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ULTA has updated one of its policies for the holiday season, but there are some strict stipulations customers must be aware of.
Much of the benefit from it hinges on having a gift receipt, and it’s best to get one no matter where you shop for Christmas.
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Similar to many retailers, Ulta is extending the window consumers can make returns, per its website.
Those who made purchases in-person at Ulta store locations or online between November 1 and December 31, 2024, can benefit if they need to return an item.
Instead of the typical 30 days from the date of purchase that Ulta’s policy typically allows, it’s now up to 90 days with the extension.
Merchandise purchased after December 31 will fall under the standard return policy.
That means if customers purchase something on December 31 and return it after 30 days, they won’t be eligible for a full refund but instead store credit.
In general, customers can return any new or gently used merchandise with proof of purchase and, within 30 days, back to Ulta for a full refund to the “original form of payment.”
Items must also include all of the components that they originally came with.
Therefore, having a receipt, specifically a gift receipt, is one of the most important things to remember for Ulta customers when returning gifts during the holidays to take advantage of the extension.
Those customers who meet the requirements for the holiday return extension at Ulta and have their gift receipt will still face several strict requirements.
REFUND REJECTS
For one, Ulta “reserves the right” to double-check government IDs and deny a return if there’s suspicion of fraud or if they cannot verify the original purchase in their system for whatever reason.
Additionally, even within the extension window, returns with a gift receipt brought back 60 days after the purchase date won’t be eligible for a full refund but instead merchandise credit or “a different product of equal or lesser value.”
Customers who bought items with an Ulta gift card also get refunds through a gift card.
Gift cards themselves can also not be returned.
That applies to single-use coupons, as well.
HOLIDAY RETURNS EXTENDED
Retailers who have switched up their return policies for Christmas include:
Amazon: The usual 30-day return window has been extended until January 31, 2025 for items bought from November 1 to December 31, 2024. The deadline for returning Apple products however, is January 15, 2025.
Walmart: Consumers have until January 31, 2025 to return goods purchased online or in store between October 1 and December 31, 2024.
Target: Shoppers have until January 24, 2025 to return most electronics and entertainment products purchased between November 7 and December 24. The deadline for mobile phones, Beat and Apple products however is January 8, 2025.
Best Buy: The deadline to return items bought from November 1 to December 31, 2024 is January 14, 2025 for many products. Consumers have 15 days in which to return holiday decorations, while for activatable devices such as cell phones it’s 15 days.
Check individual retailer websites for full details of return policies as deadlines can vary, depending on product.
Ulta also does not allow customers with a gift receipt to return products “for the purpose of repurchasing and applying a coupon, special offer, and/or Ulta Beauty Rewards points.”
Mini Brands capsules, intimate wellness devices, wigs, and hair extensions that were bought at one of Ulta’s salons can also not be returned.
‘TIS THE SEASON
Competitors like Sephora have also put in a holiday extension for returns.
Amazon’s extension is virtually identical to Ulta’s, with some slight differences.
Best Buy, Target, and Walmart have also done the same.
Ulta also plans to open up about 200 more locations over the next several years to compete with top rivals.
The beauty retailer also announced back in May that it expanded its partnership with DoorDash to all 50 states, offering customers product drop-off times in under 60 minutes on average.
