Home Depot vs Lowe's Return Policy

Home Depot

• Most new, unopened merchandise can be returned within 90 days of purchase with proof of purchase
• Items must be in original, unused condition with packaging, manuals, and accessories
• Receipt, order confirmation email, shipping invoice, or credit/debit card lookup accepted as proof
• Without receipt: valid government-issued photo ID required; items over $50 without receipt are typically denied

Lowe's

• Most new, unused, unaltered merchandise can be returned within 90 days with receipt
• Items must be in original packaging with all accessories
• Receipt, order confirmation, credit/debit card lookup, phone number lookup, or MyLowe's/Pro Rewards account accepted as proof
• Without receipt: valid photo ID required; store credit at manager's discretion; multiple receipt-less returns may result in a ban from future receipt-free returns

Home Depot

• Major appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, ranges, dishwashers, select microwaves): 48 hours — must report damage/defects within 48 hours of delivery or pickup
• Dehumidifiers, portable/window air conditioners, gas pressure washers: 7 days — must be unused and factory-sealed
• Furniture and area rugs: 30 days
• Consumer electronics (TVs, computers): 30 days — must be unused, factory-sealed
• Gas-powered equipment (chainsaws, mowers, weed eaters, blowers, log splitters), tractors: 30 days — must be unused, factory-sealed; must drain fuel before returning in-store
• Generators (portable, non-stationary): 30 days — must be unused, factory-sealed
• Paint sprayers, air compressors: 30 days
• Perennials, trees, roses, shrubs: 1-year (365-day) unconditional guarantee — return with proof of purchase for replacement or store credit
• Annuals, tropical, house plants, landscape plants: 90 days
• Clearance plants (yellow stickers): non-returnable
• Gift cards and store credits: non-returnable
• Custom-tinted paint and 'Oops' discounted paint: non-returnable
• Custom blinds: non-returnable (except 'Guaranteed to Fit' models — exchange-only within 15 days)
• Utility trailers, whole house/stationary generators: non-returnable
• Cut flowers and floral arrangements: non-returnable
• Product samples (paint, flooring, fabric, wallpaper): non-returnable
• Labor, delivery, installation services: non-returnable
• Custom/made-to-order products: non-returnable
• Installed major appliances (unless damage reported within 48 hours): non-returnable

Lowe's

• Major appliances (refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, ranges, hoods, dishwashers, microwaves, cooktops, wall ovens, pedestals, golf carts, utility vehicles): 48 hours from delivery/pickup
• Major appliances purchased with Lowe's credit cards (LAC/LCA/LBA/LBR): extended to 30 days — must be in original, unopened condition
• TVs and consumer electronics: 30 days
• Outdoor power equipment (mowers, chainsaws, generators): 30 days — must be unopened
• Outdoor power equipment — Craftsman and Black+Decker brands: 90 days (exception to the 30-day rule)
• Water heaters, air conditioners, plumbing fixtures: 30 days
• Liquid paint: 30 days — like-new condition with original receipt
• Paint sprayers, air compressors: 30 days
• Highway trailers: 30 days
• Perennials, trees, shrubs: 365-day (1-year) guarantee — even if dead; requires original receipt
• All other plants: 90 days
• Holiday/seasonal items: must be returned on or before the day of the holiday; items purchased after the holiday are final sale
• Labor and installation charges: non-returnable
• Delivery and shipping charges: non-refundable unless due to Lowe's error
• Gift cards (all types including third-party): non-returnable
• In-store credits, refund cards, merchandise cards: non-returnable
• Safety masks and facial coverings: non-returnable
• As-is and clearance merchandise: non-returnable (unless defective)
• Paint samples: non-returnable
• Items exposed to bodily fluids/waste: non-returnable

Home Depot

• Cash: immediate refund at the register
• Credit card: 2-5 business days processing; up to 10 business days for bank to post
• Debit card: 2-5 business days processing; up to 10 business days for bank posting
• Check: if check has cleared 15-day waiting period, refund in cash; otherwise store credit
• PayPal: 1-3 business days
• Gift card purchases: refunded as store credit
• No receipt: store credit at lowest recent sale price with valid photo ID
• Mail returns (online): 7 business days processing after receipt, plus up to 10 days for funds

Lowe's

• Original payment method (default)
• Cash purchases: refunded in cash
• Debit card: refund via cash or credited back; can take up to 15 business days
• Check purchases: in-store credit if within 3 days of purchase; cash or in-store credit after 3 days
• Gift card / store credit purchases: refunded as in-store credit
• No receipt: store credit at lowest recent sale price

