Bed Bath & coupons
With stores closing, what about discounts?
Bed Bath & Beyond has announced it is closing 60 stores in the coming months, but after “Which stores?” customers’ biggest question is, “Can I still use my coupons?”
The short answer to what stores will close is that the New Jersey-based home goods retailer isn’t saying much beyond its brief announcement this month that approximately 40 Bed Bath & Beyond stores and 20 of its other concept stores will shutter in early 2020.
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. also owns and operates buybuy Baby, Harmon Face Values, World Market and Christmas Tree Shops.
For the ever-popular Bed Bath & Beyond 20% off coupons, yes, you can still use them – for now. However, once liquidation sales begin at the closing stores, usage is likely to be curbed at those locations.
But you might have noticed some recent additions to the coupon exclusions list and changes to return policies.
In March, the company started requiring receipts in “most instances,” former CEO Steven Temares explained in April. The time period for returns changed from a year to 180 days, with items in several categories needing to be brought back sooner.
In July, another update was made to the policy posted at www.bedbathandbeyond.com, which says returns “may be limited or denied based on our return authorization system” and a third-party database “to help protect against excessive, fraudulent or otherwise not permitted returns.”
Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert with Nerdwallet, said it’s a reminder that stores can change their policies or close at any time.
“If you have coupons or items to return, don’t hold on to them because you never know when they could lose their value,” Palmer said. “Use your coupons as soon as possible.”
Is my Bed Bath & Beyond closing?
That’s unknown or at least not being shared publicly at this time. Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. told USA TODAY in a statement that it is “not providing any further details of these store closings at this time.”
When are stores expected to close?
Officials said most of the closings would take place in the company’s fourth quarter, which is after the holidays, in early 2020.
Is anything changing with coupons?
In July, officials said additional exclusions were recently added to coupons. When closing locations are announced, it is likely that coupons will stop being accepted at those locations.
Should I use my gift card?
Nothing is changing at this time, but experts typically suggest that you take gift cards out of your wallet and drawers and put them to use ASAP.
What about returns?
The company, previously known for having one of the most lenient return policies, has updated its policy several times in recent years. One of the biggest overhauls was in 2015, when returns without receipts had 20% deducted, and previously a time frame was not listed for most returns. In 2018, the policy changed to one year on most items, and that changed again this year to 180 days. Also today, a receipt or item lookup using a credit card is required in most instances.
Will more stores close in the future?
It’s possible. Interim CEO Mary Winston has said the company is using a “fleet optimization program for all Bed Bath & Beyond stores to create a better balance between our physical and digital presence within the markets we serve.” Winston noted “more than 400 leases across all concepts expiring over the next couple of years.”