Return vs. Refund: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss & Janet White || Updated on May 24, 2024
Return involves sending a purchased item back to the seller, while refund refers to the process of getting money back after returning an item.
Key Differences
Return refers to the act of sending a purchased item back to the seller, often due to dissatisfaction, defects, or simply a change of mind. Refund, on the other hand, is the process of receiving money back after a return is completed. Once the seller receives and approves the returned item, they issue a refund, crediting the amount paid back to the buyer's original payment method or account.
Returns often include conditions like the item being in its original packaging and within a specified return window, while refunds are dependent on the seller's approval of the returned item and may take additional time to process.
A return can sometimes lead to an exchange where the buyer opts to receive a different item instead of money, whereas a refund strictly involves getting the money back, usually in the same form as the original payment.
In some cases, returns do not always guarantee a refund, especially if the item does not meet the return criteria, while refunds are usually the end result of a successful return process.
Retail policies can vary widely, with some offering easy returns and quick refunds, while others may have stricter return conditions and longer refund processing times.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Sending an item back to the seller
Getting money back after returning an item
Process Initiation
Buyer initiates by contacting seller
Seller processes after receiving return
Outcome
Item is sent back
Money is credited back to buyer
Conditions
Original packaging, within return window
Seller approval of returned item
Alternatives
Can lead to exchange
Strictly involves monetary reimbursement
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Return and Refund Definitions
Return
To send a purchased item back to the seller.
She decided to return the dress because it was too small.
Refund
The act of giving money back for a returned item.
The store issued a refund for the damaged goods.
Return
Act of giving back something received.
The library fines were waived when he returned the overdue books.
Refund
Financial reimbursement after dissatisfaction.
The hotel gave a partial refund due to the noise complaints.
Return
An item sent back due to issues.
The defective appliance was processed as a return.
Refund
Money returned after a product is sent back.
He received a full refund for the faulty laptop.
Return
To revert an item to its place of origin.
He returned the borrowed tools to his neighbor.
Refund
Repayment of money spent.
The company offered a refund for the mistaken charge.
Return
To provide feedback or a response.
She returned his call after missing it earlier.
Refund
To give back, especially money; return or repay
Refunded the purchase price.
Return
To go or come back, as to an earlier condition or place
She returned to her office after lunch.
Refund
To make repayment.
Return
To revert in speech, thought, or practice
I returned to my knitting after answering the phone.
Refund
A repayment of funds.
Return
To revert to a former owner.
Refund
An amount repaid.
Return
To answer or respond
I said hello to him, and he returned in kind.
Refund
(transitive) To return (money) to (someone); to reimburse.
If you find this computer for sale anywhere at a lower price, we’ll refund you the difference.
Return
To send, put, or carry back
We return bottles to the store.
Refund
To supply (someone) again with funds.
To refund a railroad loan
Return
To give or send back in reciprocation
She returned his praise.
Refund
To pour back (something).
Return
To give back to the owner
He returned her book.
Refund
An amount of money returned.
If the camera is faulty, you can return it to the store where you bought it for a full refund.
Return
To reflect or send back
The echo was returned by the canyon wall.
Refund
To fund again or anew; to replace (a fund or loan) by a new fund; as, to refund a railroad loan.
Return
To produce or yield (profit or interest) as a payment for labor, investment, or expenditure.
Refund
To pour back.
Were the humors of the eye tinctured with any color, they would refund that color upon the object.
Return
To submit (an official report, for example) to a judge or other person in authority.
Refund
To give back; to repay; to restore.
A governor, that had pillaged the people, was . . . sentenced to refund what he had wrongfully taken.
Return
To render or deliver (a writ or verdict, for example) to the proper officer or court of law.
Refund
To supply again with funds; to reimburse.
Return
To elect or reelect, as to a legislative body.
Refund
Money returned to a payer
Return
(Games) To respond to (a partner's lead) by leading the same suit in cards.
Refund
The act of returning money received previously
Return
(Architecture) To turn away from or place at an angle to the previous line of direction.