Home Depot

• Log into HomeDepot.com account, navigate to order history
• Select item and click 'Return Items'
• Print prepaid UPS shipping label — free return shipping for most items
• Online purchases can also be returned in-store at any location (often faster)
• Gas-powered equipment and hazardous materials cannot be returned by mail — must return in-store
• Original shipping charges only refunded if Home Depot shipped defective or incorrect items

Lowe's

• Print return label through MyLowe's account, pack securely, drop off with carrier
• Free return shipping available for most items
• Online purchases can also be returned in-store at any Lowe's location (often fastest method)
• Hazardous materials (gas, lithium batteries): must return in-store, never by mail
• Online purchases cannot be returned to Lowe's Outlet locations
• Contact customer care within 3 days of receiving damaged/missing online items for shipping fee refund

Home Depot

• Bring item, proof of purchase, and valid ID to customer service desk at any Home Depot
• Online purchases accepted at any location using shipment confirmation or credit card as proof
• Gas-powered equipment must have fuel drained before returning
• Immediate processing for in-store returns

Lowe's

• Bring items in original packaging with proof of purchase and valid ID to customer service desk at any location
• Online purchases accepted at any store
• Gas-powered equipment must have fuel drained before returning

Home Depot

• Home Depot Consumer Credit Card holders: 365-day return window on items that normally have 90-day policy
• Commercial Revolving Charge and Commercial Account holders: 365-day return window
• Critical: the 365-day extension does NOT override shorter windows — 48-hour, 7-day, and 30-day items keep their original window
• Pro Xtra loyalty program (free): automatically tracks all purchases for receipt-free lookups — no extended window, but eliminates need for receipts

Lowe's

• Lowe's Advantage Card (LAC): 365-day return window on items with standard 90-day policy
• Lowe's Commercial Account (LCA): 365-day return window
• Lowe's Business Advantage (LBA): 365-day return window
• Lowe's Business Rewards (LBR): 365-day return window
• MyLowe's Rewards Credit Card (MLRCC): 365-day return window
• MyLowe's Pro Rewards Credit Card (MLPRC): 365-day return window
• Critical: 365-day extension does NOT override shorter category windows (30-day items stay 30 days), EXCEPT major appliances get extended to 30 days for credit card holders
• MyLowe's account: purchase history tracking for easy receipt-free lookups via phone number or account

Home Depot

• Major appliances: must report damage/defects within 48 hours of delivery/pickup for full refund or exchange
• Other items: report immediately; even without receipt, Home Depot often issues store credit for clearly damaged/defective items
• Bring original packaging, manuals, and tags to help verify purchase

Lowe's

• Major appliances: report damage/defects immediately upon delivery — 48-hour window
• Contact customer care within 3 days of receiving damaged online items for shipping fee refund
• Defective products: contact the Service Advantage hotline at (888) 775-6937 for warranty evaluation
• Restocking fees may be waived for defective products or shipping damage

Home Depot

• Price adjustments available within 30 days of purchase if item drops in price at Home Depot
• Contact customer service via chat or call 800-466-3337 with receipt and proof of lower price
• Exclusions: seasonal, discontinued, clearance, damaged, special orders, custom products, refurbished goods

Lowe's

• Price adjustments within 30 days of purchase if item drops in price at Lowe's
• Bring original receipt and proof of lower price to customer service
• Online purchases: contact Customer Care by phone or website
• Exclusions: clearance, scratch-and-dent, refurbished, special-order, limited-time promos, bundle discounts, manufacturer rebates

Home Depot

Not available

Lowe's

• Exchanges available in-store at any location within the return window
• Online: return for refund and place new order

Home Depot

• 15% restocking fee on Special Order returns or cancellations — deducted from refund
• Special Orders must be returned to the same store where purchase was made
• Items purchased November-December typically have return windows extended into late January
• Gas-powered equipment must have fuel drained before in-store return; cannot be mailed back
• Customer service: 800-466-3337

Lowe's

• 20% restocking fee on Special Order Configured Products returned or cancelled after 72 hours of purchase
• Lowe's Outlet: most purchases are final sale; only accepts returns for major appliances with mechanical/electrical defects that render it non-functional
• Items from regular Lowe's stores cannot be returned to Outlet locations
• Customer service: (800) 445-6937 (8:30am-7pm ET)
• Warranty/Service Advantage: (888) 775-6937 (until midnight)