Can i return bath and body works candles

The Bath and Body Works Return Policy can be hard to understand.

To help make it easier for you, I am going to break down everything that you need to know about returning items to Bath and Body Works. 

This is my go to store for soaps, candles, and anything to make my house smell good.

It’s also a great place for buying gifts, because it seems like everyone loves Bath and Body Works. 

While I think that we can all agree that they have some of the best smelling stuff around.

What happens if you get it home and realize that you don’t really love the smell or it just wasn’t what you expected?

Can you return your items or exchange them?

Surprisingly, Bath and Body Works has one of the most generous return policies around. 

Here is what you need to know. 

The Bath and Body Works return policy states that you can return anything, anytime for any reason. Their refunds are 100% guaranteed, and you are able to return even used merchandise if you are not happy with your purchase back to any store location for an exchange or refund. 

There is no time limit on returns

Bath and Body Works allows you to return your purchase at any time. There is no specific deadline that you have to return your merchandise. Which is nice!

Keep in mind that while there is no time limit on returns, if you want to get your refund back in the original form of payment, you must return your purchase within 90 days. 

After 90 days your refund will be credited as in-store merchandise. 

Some things are not included in your refund

While you can expect to get a refund for the purchase price, some things will not be included, and might be deducted from your total refund. 

If your purchase was made online, you will not receive the amount you paid for shipping and handling. 

Also, if you purchased your item as part of a one of the Bath and Body Works promotions and sales, any promotional offers, discounts, free items, and coupons that were granted at the time of purchase will be deducted from your refund credit. 

For example, if you purchased a certain amount of merchandise to get a free gift, you might either need to return your free gift with the return, or they will deduct the retail value of the free gift from your refund total. 

Keep this in mind when returning items.

If you want to avoid this, you could always just exchange your item for a different scent of equal value instead of having your refund amount decreased. 

Don’t worry if you paid using a gift card

While gift cards themselves are not refundable at Bath and Body Works, if you purchased your item with a gift card or are returning an item using a gift receipt, you are still eligible for an exchange or refund. 

Your refund will just be issued as merchandise credit.

Which I am sure you will be fine with, because it is so easy to find something else that you will love in this store! 

Return your purchase to any location

You can return your item to any Bath and Body Works location.

If you purchased online, or even if you purchased at a different store location, you can just head over the the nearest Bath and Body Works and they will let you return your item. 

You can sometimes redeem cash off a gift card

If you have a Bath and Body Works gift card that has a balance of less than $10 you can bring it into the store and they will sometimes let you cash it out.

If your balance is more than $10 then gift cards cannot be returned or cashed out. 

I think that this is very nice of them, because sometimes it can be hard to find something in-store that you want to purchase for just a few dollars.

Many stores don’t offer this on their refund policy. I do know that the Victoria Secret Return Policy does this as well. 

There is a limit on non-receipted returns

If you don’t have your receipt, don’t worry, you can still return your item.

You should just know that you will need to provide your government-issued ID. 

The Bath and Body Works return policy (as do most stores) requires your ID to be scanned for the purpose of preventing return abuse. 

You will be limited to returning $250 dollars of non-receipted returns to Bath and Body Works within a 90 day period.

Any defective merchandise or returns with receipts will not count against this return limit. 

You have options for returning your online purchase

If you purchased from bathandbodyworks.com then you have a few options to return your online purchase. 

You can of course bring your items to any Bath and Body Works store location within the US only for a return. 

There is also the option of returning by mail.

Online purchases cannot be exchanged by mail (you must exchange in store) but they can be returned for a refund. 

To ship your items back for a refund you just package them and include the top half of your shipping confirmation email (this is used as your return receipt) and mail your package back to Bath and Body Works. 

Keep in mind that returning by mail is not free, you will have to pay for the price of shipping your items back. 

There is no charge for in-store returns or exchanges, it is 100% free, you will just not be refunded for any shipping or handling charges you might have paid with your online purchase. 

* Also returns in-store will be credited much faster, as it does state on their oficial return policy that it can take up to 21 business days for them to receive and process your refund credit. 

Bath and Body offers Price Adjustment Refunds

Did you know that if you buy something from Bath and Body Works and it goes on-sale within 14 days of your purchase you can get a refund for the difference of the sales price. 

I hate it when I buy something and then it goes on sale a few days later, so this is great news! 

However, there are some exceptions to their price adjustment policy that you should be aware of.

First, you have to have your original sales receipt. Also, some sales are not eligible including Flash Sales, promotions lasting 24 hours or less, email offers, and auto refresh orders. 

FAQ about Bath and Body Works Returns

How long does it take to receive my refund? 

If you are exchanging or returning your item in store for merchandise credit or cash, you will receive it on the spot. 

When your refund is being credited back to your debit or credit card, it will take about 3-5 business days depending on your bank. 

Online orders that are returned by mail should be allowed around 21 days for the item to be received and for the refund to be processed. 

Your refund credit for online purchases that were mailed back can take up to 90 days. So try to return your items in store to get your money back fast. 

Can you return a candle to Bath and Body Works? 

You can return any candle that is unused or used to Bath and Body Works for an exchange or refund. If you are returning the candle within 90 days you can get your payment back in the same way that you purchased. 

If you are returning a candle after 90 days from the purchase date, you can receive your refund as in-store credit. 

Does Bath and Body Works allow for an empty candle exchange? 

No, this is a common misconception about the Bath and Body Works 100% refund guarantee. There was a video that went viral of someone exchanging empty candles in-store for new ones. 

You shouldn’t try and return your empty candles for an exchange. If they were empty, that means that you used them and must have liked them. 

Many Bath and Body stores have since required that used products and candles must be at least half full for an exchange. 

I think that is more than fair. We don’t want to abuse the generous Bath and Body Works return policy, or it will go away. 

If you really just burn a candle once or twice and don’t like it, bring it back, just be 100% honest so that they don’t change their policies because of dishonest people trying to return things. 

What does Bath and Body Works do with returns? 

If ther return is unused (like a non-lit candle) they will put them out on the floor for sale. If the return is damaged or in used condition they will throw the item away. 

Most Bath and Body Works locations will also empty the containers, or damage the glass (on candles) before throwing the items in the trash to prevent dumpster diving. 

Final Thoughts

The fact that Bath and Body Works return policy is so generous makes me want to shop there even more. I love that they guarantee that their customers will love the products and that they will accept anything anytime for a return. 

If you are like me, and you buy a bunch of soaps or candles when they are on sale and then just use them throughout the year, it’s nice to know that even if it has been months since your purchase, you can still exchange or return your items if you don’t love them.

Looking for more store return policies? Check out these other posts!

• Target Return Policy