I return already-worn clothes to Target and don't feel bad about it. The return policy has made me a customer for life.
Bryan Tate
- Target has a one-year return policy where it accepts store-brand items with or without a receipt.
- Bryan Tate tried the return policy and shared his experience on TikTok.
- He's used the policy about six to eight times and said he's a lifelong customer because of it.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Bryan Tate, a 35-year-old from Los Angeles, California. It has been edited for length and clarity.
When I first heard of Target's one-year return policy through a Facebook post, I was intrigued and knew I needed to try it out for myself.
Last year, I lost 50 pounds rather quickly and a lot of my clothes had become too big. I hadn't worn a lot of the clothes, or I'd only worn them once. Since I needed a new wardrobe, I thought it'd be a good time to test the policy out.
No matter if the clothes are worn or torn, as long as you have a physical receipt or you made the purchase using a debit or credit card, Target will accept the items back.
The first time I did it, I tried to return some of my mens clothes. It worked and I received my money back.
During this trip, I was surprised to learn how extensive its policy was. It's not just for kids clothes, like Cat and Jack, but for all Target-owned brands.
I returned my items without the price tags and without a receipt
When I headed to Target to make my returns, it became a little tedious because a lot of the clothes I returned didn't have price tags.
If the clothes don't have tags, the employee has to type in a code and manually find that item in the system. I returned 14 items and it took about five minutes.
When they see you did purchase the item, and if you fall within the one year timeframe, they can start processing the return.
How you receive your refund will be determined by how you originally paid. If you paid with cash, they'll give you a cash return. Or they can issue the return, back onto the same debit or credit cards you used. Target gave me a store shopping card, as I didn't have the original card I paid with.
When I shared the Target return policy on TikTok, I received some negative feedback
Some expressed concern and said it's wrong to return something you've used or owned for a while, or that it's wrong to take advantage of Target's system.
Others said they'd be too embarrassed to use the policy because they're worried about how it makes them look. But if you go to Target's website and look at the Cat and Jack section, you'll see the company advertises it.
Target
I believe Target put this policy in place so you'll continuously use its brands over and over again.
Because of Target's return policy, I'm a lifelong customer
I've used the policy about six to eight times now and I've never used a receipt to return an item. I've also taken both my wife and my brother-in-law with me so they could use the policy too.
For those who are on the fence about the return policy, understand you aren't taking advantage of a system. In my opinion, it's simply good marketing on Target's end.
Target did not respond to a request for comment from Insider.
If you have ever tried a store's return policy and would like to share your story, email Alyshia Hull at ahull@insider.com.