Return policy comparison · 2026
FastGrowingTrees.com vs Yankee Candle
Policy data verified July 24, 2026 by the Thrifle team
FastGrowingTrees.com
B+
3.5 / 5.0 · Good
Winner
Yankee Candle
A+
5.0 / 5.0 · Exceptional
The verdict
Yankee Candle has the more generous return policy in 2026, grading A+ (5.0/5.0) against FastGrowingTrees.com's B+ (3.5/5.0). It wins 2 of 5 scoring axes; the biggest gap is the return shipping: free returns (incl. by mail) versus customer pays return shipping.
Score breakdown
Five axes, 5.0 points total — the same deterministic grader behind every Thrifle policy page.
FastGrowingTrees.comYankee Candle
Return window · worth 2.0
Restocking fee · worth 1.0
Return shipping · worth 1.0
Holiday window · worth 0.5
Transparency · worth 0.5
Key terms side-by-side
| FastGrowingTrees.com | Yankee Candle | |
|---|---|---|
| Return window | 1 year (Alive & Thrive Guarantee, one-time replacement) | 1 year / 365 days ('Happiness Guarantee,' any reason; cash refund to original payment method only within first 150 days) |
| Free returns | No - fee deducted | ✓ No - fee deducted |
| Restocking fee | None | None published |
| Return shipping | Customer pays all shipping costs and taxes on the replacement plant | Customers mailing back a return are responsible for the cost of shipping the item(s) to Yankee Candle; in-store returns are free. |
| Holiday extension | None published | ✓ None published (the standing 1-year window already covers holiday purchases) |
| Non-returnable | Garden supplies, grass seed, annuals, Gardenuity products, tabletop/desktop plants, holiday plants, plants planted outside their recommended growing zone | Products purchased from unauthorized sellers or unauthorized internet sites are excluded from the Happiness Guarantee; gifts can only be returned by the original purchaser, not the recipient |
| Watch-out items | Fungus, disease, or insect damage must be reported within 4 weeks of arrival to be covered | Refunds to the original payment method are only available within 150 days of purchase; after that, even though the 1-year Happiness Guarantee window is still open, you can only get a gift card or a check. |
FastGrowingTrees.com tip
This is a replacement guarantee, not a refund policy — you only get store credit instead of a new plant if your replacement is out of stock, so don't expect cash back in most cases.
Yankee Candle tip
The 'Happiness Guarantee' covers a full year even if you simply change your mind, longer than almost any other home-goods retailer — but wait past the first five months and you'll get store credit or a check instead of cash back to your card.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the better return policy, FastGrowingTrees.com or Yankee Candle?
Yankee Candle has the more generous return policy in 2026, grading A+ (5.0/5.0) against FastGrowingTrees.com's B+ (3.5/5.0). It wins 2 of 5 scoring axes; the biggest gap is the return shipping: free returns (incl. by mail) versus customer pays return shipping.
What is FastGrowingTrees.com's return window?
FastGrowingTrees.com's return window is 1 year (Alive & Thrive Guarantee, one-time replacement).
What is Yankee Candle's return window?
Yankee Candle's return window is 1 year / 365 days ('Happiness Guarantee,' any reason; cash refund to original payment method only within first 150 days).
Does FastGrowingTrees.com or Yankee Candle offer free returns?
FastGrowingTrees.com: No - fee deducted. Yankee Candle: No - fee deducted.