A former Buc-ee’s worker responded to shoppers’ frustrations about the travel center chain’s return policies. He broke down what items can be returned and which you should think twice before buying.
Texas-based TikToker Ryan (@wtf_its_ryan) says a viewer messaged him asking him to weigh in on their experience trying to return holiday pajama pants to Buc-ee’s.
“When they got home, they tried them on and noticed that it was ripped at the seams,” he explains.
Ryan says the man returned to the same Buc-ee’s the next day to try to return the defective pajama pants but was denied.
“So, he wants to know if that is the actual standard operating procedure (SOP) or if that manager was kind of power tripping,” he says in the clip with over 4,000 views. “The truth is, that is the actual SOP.”
He notes that the return policy when he worked there specified that shoppers could only return two items per receipt, excluding “most clothing and food.”
“When it comes to clothing, if you try it on, you’re probably not going to get your money back,” he says. Instead, managers may tell shoppers they should confirm the item’s quality and size by trying it on in the dressing rooms.
Ryan suggests that shoppers can’t return holiday items after the holiday has passed.
“Believe it or not, it isn’t power tripping. It’s just an SOP problem,” he explains. “It just comes down to the fact that Buc-ee’s is an extremely strict company.”
What Is Buc-ee’s Current Return Policy?
Ryan admits that the return and exchange policy may have changed since he last worked at the chain two years ago.
According to Buc-ee’s website, the retailer doesn’t have a traditional return policy. In fact, it doesn’t accept any returns for a refund.
Instead, shoppers may be able to exchange certain items at the manager’s discretion, including slightly consumed food that doesn’t meet quality standards and new-condition general merchandise. However, some items may not be eligible for returns after customers leave the store.
On the r/Buceestx subreddit, shoppers shared exactly what happens when they try to make a return or exchange.
“Buc-ee’s sucks when trying to return something. First, they call another employee over to inspect the item. I guess that is supposed to make you think it will make a difference. They inspect the item, and if there is a small speck on it that can be brushed off, they will not take it back. I have only had two items for return, and both were rejected,” one wrote.
Do Shoppers Agree With The Policy?
While many customers grow frustrated by unsuccessful returns, some agree with Buc-ee’s strict no-returns policy.
“They don’t allow mass returns because of all the personal shoppers on Facebook. People were snatching up items and reselling them. Then, when demand would tank, they would try to return out-of-season items,” a Reddit user suggested.
Some shared ways they got around the strict two-item exchange policy in the past.
“We’re big overspenders at bucees, so they would make more money off of us regardless. During Thanksgiving, we bought over $400 worth of gifts. The recipients had no way to bring them back with them, so we had to return all of them. We could only return 2 items for a refund,” the commenter explained.
They continued, “It took us a few trips, including to other Buc-ee’s locations, and nearly a month to get $60 worth exchanged each time. Big waste of our time and holding onto the items. Maybe we’ll just pay for 2 items on each transaction next time.”
@wtf_its_ryan The Return policy at Buc-ee’s. #fyp #bucees #buceesgasstation #buceeseverything #customerservice
BroBible reached out to Ryan via TikTok direct message and to Buc-ee’s via email for further comment.