Home Depot wouldn’t be Home Depot without its stellar return policy scheme. From buying all sorts of paint supplies to returning the unnecessary ones – Home Depot’s more or less a reliable place for both.
But when can paint be returned to Home Depot?
According to the updated return policy, you can return intact cans and claim a full refund from the store. If the container or the paint is damaged, then you wouldn’t be eligible for a refund. Again, if the paint is intact but used, most stores will still take it back, provided that you have the correct receipt. Also, you have to return the paint in 30 days to get a refund or exchange it.
Painting requires strategic premeditation. Hence, it’s best to keep the return policy in mind while purchasing paint cans so that you can get a refund if needed. Let’s go over the common terms and conditions of Home Depot’s return policy in today’s write-up so you can be better prepared the next time!
Returning Paint To Home Depot: Conditions To Fulfill
The good news is that you can give back paint to Home Depot almost 99% of the time. Unless the paint is thoroughly damaged, the stores would be more than glad to take it back.
While returning paint to Home Depot, you should be mindful of the following factors –
Keep Track Of The Receipt
Whether you’re paying with cash or via the bank, Home Depot will always give you a receipt after purchasing anything. Keeping track of this receipt should be your topmost priority if you’re looking to return paint to the stores.
Because without the receipt, the stores can’t verify the purchase. And if you can’t provide proof of purchase, you’ll automatically get locked out of exercising the return policy. Hence, it’s a wise idea to keep the receipt on you if you’re unsure about using the purchased paint in the necessary projects.
Again, if you’re unsure whether you’ll need to return the paint, you can keep a picture of the receipt on your phone. Afterward, you can show that to try and return the paint cans. However, it’s important to point out that taking this route will make you lose your credibility significantly.
Since pictures can be tampered with i.e. photoshopped, some stores wouldn’t want to accept them as valid proof of purchase. Again, some stores wouldn’t care as much. Either way, it’s best to keep the original receipt intact so that you can exercise full credibility over the return policy.
Watch Out For The Time Limit
The return policy is only valid if you return the paint within 30 days of purchase. After that, you wouldn’t get a refund from the stores, and they won’t take back the paint either.
So, check the date on the purchase receipt to see if the time limit’s up or not before attempting to return the paint. Otherwise, you’ll waste a trip to the stores for nothing.
Keep The Container Intact
Home Depot will only take back fully intact paint containers. So, if you want to receive a full refund, make sure not to open the container, i.e., break the seal on the cans.
Additionally, make sure the container doesn’t suffer through any scratches, dents, etc., if you want to return it. If you have no plans to use it, keep it away from the construction area. Also, keep the containers away from direct heat to avoid ruining both the metal and the paint within. Store the containers someplace cool and dark before returning them.
Check For Paint Eligibility
Home Depot won’t take back the following types of paint containers even if you’ve got a receipt and everything else.
Custom Paint – If you placed a special order, then you wouldn’t get to return it, as Home Depot won’t be able to resell a custom container.
Mixed Paint – If you use paint thinners with the paint or mix other colors in the container, you wouldn’t be able to return it.
Tinted Paint – If the original tint of the paint is compromised, Home Depot won’t take it back.
Sample Paint – You cannot return the 8 oz sample paint cans to the store as they’re not eligible for selling in the first place.
Out Of Stock Paint – If Home Depot doesn’t carry the paint anymore that you’re trying to return, then they won’t take it back to avoid, including a single different can to the itinerary.
Come Up With A Valid Reason
Sometimes, you’ll need to provide a valid reason to return the paint to the stores. Otherwise, the deal might fall through.
Home Depot may not want to take back the paint if you’re the one at fault. For instance – if you fail to clean the surface properly before application, then the paint will easily peel off. Under these circumstances, you wouldn’t get to return the paint by saying the paint quality is bad.
Similarly, some stores will be reluctant to take back the paint solely because you didn’t like the color. When that happens, try providing better arguments in your favor. You can also contact customer service if you feel like you weren’t treated fairly.
Can You Exchange Paint With Home Depot?
Yes, if you have already opened the containers, you can exchange the paint with a desired one, provided that the can or the paint isn’t damaged to begin with.
However, there are certain limitations to the exchange policy.
You can only exchange your paint with a comparable one. For instance – if it’s a color issue, then you can easily ask for a different color and return the previous one.
But if you want to go for a different paint type or brand altogether, then it wouldn’t be as easy. Since there will likely be a cost difference, you’ll have to return the paint first. Afterward, you’ll need to use the refund money, add in or cut out the extra & purchase the newly favored paint separately.
The exchange policy is the next best option after the return one. You won’t get a refund, but at least you’ll get to switch out the bad cans for better ones. So, if you have already used some of the paint, keep the container intact to exchange it.
Read More – Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Walls?
How To Return Paint To Home Depot?
Yes, there are more than a few ways to return paint to Home Depot. Here’s an overview of the most common ones –
In-Person Returns
Simply go to the store that you bought the paint from, check in with the associates, inform them of your problems, and then return or exchange the paint as needed.
