The lululemon Return Policy Explained the Easy Way

The lululemon return policy can make your head spin, but once you unravel the confusing twists and turns, it can totally work to your advantage.

You may be wondering if you can return lululemon items you’ve already worn. What happens if you miss the return deadline? Or, can you exchange your favorite lululemon leggings for a slightly bigger size — even if they were on sale?

We studied the lululemon return policy in full, pulled out the most important info, and laid it all out in an easy-to-understand way. From return policy basics to lululemon’s quality promise and Like New trade-in program, we covered everything you need to know to make lululemon’s return policy work for you.

Looking to save on future lululemon purchases? Check out our lululemon sale hacks and the best savings from lululemon’s “We Made Too Much” sale.

 

1. lululemon Return Policy Overview

You have 30 days to return lululemon items for a full refund.

lululemon has a 30-day return policy for all items, including shoes (like this Strongfeel training shoe) and purchases from their Like New resale shop. After the 30-day mark, you won’t get a full refund for your return, but you can try your luck with a Performance Return or a Like New trade-in. We’ll dive deeper into those policies further down in this post.

TIP: If you buy lululemon shoes online, you’ll have 30 days to return them starting from the day you get your order — not the day you placed it.

 

lululemon returns must be unworn, unwashed, and have all tags attached.

We totally understand the urge to test drive your new items, but it’s best to play it safe if you aren’t totally in love with them.

Try to keep your lululemon purchases in their original packaging with all tags attached until you’re sure you want to keep them. This is especially important for lululemon shoes — you have to return them in the box they came in to qualify for a full refund.

 

lululemon returns are free in store and by mail.

If you don’t totally love your lululemon purchase, that’s okay! You don’t have to pay for lululemon returns in store or by mail, so you can rest easy and shop with very little risk.

 

You need a receipt to return purchases made in store.

If you made a purchase at a lululemon store, you’ll need your receipt to return it. It’s the only way a lululemon associate can verify your purchase and process your return. If you don’t have your receipt and the purchase isn’t linked to a lululemon membership, you may have to provide an ID.

 

You don’t need a receipt to return lululemon.com purchases.

After you make an online purchase at Shop.lululemon.com, you’ll get an email with your order number and confirmation. Your order confirmation email will act as your receipt if you need to make a return down the road.

 

 

2. How to Return lululemon Items

Head to a lululemon store for the quickest returns.

When you return items in-store, a lululemon associate can issue your refund right away. Also, you won’t have to face potential shipping delays or track your return package to make sure it arrives.

Here’s how to return lululemon items in-store:

Bring your items to a lululemon store, and find an associate that can help with your return. Show the associate your original receipt or order confirmation email so they can verify your purchase. After that, you should be good to go!

 

If you can’t make it to a store, you can easily mail your return back to lululemon.

If you don’t live near a lululemon store, mailing your return is probably more convenient. All you have to do is submit your return request online, then drop off your package at a FedEx or USPS location nearby.

Here’s how to return lululemon items by mail:

1. Visit the lululemon Returns page online.
2. Sign in to your lululemon profile if you have one, or enter your order number and email address.
3. Select the items you want to return and print your shipping label.
4. Submit your return request and check your email to find your RMA (return merchandise authorization) number — you’ll need this to track the status of your return.
5. Place your items in the reusable shipping bag or box and attach your shipping label.
6. Drop off your package at any FedEx Ground or USPS shipping location.

TIP: While you used to be able to choose a “Fast Track Return” to get your refund super quick via an e-gift card, lululemon is doing away with that program as of Aug. 20, 2023.

 

 

3. How to Trade In New & Gently Used Items

Resell new and gently used lululemon items for an e-gift card.

If you missed the 30-day return mark (or prematurely tore the tags off your items), there’s still hope. The Like New program lets you resale items in new and gently used lululemon items in exchange for an e-gift card. Lots of items qualify for a resale, but they have to be in good, working condition with zero signs of damage.

Here’s how much you’ll get back for each eligible item you resell:

• $5 – Tanks, Tees, Short Sleeve Shirts, Long Sleeve Shirts, Shorts, & Skirts
• $10 – Hoodies, Sweatshirts, Sweaters, Pants, Crops, Leggings, & Dresses
• $10 – Bags
• $25 – Coats & Jackets

 

 

Not all lululemon items qualify for a Like New trade-in.

Most women’s and men’s apparel and bags are good for a Like New trade-in, but accessories, skin care products like this Saje self-care kit, and a few other items don’t qualify.

