How Kohl's Return Policy Actually Works in the Real World

Kohl’s return policy is, on paper, one of the friendliest return policies I’ve found from a retailer. Kohl’s gives shoppers 180 days to make most returns, they don’t need a receipt, and they’ll take worn or washed items with little to no fuss.

But when you look closer, you start to see some blemishes with Kohl’s return policy. They don’t cover return shipping at all. And their exchange policy can leave people on the hook for increased prices if an item you’re returning is no longer on sale.

The good news is that we’re here to sort through the nitty gritty details and make sure you have all the info you need to use Kohl’s return policy to your advantage.

Oh, and if you’re serious about saving at Kohl’s, download the KCL app. Then favorite Kohl’s, and we’ll start sending the best Kohl’s deals straight to your phone on the daily.

 

1. Kohl’s return policy doesn’t require a receipt.

If you don’t have a receipt, the Kohl’s associate processing your return will ask you to enter your phone number on the PIN pad, and if they can match it with your purchase in the system, they’ll treat it like a receipted return.

But if Kohl’s can’t find your purchase in the system, they’ll give you the lowest selling price for the item over the past 13 weeks in the form of a Kohl’s merchandise credit.

 

2. The Kohl’s return policy gives you 180 days to make a return, unless it’s electronics or Sephora items.

Kohl’s gives shoppers 180 days to make a return. Sure, I didn’t need six months to decide if a ladle I bought recently would work for me — I knew right away it wasn’t large enough. But hey, if you tend to procrastinate, Kohl’s has your back.

Unfortunately, Kohl’s does have a few exceptions to the 180-day return window. Premium electronics (think: Air Pods, speakers, Fitbits, record players, etc.) only have a 30-day window, and all Sephora purchases made at Kohl’s need to be returned in 60 days.

 

3. They’ll even let you return worn or washed clothes.

If Kohl’s employees on Reddit message boards are to be believed, then Kohl’s is very generous with accepting worn or washed clothes. Here’s one Kohl’s employee talking about what their store accepts:

“Customers can return anything even if it’s washed. I wouldn’t tell the customer but we take the most disgusting items back with no question.”

Speaking from my own experience, I can’t speak to Kohl’s accepting “disgusting items,” but I’ve definitely returned washed clothes before. I feel like the move is to do everyone a favor and just wash your stuff before you bring it back if it’s really gross.

 

4. You have a bit longer to return electronics to Kohl’s during the holidays.

Kohl’s does offer a much better holiday return policy for electronics, which is awesome because it allows you to jump on Black Friday and holiday electronics deals.

Essentially, if you buy premium electronics between Nov. 1 – Dec. 25, you can make returns up until Jan. 31 (instead of the regular 30-day window).

 

5. The Kohl’s return policy allows for refunds, exchanges, or store credit.

Kohl’s provides refunds back to your original form of payment, or they’ll do an even exchange.

But I’ve had issues returning holiday gifts if all I have is a gift receipt. That’s because Kohl’s treats returns with a gift receipt differently. Instead of a straight exchange or providing a refund, they’ll give you store credit equal to the final payment price. (Same if you forget your regular receipt and hadn’t given your Kohl’s Rewards phone number.)

That means you’ll probably receive only a fraction of the store credit you’d need to buy the same item that was gifted to you over the holidays. My takeaway? Make sure your family knows your size. Sure, it takes away some surprise, but at least you’ll still get to enjoy your gift!

 

 

6. Make your return in store to avoid paying for Kohl’s return shipping.

Look, I love Kohl’s. But they need to get with it — making us pay for return shipping costs? Shame, shame. They won’t even cover return shipping on damaged items.

I sound like a broken record, I know, but the best thing you can do with a damaged Kohls.com purchase is take it to the store to make the return. You’ll need the same information as a normal in-store return (either a receipt, your phone number, your email, or payment method), and then you’ll be good to go!

 

7. Returning something by mail requires a few extra steps.

Not only does it cost extra to ship your Kohl’s return, I’ve found the process to be really inconvenient as well.

Kohl’s requires you to fill out this form and include it with your return. After you’ve printed and filled that out, you’ll need to print out and include a shipping return label.

You can find shipping return labels by logging in to your Kohl’s account online and selecting the order number for the item you want to return (all of your past orders are there — just tap the correct one) and print the “Packing Slip/Receipt.”

Only do this if you’re shipping your item back to Kohl’s. You don’t need a receipt for an in-store return!

 

8. Kohl’s will accept your Amazon returns and give you Kohl’s Cash — really.

I’ve used this little Kohl’s trick so many times in my life. It’s so much better than dealing with packaging up my own Amazon returns! Plus, Kohl’s will give you $5 in Kohl’s Cash for returning your Amazon purchase at one of their locations.

To return an Amazon purchase at Kohl’s, request a return from Amazon and bring your item to the designated Amazon returns area in your local Kohl’s store. Show the associate the return code Amazon sends to your email, and Kohl’s will package it and return it to Amazon for you.

 

9. If you bought something with Kohl’s Cash, you’ll get that back after your return.

If you return an item that you bought with Kohl’s Cash, Kohl’s will give back all of the Kohl’s Cash you used. If the Kohl’s Cash is no longer valid, no worries! They’ll give you a new coupon.

Do you have any other questions about Kohl’s return policy? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll get back to you. Thanks for reading!