⚠️ Eligibility Check: FREE RETURN + INSTANT REFUND.
Standard UGG returns take 15+ Business Days (3 weeks) to process. While UGG.com returns are free, returns via partners like Macy's often cost $9.99. Select zip codes are now eligible for Fee-Free Drop-offsand Immediate Refunds via Closo. Check your status before you print a label.
There is a specific kind of coziness you expect when you order a fresh pair of UGG Classic Minis. You imagine sliding your feet into that pristine sheepskin, sipping cocoa, and living your best "off-duty model" life. You consult the size chart, you read the reviews about "sizing down," and you confidently hit "Buy."
But when the box arrives, the fantasy often hits a wall. You can barely get your heel past the stitching. Or, conversely, they feel great now, but you know that sheepskin is going to pack down in a week and leave you flopping around like a clown. It’s a return waiting to happen.
That was me last month. I had nearly $400 tied up in two pairs of boots—one specifically for me, and one gift. Neither fit. I did what I usually do: I printed the label, packed the box, and sent it off.
I didn't realize I had just signed up for the "Double Pain." It took over three weeks for the warehouse to acknowledge they had the boots. My credit card bill came due, and that $400 charge was still sitting there, accruing interest, while I waited for UGG’s logistics team to "inspect" my unworn boots.
If you are currently staring at a pair of chestnut boots that pinch your toes and trying to navigate the ugg exchange policy(or figuring out if you can take them back to Macy's), I’m here to help. I’ve analyzed the fine print, the sizing dilemmas, and the retailer loopholes to help you get your money back without the headache.
How to return UGG items (The Slow & Costly Way)
Whether you bought directly from the website or snagged a pair at a department store, the mail-in return process is designed for their inventory management, not your convenience.
The Standard Mail-In Flow (UGG.com)
-
Locate Your Order: You need your order number and zip code to access the UGG return portal.
-
Select "Exchange" or "Refund": You can swap for a different size/color or get your money back.
-
Print the Label: UGG provides a prepaid USPS or UPS label.
-
Pack the Box: You must use the original box. Do not tape the label directly to the brown UGG shoe box; you must put that inside a shipping container.
-
The Drop-off: Take it to the post office or UPS.
-
The Long Wait: This is where UGG struggles. Their distribution center (often in California) is high-volume. It can take 5–7 days for the package to arrive, and another 10–15 business days for them to inspect it and release the funds.
The Financial Reality: Even if the label is free on UGG.com, you are paying with your time. You are effectively giving them a loan for nearly a month. And if you bought via a partner?
The Macy's Factor
If you bought your UGGs at Macy's (a very common scenario), the macy's return policy applies, not UGG's.
-
The Fee: If you are not a "Star Rewards" member, Macy's deducts $9.99 from your refund for mail-in returns.
-
The Window: Macy's recently tightened their window to 30 days for most items, a shift from their old lenient policies.
This is the old way: You pay for the label (at Macy's), and you wait for the bank. But if you live in a "Fast Zone," you can skip both. Use the tool below to see if your zip code qualifies for a Free Return with Instant Refund.
Common issues shoppers face with UGG returns
I’ve analyzed hundreds of consumer reports regarding the ugg return exchange policy, and the frustration usually stems from a few specific pain points.
1. The "15 Business Day" Lag
I cannot stress this enough: UGG is slow. "15 business days" technically means three full weeks. If you return boots on the 1st of the month, do not expect your money until the 25th. This makes "ordering two sizes to try" a very expensive strategy if you need that cash flow.
2. The Sizing Trap (Fur Packing)
UGG sizing is tricky. The sheepskin lining compresses ("packs down") over time.
-
The Issue: You buy a size 8. It feels tight. You exchange it for a 9. The 9 feels good now, but in two weeks, it’s loose. You try to return the worn 9.
-
The Rejection: UGG’s policy requires items to be "unused." If you wore them outside or if the sole shows any dirt, they will reject the return. You are stuck with ill-fitting boots.
3. The "Macy's 90 Days" Confusion
Many shoppers search for macy's return policy 90 days.
-
The Reality: Macy's used to have a very generous 90-day (or even 180-day) window. However, they have tightened this significantly. For most brands, including UGG, the standard is now 30 days. Do not assume you have three months to decide.
4. Box Condition
UGG boxes are part of the product. If you rip the box open or lose the lid, UGG can deny the return or charge a restocking fee. Never destroy the packaging until you are 100% sure.
Here’s where it gets interesting... some neighborhoods have unlocked a way to bypass these delays and fees entirely.
