Info on LP and Return Policies
Again, not mine (source), but super helpful. I honestly believe that lifters should be reading every single piece of advice possible. With a grain of salt of course, but really… we need all the advice we can get lol.
I’ve just bolded the stores I go to a lot.
Abercrombie & Fitch
With Receipt … Will exchange or refund any original condition merchandise. No time limit. It is up to the manager’s discretion whether to accept the return.
Without Receipt … Store credit issued without receipt.
LP … Rarely in store LP. Sale staff / managers responsible for SL. No chase policy. Cameras are not actively monitored.
Academy Sports + Outdoors
With Receipt … An even exchange or refund based upon the original payment.
Without Receipt … An even exchange or merchandise card.
LP … Will have in-store LP. A mix of static and PTZ cameras. Sensormatic security towers with pencil tags.
A.C. More (The Craft Store)
With Receipt … 90 day return with all products. All merchandise must be in new condition, in its original unopened packaging. Only defective merchandise may be returned with opened packaging.
Without receipt … Items will need manager approval. They will back check system to see if item was purchased in that store.
LP … Most stores do not have LP on site. Some cameras.
Advanced Auto
With Receipt … Return within 90 days for exchange or refund based on original method of payment. After 90 days merchandise credit will be issued.
Without Receipt … Merchandise credit will be issued. You have to show your license.
LP … There is no LP in most stores. Some cameras with recorders.
Aéropostale
With Receipt … Returns will be refunded in the manner in which the original purchase was made. Returns with a gift receipt will be refunded with a Gift Card. There is no time limit on returns.
Without Receipt … Items may be exchanged for merchandise or an Aéropostale Gift Card in the amount of the current selling price.
LP … Rarely in store LP. Sale staff / managers responsible for SL. No chase policy. Cameras are not actively monitored.
American Apparel
With Receipt … We do not issue refunds, but provide exchanges or store credit within 30 days for un-washed, un-worn merchandise with tags.
Without Receipt … No Receipt / No Refund.
LP … Rarely in store LP. Sale staff / managers responsible for SL. No chase policy. Cameras are not actively monitored.
American Eagle Outfitters
With Receipt … Returns will be refunded in the manner in which the original purchase was made. Returns with a gift receipt will be refunded with a Gift Card. There is no time limit on returns.
Without Receipt … Items may be exchanged for merchandise or store credit in the amount of the current selling price.
LP info: LP is rarely in stores. Cameras are recorded, but not monitored.
Ann Taylor Loft
With Receipt… Returns accompanied by the original receipt within 60 days of the date of purchase will be credited for the price paid either in the original form of payment or a merchandise exchange. eturns accompanied by the original receipt more than 60 days after the date of purchase will be credited for the current selling price either in the form of a merchandise credit* or a merchandise exchange.
Without Receipt… Returns without the original receipt will be credited for the item’s current selling price on the date of the return, in the form of a merchandise credit. Merchandise deemed Final Sale on the date of the return may not be returned or exchanged.
LP…not active.
AutoZone
With Receipt … Return within 90 days for exchange or refund based on original method of payment. After 90 days merchandise credit will be issued.
Without Receipt … Merchandise credit will be issued. You have to show your license.
LP … There is no LP in most stores. Some cameras with recorders.
Banana Republic
With Receipt … Returns will be refunded in the manner in which the original purchase was made. Returns with a gift receipt will be refunded with a Gift Card. There is no time limit on returns.
Without Receipt … Merchandise can be returned at current selling price. A choice of merchandise exchange or Gift card. Mail check will be issued if the balance exceeds $50.00. You have to show your license.
LP … Rarely in store LP. Sale staff / managers responsible for SL. No chase policy. Cameras are not actively monitored.
Barnes & Nobles
With Receipt…Returns are accepted within 14 days of the date that you received your order. Books, DVDs and CDs (in their original, unopened, shrink-wrapped condition), and Toys & Games. Items That Cannot Be Returned: They will not accept returns for eBooks, magazines, downloadable PDFs for SparkNotes and Quamut products, gift cards, and shrink-wrapped items that have been opened. Please note: Once purchased, eBooks cannot be refunded.
