News & Trending Shopping & Deals News

16 Details in T.J. Maxx’s Return Policy That Even Experienced Shoppers Overlook

The bargains giant is strict, but store insiders say it’s possible to skirt some of the rules.

t.j. maxx retail store location
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

T.J. Maxx is known for offering stylish clothing and accessories at major discounts, so savvy shoppers can save on everyday essentials and some not-so-essentials.

While it’s easy to nab a bargain at T.J. Maxx, it’s much harder to return one. The store’s official return policy is straightforward and a bit rigid in print, but in reality, it's often dependent on the whims of local store employees.

Here are 16 things to know about making returns online or in-store at T.J. Maxx.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!1

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

The return window for store purchases is 30 days

baranq/Adobe stressed woman looking at bill

You have 30 days to return your in-store purchase. With a receipt, you’ll get a full refund.

T.J. Maxx's return policy states: "Merchandise that is used, worn or in unsellable condition will not be accepted for refund, merchandise credit or exchange.'

Most sales items are A-OK

rh2010/Adobe two happy girlfriends looking on the shopwindow

While some items may be final sale, most sale purchases are returnable. Ask the cashier at the checkout if you’re not sure.

You have 40 days to return an online purchase

Konstantin Yuganov/Adobe online shopping concept

T.J. Maxx will give you 40 days to return online purchases, but the countdown begins as soon as you click “buy.” Orders can be returned at a T.J. Maxx store or by mail. For either method, you need your packing slip as this doubles as your receipt.

Get a protection plan on all your appliances

Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.

Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.

For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.

Get a free quote

Ditch PayPal if you’re a chronic returner

prima91/Adobe paypal logo and apple iphone

PayPal makes it easy to buy online, but you can’t get a full refund if you use PayPal for T.J. Maxx purchases. 

The retailer issues a merchandise credit for in-store returns, and for mail returns, you’ll get a ‌merchandise credit minus $11.99 for shipping and handling.

Lavish purchases can’t be returned

maryviolet/Adobe stylish female handbag

T.J. Maxx doesn’t limit how much you can spend, but it does set limits on returns. Items worth $1,000+ cannot be returned in stores. For some merchandise, the ceiling is even lower.

  • Handbags $500+ cannot be returned in-store.
  • Footwear $500+ cannot be returned in-store.
  • Special-occasion gowns, at any price, cannot be returned in-store.
  • Luggage sets are not eligible for in store return.

Beauty items are final sale

Daria Minaeva/Adobe makeup brushes and tools

Per T.J. Maxx's return policy, “Beauty items opened or tampered with cannot be returned.” 

If the product isn’t your color, you’re stuck. With splurge-worthy prices, this may not be a deal-breaker, though.

You can’t return in-store purchases online

Voyagerix/Adobe receipt bill in hand

Merchandise purchased in a store cannot be returned online. The retailer states this is meant to curb fraudulent return activity.

If you do need to make a return, hopefully, you live close to a store.

Gift cards are forever

New Africa/Adobe woman holding gift card in restaurant

Unless you live in a state that mandates refunds for gift cards under a certain dollar amount, gift cards are forever. T.J. Maxx gift cards are ineligible for returns.

No exchanges for online orders

leszekglasner/Adobe asian woman making online payment using laptop for shopping at home

T.J. Maxx will not permit exchanges for online orders. Presumably, this is for returns falling outside of the 40-day online return window. The retailer states such exchanges are not allowed “due to our ever-changing inventory.”

Stop overpaying when you shop online

Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!2

Get Capital One Shopping now

No returns to sister stores (officially)

wolterke/Adobe homegoods retail store

Items purchased at T.J. Maxx can only be returned to a T.J. Maxx, store or website. Returns to Marshalls, Home Goods, Sierra, and other sister stores are not permitted.

But some Marshalls locations may take a T.J. Maxx return

jetcityimage/Adobe marshalls retail strip mall

According to employees on Reddit, some stores will make an exception. Some employees are unaware of the corporate inter-store return ban, while others complain that the policy is inconsistent and unevenly enforced.

Ultimately, the final word may rest with ‌ local stores. A T.J. Maxx manager may be sympathetic to a customer who lives 50 miles from the nearest Marshalls.

But be nice. Always ask, never assume. A store could be in a district or region with stricter enforcement rules, leaving that manager’s hands truly tied.

Oversized goods are hard to return

Nomad_Soul/Adobe couple walking along showcase at furniture shop

Large or bulky goods may be more expensive to return, as they often incur additional shipping fees. These shipping and handling costs are non-refundable.

Don’t empty your piggy bank

BillionPhotos-com/stock/adobe.com A hand puts a coin into a pink ceramic piggy bank.

If you make a cash purchase at T.J. Maxx and then have a change of heart or realize rent is due tomorrow, you’ll have to wait 10 days to get your money back.

You can return swimwear or intimate apparel

Maridav/Adobe woman relaxing on donut float

Many customers assume swimsuits and lingerie can’t be returned, so they don’t even try. However, if all the tags are attached and the merchandise is unworn, you can return these items.

Return online purchases in-store to avoid the $11.99 fee

Ngampol/Adobe holding credit card and typing

T.J. Maxx includes a return label with every online order. However, there's an $11.99 shipping and handling fee (deducted from your refund) for making a mail return. 

If you received a defective product, the fee is waived. But otherwise, there’s no getting around it — unless you bring your return to a physical store location.

Run away from Runway items

Kaspars Grinvalds/Adobe different clothes on the rack

Not all stores stock “The Runway,” a line of specialty apparel and accessories featured at more exclusive T.J. Maxx locations. You can only return Runway purchases at locations that carry the collection.

And the goods may not be worth the fuss. Runway items are supposed to be ultra-upscale, but many store employees say they’re quite lackluster.

As one former corporate employee states, “The company has grown so big there isn’t enough overstocked genuine product,” so they partner with designer brands to produce goods exclusively for T.J. Maxx stores with price tags that “show” a discount.

Bottom line

Joe Hendrickson/Adobe t.j. maxx

If you’re a deals maven, T.J. Maxx deserves a spot on your top 10 list. But it’s better to shop in-store than online so you can avoid wasting money on any return fees if something doesn’t quite work out.

Also, some products — like Runway items and bulky, oversized goods — may be more hassle than they’re worth.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details


Author Details

Stacy Garrels

Stacy enjoys writing about fintech, consumer deals, the side hustle economy, and random tomfoolery. She's personally tried more than 100 different gigs, including being an Uber driver for one afternoon.