Walmart Games Console Return Policy: Full Guide

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Walmart is one of the biggest retailers in the world with a whopping $460 billion a year turnover in the US alone.

In addition to groceries, Walmart sells almost every household appliance going, including a massive array of tech gadgetry such as game consoles, laptops, and video games.

If you’ve purchased a video game console from Walmart but are already thinking of a return; maybe it’s an unwanted gift or you’re underwhelmed with the performance, then you’ll want to know what Walmart’s returns policy is.

We’ve examined Walmart’s game console returns policy in detail to bring you up to speed with what their policy and returns window is, whether you need a box and receipt, how to make a return, and a bunch of other helpful information.

This post covers consoles and hardware such as:

  • Sony PS5
  • MS Xbox
  • Nintendo Switch
  • Meta Oculus Quest 2

It also applies to accessories such as controllers, headsets, and add-ons.

Keep reading to see what we found…

What is Walmart’s Console Return Policy? The Short Answer

Walmart’s return policy for consoles is 30 days from the date of purchase if bought in-store or from receipt if purchased online. You can return them either online or in-store for a refund or exchange.

How to Return Your Console to Walmart

Online OrdersReturn by Mail

If you purchased your console online and had it delivered, you can either return it using the online returns process or in-store.

To complete the online returns process, do the following:

  1. Visit Walmart’s website and login
  2. Go to the “orders” section
  3. Go to the “returns” section
  4. Print the return product label
  5. Package your console with all the accessories
  6. Drop it off at your local USPS or FedEx drop-off point

Is Walmart Return Shipping Free?

Yes, returns delivery is provided free by Walmart when you make your return.

In-Store PurchasesReturn In-store

If you purchased your console in-store then you must return it back to the store (it can’t be returned online).

Simply take your console back to the store and present it to the front desk in its packaging and with your receipt.

Will Walmart Accept a Returned Console Without a Receipt?

Walmart does allow console returns without a receipt but you will need to present a government-authorized ID so they can trace the transaction.

You should also present the card you used to pay on.

If you’re not sure which card it was bought with then have a look at your credit or debit card bank statement to try and trace the transaction.

If you don’t have a receipt, Walmart can only offer an exchange or a Walmart gift card for you to purchase something in-store.

Walmart does offer a cash refund if you’re without a receipt but only for products worth under $10, which clearly won’t apply to game consoles.

Can I Return a Console to Walmart Without Packaging/Box/Accessories?

controllers

Walmart is normally fairly lenient if you don’t have the product’s packaging or some of it is broken or missing so you should still be able to make your return.

However, if you’ve lost accessories such as controllers, batteries, or cabling then you may encounter more of an issue.

If you’ve lost accessories then speak to a manager in-store or by using the online chat function.

Walmart’s 30-Day Returns Window Has Expired – What Now?

If you’re just outside the 30-day returns window, then contact your local store and speak to a manager or use the online chat function above.

There may be some discretion that can be applied, especially if you’re only just beyond the returns window by a few days.

If you’re unable to get around this then you have a few options:

Check the Warranty

If you’re outside the 30-day returns window but your console has developed a fault, then you can still rely on the manufacturer’s warranty.

Warranties for the main console manufacturers are:

To rely on the warranty, you may need to contact the company directly rather than returning the product to Walmart.

Sell It

Consoles generally hold their value quite well if they’re the latest model and they’re not faulty.

For example, PS5 consoles still sell well now, despite them being released several years ago.

If you decide to sell you could do so on:

  • Facebook Marketplace (free)
  • eBay
  • Online forum (usually free)
  • Craig’s List

Claim Off Your Insurance

Some policies of insurance come with damage and even refund cover.

So check your policy documentation and make a claim off that.

But remember you may need to pay an excess and your premium costs will probably rise when you renew your policy.

Related Article:
Walmart Headset Returns Policy

What is Walmart’s Console Returns Policy in Canada?

If you’re based in Canada, Walmart’s returns policy for consoles is reduced from 30 days down to 14 days.

The 14 days start either from purchase in-store or from the date of arrival if purchased online and delivered to you.

How Does Walmart’s Console Returns Policy Hold Up Against Its Competitors?

We thought it might be useful to provide a competitor analysis comparing Walmart’s returns policies to others in the market.

Here’s what we found:

CompetitorReturns Policy
Best Buy90 days from purchase
Costco90 days from purchase
Amazon30 days from receipt
Kroger30 days from purchase
GameStop 30 days from purchase

It’s clear that Walmart’s console returns policy is fairly underwhelming compared to, say, Best Buy and Costco.

But Walmart does include free returns and is also quite flexible when it comes to missing packaging so, overall, it’s a bit of a mixed bag.

Related reading: Costco Laptop Return Policy

Final Thoughts

Walmart’s console returns policy is not particularly generous but it’s not the worst we’ve seen either.

Provided you have all the accessories, you should be able to secure a refund or exchange within the 30-day window without issue at Walmart.

If you are outside it, it’s still worth checking with Walmart to see if they can offer some wiggle room.

If not then you’ll have the warranty or possibly your home insurance to fall back on in the case of defective units.

About the author

Oliver graduated from law school in 2008 and has practiced exclusively in the field of civil litigation for the last 10 years. He has a wealth of experience and expertise in litigation involving large financial losses and a special interest in consumer law. He has achieved numerous 7 figure settlements and has been involved in multi-billion dollar class-action consumer lawsuits against companies such as the Volkswagen Group. Away from the law, he is a consumer information and personal finance writer, having been featured in key publications such as Yahoo Finance, GO Banking Rates, NewsBreak, MEL Magazine, and many more.



-Chief Editor and Founder

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