With over 9,900 stores spread all over the U.S., CVS has established itself as one of the leading pharmacy and retail chains in the U.S., selling a huge variety of items both in-store and online.
So if you’re a CVS customer and have just bought an unsatisfactory item that you want to return, you may be wondering – what is CVS’s returns policy? Here is everything I’ve found out about it!
CVS Return Policy
CVS accepts returns of most non-prescription, new, and unopened items at any CVS pharmacy store or via mail within 60 days of purchase or delivery. However, CVS Pharmacy brand and beauty items can be returned even if these are opened. Returns without a receipt are refunded via store credit.
If you want to learn more about the restrictions that are part of the CVS return policy, the process for returning items to CVS, and much more, keep on reading!
What Are The Restrictions In The CVS Return Policy?
Although the CVS returns policy is quite lenient, you still have to keep the following restrictions in mind when returning items to CVS:
- Items that do not come under the CVS Pharmacy Brand or beauty products may be denied a refund or exchange if they are opened, damaged, or missing a receipt.
- CVS will deny returns for products that do not pass its third-party verification process.
- Special order items such as motorized scooters and lift chairs cannot be returned to CVS Pharmacy stores. Instead, you should contact CVS Customer Care at 1-888-607-4287 for assistance.
- Certain healthcare, home health, and personal care products that are categorized as sanitary could not be returned for health and safety reasons unless they were damaged or defective.
- Customers that purchase products using PayPal at the online checkout cannot receive a card refund and instead will receive store credit that can be used in-store only.
- All gift cards, prepaid cards, and phone cards cannot be returned or exchanged unless required by law.
In case you are not sure whether an item you purchased from CVS can be returned or not, contact CVS Customer Care at 1-888-607-4287 to get your queries resolved.
Can I Return Items Without A Receipt At CVS?
Although you can return items to CVS without the receipt, you will not receive a refund unless you provide proof of your purchase.
Instead of a full refund, you will be offered an exchange or store credit equal to the lowest price of that item in the last 60 days.
Because of this, CVS highly recommends that all customers keep their receipt until the return window has passed or they are fully satisfied with their order.
Can CVS Look Up Receipts?
Only selected CVS locations will offer to look up receipts on their store system as long as the purchase was made within 60 days.
However, this should only be your last resort since CVS advises customers to hang on to store receipts or request a digital receipt.
Note that if you are looking for information regarding an online purchase, you can find it in the order history of your online account at CVS.com.
Additionally, you can also check your email inbox for order confirmation details. Keep in mind that cashiers cannot search for online orders in-store, so you will need to find the information yourself.
How Do I Return My Purchase At CVS?
To make your return at CVS, simply bring your item to any CVS store along with the original receipt, a valid government-issued photo ID, and the debit or credit card you used to make the purchase.
You can return any item bought from CVS except the following categories:
- Prescriptions purchased online
- Beauty products
- CVS Pharmacy Brand products
- Partially used or opened products from other brands (not CVS)
- Gift cards, prepaid cards, phone cards
- Specific health care, home health, and personal care products
To avoid any inconvenience, contact your local CVS before heading to the store to see if your return is eligible for a refund or store credit.
Can I Return My CVS Purchase By Mail?
If your purchased item is eligible for return or exchange, you can also choose to return it via mail within the same 60-day returns window.
You can do so by calling CVS Customer Care at 1-800-607-4287 to begin the process, through which you will receive a prepaid return label in the mail.
Once you have received the label, attach it to the item (making sure to include all accessories) and drop the package off at your nearest post office.
Note that CVS will begin the return verification and refund process after it has received your shipped item.
Why Do I Need A Photo ID For My Return At CVS?
CVS uses a third-party verification process to detect improper returns and prevent losses to the company. This process requires customers to verify their identity through a valid photo ID.
Additionally, the third-party process also records your ID information inside a secure database to validate future returns.
You may request a copy of your Return Activity Report by calling 1-855-837-3424.
Can I Return My Prescription To CVS?
Although all prescriptions purchased from CVS.com are non-returnable, CVS may make an exception to the rule if you have received the wrong medication.
If this is the case, you should contact customer services straight away and explain the issue to them to receive the correct medication.
On the other hand, prescription medications purchased from a CVS Pharmacy store do not comply with the standard returns policy because of the diverse range of medical drugs each store distributes.
You should speak to an in-store pharmacist about returns specific to your prescription if you feel the need to return or exchange an item from it.
Can I Return Opened Make-Up To CVS?
If you have opened or used a CVS beauty product and are not satisfied with it, you may return it to any CVS store within the 60-day returns window.
This is in line with CVS’s 100% satisfaction guarantee for all beauty products across all CVS stores and CVS.com.
To learn more, you can see our full CVS makeup return policy post here.
Can I Return Opened CVS Pharmacy Brand Products?
The 100% satisfaction guarantee also covers CVS Pharmacy Brand products, and so you can return both opened and unopened items under this category to any CVS store and get a full refund.
To learn more about shopping at CVS, you can see our other posts on if CVS develops film, if CVS accepts GoodRx, and if CVS has a copy machine.
Conclusion
Most items purchased at CVS can be returned for either a refund or exchange within 60 days with the appropriate proof of purchase. Makeup and CVS Pharmacy Brand products can be returned either opened or unopened for a full refund.
However, CVS cannot refund prescriptions from CVS.com, gift cards, prepaid cards, and phone cards. You can return items to a nearby CVS store or via mail.
