Boulanger Return Policy: How Returns and Refunds Work
You buy a new phone, a TV, a coffee machine, or a set of cables. In the shop it feels right. Then you get home, plug it in, and your gut says “no.” The screen is too big for the room. The sound bar does not fit the shelf. The color is not what you saw under the store lights.
That moment can feel like you picked the right key, then found it will not turn. A return policy is the spare key. It can save your day, but only if you use it the way the store asks.
This guide explains the Boulanger return policy in simple English. It covers the time limits, what shape the item must be in, how to return in a store, how to return by post, what happens with big items, what items are left out, and how refunds tend to work.
Two return ideas you will see at Boulanger
Boulanger uses two main ideas that people mix up.
The first is the store offer for “not happy with it.” This is the store’s own rule, and Boulanger says you can return an item within 15 days after you get it (or after you pick it up) if it does not suit you. You can ask for a refund or an exchange.
The next is the legal right to change your mind on an online buy in France and the EU (often called the right of withdrawal). This legal right is 14 days for online buys. Boulanger talks about this in its terms for online sales.
In day to day life, most people follow the Boulanger “15 days” rule for a simple “I do not want it” return, since it is clear and applies to store buys too. But the legal 14 day right still matters for online buys, so it is good to know it is there.
The main time limit: 15 days
Boulanger says you can return a product you bought in store or on boulanger.com within 15 days after you receive it. This is the core rule for a “not happy” return. If you are inside that 15 day window, you can ask for a refund or an exchange.
Do not wait until day 15 at 8 pm. Try the item early. Check it in the first week if you can. Time is your friend at the start, and a problem at the end.
Holiday extension: returns open until January 31, 2026 for some buys
Boulanger also states a holiday extension: for purchases made between October 31, 2025 and December 26, 2025, the return deadline is extended until January 31, 2026. Boulanger also notes this extension does not apply to marketplace items.
This is handy when gifts are involved. If you bought in that date range, keep the receipt and keep the box. That extra time can help a lot after the rush of late December.
What “good condition” means at the return desk
Boulanger asks you to bring the item back in good condition, in the original packaging, with its accessories. Think of it like this: the store should be able to sell it again without shame.
For a clean return, keep the box. Keep the foam. Keep the manual. Keep the charger, the remote, the cables, the screws, the clips, and the small bags. Those small bits vanish fast in a busy home, and missing bits can block a return.
Boulanger also notes in its terms that during the withdrawal period you should handle and check the item only as much as you would in a store. If you go beyond that, Boulanger can hold you responsible for loss in value. In plain terms, if the item comes back dirty, missing parts, or damaged, the refund can drop, or fees can be charged for cleaning or putting it back in shape.
So do a “gentle test.” Plug it in. See if it powers on. Check the main functions. Do not run it for days. Do not drill holes. Do not peel off serial labels. Do not throw away the box like it is trash. For the first two weeks, that box is part of your safety net.
What you need to bring: proof of purchase
For a store return, bring your invoice or receipt. For an online return, bring the invoice from your order email or your account area. Proof of purchase is what lets staff find the order fast and refund you the right way.
If you paid by card, bring that card too. Refunds often go back to the same payment method, and having the card can make the process faster.
How to return an online order in a Boulanger store
Boulanger makes this part easy: for an item bought on boulanger.com, you can return it in any Boulanger store. Boulanger says no prior request is needed for a store return. You bring the invoice, the item, the original packaging, and the accessories.
This is the fastest route for many people. You skip packing, you skip shipping stress, and you can often get the refund right away at the counter. Boulanger says that for a return in store, the refund is immediate, or you can do an exchange on the spot if you want.
If you want a different model or a different size, a store visit can also be the best way, since you can talk to staff and pick the new item right there.
How to return an online order by post
If you cannot get to a store, Boulanger also lets you return by post. The flow is simple: you start the return request from your customer space on the site (often under a section like “My completed purchases”), then customer service sends you the steps to finish the return.
After that, you ship the product back in good condition, in the original packaging, with accessories.
There is one cost point to know: Boulanger states that return shipping costs are your responsibility when you use the withdrawal right. So if you ship it back, plan for the shipping fee.
When you ship it, pick a tracked service if you can. A tracking number is your proof that the parcel is on the way. Without tracking, a lost box can turn into a long and tiring back and forth.
Big items: fridge, washer, large TV, and other heavy gear
Large items are a different beast. A phone is easy to put in a box. A washer is not.
Boulanger says you can request the return for a bulky product from your customer space as well, and their team will contact you to plan the pickup at home.
