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Major Canadian Retailers’ Return Policies: What to Know Before You Buy

Canadian return policies depend on the retailer, product category, condition and purchase channel. Compare six major retailers’ published terms and what to verify before returning an item.
From TheFinanceBase Team5 min to read
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Canada has no general legal right to return a non-defective purchase simply because you changed your mind. In most cases, the retailer’s policy sets the rules, and the item, its condition, where you bought it, and whether it came from a third-party seller can all affect the outcome. Here is how the published Canadian policies of six major retailers compare, based on official pages accessed October 8, 2026.

Quick comparison of return policies in Canada

Retailer Published return window Key conditions and exceptions
Canadian Tire Generally 90 days for qualifying unopened goods Items must be in original packaging and returned with a receipt. Electronics and e-scooters have a 30-day limit; auto electronics have a 14-day limit. The policy also lists non-refundable or non-exchangeable goods. Canadian Tire policy
IKEA Canada 365 days for new, unopened products; 90 days for eligible opened goods Proof of purchase is required. Opened items must be unused and resalable, subject to IKEA’s assessment. Tested goods showing traces of use receive an IKEA refund card. Custom-cut fabric and custom countertops are among the exclusions. IKEA policy
Costco Canada No general merchandise deadline stated in the broad satisfaction policy; 90 days for listed electronics Costco says merchandise refunds are subject to exceptions. The 90-day period applies to specified electronics, not all merchandise. Costco policy
Sephora Canada 30 days for eligible Sephora.ca purchases New or gently used items qualify under the online-purchase policy. Online purchases can be returned free at a Canadian store or by mail with the prepaid label, subject to process and payment terms. Online shipping charges generally are not refunded unless the return is due to Sephora’s error. Sephora policy
Best Buy Canada Varies by product and purchase type Carrier-plan wireless devices: 15 days, or up to 30 days for customers who self-identify as having a disability. Unlocked devices: 30 days. The policy also specifies receipt, payment, packaging, and category requirements. Best Buy policy
RONA Varies by product category Certain major appliances and unused outdoor power equipment may be returned within 30 days, subject to conditions. Report damage, defects, or missing delivery items within 48 hours. RONA policy

These are representative examples, not a complete ranking of Canadian retailers. A stated deadline is not a guarantee that every item qualifies; check the linked policy section for the exact product and purchase channel.

What Canadian law says about returns

The federal Office of Consumer Affairs says, “In Canada, businesses are not obligated to accept the return of purchased items unless they are defective.” Its guidance, modified May 3, 2021, recommends checking a seller’s terms before buying and keeping the receipt. It also flags possible exclusions for personal goods or sale items, restrictions on cash refunds, holiday policy changes, and the need to check whether an online seller is the retailer or a third party. Read the federal returns and exchanges guidance.

This general rule does not erase applicable legal protections. A retailer’s voluntary change-of-mind policy and a consumer’s rights when goods are defective are different questions; the policy comparison here is about retailer return terms, not a complete guide to provincial or territorial remedies.

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How to interpret the retailer policies

Canadian Tire

The 90-day period is the general rule for qualifying items, not a universal deadline. The policy requires unopened goods in original packaging and a receipt; listed electronics and e-scooters have 30 days, and auto electronics have 14. Check the exclusions list before assuming an item can be refunded or exchanged.

IKEA Canada

IKEA distinguishes sharply between unopened and opened goods: unopened products have a 365-day window, while eligible opened products have 90 days and must be unused and resalable in IKEA’s judgment. A product tested with traces of use may receive an IKEA refund card rather than a refund to the original payment method. The policy excludes some made-to-measure products, including custom-cut fabric and custom countertops.

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Costco Canada

Costco describes merchandise refunds as satisfaction-based but subject to exceptions. Its 90-day limit is specific to listed electronics; do not apply it to all Costco merchandise. Costco separately says it refunds the membership fee in full if a member is dissatisfied. The help article carrying these terms was published October 10, 2025.

Sephora Canada

The 30-day rule applies to eligible purchases made through Sephora.ca, and the policy allows returns of new or gently used items. The online page was last updated August 28, 2025. Its free in-store and prepaid-label mail routes apply to online purchases under the stated process; store purchases and marketplace purchases may have different terms. Shipping charges on online orders generally are not returned unless Sephora made an error.

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Best Buy Canada

Best Buy’s terms depend on the type of device or product. Carrier-plan wireless devices have a 15-day window, with up to 30 days for people who self-identify as having a disability; unlocked devices have 30 days. The policy also calls for the original receipt, original packaging and included items, and a refund to the original payment method for card purchases. Large items, bundles, carrier devices, and excluded categories can have additional rules.

RONA

RONA’s policy is divided by product category rather than set around one storewide period. Its 30-day terms cover certain major appliances and unused outdoor power equipment, subject to conditions. For a delivery that is damaged, defective, or missing items, the policy says to report the problem within 48 hours.

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Check these details before returning an item

  1. Confirm who sold it. For an online order, check the order record to see whether the retailer or a third-party marketplace seller was the seller. The retailer’s own policy may not govern a marketplace seller’s transaction.
  2. Match the exact category and deadline. Look for shorter windows, exclusions, or special rules for electronics, appliances, wireless devices, sale goods, or custom products.
  3. Check the item’s condition and packaging. Note whether the policy requires an unopened package, unused or resalable condition, original accessories, or included parts.
  4. Find your proof of purchase. Keep the receipt or order confirmation; several policies make proof of purchase part of the return terms.
  5. Verify the refund and return route. Check whether the refund goes to the original payment method or store credit, and whether an online order can be returned in store or must be mailed. Confirm whether shipping costs are refundable.
  6. Check for current or seasonal terms. Retailer pages can change, and holiday policies may differ. Confirm the terms in effect for your purchase before making the trip or shipping the item.

Why the longest return window is not always the best policy

A longer deadline helps only if the product is eligible and you can meet its condition requirements. IKEA’s 365-day period, for example, is for new, unopened products; its opened-item window is shorter, and some tested goods receive a refund card. Conversely, a retailer with no broad merchandise deadline stated may still have a specific exception for a product category, as Costco does for listed electronics. Compare condition, exclusions, refund method, and return route alongside the number of days.

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