A Walmart scam so simple it’s ridiculous just got exposed, and people are shocked it actually works

A viral TikTok video is currently blowing up the internet by claiming that Walmart’s incredibly lax return policy essentially makes the massive retailer a free “rental company.”

You can forget about buying expensive gear for a one-time event, because according to creator Wyatt, you can simply take back almost anything you purchase, even after you’ve fully used it. Wyatt’s hot take, posted on November 29, 2025, has already racked up over 417,000 views, sparking an absolute frenzy of stories from customers who have successfully played the system, as reported by Daily Dot.

This isn’t just about returning an unopened box, either. Wyatt claims you can go into the store, “rent literally anything you want,” and then just bring it back for a full refund. He confidently stated, “I generally don’t think there’s nothing you can’t return from Walmart.” The return window is generous, too. Wyatt notes that you usually have anywhere from two weeks to a month to bring the item back.

Don’t buy things with the idea of returning them right after

The proof is in the outrageous examples, and honestly, this is where the story gets wild. Wyatt shared a personal anecdote about helping a friend who needed a suitable television for a Super Bowl party. He said they went to Walmart and “got him the biggest f—ing TV Walmart has.” Sure enough, he confirmed the plan worked perfectly, adding, “After the Super Bowl, we returned it.”

This behavior isn’t just limited to high-value electronics. Since he loves camping but doesn’t want to own the equipment, Wyatt admitted he buys all his gear new from Walmart before every single excursion. Once the trip is over, he brings the used equipment back for a complete refund.

It seems like there are truly no limits to what people have returned. Commenters shared stories of returning clothing worn once for a specific event, appliances and electronics used for a single day, and even seasonal yardwork tools that were dirty and worn out. I can’t believe this, but people have also successfully returned opened cosmetics, pharmacy items, and even half-eaten food.

One commenter described watching a man finish a bag of trail mix while waiting in the customer service line, only to successfully return the empty bag when he reached the counter. While the majority of people commenting were celebrating their returns victories, some did raise valid ethical concerns. Several people pointed out that this kind of overconsumption, fueled by lax policies, leads to massive landfill waste and environmental destruction, which is awful for the planet.

I don’t think that Walmart is a morally good company, but doing stuff like this will make the company stop making returns so easy. This is the kind of person who ruins it for everyone.