This is the most effective way to return paint to Home Depot, as both parties can witness the faulty containers in person. Hence, it increases your chances of receiving a full refund.
Online Returns
If you ordered the paint online, then you’ll have to send it back a similar route. It’s a tricky procedure and involves a waiting period to an extent, so you’ll have to work fast.
First, contact Home Depot’s hotline (1-(800) 466-3337) and get on the waiting list. After listening to your concerns, they’ll assign you a designated agent who’ll verify the receipt. Afterward, depending on the condition of the paint, you’ll either get to get a full refund or get a replacement instead.
Read More – Does Home Depot Sell Benjamin Moore Paint?
When To Return Paint To Home Depot?
If the paint isn’t working out or if you feel like something’s wrong, don’t sit tight at home. If you want to return the paint, do it as soon as possible. Sometimes, clients choose to keep the paint instead of confronting the store about the problems.
Don’t do that unless you want to contribute to further wastage of both paint and money. Instead, go to the store and have a talk with the associates. They’ll be more than glad to help you figure everything out. Here’s when you should consider taking the purchased paint cans back to the Home Depot stores –
Paint Seems Clumpy
If you notice clumpy paint after opening the intact paint cans, immediately take it back to the stores. Good paint shouldn’t clump after months of storage, let alone days. Hence, if the paint is clumpy, then it likely means it’s from a bad batch.
And if that’s the case, you’ll get a sure-fire full refund, or you can replace the bad container with a perfectly good one. Alternatively, if you choose to keep the paint by thinking it’s your fault, you’ll waste both your and the contractor’s money. Clumpy paint will contain more air pockets and will start to peel off at the earliest convenience after application.
Paint Isn’t Of The Right Texture
Oil paint won’t have the same texture as enamel paint, paint sheen, latex, or metallic paint. But the homologous paint types should have similarities in both texture and appearance.
Hence, if the paint seems thinner than usual or if it changes the texture after drying, consult the associates at Home Depot. They’ll notify you of potential blunders and also encourage you to replace the container with the proper paint.
Paint Isn’t Of The Right Shade
Like texture, color is also a big indicator of paint quality. And that’s why it takes longer to match the color than it takes to purchase the actual paint. But even after many precautions, you can end up with the wrong shade due to inexperience.
For instance – several light-colored paints become darker after it dries up properly after the initial application.
Read More – Does Paint Dry Darker Or Lighter?
Hence, it’s generally a good idea to go for a test run before repainting the rooms at once. If the color doesn’t seem to match the previous one after drying, take the paint back. Share your concerns with the associates right away.
Since they should have known better to anticipate the outcomes, they’ll gladly help you find the right color this time. However, make sure not to fix the color by yourself by adding more white paint or paint thinner before attempting to return the paint. Because once you mix ’em, Home Depot won’t take back the compromised paint at all.
What To Do If You Lose The Home Depot Receipt?
Since the receipt is proof of purchase, most Home Depot stores wouldn’t want to take back the paint without it. However, there’s a way to get around it.
Follow this guide step by step to return paint to Home Depot if you end up losing the original receipt –
Step 1: Find The Digital Footprint
If you didn’t pay with cash upfront, then the digital footprint during the payment process will come to your aid. First, figure out or remember the procedure you used to clear the payment with Home Depot. Then we can find the footprint.
Step 2: Find The Text/Email
Did you use your Debit, Credit, or Consumer Card to clear the payment? Then you should have an email or a text stowed away somewhere regarding the processing of the payment. Find that text or email to show it to the Home Depot agents.
Step 3: Check The Home Depot System
The agents at Home Depot will follow the Transaction ID from the Text or Email to locate the sale in their system. Once they do, you can get another copy of the receipt and use it as proof of purchase to get a possible refund.
Read More – How To Open Paint Bucket?
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Lowe’s or Walmart take Home Depot’s paint?
No, Home Depot’s return policy won’t work at Lowe’s or Walmart. If the store you took the paint from doesn’t take it back, then you can try a different Home Depot store at best. But the same trick won’t work at Lowe’s or Walmart since you have to show the purchase receipt to return the paint.
Is the 30-day return policy viable for all sorts of paint?
Yes, the return policy is the same for all sorts of paint, irrespective of its brand or type. From Behr to Glidden, interior to exterior, the store will take back all sorts of liquid paint if they fulfill the requirements of the return policy.
Will I still receive store credit if I return the paint?
Yes, the return policy will compensate for your losses without affecting the store credit. Again, if the store’s at fault for the wrong paint, you might even receive some extra store credit.
Before You Go
Given that the container is intact and you’ve got the store receipt, Home Depot will take back the purchased paint cans. Additionally, the associates will even help you to find your desired paint color if the current one doesn’t work out.
While all stores more or less exercise a return policy, Home Depot is especially known for its valued customer service. But do the other stores or paint brands do the same? And do you receive similar benefits with the return policy?
To know more about similar policies & possible alternatives, check out – Does Sherwin-Williams Take Old Paint?
