What Is the Best Buy Return Policy: The Summary
| If you are a: | How Many Days to Return an Item? |
|---|---|
| “Regular” Best Buy Customer (You spend less than $1500 in a calendar year) | Up to 15 days |
| Best Buy Elite Member (You have to spend at least $1500 in a calendar year) | Up to 30 days |
| Best Buy Elite Plus Member (You have to spend at least $3500 in a calendar year) | Up to 45 days |
| Totaltech Member (Best Buy’s paid subscription service) | Up to 60 days for most items Up to 14 days for “activatable” devices like cell phones and smartwatches. |
How To Return An Item To Best Buy
| In-Store Return | Return by Mail |
|---|---|
| You can return an item bought online at BestBuy.com or physically at Best Buy directly to any Best Buy location. Bring the packing slip (for online purchases) or the receipt (for in-store purchases), a valid photo ID, and the credit card you used to purchase the item, if applicable. PS: Don’t bring any major appliances in-store for return and refund unannounced. Call the hotline at 1-888-BEST BUY (1-888-237-8289) to start the return process. | Via a Carrier of Your Choice Pick the carrier you want, use the included return form on your packing slip, and pay for the shipping yourself. If you have no packing slip, you can print this blank one and fill it out. The refund will be issued within 2-3 business days of receiving your item. |
| Via a Prepaid Return Label Locate your order on the Best Buy website to receive a free prepaid shipping label. Pack the item, print the prepaid return label, pay nothing upfront, and bring it to any UPS center within the return timeframe. The cost of the return shipping will be deducted from your refund unless the return results from a Best Buy error. I would recommend returning the item in-store to avoid any return shipping fees | |
Whether you choose in-store returns or by mail, the item must be in like-new condition, with all its contents and original packaging intact.
Best Buy will process a refund via your original form of payment. However, you’ll likely get a refund via check if your item is over $800 in cash.
Best Buy Return Period Depends on the Product Category
For most items, the Best Buy return window is 15 days. However, other products have different return periods.
- Cell phones — 14 days
- Devices with contracts — 14 days
- Wedding register items — 60 days
Sellers can legitimately charge you restocking fees, also called purchase return fees, for agreeing to take back goods. The restocking fee at Best Buy is 15% of the entire purchase price, which is the industry standard.
Meanwhile, activatable devices, excluding prepaid phones, have a $45 return fee.
Unopened items do not carry restocking fees.
Best Buy Return Policy Per Product Category
| ITEM | RETURN PERIOD | RESTOCKING FEE |
|---|---|---|
| Most Products | – Standard 15 days – Best Buy Totaltech members: 60 days | N/A |
| Devices that can be activated, including cellphones, cellular devices and mobile hotspots | – Standard 14 days – Best Buy Totaltech members: 14 days | 45$ |
| Major appliances | – Standard 15 days – Best Buy Totaltech members: 15 days | N/A |
| DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, projectors and special orders | – Standard 15 days – Best Buy Totaltech members: 60 days | 15% of the purchase price |
Consumer protection laws in these eight states do not allow Best Buy and other electronic retailers to charge these fees.
South Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Colorado
Alabama
Iowa
Hawaii
Mississippi
Nonreturnable Items
Best Buy does not allow customers to return these final sale items:
- Prepaid cards, including cell phone cards and gift cards
- Trading cards like Pokemon cards
- Digital games and non-subscription digital content, except Microsoft Office
- Custom orders
- Completed services
- Generators
- Vehicle replacement key fobs
- SIM kits
- Plumbing items
- Opened consumable items such as oil, ink, batteries, etc.
- Sexual wellness products
- Damaged open products
Other Best Buy Policies
Best Buy Open Box Return Policy
You can return opened items to Best Buy if they are in like-new condition, with all their accessories (like manuals or instructions) and original packaging intact.
The retailer will deny a return for missing package components.
Best Buy Return Without Box Policy
You can return an item without its original packaging and accessories if it is in like-new condition, and you bring your receipt or packing slip. But Best Buy will deny the return if it has dents, scratches, stains, and missing contents.
Should the retailer accept a return without its original packing, expect a nonrefundable deduction for whatever is missing.
Best Buy Holiday Return Policy
The retailer has a strict 15-day return window, but the return period can be three months for holiday gifts.
If you buy an item between October 17 and January 2, you have until January 16 to return it.
Best Buy No Receipt Return Policy Say
Best Buy’s return policy states that customers can still return unopened and new items without a receipt if they can present a valid ID and provide their email.
You can do a Best Buy return for store credit or do an exchange even though you can’t show proof of purchase.
Best Buy Gift Return Policy
Although the gift receipt does not show the cost of the item, you can use it for returns.
Best Buy provides a store credit worth the purchase price of a gift you return in-store. But for gifts returned via mail, the retailer credits the gift purchasers and notifies them through email.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Does the Best Buy Refund Policy Require for In-Store Return?
For in-store returns, bring the packing slip (for online purchases) or the receipt (for in-store purchases), a valid photo ID, and the credit card you used to purchase the item, if applicable.
Can I Return Something to Best Buy After 30 Days?
Best Buy’s general return policy is that you can return most products within 30 days of your in-store purchase or 30 days from the date you receive your online purchase.
The exceptions to the policy are cellular and wireless devices and nonreturnable items.
I recommend reading Best Buy’s Return and Exchange Policy to avoid confusion.
What Is the Best Buy Laptop Return Policy?
Like most Best Buy products, you have 15 days to return laptops. However, the Best Buy extended return policy (30 to 45 days) applies to Best Buy Elite and Elite Plus members.
What Does the Best Buy iPhone Return Policy Say?
The electronic retailer will accept returns or exchanges for all cell phones, mobile hotspots, cellular wearables, and tablets within 14 days.
Best Buy Elite and Elite Plus members enjoy extended return periods.
How Do I Return Major Appliances to Best Buy?
Since pickup might be necessary for major appliances, they require a special return procedure. Contact 1-888-BEST BUY (1-888-237-8289) and have your order number at hand to receive instructions for your return.
Does Best Buy Have a Restocking Fee?
Yes. Best Buy has a 15% restocking fee for certain items, usually electronics like drones, premium camcorders, electric bikes, projectors, and cameras, to name a few.
On the other hand, the return fee for activatable devices, excluding prepaid phones, is $45.
The Bottom Line
The Best Buy Return Policy is more complex than other electronic stores.
However, Best Buy remains a fantastic place to purchase consumer gadgets and home appliances because of its competitive pricing.
If you want to try other stores, consider shopping at Target. Target’s price-match policy may save you some money on your purchases.