If you are using the withdrawal path for a bulky item and you want pickup, Boulanger’s terms explain that return transport costs can be charged to you and can vary with the type of product and distance. In the terms, Boulanger gives a range for some heavy categories that can run from about 50€ to 200€ depending on the item type.
So, for a big item, do this: check the size, the door swing, the space in your home, and the delivery path before you buy. A “return” on a big item can cost real money and real time.
Refund timing: store refunds feel fast, postal refunds take a bit longer
Boulanger states that when you return in a store, you can be refunded right away, or exchange right away.
For a postal return, Boulanger states refunds are processed within 7 days at most for common payment methods like bank card and PayPal (and some partner payment types listed on their help page).
Boulanger’s terms also repeat the legal frame for withdrawal refunds: the refund must be made within 14 days after Boulanger is told of your decision to withdraw, but the refund can be delayed until the goods are received back or you provide proof of shipment. In real life, this means you often see the refund after the return has been received or clearly tracked.
Shipping fees: what comes back and what does not
This is where people get caught.
For a normal “not happy” return done in store, you mainly care about the item price, since you are handing it back in person.
For an online order under the legal withdrawal rules, Boulanger’s terms say the refund includes the delivery fees you paid, but only up to the cost of standard delivery. If you chose a more expensive delivery method than the standard option, the extra part may not be refunded.
For return shipping back to Boulanger, Boulanger states those return costs are on you when you use the withdrawal right.
So the short version is: you may get back the item price and standard outbound delivery fees under the legal rule, but you still may pay the cost to ship it back.
Items that may be excluded from the right of return
Boulanger lists product groups that are excluded from the right of withdrawal. These are common in EU retail rules. If you buy one of these, treat it like a one way buy unless the item is faulty.
Boulanger lists opened food products, items that spoil fast, sealed audio or video recordings and software once unsealed, digital content once the download or use has begun with your consent, hygiene products returned without the original packaging or without accessories, and custom or clearly personalized items. They also note that if you return only one part of a set, that can be excluded when the item was sold as a set.
If you are not sure your item sits in one of these groups, check the item page and the help page before you open seals.
Marketplace items: not always the same rules
Boulanger has marketplace sellers. Boulanger notes that some return rules and special return windows can be different for marketplace items.
So check the seller name on your order. If it is a marketplace seller, you may need to return to that seller under the seller’s terms and process, not the same flow as an item sold directly by Boulanger.
This is a key step to avoid a wasted trip. Two items can look the same on the site, but one is sold by Boulanger and the other by a marketplace seller.
What to do if the item arrives damaged, incomplete, or wrong
If the box shows up torn, crushed, or open, slow down before you sign for it. Boulanger’s terms say you should check the parcel state at delivery and, if there is a problem, refuse the parcel or make clear notes.
If you receive a product that is defective, broken, incomplete, or not the one you ordered, Boulanger’s help page says to contact customer service (phone or chat) and share photos. This is a different path than a simple “not happy” return, and photos help them choose the best fix.
The faster you act, the easier it tends to be. A clean photo taken the same day is worth more than a long story a week later.
A simple return plan that works for most Boulanger buys
Keep the box and all parts for at least 15 days.
Test the item early, in a clean way. Plug it in, check the key functions, then pack it back if you think you will return it.
Do not trash the small bits. Put remotes and cables back in the box right away.
If you want a refund and you live near a store, return in store. It is often the quickest path.
If you must ship it back, start the request in your online account, pack it well, and use tracking.
If it is bulky, plan the pickup and ask about the pickup cost before you set the date.
Big Amazon buys over $2,000 that can help with online returns and home tech
If you do lots of online buys, a few high end tools can make returns less of a drag.
A strong laptop over $2,000, like a MacBook Pro 16-inch, can keep your invoices, order emails, and return steps in one place. When you need to show proof in store or fill a return request fast, it helps to have a machine that just works.
A business laser printer and scanner over $2,000, like an HP LaserJet Enterprise MFP class unit, can help if you print labels, scan invoices, and keep records for home or work. It is not for everyone, but it can save time if you handle lots of parcels.
A pro label printer over $2,000, like a Zebra ZT series unit, can help for small shops that ship and return items often. Clean labels scan better, and that can cut “lost parcel” stress.
You do not need any of these to return one item. The best “tool” is still free: keep the box, keep the parts, and act inside the time window.
Last word
Boulanger’s return policy is easiest when you keep three facts in mind. First, the common return window for a “not happy” return is 15 days after you receive the item. Second, store returns are simple and often refunded right away. Third, for postal returns and big items, return transport can cost money, so it pays to check sizes and fit before you buy.
Do a calm test early, keep your proof of purchase, and keep the packaging neat. Then a return feels like a short stop, not a long fight.