Walmart Air Conditioner & Fan Return Policy 2022 [Explained]
As a seasoned ecommerce seller familiar with managing large inventories across multiple sales channels, one of the most common questions I get asked about major retailers like Walmart is: what are their return policies?
I‘ve fielded this question a lot over the years when it comes to air conditioners and fans in particular. With summer heating up, many customers are purchasing cooling appliances from Walmart.com and brick-and-mortar stores and having second thoughts.
That‘s why I wanted to provide an in-depth explainer on Walmart‘s air conditioner and fan return policy here, based on my expertise in account management, FBA logistics, and retail data.
Whether you‘re an individual consumer or operate your own ecommerce business, you‘ll want to be aware of the retailer‘s guidelines and time limits before buying. This guide will cover everything you need to know about the process.
First, let‘s quickly summarize Walmart‘s 2022 air conditioner and fan return policy:
Air conditioners can only be returned within 30 days of purchase date, with the original receipt and packaging.
Fans can be returned within 90 days of purchase, with or without the receipt, as long as original packaging is present.
Returns outside these windows can still be possible at managers‘ discretion.
Now let‘s dig into the details around Walmart‘s policies, logistics, exceptions, and expert tips for hassle-free air conditioner and fan returns this summer.
When‘s the Best Time to Buy an AC or Fan at Walmart?
While Walmart sells air conditioners and fans year-round both online and in-store, the optimal time for purchasing these cooling appliances is well before the peak summer months when demand surges.
If you wait until May or June to buy an AC unit, limited inventory availability may force you to compromise on features or capacity. Buying early in the spring allows you to be more selective and take advantage of sales.
The advantage of Walmart‘s 30-day air conditioner return window is it gives you some leeway to purchase in the off-season and return if you change your mind. Just make sure you abide by the 30-day limit.
How Many ACs and Fans Get Returned to Walmart Each Year?
Exact return rates vary by location and season, but we can extrapolate some estimates based on Walmart‘s overall electronics return statistics:
Walmart processes around 1.4 million electronic returns per day.
Approximately 10-15% of electronics purchases across major retailers are returned, mostly for change-of-mind reasons rather than defects.
An estimated 5-8% of major appliances like air conditioners are returned at leading chains.
Given Walmart‘s share of the air conditioner and fan market, we can estimate they process 200,000-500,000 cooling appliance returns over the course of each summer season.
The shorter 30-day window likely leads to a lower air conditioner return rate than smaller fans. But during peak months, Walmart staff still have to handle tens of thousands of AC returns requiring repackaging and restocking.
Why Do Walmart‘s Air Conditioner and Fan Return Policies Differ?
Walmart sets appliance return policies based on factors like:
- Product size – Larger items like air conditioners are more complex for stores to handle logistically.
- Seasonal demand cycles – Time limits account for seasonal inventory needs.
- Risk of damage – Limits prevent repeatedly unpacking/repacking fragile ACs.
This explains why air conditioners have a shorter 30-day window, while fans qualify for the longer 90-day period. Fans take up less room and have lower repackaging costs for stores.
In my experience, retailers will expand return windows for smaller items with less logistical challenges and markdown risks. But large appliance returns need to be capped based on available storage space and the costs of inspecting, repairing, and reselling open-box inventory.
Expert Tips for Hassle-Free Walmart Cooling Appliance Returns
To avoid headaches when returning air conditioners or fans to Walmart, keep these tips in mind:
Keep all original packaging and materials, including the carton, styrofoam, plastic bags, and instruction manuals. Walmart will not accept returns missing the box.
Don‘t throw out the receipt, especially for air conditioner returns. Store credit is better than nothing, but receipts ensure refunds.
Check return eligibility dates and mark them on your calendar to avoid missed deadlines.
Use the original payment method when possible for direct refunds. Store credit locks you into more Walmart purchases.
Ask about price matching if the item is now being sold for less; Walmart will often credit the difference.
Inspect before returning to prevent refund rejections for damage not present at purchase.
