home Depot The Home Depot Hidden Return Policy Bellevue Washington

Contrary to what Striderq says about the similarity between Lowes and HD, it is a red herring because nowhere on the "homedepot.com/c/Return_Policy" webpage does it say a thing about limiting  returns without a receipt. But that point is absolutely moot to begin with because people who have never returned a thing prior to being refused at the first attempt are denied. And this is contrary to stated published policy. 

Just for the record, I purchased a drill driver set about a month ago with cash and by the time I left the shopping center and got home the receipt was nowhere to be found. HD was unwilling to issue me a duplicate after calling.  I made a decision to use a different system tool from the same manufacturer and wanted to return the one I bought and replace it. 

I was denied and flagged for excessive returns even though I hadn't returned more than a few items valued at $20 during the past 12 months.  The  value of the drill driver combo was $300. For this they are willing to label me as a potential fraudulant customer. 

Over the years I have spent no less $25K , obeyed every rule in the book.   

You're actually lucky they let you return things without a receipt at all. Some places don't & aren't obligated to do so, it's very easy for a business to get ripped off that way.

Use a coupon organizer to file your receipts. It's simple & effective.

So here is a question for you.  When your clients ask for the receipt and pay you for the items you bought, how many times have you still returned the item and gotten the money back from Home Depot as well?   After all why else would this matter?  In fact giving the customer the receipt would actually help you as you would have less to go through for any of your legitimate returns.  But since that seems to be a problem the only other explanation is you are trying to "double-dip".

I just hope that you didn't use your real name or if one of your customers see this they may have a few questions.  If they don't I am sure the IRS will.

No, this looks like it is less a Home Depot problem and more of a bookkeeping problem by someone who is probably doing several things "under the table".   Because you see these same receipts you have trouble keeping track of are exactly the same receipts that can help you at tax time if you are doing your proper reporting.

If you buy extra on one job, you do what many contractors do..save it so you can use it on your next.  Not only does it save the hassle of returning, but it would also cut down on these receipts as well.  Because if you truly have hundreds of receipts from active or recent jobs.  You would have to be going to the Home Depot several times a day.  So in doing this you are managing your time about as well as your finances....which isn't saying a lot.

the return policy at Lowe's is very similar to Home Depot.

From their website:

Customer satisfaction is our goal. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, simply return the merchandise to any Lowe's store in the U.S. within 90* days. We, in our discretion, will repair it, replace it, or, based on your method of payment with a valid receipt, refund your money.

In most instances, your receipt can be retrieved by using the original credit card, checking account number, MyLowe's card or by your phone number. For returns without a valid receipt, in-store credit may be issued for the item’s current selling price. Lost or stolen gift cards can only be replaced for the remaining balance by presenting the original receipt.

Lowe's reserves the right to refuse or limit the number of returns permitted without valid receipts. No returns for purchases made with checks will be made if you have outstanding checks with Lowe's. Lowe's may require valid picture ID (state driver's license, state ID card or military ID) for any return. Lowe's stores use refund and check verification systems. All returns are subject to system approvals. Valid picture ID information or phone number may be entered into these systems where authorized by law.   (Emphasis added. Not all receipts can be found by phone number.)

You might ask for a duplicate receipt when making the purchase, to give to your customers. Should be easy though to keep track of receipt, just get manilla envelope marked "Home Depot", put receipt in envelope, once a month purge envelope of receipts no longer needed.

Nope, don't work for either company. Just letting you know you'll probably have the same results if you continue the same actions.