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Macy's vs JCPenney Return Policy

Side-by-side comparison of return policys, conditions, and refund methods.·Last updated: 2026-03-19

Quick Summary

Macy's offers a 30 days return window, while JCPenney offers Most items: 60 days. Fitness trackers and smartwatches: 10 days. Jewelry boxes and armoires: 30 days of delivery. Fine jewelry and watches: 60 days.. Macy's can look up purchases without a receipt, and JCPenney requires a receipt. Macy's offers a holiday return extension. JCPenney offers a holiday return extension. See the full breakdown below.

Macy's Holiday Extension

Items purchased October 6 through December 31 can be returned through January 31. Exclusions: Dyson and Mac Duggal items are not eligible for the holiday extension.

JCPenney Holiday Extension

Purchases made on or after Oct. 1 are eligible for return or exchange through Jan. 31 of the following year.

Return Conditions

Macy's

  • Most merchandise can be returned within 30 days of purchase (in-store) or delivery (online)
  • Items must be unworn, unaltered, in original packaging, with original tags attached
  • Mismatched garments will not be accepted
  • New or gently used cosmetics and fragrances purchased at Macy's will be accepted for return
  • Receipt, shipping confirmation, or credit/debit card used for purchase is accepted as proof
  • Macy's can look up purchases via Macy's account, Star Rewards account, or the card used

JCPenney

  • Most returns accepted at any JCPenney store.
  • Fine jewelry and watches must be free of any signs of wear, unworn, unaltered, and in original condition with packaging and accompanying accessories.
  • Certified Jewelry should be returned with the certificate.

Exceptions & Restrictions

Macy's

  • Last Act items: final sale — no returns, exchanges, or price adjustments
  • Apple products: 14-day return window (strictly enforced)
  • Burberry (at Herald Square only): 14 days — tags must be attached, hygiene seal intact, personalized items non-returnable
  • Fine jewelry and all watches: 30 days with tags — undergo inspection process lasting up to 14 business days; special order and size-altered pieces non-returnable
  • Area rugs: 30 days — must be unused, undamaged, in original packaging; delivery fees non-refundable
  • Finish Line items: 30 days — must be unworn and in saleable condition
  • Lids merchandise: 30 days — mail return only, cannot return to Macy's stores
  • ReBag pre-owned items: 30 days — mail return only, tags must remain attached
  • Sunglass Hut items: 30 days — return to Sunglass Hut inside Macy's only
  • Tech watches: 30 days with original tags and packaging; special order and altered items non-returnable
  • Louis Vuitton (at Roosevelt Field): 30 days — perfect sellable condition required; fragrances must be sealed; custom engraved bottles non-returnable
  • Longchamp (at Herald Square): 30 days
  • LensCrafters at Macy's: 30 days from dispense date — online purchases must be returned to vendor by mail
  • Maternity: 30 days — saleable condition with tags; non-returnable if worn, altered, or tags removed
  • Lighting, lamps, mirrors, wall art: 30 days — cannot return to store; call 1-800-289-6229; 15% restocking fee; shipping non-refundable
  • Furniture (UPS/vendor shipped): 30 days — 15% restocking fee, shipping non-refundable
  • Furniture (scheduled delivery): 3 days — 15% restocking fee, delivery fee non-refundable, must be 'As New'
  • Mattresses (scheduled delivery or UPS shipped): 120-day comfort trial — $99 pickup fee, 15% restocking fee (waived for Tempur-Pedic; first return free for Purple, Saatva, Leesa, Bedgear)
  • Pool tables: non-refundable — inspect at delivery, report issues to installer before they leave
  • Final Sale / 'As Is' merchandise: non-returnable — buyer assumes all risk
  • Altered or personalized merchandise: final sale
  • Gift cards (electronic and physical): final sale
  • Food, beverages, live plants, gourmet gifts: non-returnable
  • Macy's Beauty Box: non-returnable
  • Macy's Bridal Salon by Demetrios: all sales final
  • Pandora Jewelry: must return at Pandora Shops inside Macy's
  • bluemercury items: return to Macy's with a bluemercury shop (not standalone bluemercury stores)
  • Third-party seller furniture/mattresses: cannot return in-store — return directly to seller
  • Third-party seller final sale items: plants, food, coffee/tea, pet food/products — non-returnable

JCPenney

  • Protective Face Masks are final sale.
  • Body Jewelry/Ear Piercing Kits are final sale.
  • Special Orders/Personalized Gifts cannot be returned after delivery and acceptance.
  • Furniture returns incur a 15% restocking fee and $85 pick-up fee; defects must be reported within 48 hours.
  • Made-to-Measure Blinds, Shades, Shutters, and Draperies are custom orders and can only be cancelled within 24 hours for a refund, or returned if damaged/defective.
  • Digital Images and CDs (Portrait) cannot be returned or exchanged.
  • Merchandise returns shipped directly from a vendor are not accepted in store.

