Safeway is known for being an accommodating store. They offer multiple means for customers to save money on purchases, have helpful store associates, and carry a wide selection of groceries.
Due to their attention to creating customer connections, Safeway customers may wonder what their policy is for making returns. If you’re curious about the answer to this question, continue reading through this article to see what I found out!
Safeway Return Policy
Safeway allows customers to make returns or exchanges on most of their merchandise as long as they have the receipt and are returning their purchases to the store location they originally shopped at. Both perishable and non-perishable items can be returned, excluding Alcohol and baby formula.
If you’d like to learn more about making returns without a receipt at Safeway, the products that you are allowed to return to Safeway, and more, keep on reading!
Can I Return Groceries to Safeway Without a Receipt?
When making returns, Safeway does prefer that customers have their receipts. However, if customers don’t have a receipt, customers have the option of making an even exchange.
If they would prefer to be refunded, the store associate assisting them may be able to look up the transaction on their computer if they paid with a credit/debit card.
However, if they are unable to locate any proof of purchase, Safeway will instead put the refund on a Safeway Gift Card.
Additionally, if the refund being requested is $5 or less, the store manager may approve a cash refund.
Does Safeway Have a Time Limit for Returns?
Safeway does not have a company-wide time limit for making returns, as each return is handled on a case-by-case basis, depending on the type of product a customer is returning.
Store managers will use their discretion when determining a reasonable amount of time for making a return.
For example, they may grant a longer period of time for a non-perishable item than they will for products such as meat and produce.
Due to the uncertainty of their return time limit, customers are recommended to bring their purchases in for a return as soon as possible to ensure they are fully refunded.
Does Safeway Charge for Returns?
Safeway does not charge customers for making returns or exchanges.
If the customer asks for a return or exchange and has a receipt, they will be fully refunded or given an even trade.
Where Do I Return Products to Safeway?
If a customer needs to make a return at Safeway, they can do so at the customer service/reception desk.
Customers can only return products to the Safeway location where they were purchased. Any items brought into a different store location will not be accepted for return.
The customer service desk at your local Safeway may have different hours than the rest of the store.
So it’s recommended to phone the store and check for the customer service hours before bringing your items in for return.
What Products Can I Return to Safeway?
Safeway allows both perishable and non-perishable items to be returned to their store.
Food products such as meat, fresh vegetables, and fruit, prepared food items, dairy products, and other perishables are all acceptable for returns.
Non-perishable items apply both to consumables and non-consumables. Cleaning products, hygiene care, kitchen wares, and other non-perishables all qualify for a return or exchange.
It’s recommended that customers return their perishables as soon as possible to ensure that Safeway can process the return.
Safeway may also approve the return of flowers in the flower department.
However, this may be left up to the discretion of each individual store manager, and the ability to get a refund may depend on the reason for the return.
What Products Does Safeway Not Accept for Returns?
While Safeway will accept most products for return, they currently do not accept alcohol or baby formula for return.
Additionally, Safeway also cannot accept gift cards for either return or exchange, as they are not considered part of store merchandise.
Because every Safeway has its time limit for allowing returns, some Safeway locations may not be able to process returns for expired meat, dairy products, or other spoiled food.
Therefore, customers are urged to return any perishables as soon as possible to ensure that they can receive a refund.
Can I Return Items to the Safeway Starbucks?
Safeway Starbucks will accept any cups, packaged coffee, tea, and food for returns as long as they are unused and are returned within 30 days of their original purchase.
While customers technically cannot return crafted beverages, if their drink was not properly prepared, Starbucks will remake the beverage completely free of cost.
They will usually require customers to dispose of the previous drink themselves, as they cannot generally take back drinks that have been handed out. However, this may vary per kiosk.
Safeway Starbucks requires their customers to have a receipt for processing a return, as not every kiosk can look up previous transactions.
Additionally, some kiosks may be allowed to grant a refund onto store credit if the customer does not have a receipt, but this may vary per kiosk.
Starbucks gift cards are eligible for returns if the customer has the receipt from the original transaction.
Clearance items are also eligible for return or exchange as long as they don’t have a final sale sticker on them item.
Does the Safeway Pharmacy Accept Returns?
Safeway pharmacy cannot process retail returns. Any items purchased in the pharmacy section, such as hygiene products, must be returned to the customer service desk.
However, according to a Safeway pharmacy in British Columbia, Canada, they do have their disposal service for medications prescribed that have either expired or have ceased to be used by the patient previously taking them.
Unfortunately, Safeway pharmacy cannot refund their customers for medication that has been returned, as they are unable to refund prescriptions.
Does Safeway Canada Have a Different Return Policy?
The Safeway return policy in Canada is the same as the US return policy.
However, unlike US stores, Safeways in Canada do not sell alcohol. Therefore, there is no statement about alcohol returns on their return policy.
If you are looking to learn more, you can also read our related posts if you can use a Safeway gift card for gas, alcohol & other stores, if Safeway price matches, and if Safeway cash checks.
Conclusion
Safeway allows its customers to make a return or exchange on all store merchandise, excluding alcohol and baby formula. Flowers may also be returned to select store locations.
Both perishable and non-perishable items are eligible for a refund.
Safeway asks that customers have a receipt for making a return. If they don’t have a receipt, They will either allow customers to make an even exchange or will refund their money on store credit.
All items must be returned to the store they were purchased in.
