3. Try downloading a scanner app and scan the barcode on the tag. Most of the time, the app can tell you what store that item was purchased from.
  4. If all else fails, try Walmart. We had the most luck with Walmart when returning baby items after our baby shower, probably just because everyone has access to a Walmart. And, Walmart usually has a pretty generous return policy.

Returning Carter’s brand baby clothes without a receipt

Returning Carter’s brand baby clothes gets a little tricky because so many stores carry them. You may have to do a little investigating. Walmart and Target both have Carter brand clothes that were manufactured specifically for their stores. If on the tag it says “Just One You” it came from Target while if it says “Child of Mine” it came from Walmart. 

If the tag only says Carter’s, you could try a Carter’s store first. Even if you don’t have a receipt if they can find the item in their inventory you can at least be issued a store credit to get something that you will actually use. If the Carter’s store can’t find that item in their inventory, depending on how badly you want to return the item, you could try Buy Buy Baby or other department stores such as Macy’s or JCPenney’s.

Returning Gerber brand baby clothes without a receipt

Gerber brand baby clothes are also offered at many different retailers.

Besides an actual Gerber store, you can buy their clothing at Walmart, Target, Amazon, JCPenney, and Buy Buy Baby. Try downloading a scanner app to try and narrow down which store the clothing item was purchased from.

The actual Gerber store may take the merchandise if it shows up in their inventory.

Returning Osh Kosh brand baby clothes without a receipt

OshKosh is a sister brand of Carter’s and besides being sold in the OshKosh store, its clothing is widely available in many other stores as well.

I would check with the OshKosh store first to see if they can find the item in their inventory. If not, Walmart, Target, or Kohl’s would be a good next step. 

Joshua Bartlett
Joshua Bartlett

My name is Joshua Bartlett I run this blog with my wife Jarah. We have more than 11 years of parenting experience including three girls and one boy. I started this blog in late 2018 when I realized that I was dealing with baby-related issues on a constant basis…please read more about me here!

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