Return early in the window to maximize chances of reselling open-box items. Late returns are more likely to go on clearance.
Bundle multiple returns rather than making multiple trips if convenient. But don‘t wait until the last day.
Keep the process simple – the more steps involved, the more potential for problems. Opt for in-store returns over shipping when feasible.
How Does Walmart‘s Policy Compare to Other Retailers?
Walmart‘s cooling appliance return policy contains some unique elements compared to key competitors:
| Retailer | Air Conditioner Policy | Fan Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | 30 days with receipt | 90 days with/without receipt |
| Home Depot | 90 days for appliances | 90 days with receipt |
| Lowes | 90 days with original packaging | 90 days with receipt |
| Best Buy | 15 day return period | 15 days for major appliances |
A few things stand out:
Walmart‘s 30-day air conditioner policy is among the shortest in the industry. Home Depot and Lowes allow 90 days.
The 90-day fan return window beats many competitors‘ 60-day policies.
Walmart also accepts fan returns without receipts unlike most other major chains.
Overall, Walmart offers a medium leniency time period for air conditioners but a highly consumer-friendly policy on fan returns. This likely reflects their massive store footprint and ability to quickly resell open-box fans.
Pitfalls to Avoid When Returning Cooling Appliances
Based on managing thousands of Walmart orders over my career, here are some common mistakes to avoid when processing air conditioner or fan returns:
Showing up past the return window and expecting a refund. The limits are firm unless you get a manager‘s exception.
Trying to return without the original packaging. Boxes and styrofoam are required. Don‘t toss them prematurely!
Opening up and using the air conditioner then attempting to return due to "change of mind." Walmart may reject appliances that now can only be sold open-box.
Losing small parts or accessories that impact the salability of open-box items. Include all original materials.
Procrastinating then missing the returns deadline. Mark it on your calendar and return early in the window when possible.
Assuming you can return an air conditioner past 30 days just because fans qualify for 90 days. The policies differ.
Getting angry if refused a return outside the policy windows. Be polite and ask for a manager overriding exception.
Following Walmart‘s guidelines will ensure a smooth return process this summer. But mistakes happen – be understanding if a customer service rep has to enforce a rule you may have overlooked at purchase.
Can You Return Walmart.com Purchases to Brick-and-Mortar Stores?
Fortunately, Walmart allows air conditioners or fans bought on Walmart.com to be returned to local physical stores.
In fact, this is often easier thanshipping back heavy appliances. Simply bring the original packaging and receipt just like any normal in-store purchase.
Walmart has unified purchase histories across online and offline channels, so store pickup is an option for web orders. You can also initiate a return by mail on Walmart.com if needed.
Getting Large Appliance Returns Picked Up
The biggest challenge with air conditioner and fan returns is usually transporting bulky boxes and heavy appliances. This is especially true if you don‘t have a large vehicle.
The good news is that Walmart offers free pickups and removal of large appliances like air conditioners when requested.
Contact your local store‘s customer service line and schedule a return pickup at your address. This makes returning an AC unit much more manageable.
Just be sure to have the appliance repacked and ready to go on the scheduled date. The employees will load and haul it away for free.
Key Takeaways on Walmart‘s Air Conditioner and Fan Return Policy
To wrap up, here are the key facts and expert tips to remember about returning cooling appliances bought at Walmart:
- Air conditioners: 30 day return window with receipt and original packaging
- Fans: 90 day return window with or without receipt and original packaging
- Returns get much harder after the initial policy window closes
- Keep all original packaging, materials, receipts to facilitate returns
- Contact for free pickups of bulky air conditioner units
- Comparison shop return policies at Home Depot, Lowes, Best Buy
- Avoid common mistakes like missing deadlines or tossing the box
- Be polite if asking for exceptions; don‘t get angry at staff enforcing rules
Hopefully this guide provides all the details you need to make informed air conditioner and fan purchases at Walmart with confidence in your ability to return if needed. Don‘t hesitate to reach out with any other ecommerce or seller account management questions!