Without Receipt… Store Credit
LP… Not active. Some high shrink locations will have cameras everywhere, while others will only have cameras over the checkout area. Cameras are recorded, but not monitored.
Bass Pro Shops
With Receipt … You may receive either an exchange, cash refund or a credit refund. No time limit.
Without Receipt … May exchange merchandise or receive store credit in the amount of the item’s last sale price. Reserves the right to limit the number of returns without a receipt. You have to show your license.
LP … At least 1 while store is open. Cameras are sporadically placed and are monitored at times. No Chase Policy.
Bath & Body Works
With Receipt … All returns will be returned in the method purchased. Not time limit.
Without Receipt … Exchange only.
LP … Has Regional LP that checks on stores. Some stores may have cameras that are recorded but not monitored.
Bed Bath & Beyond
With Receipt … You have to show your license. Will take back all items in any condition, no questions asked with a receipt with no time limit.
Without Receipt … You have to show your license. Will take back items and give a gift card. No limit to amount of returns.
LP …No active LP in store. Cameras are recorded, but not monitored.
Best Buy
With Receipt … All returns and exchanges must be in original condition and include all accessories. 30-day return period for most items. 14-day return period on computers, monitors, notebook computers, projectors, camcorders, digital cameras, radar detectors and video games purchased as used. Reserves the right to request identification and to deny any return.
Without Receipt … No Receipt / No Return.
LP … Has active and good LP. Always has at least 2 LP on duty at all times. Has a no chase policy.
Coach
With Receipt…
Unused merchandise may be returned at any time for a refund with original receipt. Without a receipt…you can exchange it/store credit. It has to be merchandise from a full price coach store (not from an outlet).
LP… LP isn’t there everyday, usually Thursday through Sunday. Pretty good camera system.
Costco
With Receipt … Will take back any items, anytime , except the following must be returned within 90 days for a refund: televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPOD / MP3 players and cellular phones.
Without receipt … You do not need a receipt to return items. You will need your membership card so they can look up your purchase. No returns without a membership card.
LP … Will chase you. Will prosecute. At least 2 LP on duty at all times. Cameras are monitored and recorded.
Dick’s Sporting Goods
With Receipt… Items must be returned within 90 days.
Without Receipt… Store credit
Has LP
Dillard’s
With Receipt… 30 days for a full refund on most items.
Without Receipt … MUST HAVE POP LABEL (Proof of Purchase)
Receive store credit. May check/copy I.D
LP… Has active and good LP. Always has at least 2 LP on duty at all times.
Will chase you. Cameras are actively monitored.
Express
With Receipt….90 days for a full refund on most items.
Without Receipt…Exchange only. Will not give store credit.
LP…None active. Some Cameras.
Famous Footwear
With Receipt…30 days for full refund on most items.
Without Receipt…Receive store credit. Will check / copy your ID.
LP…None active. No Cameras.
Hobby Lobby
With Receipt…60 days for a full refund on most items.
Without Receipt…Receive store credit over $10.00, Cash if under $10.00
LP..active,rotates stores. Cameras placed sporadically.
Hollister
With Receipt….ANY time for a full refund on most items.
Without Receipt…Receive store credit. May check / copy ID.
Some Hollisters use pin hole cameras that only point down. A&F and Hollister don’t mix hidden and visible cams. It’s either all hidden cams or all cam domes. So if you see any domes then that means there are no hiddens. They are also not actively monitored; only accessible by the district’s single LP officer and the Home Office, no one else.
Home Depot
With Receipt….90 days for a full refund on most items. Some items will be limited to 15 or 30 days.
Without Receipt…Receive store credit
LP… Home Depot has the best camera security system next to Target. There is a least one active camera on every aisle, but they also have twice as many dummy cameras as real. The LP office will very from store to store … some are up front others are in the back next to the office. They do have a no touch/no chase policy and due to resent cut backs there will be only one LP on during busier hours. HD will have twice as many employees as Lowes and they are constantly roaming the store.
Gap
With Receipt…30 days for a full refund on most items.