Refund Methods

Macy's

  • Original payment method (with receipt)
  • Credit card/debit card in-store: credit issued immediately; 5-7 days for bank to post
  • Cash purchases: immediate cash refund in-store
  • Mail returns: account credited within 10 business days after Macy's receives item
  • PayPal purchases: refund within 7-10 business days to PayPal account
  • Klarna purchases: refund within 7-10 business days to Klarna account
  • Without receipt: store credit (EZ Exchange Card or Merchandise Only Certificate) at lowest selling price in last 180 days
  • Macy's Backstage without receipt: store credit at lowest price in last 90 days
  • Gift returns: Macy's gift card with gift receipt; lowest recent selling price without
  • Merchandise Only Certificate: usable in-store only, expires after 2 years

JCPenney

  • Original form of payment (with receipt).
  • JCPenney Gift Card.
  • JCPenney Merchandise Return Voucher (for returns without receipt or after 60 days if approved).

Online / Mail Returns

Macy's

  • Start return through Macy's account or by order number
  • Print return label or use QR code emailed to you (show at UPS to print label free)
  • Pack securely with return slip and drop off at UPS or UPS Access Point
  • Star Rewards members: free return shipping
  • Non-Star Rewards members: $9.99 return shipping fee (plus tax) deducted from refund
  • Star Rewards Bronze is free to join — create a Macy's account to avoid the $9.99 fee
  • Processing: account credited within 10 business days of Macy's receiving the return
  • Third-party seller items: free returns can be initiated online; processed more quickly than in-store

JCPenney

  • By mail: A flat $8 UPS return fee is deducted from your refund when using the prepaid label. Customers are responsible for return postage if not using prepaid label.
  • In-store: Any item bought online may be returned to a JCPenney store for free.

In-Store Returns

Macy's

  • Items purchased in-store must be returned to a store (no mail returns for in-store purchases)
  • Online purchases can be returned in-store or by mail
  • In-store returns are free — no fees
  • Credit issued immediately for in-store returns (except third-party seller items which add 5-10 days)
  • Without receipt: Macy's can look up via credit card or rewards account
  • Without any proof of purchase: gift card at lowest recent selling price

JCPenney

  • Most returns are accepted at any JCPenney store within 60 days of purchase.
  • Bring item(s) and your receipt.

Gift Returns

Macy's

  • With gift receipt or registry number: full refund as Macy's store credit
  • Registry items purchased before event date: returnable 90 days from event date
  • Registry items purchased after event date: returnable 90 days from purchase date
  • Without receipt and not on purchase list: store credit at lowest selling price in last 180 days

JCPenney

  • With a gift receipt, refunds will be to original payment or a JCPenney Gift Card.

Membership Benefits

Macy's

  • Star Rewards Bronze (free): free return shipping (vs. $9.99 fee for non-members)
  • Star Rewards Platinum and Gold: extended return windows and free return shipping
  • Macy's credit card holders: purchases easily looked up for receipt-free returns

JCPenney

Not available

Damaged or Defective Items

Macy's

  • General merchandise: report defects promptly, keep photos and documentation; call 1-800-289-6229
  • Furniture (scheduled delivery): report damage/imperfections within 3 days — Macy's schedules a service appointment
  • Pool tables: all issues must be reported to the professional installer before they leave your home
  • Final Sale/As-Is: buyer assumes all risk; Macy's not responsible for defects or repairs

JCPenney

  • Defects or damages must be reported within 48 hours of delivery for furniture and jewelry boxes/armoires.

Price Adjustments

Macy's

  • Price adjustments within 10 days of order date if item drops in price at Macy's
  • Cannot combine with previously applied promo codes or discounts
  • Third-party seller items eligible; Direct from Vendor partners not eligible
  • Furniture/mattress: 10-day window from delivery (scheduled) or ship date (parcel)
  • Competitor mattress/furniture price match within $200 for identical item at retailer with physical location
  • Online purchases: chat (9am-12am EST) or call 1-800-289-6229
  • In-store: visit store with receipt

JCPenney

  • JCPenney will match a lower advertised price from a competitor within 14 days of purchase.

Exchange Policy

Macy's

  • In-store exchanges for different size/color with price difference adjustment
  • Online: no direct exchange — return original item, place new order
  • Cannot exchange customized items or Final Sale merchandise

JCPenney

  • Most merchandise purchased in the last 60 days can be exchanged at any JCPenney location.
  • Exchange rules are the same as those for returning products.

Additional Notes

Macy's

  • BOGO returns: discount is proportionally applied to each item; partial refund reflects adjusted price
  • Gift with Purchase: if qualifying item returned, bonus gift(s) must also be returned or you may be charged for them
  • International returns: customer covers return shipping and customs duties; refunds may exclude original duties/shipping
  • Macy's Backstage items must be returned to a Backstage location only
  • General customer service: 1-800-289-6229 (Mon-Sun, 8am-10pm ET)
  • Furniture & mattress line: 1-888-822-6229 (TTY: 711)
  • Fine Rug Gallery: 1-888-241-8288 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm ET)
  • Lost Merchandise Only Certificate: 1-800-511-2752
  • Returns center: macys.com/returns

JCPenney

  • Valid photo identification is required for all non-receipted returns or exchanges; information from ID will be retained.
  • JCPenney reserves the right to limit returns or exchanges with or without a valid receipt.
  • For returns in CT and MA, sales tax refund is given only if returned within 60 days.