Marshalls refund timing depends on your payment method and whether the return is in-store or by mail

If you returned an item in a Marshalls store and paid with a debit card or credit card, you'll see the refund back in your account within 5 to 10 business days. If you paid with cash, you get it back when ready at the register. If you mailed the item back to Marshalls, add 5 to 7 business days for the package to reach their warehouse, plus another 5 to 10 business days for processing — so plan for 10 to 17 business days total from when you drop it in the mail.

The clock starts when Marshalls receives and scans your return, not when you initiate it. This matters for mail returns especially, because the shipping time is on you. Once Marshalls processes the return in their system, the refund goes back through the same payment channel you used to buy the item — your card issuer or bank then posts it to your account, which can add another 1 to 3 business days depending on your financial institution.

Key Takeaways

  • In-store returns to your card take 5 to 10 business days; cash returns happen at the register when ready.
  • Mail-in returns take 5 to 7 business days to reach Marshalls, then another 5 to 10 business days to process, for a total of 10 to 17 business days.
  • The refund timeline starts when Marshalls receives your package, not when you ship it, so use tracking to confirm delivery.
  • Your bank or card issuer may take an additional 1 to 3 business days to post the refund after Marshalls initiates it.

Why mail-in returns take longer than in-store returns

When you return something in person at a Marshalls location, the associate scans the item, processes the return when ready, and your refund enters the system that day. The only wait is your card issuer posting it — typically 5 to 10 business days.

Mail-in returns have two extra delays built in. First, your package has to physically travel to Marshalls' return processing center, which usually takes 5 to 7 business days depending on distance and carrier. Second, once it arrives, Marshalls staff have to open it, verify the item matches your return request, check its condition, and scan it into their system — that's another 5 to 10 business days. Only after that scan does the refund actually process.

If you're using Marshalls' prepaid return label, make sure you're using the correct carrier and drop-off location. A mislabeled or incorrectly routed package can add days or weeks to the timeline, or get lost entirely.

What to do if your refund hasn't arrived after the expected timeframe

If it's been more than 17 business days since you mailed your return and you haven't seen the refund, first check your bank or credit card statement to see if it posted. Sometimes the refund appears as a pending transaction before it fully clears. If you don't see it at all, contact your card issuer or bank — occasionally the refund gets sent but fails to post on their end, and they can investigate.

If your card issuer confirms they never received the refund from Marshalls, contact Marshalls customer service with your order number and return tracking number. Ask them to confirm whether your return was received and processed. If the package never arrived at their warehouse, you may need to file a claim with the carrier you used to ship it. Keep your original shipping receipt and tracking number for this.

Marshalls' customer service phone line is available during store hours, and you can also reach them through their website chat or by visiting a store in person. Having your order number, return tracking number, and the date you shipped the item will speed up the conversation.

How to track your mail-in return while it's in transit

When Marshalls provides you with a prepaid return label, that label has a tracking number. Use that number with the carrier (usually UPS, FedEx, or USPS) to monitor the package's movement. You can check the tracking status on the carrier's website or app. This tells you when the package was picked up, when it's in transit, and when it's delivered to Marshalls' facility.

Once the package is marked as delivered at Marshalls' warehouse, the processing clock starts. At this point, tracking won't update further — the carrier's job is done. You'll have to wait for Marshalls to scan it into their return system, which takes 5 to 10 business days. If you don't see the refund after 10 business days from the delivery date, that's when to contact Marshalls.

Refunds for items bought with gift cards or store credit

If you originally paid with a Marshalls gift card, your refund goes back onto a gift card — either the original one or a new one, depending on Marshalls' current policy. This still takes 5 to 10 business days for in-store returns and 10 to 17 business days for mail-in returns, but the refund appears as available balance on the card rather than as money in your bank account.

If you paid with store credit from a previous return, the new refund typically adds to your store credit balance. You can use it on your next purchase at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, or Sierra (all owned by the same parent company). There's no additional wait beyond the standard processing time.

Exchanges versus refunds: which is faster

If you're exchanging an item for a different size or color rather than getting money back, the timeline is different. In-store exchanges usually happen when ready — you pick the replacement, the associate processes it, and you leave with the new item. There's no waiting period.

Mail-in exchanges take longer because Marshalls has to receive your original item, process it, and then ship the replacement to you. Expect 10 to 17 business days for your return to be received and processed, plus 5 to 10 business days for Marshalls to ship the replacement item to your address. That's 15 to 27 business days total, which is why an in-store exchange is faster if you have a Marshalls location nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do business days include weekends and holidays?

No. Business days count only Monday through Friday, and they exclude federal holidays. If you return something on a Friday and Marshalls says 5 to 10 business days, that clock starts Monday. If a holiday falls during that window, it extends the timeline by one day.

Why does my refund show as pending but not posted yet?

Your card issuer or bank has received the refund from Marshalls but hasn't fully cleared it to your account yet. Pending refunds usually post within 1 to 3 business days. If it stays pending longer than that, contact your bank — occasionally a pending transaction gets stuck and needs manual review.

Can I get a faster refund if I return the item in person instead of by mail?

Yes. In-store returns process when ready and your refund reaches your account in 5 to 10 business days. Mail-in returns take 10 to 17 business days because of shipping and warehouse processing time. If speed matters, returning in person is always faster.

What if I lost my return tracking number?

Contact Marshalls customer service with your order number and the date you shipped the return. They can look up the return in their system and tell you the tracking number, or confirm whether the package has been received. Keep your original order confirmation email for this conversation.

Does Marshalls refund shipping costs if I paid to ship the item back?

Marshalls provides a prepaid return label, so you shouldn't pay to ship items back. If you used your own shipping label instead of theirs, Marshalls does not refund the shipping cost — only the item price. Always use the prepaid label Marshalls provides to avoid this.