Refund
Pay back;
Please refund me my money
Return
(Sports) To hit or send back (a tennis ball, for example) to one's opponent.
Refund
Credit returned to the payer.
They processed a refund to her credit card.
Return
(Football) To run with (the ball) after a kickoff, punt, interception, or fumble.
Return
The act or condition of going, coming, bringing, or sending back
After my return, we can discuss this matter further.
Return
The act of bringing or sending something back to a previous place, condition, or owner
The late return of a library book.
Return
Something brought or sent back.
Return
Returns Merchandise returned, as to a retailer by a consumer or to a wholesaler by a retailer.
Return
Something that goes or comes back.
Return
A recurrence, as of a periodic occasion or event
The return of spring.
Return
Something exchanged for that received; repayment.
Return
A reply; a response.
Return
The profit made on an exchange of goods.
Return
Often returns A profit or yield, as from labor or investments.
Return
Output or yield per unit rather than cost per unit, as in the manufacturing of a particular product.
Return
A report, list, or set of statistics, especially one that is formal or official.
Return
Often returns A report on the vote in an election.
Return
Chiefly British An election.
Return
(Games) A lead in certain card games that responds to the lead of one's partner.
Return
The act of hitting or sending the ball back to one's opponent.
Return
The ball thus sent back.
Return
The act of running back the ball after a kickoff, punt, interception, or fumble.
Return
The yardage so gained.
Return
The extension of a molding, projection, or other part at an angle (usually 90°) to the main part.
Return
A part of a building set at an angle to the façade.
Return
A turn, bend, or similar reversal of direction, as in a stream or road.
Return
A pipe or conduit for carrying something, especially water, back to its starting point.
Return
The key or mechanism on a machine, such as a typewriter, that positions the carriage or printing element at the beginning of a new line.
Return
A key on a computer keyboard or keypad used to begin a new line or paragraph in a text editor.
Return
Chiefly British A roundtrip ticket.
Return
The bringing or sending back of a writ, subpoena, or other document, generally with a short written report on it, by a sheriff or other officer to the court from which it was issued.
Return
A certified report by an assessor, election officer, collector, or other official.
Return
A formal tax statement on the required official form indicating taxable income, allowed deductions, exemptions, and the computed tax that is due. Also called income tax return, tax return.
Return
Of, relating to, or bringing about a going or coming back to a place or situation
The return voyage.
A return envelope.
Return
Given, sent, or done in reciprocation or exchange
A return volley.
A return invitation.
Return
Performed, presented, or taking place again
A return engagement of the ballet.
A return tennis match.
Return
Returning or affording return or recirculation
A return plumbing pipe.
A return valve.
Return
Reversing or changing direction.
Return
Having or formed by a reversal or change in direction; returning on itself, as a bend in a road or stream.
Return
(intransitive) To come or go back (to a place or person).
Although the birds fly north for the summer, they return here in winter.
Return
(intransitive) To go back in thought, narration, or argument.
To return to my story...
Return
(intransitive) To recur; to come again.
Winter returns every year.
Return
To turn back, retreat.
Return
To turn (something) round.
Return
(transitive) To place or put back something where it had been.
Please return your hands to your lap.
Return
(transitive) To give something back to its original holder or owner.
You should return the library book within one month.
Return
(transitive) To take back something to a vendor for a complete or partial refund.
Yeah, it's $600,000 but, if it doesn't work, you can always return it. As long as it's undamaged and in the original packaging, I'll give you a full refund.
Return
To give in requital or recompense; to requite.
Return
(tennis) To bat the ball back over the net in response to a serve.
The player couldn't return the serve because it was so fast.
Return
(card games) To play a card as a result of another player's lead.
If one players plays a trump, the others must return a trump.
Return
(cricket) To throw a ball back to the wicket-keeper (or a fielder at that position) from somewhere in the field.
Return
(transitive) To say in reply; to respond.
To return an answer;
To return thanks;
"Do it yourself!" she returned.
Return
To relinquish control to the calling procedure.
Return
To pass (data) back to the calling procedure.
This function returns the number of files in the directory.
Return
To retort; to throw back.
