Founded in 1991, DSW has been serving customers for more than three decades. Today, the company has more than 500 retail stores across 44 states. The company’s claim to fame is its vast selection of top-quality shoes at competitive prices.
By Joshua Rodriguez
- DSW Return Policy
- Receipt Policy
- Rewards
- Refund Timing
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If you shop at DSW, you may need to know about the company’s return policy. After all, not every shoe will be the perfect fit. So, what happens when you need to return a pair of shoes to DSW?
What Is the DSW Return Policy?
As long as you didn’t purchase a product marked as a “final sale,” you can return shoes to DSW within 90 days of your purchase. You can do so by bringing the shoes you’d like to return to the nearest DSW location or taking advantage of the company’s online return option.
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Can You Return Shoes to DSW if You Wore Them?
The DSW return policy states that you must return the shoes undamaged and unworn. That’s also the case for exchanges, so if you want a different pair and you’ve worn the original, you will have to pay for both pairs.
Late Returns
If you missed the 90-day time limit to return your shoes, you can still return them to DSW. You won’t be able to get a refund to your original payment method, but you can get store credit towards another pair.
Do You Need a Receipt To Return Shoes to DSW?
The company’s return policy states several times that you must have a receipt or the original packing slip to return a pair of shoes and get your money back — the best course of action is to keep your receipt.
However, it is possible to return the shoes if you don’t have a receipt or original packing slip. You must show a valid ID to do so. Moreover, DSW will give you store credit in exchange for returns without a receipt in lieu of a refund made to your original credit card, debit card or gift card. The company also says that it may limit the number of returns without a receipt that it permits for shoppers.
What About Gift Receipts?
Gift receipts are valid receipts that DSW will accept, but the policy is slightly different. If you return an item in-store with a gift receipt, the company will issue you a merchandise credit for the value of the shoes you return or provide you with an even exchange.
On the other hand, if you return or exchange items at DSW.com, the funds will be automatically credited to the original form of payment. So, if you choose to return the items online, you may have to reach out to the person that gave you the gift in order to receive money in exchange.
How Do Returns Affect Rewards?
Like many retail brands, DSW has created a rewards program in an attempt to incentivize brand loyalty among its customers. The program, known as DSW VIP, earns you points every time you make a purchase at a DSW store or on DSW.com. When you have enough points, you can redeem them for rewards like discounts and free merchandise.
Unfortunately, when you make a return that you used DSW rewards to help pay for, you only get the final — discounted — purchase price back as a refund, and you won’t get the points you used back. However, there is one exception. Rewards points will remain intact if you make an exchange on the exact date of purchase.
How Long Does It Take To Get Your Money Back?
Unless you receive a refund in cash or store credit, you’ll need to wait at least a few days for DSW to process your refund to a credit or debit card. The same is true for most retailers.
The company’s return policy states that you should receive your refund no more than seven to 10 days after the company receives the product you’re returning. As such, you’ll get refunds faster when you bring the shoes you’re returning to one of the company’s physical locations.
If you mail your return back to DSW, you’ll need to wait for the item to reach DSW’s warehouse for inspection before the company processes your refund, which could add days or even weeks to your refund timeframe.
Final Take
If you purchased shoes from DSW and aren’t completely satisfied with your purchase, consider returning them to the company for a refund — if you haven’t worn them. When you do, keep in mind that in-store returns with a receipt are the best way to go. Not only do you get your money back faster, but you also won’t have to pay a shipping fee out of your refund.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
Can I return shoes because they hurt?
If you can tell the shoes are going to hurt you before you wear them, you can return them. However, DSW’s return policy clearly states that it only accepts unworn shoes for returns or exchanges. So, if you wore them out for a night and realized they were painful, you might be stuck with your purchase.
Although there may be cases in which the company makes exceptions, it doesn’t mention any of those cases in its return policy, so you may want to call and speak with a representative to see if they can make an exception in your case.
How long do you have to return purchases at DSW?
The DSW return time limit is 90 days. That means you have 90 days from the date of your purchase – or the shipping date for online orders – to return your items for a refund. However, the company does accept returns after 90 days for store credit or exchange if the shoes are unworn.
Does DSW offer full refunds?
DSW offers full refunds if you return the item to one of the company’s stores. You also get the full value for all exchanges. However, if you mail your return in, you’ll have to pay a shipping fee of $8.50, unless you’re a DSW VIP Gold or DSW VIP Elite member.
Also note that if you use DSW rewards to pay for part of your purchase, you won’t get the value of those points back unless you make your return the same day.
If you can tell the shoes are going to hurt you before you wear them, you can return them. However, DSW’s return policy clearly states that it only accepts unworn shoes for returns or exchanges. So, if you wore them out for a night and realized they were painful, you might be stuck with your purchase.
Although there may be cases in which the company makes exceptions, it doesn’t mention any of those cases in its return policy, so you may want to call and speak with a representative to see if they can make an exception in your case.
The DSW return time limit is 90 days. That means you have 90 days from the date of your purchase – or the shipping date for online orders – to return your items for a refund. However, the company does accept returns after 90 days for store credit or exchange if the shoes are unworn.
DSW offers full refunds if you return the item to one of the company’s stores. You also get the full value for all exchanges. However, if you mail your return in, you’ll have to pay a shipping fee of $8.50, unless you’re a DSW VIP Gold or DSW VIP Elite member.
Also note that if you use DSW rewards to pay for part of your purchase, you won’t get the value of those points back unless you make your return the same day.
