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Consumer rights · Your right

Store refund policies in New York: what a store must post, and when you can get your money back

Updated By The editorial teamNot reviewed by an attorney — based on the official sources below

In short

New York doesn't force stores to take back items you simply changed your mind about. What General Business Law § 218-a does require is that every store and online retailer clearly post its refund policy — whether it gives refunds at all, for how long, cash or store credit, and any restocking fee. If a store fails to post its policy the way the law requires, it must give you a cash refund or a credit, whichever you choose, for up to 30 days after purchase, as long as the item is unused and undamaged and you can prove when you bought it. A defective item is a separate matter: warranty rights apply whatever the refund sign says.

Read on for the details, the exceptions and the sources.

In plain words

Refund policy
The store's rules on returns: whether it gives money back, store credit, an exchange or nothing, and under what conditions.
Conspicuously posted
Displayed where a normal shopper would see it before paying — on the item, at the register, at the entrance, or online near the item or before you enter payment details.
Restocking fee
A charge some stores deduct when you return an item. Under § 218-a, the store must disclose it and its amount in advance.
Proof of purchase
A receipt, or any other way the store uses to verify the purchase date, such as an order confirmation or a card record.

What is it?

New York General Business Law § 218-a is a disclosure law. Every retail store and online retailer must conspicuously post its refund policy for all goods it sells (§ 218-a(1)). A physical store can do this with a sign on the item, at each register, clearly visible from the register, or at each public entrance. An online retailer must show the policy, or a link to it, near the item or before asking for your billing information (§ 218-a(1)(e)).

The posted policy must say whether the store gives refunds and, if so, on what conditions — including whether refunds apply to sale or "as is" items, whether you need proof of purchase, any time limit, whether you get cash or only store credit, and any fees such as a restocking fee with its dollar or percentage amount. It must also tell you that you are entitled to a written copy of the policy on request (§ 218-a(2)).

Who qualifies?

The special refund right in § 218-a(3) belongs to a buyer at a store or online retailer that did not post its policy as the law requires. To use it, three things must be true: you return the item within 30 days of purchase, the item has not been used or damaged by you, and you can verify the purchase date with a receipt or another verification method the store uses.

  • You bought goods (not a service) from a retail store or an online retailer.
  • The store had no refund policy posted, or did not post it in one of the ways § 218-a(1) requires.
  • You are within 30 days of the purchase date.
  • The item is unused and undamaged.
  • You have a receipt or another way to prove the purchase date.

Exceptions

  • If the store properly posted a policy of no refunds, exchange only or store credit only, it can generally apply that policy to items you simply don't want — § 218-a requires disclosure, not refunds.
  • Items you used or damaged are outside the § 218-a(3) remedy.
  • Without a receipt or other proof of purchase, the 30-day remedy doesn't apply; check what the posted policy says about purchases without proof.
  • Defective goods are a different question: the implied warranty that goods are fit for their ordinary purpose (UCC § 2-314) does not depend on the refund sign. A seller can exclude implied warranties only in the ways UCC § 2-316 allows, such as clearly selling "as is".
  • Local laws that protect buyers more than § 218-a still apply (§ 218-a(4)).
  • Door-to-door sales have their own refund-disclosure rule in Personal Property Law § 428(4).

How much?

When § 218-a(3) applies, the store is liable for a cash refund or a credit — and the choice is yours, not the store's. The law speaks of a refund or credit for the merchandise; it does not mention deductions for a restocking fee the store never disclosed.

When the store did post a proper policy, the amount you get back is whatever that policy promises — for example, a full refund within 30 days minus a disclosed restocking fee, or store credit only.

How is it calculated?

Start from the price you paid for the item as shown on your receipt or order confirmation. If the store failed to post its policy, ask for that amount back in cash (or as a credit, if you prefer). If it posted a policy, apply the policy's terms: a disclosed restocking fee must have been stated as a dollar amount or percentage (§ 218-a(2)(a)(v)), so you can check the math yourself.

What documents do you need?

  • Your receipt, order confirmation, or card or bank record showing the purchase date and price.
  • The item itself, unused and undamaged, with its packaging if you have it.
  • For online orders: a screenshot of the product page and checkout pages, showing whether a refund policy or link appeared.
  • For stores: photos of the register, item and entrance if no policy was posted.
  • A written copy of the store's policy — you are entitled to one on request (§ 218-a(2)(b)).

How do you get it?

  1. Go back within 30 days

    Bring the item and your proof of purchase. Ask for the refund policy in writing.

  2. Check the posting

    Look for the policy on the item, at the register, visible from the register or at the entrance; online, near the item or before the payment page. If it wasn't there, say so.

  3. Ask for your choice of cash or credit

    Explain that under General Business Law § 218-a(3), a store that didn't post its refund policy must give a cash refund or credit at the buyer's option within 30 days, for unused items.

  4. Put it in writing

    If the clerk refuses, ask for a manager, then send a short e-mail or letter to the company with your receipt and photos.

What if they refuse?

Send a written demand that cites § 218-a, the purchase date and the amount, and gives a deadline (for example, 10 days). If that doesn't work, you can file a complaint with the New York Attorney General or the Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection, which tries to help both sides reach a settlement. For the money itself, small claims court is designed for disputes like this and doesn't require a lawyer.

Deadlines

  • The § 218-a(3) refund right lasts up to 30 days from the date of purchase.
  • A store's own posted policy may give you more (or, if properly posted, less) time — check it.
  • Warranty claims for defective goods have their own, longer time limits (see our page on defective products).

Figures that change

  • Refund window when no policy is posted: Up to 30 days from purchase (as of 2026-10-30; N.Y. General Business Law)

Frequently asked questions

Can a store in New York refuse to give me a refund?

Yes, for items that aren't defective, if it clearly posted a no-refund (or store-credit-only) policy as § 218-a requires. If it didn't post a policy properly, it must give you a cash refund or credit, your choice, within 30 days for unused items with proof of purchase.

The store only offers store credit. Is that legal?

It can be, if the posted policy says so. Section 218-a(2) requires the sign or notice to state whether refunds are in cash or as credit or store credit only.

Does the rule apply to online shopping?

Yes. Online retailers must display the policy, or a link to it, near the item or before asking for billing information (§ 218-a(1)(e)). The 30-day remedy in § 218-a(3) also applies to online retailers.

The item is broken. Does a "no refunds" sign mean I'm stuck?

Not necessarily. A refund policy is about returns of goods you don't want. A defective item may breach the implied warranty of merchantability (UCC § 2-314), which can be excluded only in the ways UCC § 2-316 allows, such as an "as is" sale.

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Official sources

This page was written from the sources below. “Checked” is the date the source was last opened and read.

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This page is general information based on the official sources listed, current as of the update date. It is not legal advice and does not replace a review of your own situation; if a case is already in court, a deadline is close, the amount is large, or there are criminal, immigration or family-law consequences, talk to a lawyer or legal aid.