Here’s a full list of items you can’t trade in through the lululemon Like New program:

• Accessories (headbands, scrunchies, hair ties, gloves, mittens, hats, water bottles, socks, masks & lululemon shopping bags)
• Yoga props (mats, blocks & straps)
• Intimates (underwear, bras & bodysuits)
• lululemon Collaborations (Barry’s, Roksanda, etc.)
• Swimsuits & rash guards
• Self-care products (cleansers, moisturizers, hand sanitizers, etc.)
• ivivva products (no longer made by lululemon, but sold secondhand)

 

Trade in Like New items at any lululemon store in the U.S.

Bring your Like New items to a lululemon store so an associate can inspect them. If your items look good, they’ll total them up and email you an e-gift card right away. You can take home any items that don’t meet the trade-in requirements, so there’s really no risk.

 

Don’t forget, you can also return Like New purchases for a full refund within 30 days.

Yes, lululemon’s 30-day return policy even covers Like New purchases. Here’s the catch: you can only return Like New items by mail, and you’ll have to cover return shipping costs yourself. You’ll pay a flat rate of $7.50, which gets deducted from your refund.

Here’s how to return Like New purchases online:

1. Visit lululemon’s Like New Returns page.
2. Enter your name and order number.
3. View your return authorization number and return instructions.

 

 

4. How to Request A Performance Return

If there’s an issue with your item after the 30-day mark, you can request a Performance Return.

lululemon backs their durable gear with a Quality Promise. If an item you purchased doesn’t live up to its reputation, you can request a Performance Return and exchange it for an e-gift card.

Keep in mind: Your item has to show some sort of product flaw or defect to qualify for a Performance Return. If it looks like you stained, tore, or misused the item in any way, it won’t pass lululemon’s inspection.

 

Fill out a Performance Return request form to get started.

Returns are a bit stricter under lululemon’s Quality Promise. You’ll have to submit a Performance Return request and attach photos of the item you want to send back. lululemon will review your request and respond within 12 – 15 business days. If they approve your request, they’ll email you an e-gift card.

Here’s how to submit a Performance Return request online:

1. Go to lululemon’s Performance Request form.
2. Read the instructions and requirements for the form.
3. Fill out your contact information and add your product details.
4. Submit your request and wait for a response from lululemon.

 

 

There’s not really a time limit for Performance Returns.

lululemon says they don’t accept Performance Returns “beyond an item’s practical lifetime,” but it isn’t something they monitor closely. Your Quality Promise coverage never ACTUALLY expires, so you can request a Performance Return no matter how long it’s been.

 

lululemon’s Quality Promise doesn’t cover Like New items.

Like New purchases don’t qualify for a Performance Return. You’ll need to return them within 30 days for a full refund or trade it in again through the Like New program.

 

 

5. lululemon Return Policy Exceptions

You can’t return lululemon gift cards, face masks, or items from the We Made Too Much section.

lululemon gift cards, face masks, and purchases from the “We Made Too Much” section and End-of-Year clearance are all final sale items. That means you won’t be able to return them, unless you’re a lululemon member. (lululemon members can return final sale items in-store and get store credit.)

TIP: You also can’t return most items you buy from lululemon Outlet stores.

 

The lululemon exchange policy only allows exchanges in store.

This is a pretty standard policy for most retailers these days. It takes a long time (and costs a lot of money) for stores like lululemon to ship your item, process your return, then reship your exchange item, so they try to do it in store only.

If you need a different style or size, you’ll have to visit a lululemon store to make the swap, per the lululemon exchange policy.

 

You can’t return lululemon items to lululemon factory stores.

You can only return lululemon items to a regular lululemon store. If you don’t have a lululemon store near you, mailing back your return is your next best option.

 

You can only return lululemon swimwear if the hygienic liner is intact.

This is understandable for basic health and safety reasons. If you purchase swimwear bottoms from lululemon, always leave the hygienic liner on until you’re absolutely sure you want to keep them!

 

 

6. Getting Your lululemon Refund

It can take three to 10 business days for your refund to show up on your account.

If your refund doesn’t show up on your account or bank statement right away, give it some time. Once lululemon issues your refund, it can take three to 10 business days for it to reflect on your account.

lululemon issues your refund right away for in-store returns, but mailed returns take longer. Once your return arrives back at the warehouse, it may not be processed for another three to five days. All of this factors into the overall time it takes for your refund to show up.

 

Refund timing also depends on your bank or credit card company.

Some banks and credit cards require additional time to process your refund, so it depends on the original payment method you used to make your purchase. If you still don’t see your refund after three to 10 business days, contact lululemon or reach out to your bank directly for more info.

 

Check the status of your lululemon return online.

If you’re wondering where your refund is, you can get an idea by checking the status of your return online.

Visit lululemon’s Order Tracking page and type in your order number and email address. You can also sign in to your lululemon account if you have one.

 

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Read up on more return policies.

If reading return policy fine print drives you crazy, you can’t miss our comprehensive guide to return & exchange policies. We dug through the confusion and pulled out all the important return policy details at your favorite stores.

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