To return the lie
Return
(transitive) To report, or bring back and make known.
To return the result of an election
Return
To elect according to the official report of the election officers.
Return
The act of returning.
I expect the house to be spotless upon my return.
Return
A return ticket.
Do you want a one-way or a return?
Return
An item that is returned, e.g. due to a defect, or the act of returning it.
Last year there were 250 returns of this product, an improvement on the 500 returns the year before.
Return
An answer.
A return to one's question
Return
An account, or formal report, of an action performed, of a duty discharged, of facts or statistics, etc.; especially, in the plural, a set of tabulated statistics prepared for general information.
Election returns; a return of the amount of goods produced or sold
Return
Gain or loss from an investment.
It yielded a return of 5%.
Return
A report of income submitted to a government for purposes of specifying exact tax payment amounts; a tax return.
Hand in your return within 90 days of the end of the tax year.
Return
(computing) A carriage return character.
Return
(computing) The act of relinquishing control to the calling procedure.
Return
(computing) A return value: the data passed back from a called procedure.
Return
A return pipe, returning fluid to a boiler or other central plant (compare with flow pipe, which carries liquid away from a central plant).
The boiler technician had to cut out the heating return to access the safety valve.
Return
A short perpendicular extension of a desk, usually slightly lower.
Return
(American football) The act of catching a ball after a punt and running it back towards the opposing team.
Return
(cricket) A throw from a fielder to the wicket-keeper or to another fielder at the wicket.
Return
(architecture) The continuation in a different direction, most often at a right angle, of a building, face of a building, or any member, such as a moulding; applied to the shorter in contradistinction to the longer.
A facade of sixty feet east and west has a return of twenty feet north and south.
Return
To turn back; to go or come again to the same place or condition.
On their embattled ranks the waves return.
If they returned out of bondage, it must be into a state of freedom.
Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Return
To come back, or begin again, after an interval, regular or irregular; to appear again.
With the yearSeasons return; but not me returnsDay or the sweet approach of even or morn.
Return
To speak in answer; to reply; to respond.
He said, and thus the queen of heaven returned.
Return
To revert; to pass back into possession.
And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David.
Return
To go back in thought, narration, or argument.
Return
To bring, carry, send, or turn, back; as, to return a borrowed book, or a hired horse.
Both fled attonce, ne ever back returned eye.
Return
To repay; as, to return borrowed money.
Return
To give in requital or recompense; to requite.
The Lord shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head.
Return
To give back in reply; as, to return an answer; to return thanks.
Return
To retort; to throw back; as, to return the lie.
If you are a malicious reader, you return upon me, that I affect to be thought more impartial than I am.
Return
To report, or bring back and make known.
And all the people answered together, . . . and Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord.
Return
To render, as an account, usually an official account, to a superior; to report officially by a list or statement; as, to return a list of stores, of killed or wounded; to return the result of an election.
Return
Hence, to elect according to the official report of the election officers.
Return
To bring or send back to a tribunal, or to an office, with a certificate of what has been done; as, to return a writ.
Return
To convey into official custody, or to a general depository.
Instead of a ship, he should levy money, and return the same to the treasurer for his majesty's use.
Return
To bat (the ball) back over the net.
Return
To lead in response to the lead of one's partner; as, to return a trump; to return a diamond for a club.
Return
The act of returning (intransitive), or coming back to the same place or condition; as, the return of one long absent; the return of health; the return of the seasons, or of an anniversary.
At the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee.
His personal return was most required and necessary.
Return
The act of returning (transitive), or sending back to the same place or condition; restitution; repayment; requital; retribution; as, the return of anything borrowed, as a book or money; a good return in tennis.
You made my liberty your late request:Is no return due from a grateful breast?
Return
That which is returned.
I do expect returnOf thrice three times the value of this bond.
Return
An answer; as, a return to one's question.
The fruit from many days of recreation is very little; but from these few hours we spend in prayer, the return is great.
Return
The continuation in a different direction, most often at a right angle, of a building, face of a building, or any member, as a molding or mold; - applied to the shorter in contradistinction to the longer; thus, a facade of sixty feet east and west has a return of twenty feet north and south.