Without Receipt..Receive store credit (non transferable merchandise credit)Will check/copy ID
LP none active. No cameras.
JcPenney
With Receipt…90 days for a full refund on most items.
Without Receipt…Receive store credit. Will copy / check ID.
LP … Has active and good LP. Always has at least 2 LP on duty at all times. Will chase you. Cameras are actively monitored.
Jcrew
With Receipt…30 days for a full refund on most items.
Without Receipt…Receive store credit. Will check / copy ID.
LP..none active. No cameras.
Journeys
With Receipt … An even exchange or refund based upon the original payment.
Without Receipt … An even exchange
LP … No store LP. Limited Security
Kmart
With Receipt … You return the item within 28 days of purchase. The item is in resalable condition - It is unworn, unopened, unused and in its original condition.
Without Receipt … No Receipt / No Return
LP … At least 1 while store is open. Cameras are sporadically placed and are monitored at times. Can not chase shoplifters past the sidewalk.
Kohl’s
With Receipt … A cash or credit refund, based on the original method of payment or an even exchange. No time limit.
Without Receipt … An even exchange or a merchandise card
LP … Always at least 1 LP. All Cameras are PTZ and are sporadically placed and monitored at all times. Kohls has video cameras that record everyone and everything entering and exiting their dressing rooms. These surveillance tapes are admissible in court. If you hear Code 500 over the intercom, and managers being asked to come to the front of the store, this is their code for shoplifters.
Levi Store
With Receipt…60 days for a full refund on most items.
Without Receipt..Receive store credit. May check / copy ID.
Has district LP that rotates stores.Cameras are sporadically placed and are monitored at times.
L.L. Bean
With Receipt … Will return for full refund. No time limit.
Without Receipt … Will do an even exchange or a merchandise card. Will check system to see if item was purchased.
Has district LP that rotates stores.Cameras are sporadically placed and are monitored at times.
Lowes
LP…Lowes … this varies from store to store … some will have a sliding camera system. This is a long shiny tube running down the main aisles that cameras run back and forth on … you never know where the cameras are. All stores will have PTZ over Tools and Faucets (the two most common lifted items). There will be PTZ cameras on the outside also. Some stores will have cameras on every aisle while others wont have any. Over each POS and registers and they will tag a pic of you when you do a receiptless return. There is always one LP on while the store is open, rarely will there be two. They are plain clothed and do walk the store. The LP office in 90% of their stores is by the contractors doors. You will see a door with a key pad and an eye hole.
Macy’s
With Receipt … 180 days for a full refund on most items.
Without Receipt … MUST HAVE POP LABEL (Proof of Purchase)
LP … Has active and good LP. Always has at least 2 LP on duty at all times. Will chase you. Cameras are actively monitored. Cameras have zoom but not full tilt and pan. Known for placing same sex employees in dressing rooms. In some stores (in some states) they can have a camera pointed in the direction of the dressing rooms, or they just can’t have them “recording” and they have to be watched by same sex personnel. Or they can have same sex personnel on the other side of the double mirrors or watching thru the “slats” in the door - especially if they hear a lot of commotion in there.
Michael’s
With Receipt … Refunds will be offered in the original method of payment, 60 day limit.
Without receipt … Refunds will be given at the item’s lowest price sold within the last 90 days.They will ask for your ID, to store in a database.
LP… All cameras are static, and placed over high theft aisles.The cameras are all routed into the managers office (usually near the checkouts, in the front of the store) and theirs a monitor, that displays random aisles.
Most stores will have a District LP person that comes in and conducts random inventory on items, however, some stores *may* have LP..
Nordstrom
Nordstrom has possibly the most famously liberal return policy among the major retailers. First of all, there’s no time limit. And gift stickers affixed to the packaging act as receipts for the full merchandise value. Using that information, the store’s computer system can easily find anything paid for by credit card with an ID.
LP… extremely good & active LP. Undercover LP is always present in the women’s dept but not always in the men’s.
Office Depot
With Receipt…30 days for a full refund on most items.
Without Receipt…Receive store credit. Will check / copy ID.
