Sam’s Club Return Policy Explained: Return Time Limit, Exceptions, and How to Get a Refund

Sam’s Club is an American chain of membership-only retail warehouse clubs. They offer customers a variety of products at cheaper prices than traditional retailers.

However, smart consumers often wonder: What happens if they are satisfied with their purchase and would like to return the item or get a refund? This article will take a look at Sam’s Club’s return policy and how to navigate refund policies.

Key Insights

• In 2024, Sam’s Club saw a 2.3% growth in sales, reaching $86 billion in net sales.
• While the Sam’s Club return policy is quite lenient, reviews indicate common consumer issues with returns and refunds.
• According to consumer insights on PissedConsumer, 11.23% of Sam’s Club reviews are about returns, and 9.30% are about refunds.

What is Sam’s Club Return Policy?

As part of its 100% satisfaction guarantee, the Sam’s Club return policy allows members to return most items anytime. Returns can be made either online or in-club for a refund or replacement. However, there are exceptions for a few items and specific return policies for others. 

For example, the Sam’s Club Electronics return policy stipulates a 90-day return time limit. Commercial heavy equipment and motorsports items should be returned within 30 days, and cellphones within 14 days.

Sam’s Club also offers a quality satisfaction guarantee for perishable items. Whereby, customers can return perishable items if they are not satisfied with the quality for a refund or replacement. 

You can initiate the return process either online or in-club and do not need to return the perishable items.

Notably, there are complaints about the Sam’s Club price guarantee. On their website, Sam’s Club highlights their commitment to providing the absolute lowest prices. They offer club-to-club price matching except for clearance and markdown items.

However, reviews indicate inconsistencies in honoring their price guarantee. For example, in review #2556241, the customer wrote:

I purchased a trampoline for my grandson and the very next day the price dropped 40.00 dollars. Since that is a lot of money I went to the store to see what could be done…

Unfortunately for them, Sam’s Club associates said that they could not do anything about it.

What Are the Exceptions to Sam’s Club Return Policy?

The following items are exempt from the Sam’s Club return policy and are non-returnable:

• Gift cards
• Prepaid cards
• Tickets
• Custom-made items such as personalized gifts and photos
• Prescriptions
• Items purchased through the Sam’s Club Wholesale Trading Program

Their returns page further indicates that you should check with your club if you are returning the following items:

• Beer, wines, and spirits
• Automotive tires and batteries
• Cigarettes and tobacco
• Eyeglasses
• Hearing aids

In addition, bulky or volume purchases are not returnable, except if they have manufacturer defects or arrive damaged. For online purchases, you should submit photos showing the damage within 72 hours after delivery.

Sam’s Club has a disclaimer regarding third-party shipping. They state that they are not liable for items delivered through third-party shipping. Therefore, if a customer opts for a third-party shipping service, it is their responsibility to verify that the items arrive in good condition and that the order is complete.

How to Return Items at Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club offers two convenient ways to return items, either in-store or online. Below is a look at the return process for each option and whether you require a receipt for your returns.

In-store returns 

You can return most items bought online or at the Sam’s Club website to any Sam’s Club location in the United States. However, certain items are not eligible for in-store returns if they were bought online. Typically, these items are indicated as such on the product page. 

For example, golf cars and vending machines bought online cannot be returned to a Sam’s Club location. 

Here are the steps to return eligible items in-store:

1. Prepare the items you want to return including their original packaging, accessories, manuals, and any other thing that came with the product. 
2. Visit the membership desk at a Sam’s Club location near you with the item and receipt. 
3. A Sam’s Club associate will assist you with returning the item and issue you a refund.

Online returns 

You can return items bought on samsclub.com online. However, items bought in-club cannot be returned online.

Here are the steps for online returns:

1. Go to samsclub.com.
2. Log in to your membership account.
3. Navigate to order history and locate the item you want to return.
4. Click on the item and select “return item”.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions provided to complete the return process.
6. You will be issued a return label.
7. Print it, attach it securely to your package, and then send it out.
8. If you have problems with the online return process, contact Sam’s Club customer service at 1-888-746-7726 for assistance.

Some Sam’s Club online reviews indicate challenges with the online returns process. For example, in review #2380963, the customer wrote:

… My problem is simply, FedEx returned a defective product to us after we had contacted Sams Club to pick up and return this defective item…

FedEx required that the customer provide new return paperwork from Sam’s Club. However, the customer had difficulty reaching the Sam’s Club customer service to resolve the issue.

Returns without a receipt 

The Sam’s Club help page indicates that they prefer that you have the original receipt or printed order when returning items. However, if it is not available, they will do their best to process your return.

How to Get a Refund from Sam’s Club?

According to Sam’s Club refund policy, you must return an item and all its contents to get a full refund. This includes packaging, manuals, warranty cards, parts, and accessories. Otherwise, they may deny your refund or issue a partial refund.

For items returned to a Sam’s Club location, you will be issued cash or credit, depending on your original payment method. You may also be issued with a Sam’s Club shopping card unless it is prohibited or restricted by the laws and regulations in your state.

On the other hand, for items returned through the Sam’s Club website, you will be issued with credit to the account that was charged at the time of the purchase.

Shipping and delivery charges are only refundable if the return was a result of an error by Sam’s Club or if the item was damaged during shipping.

Sam’s Club issues a full refund to your original payment method for undeliverable items. You will receive a confirmation email with refund details. They do not reship items that the carrier could not deliver. You would have to place a new order if you still want to purchase the item.

Sam’s Club vs Costco Return Policy

When comparing Sam’s Club vs Costco’s return policies, both are customer-friendly and are similar in a lot of ways. 

Both have a no-time-limit returns policy for most items. The two companies allow for items to be returned either online or in-store. They also have a similar 90-day electronics return policy. Having a receipt is preferred, however, if you do not have one, the companies do their best to find your order details and process your return. 

The main difference between the two is that the Costco return policy offers shipping fee refunds while the Sam’s Club return policy does not.

Is Sam’s Club Return Policy Favorable?

Sam’s Club return and refund policy is quite generous as it allows customers to return most items at any time. Although some items are exempt, the applicable Sam’s Club return time limit is more accommodating compared to other retailers.

What has been your experience with the Sam’s Club returns? Write a review on PissedConsumer.com to help others make smart buying decisions.