The first strike in LCBO history may be over, but customers are still feeling some residual effects of the two-and-a-half-week work action, including through the temporary new refund policy set up in its aftermath.

Anyone trying to return purchases made during or just before the July 5-July 23 closure of LCBOs across the province is finding themselves unable to get their money back, as the retailer is not processing these types of transactions at this time.

As some wondered how exchanges and refunds worked during the course of the shutdown, others have questions now that it's over after realizing they can't take saleable products back with or without a receipt.

A representative of the Crown corporation confirmed to blogTO that because of the disruption caused by the strike, all returns are on hold for a period of two weeks as employees get back into the swing of things and stores return to normal business operations.

LCBO Refund after 30 days post Strike.
byu/VirginaWolf inontario

"We're asking customers to hold off on returning any products until after August 6, 2024. This decision was made to help ensure the best experience for our employees and customers who are simply trying to make purchases in our stores," they said in an email Thursday.

"Customers are encouraged to make any returns in store from Wednesday, August 7. Even if the receipt has expired beyond the 30 days, we will honour these returns until the end of August. We thank customers for their patience as we return to business as usual."

Given the delays that shoppers were experiencing with online orders made during the walkout, some are likely still receiving these shipments, and should keep this August 7 date in mind if they're hoping to take back or swap anything they'd stocked up on.