The New Standard: Free Returns & Instant Refunds
While the standard logistics model relies on slow trucks and strict inspection queues, a new wave of returns technology is changing the landscape. Services like Closo are removing the "Double Negative" (Wait + Risk) and replacing it with a "Double Positive."
-
No Labels: You don't need a printer.
-
No Boxes: You don't need to find a shipping box to put the shoe box inside.
-
$0 Fees: In eligible zones, the process is entirely free (even for retailer returns in some cases).
-
Instant Money: The moment you drop the item off at a local kiosk or partner location, the refund is triggered instantly.
Why many shoppers prefer using Closo
It’s about liquidity. When you return a $170 pair of boots via mail, that is $170 missing from your checking account for nearly a month.
With the Closo model, you get that purchasing power back in minutes. You scan the item, drop it off, and the notification hits your phone before you leave the parking lot. Why wait 3 weeks for your money when you could have it back in 2 minutes?
Are you eligible for Free & Instant Returns?
Because this involves physical logistics and partnerships with local drop-off points, this premium service isn't active in every zip code for UGG yet. You need to verify your location.
This premium service isn't active in every zip code for UGG yet. You need to verify your location.
If the tool says "Not Active," don't worry. Enter your email to Vote for your Zip Code. We prioritize launching in neighborhoods with the most requests. Plus, voters are entered into our monthly sweepstakes to have their standard return fees reimbursed while they wait.
3 "Secret" Hacks for the UGG Exchange Policy
If you find yourself outside of a Closo zone, or if you are dealing with a retailer purchase, you need to know how to maneuver through the system. Here are three strategies to minimize your costs and headaches.
Hack #1: The Macy's "No Receipt" Loophole
If you received UGGs as a gift from Macy's but don't have the receipt, you aren't totally out of luck.
-
The Hack: Attempt a macy's return without receipt. They can often look up the purchase using the sticker on the box (the "U-PIC" label).
-
The Catch: If they can't find the transaction, they will offer you the "lowest selling price" on a gift card. Since UGGs rarely go on deep sale, this is safer than with other brands, but still risky.
-
Pro Tip: Always return in-store at Macy's to avoid the $9.99 mail-in fee.
Hack #2: The "Warranty" Pivot (1 Year)
Did your toe poke a hole through the suede after 4 months? That’s not a return; that’s a warranty claim.
-
The Hack: UGG has a 1-year warranty against "defective materials and workmanship." If the stitching unravels or the sole splits, do not use the standard return portal. Go to the "Warranty" page. They often replace the boots entirely, even if worn.
Hack #3: The Kid's Sizing Hack (Save Money, Same Return Policy)
This isn't a return hack, but a buying hack.
-
The Trick: A Women's size 7 is roughly equivalent to a Big Kids' size 5 or 6.
-
The Gain: The Kids' version is usually $40–$50 cheaper.
-
The Return: The return policy is exactly the same. If the Kids' size doesn't fit your adult foot, you can return it for free (via UGG.com) just like the adult version.
FAQ: People always ask me...
"Can I return UGGs bought at Macy's to the UGG website?"
Answer: No. Inventory systems are separate. If you bought it at Macy's, you must return it to Macy's (in-store or via their mail portal). You cannot ship a Macy's purchase to the UGG warehouse; they will likely reject it or lose it, leaving you with zero refund.
"Does UGG charge for exchanges?"
Answer: On UGG.com, exchanges are free (shipping is covered both ways). However, they are slow. They process the return first, then ship the new item. You might be waiting 3 weeks for your new size. It is often faster to return for a refund and buy the new pair instantly (if you have the cash flow).
"What is the Macy's return policy without a receipt for UGGs?"
Answer: Without a receipt, Macy's will attempt to find your purchase with a credit card. If they can't, they may issue a "Happy Returns" merchandise credit for the item's lowest selling price in the last 180 days. You will not get cash back.
Conclusion
Navigating the ugg exchange policy requires patience. If you follow the standard path—especially if you are dealing with the slow 15-day processing time or Macy's mail-in fees—you are accepting the "Double Negative": you lose access to your funds, and you wait.
You have a choice. You can follow the old rules: print the label, pack the box perfectly, and wait weeks. Or, you can check your eligibility for the modern solution.
Check if you can skip the wait and get your money back today.
Related Articles:
-
Bearpaw vs. UGG: Is the Price Difference Worth It?
-
How to Clean Your UGGs So You Don't Have to Return Them
-
Macy's vs. Nordstrom: Who Has the Better UGG Return Policy?