LP is not active in stores. Some stores will have cameras that are recorded but not monitored.
Office Max
With Receipt…30 days for a full refund on most items.
Without Receipt…Receive store credit. Will check / copy ID.
LP is not active in stores. Some stores will have cameras that are recorded but not monitored.
Old Navy
With Receipt…45 days for a full refund on most items.
Without Receipt..Receive store credit. Will check / copy ID.
LP…not active. Cameras not monitored but recorded.
Party City
With Receipt: items must be returned within 30 days after purchase for refund or store credit; lots of items (cosmetics, hosiery, seasonal items, wigs, etc.) are nonrefundable
Without Receipt: may issue store credit without receipt, but it’s up to the manager
LP: stores usually have at least one LP person working; there are cameras near registers and at a couple of other places throughout the store, there are still lots of blindspots though; some areas of the store (like the wedding stuff section or the stationery section) are pretty dead and usually don’t have cameras; most locations don’t use security tags on anything. *Info From Kaiju*
Petsmart
The mega pet store offers full refunds for returns with receipt within 60 days of the purchase. After that, merchandise credit is issued. Petsmart even accepts returns of items purchased at other retailers, even competitors, with the original receipt for merchandise credit or exchange.
LP..not active. In some high shrink areas, stores will have security towers and limited camera coverage. Cameras not monitored but recorded.
Sak’s
LP… extremely good & active LP. At least 2 LP on duty on the weekends.
Sam’s Club
Almost all items are returnable anytime with a receipt. The exceptions (besides cigarettes and alcohol): you have 90 days for most electronics and 30 days for cell phones. Without a receipt, credit is issued for the lowest price available for that product. No membership is required for returns but members bringing back fresh food items get twice the amount or a full refund and a replacement of the item with Sam’s 200% guarantee.
LP… Active. Some stores have very limited camera coverage, while others will have cameras over every aisle. Cameras are recorded, and monitored. Normally 1-2 LP on duty.
Sears
With Receipt….90 days for a full refund on most items.
Without Receipt..Receive store credit. Will check / copy ID.
LP..1-2 are active and will chase. Cameras are monitored,recorded.
Sports Authority
With Receipt…45 days for a full refund on most items.
Without Receipt..Receive store credit. Will check / copy ID.
LP rotates between different stores. Cameras are monitored from time to time and recorded.
Staples
With Receipt….Full Refund on most items.
Without Receipt…Receive store credit. Will check / copy ID.
LP not active. Has very limited camera coverage. Cameras are recorded but not monitored.
Target
Target has revised its return policy to allow for more returns without a receipt, but still caps the total to $70 worth of merchandise annually. After that, any return without a receipt gets store credit in the form of a Target gift card only useable on items from the same department.
LP…. Active. Normally 1 to 3 AP at all times. They probably have the most cameras of any retailer, but about 40 to 45% of the camera domes in newer stores will be fake. In older stores, there will be only 60 cameras for the entire sales floor.
Toys R Us
Without Receipt… no return.
LP… Not Active. Cameras are active and recorded but not monitored. Security Guard at doors on holidays.
Urban Outfitters
With Receipt… 30 days for a full refund on most items
Without Receipt… Receive store credit, must show id.
LP… Active. Some cameras.
Walgreens
With Receipt…30 days for a full refund on most items.
Without Receipt….Receive store credit. Will check / copy ID.
No active LP in store. Cameras are not always monitored, but recorded.
Walmart
With Receipt … You will receive a full refund within 90 days on general merchandise. Computers accessories 45 days. Camcorders and digital cameras 30 days. Computers and postpaid cell phones 15 days. Music, movies, and software products must be returned unopened.
Without Receipt … You have to show your license. You can return 3 separate times in a 6 month time frame without any questions. You will get a cash refund for items under $25. You will receive a gift card for anything over $25. A manager has to approve all returns over a $100. If you go over 3 returns in a 45 day period a manager has to approve it.
LP … Will prosecute shoplifters with items over $25. Always has at least 2 LP on duty at all times. Cameras are monitored and recorded. Will chase shoplifters