Return
The rendering back or delivery of writ, precept, or execution, to the proper officer or court.
Return
An official account, report, or statement, rendered to the commander or other superior officer; as, the return of men fit for duty; the return of the number of the sick; the return of provisions, etc.
Return
The turnings and windings of a trench or mine.
Return
Document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability;
His gross income was enough that he had to file a tax return
Return
A coming to or returning home;
On his return from Australia we gave him a welcoming party
Return
The occurrence of a change in direction back in the opposite direction
Return
Getting something back again;
Upon the restitution of the book to its rightful owner the child was given a tongue lashing
Return
The act of returning to a prior location;
They set out on their return to the base camp
Return
The income arising from land or other property;
The average return was about 5%
Return
Happening again (especially at regular intervals);
The return of spring
Return
A quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one);
It brought a sharp rejoinder from the teacher
Return
The key on electric typewriters or computer keyboards that causes a carriage return and a line feed
Return
A reciprocal group action;
In return we gave them as good as we got
Return
A tennis stroke that returns the ball to the other player;
He won the point on a cross-court return
Return
(American football) the act of running back the ball after a kickoff or punt or interception or fumble
Return
The act of someone appearing again;
His reappearance as Hamlet has been long awaited
Return
Come back to place where one has been before, or return to a previous activity
Return
Give back;
Render money
Return
Go back to a previous state;
We reverted to the old rules
Return
Go back to something earlier;
This harks back to a previous remark of his
Return
Bring back to the point of departure
Return
Return in kind;
Return a compliment
Return her love
Return
Make a return;
Return a kickback
Return
Answer back
Return
Be restored;
Her old vigor returned
Return
Pay back;
Please refund me my money
Return
Pass down;
Render a verdict
Deliver a judgment
Return
Elect again
Return
Be inherited by;
The estate fell to my sister
The land returned to the family
The estate devolved to an heir that everybody had assumed to be dead
Return
Return to a previous position; in mathematics;
The point returned to the interior of the figure
Return
Give or supply;
The cow brings in 5 liters of milk
This year's crop yielded 1,000 bushels of corn
The estate renders some revenue for the family
Return
Submit (a report, etc.) to someone in authority;
Submit a bill to a legislative body
FAQs
What is a return?
A return is the act of sending a purchased item back to the seller.
What is a refund?
A refund is the process of getting money back after a return.
How long do refunds take to process?
Refunds can take several days to weeks, depending on the seller's policies.
Can you return an item without getting a refund?
Yes, sometimes returns can lead to exchanges instead of refunds.
Do all returns result in refunds?
No, not all returns result in refunds if the item does not meet the return criteria.
What should you do if you don’t receive a refund after a return?
Contact the seller's customer service for resolution.
Are shipping fees refunded during returns?
It depends on the seller’s return policy; sometimes they are not refunded.
Do refunds go back to the original payment method?
Generally, yes, refunds are credited back to the original payment method.
What are typical conditions for returns?
Items usually need to be in original packaging and within a specified return window.
What is a partial refund?
A partial refund is when only a portion of the original purchase price is refunded.
What is an exchange?
An exchange is when a returned item is swapped for a different item instead of receiving a refund.
Can a return lead to a store credit instead of a refund?
Yes, some sellers offer store credits instead of cash refunds.
How do you initiate a return?
Usually, by contacting the seller and following their return instructions.
Are there any fees associated with returns?
Some sellers charge restocking fees or return shipping fees.
Is a receipt necessary for returns and refunds?
Typically, yes, a receipt or proof of purchase is required.
What should you check before returning an item?
Review the seller’s return policy to ensure compliance and eligibility.
Can digital products be returned for refunds?
Policies vary, but many digital products are non-refundable once downloaded.
Can you return an opened item for a refund?
This depends on the seller’s policy; some allow it, others do not.
What happens if a return is not accepted?
The item may be sent back to the buyer, and no refund will be issued.
Can a refund be requested without returning the item?
In rare cases, yes, but generally, the item must be returned.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
