While Best Buy is a fantastic consumer electronic retailer known for its price match and good prices, the Best Buy return policy can be confusing. There are different ways and requirements to return an item.
To help you navigate the complexities of Best Buy’s return and refund policy, I’ve created a complete guide that includes all the refund information, timeframes, and requirements.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
What Is the Best Buy Return Policy?
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.
Bring the item’s receipt, the packing slip (if you purchased it online), the payment form, and a valid ID for in-store returns.
While you can return most items in-store without giving them a heads-up, this doesn’t apply to major appliances.
For major appliances, you need to inspect the items upon delivery, so you can reject them if you find any issues. If you accept, remember the Best Buy return after 15 days policy.
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.
On the other hand, returns by mail require packing the item and bringing it to any UPS center within the return timeframe. However, you must locate your order on the Best Buy website to receive a free prepaid shipping label.
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 Policy Online Orders
You can return any product you purchased on the Best Buy website or at any Best Buy location. You can also return it by mail.
Once Best Buy receives your mail with the item in like-new condition and intact, you can expect your refund between two and three business days.
Best Buy Return Period
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
Best Buy Return Policy Electronics and Restocking Fees
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 item’s price, which is the industry standard.
Best Buy’s 15% restocking fee applies to many electronic products, including drones, DSLR cameras and lenses, mirrorless cameras and lenses, premium camcorders, projector screens, electric bikes, electric mopeds, leg and body recovery systems, and special-order products.
Meanwhile, activatable devices, excluding prepaid phones, have a $45 return fee.
Unopened items do not carry restocking fees.
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
The Best Buy replacement policy states that you have 15 days to return most products for a refund or replacement. However, the retailer 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
Best Buy Elite Member Return Policy
Best Buy Elite members have 30 days to return an item, while Elite Plus members have up to 45 days. Membership for Elites is automatic if you spend at least $1,500 annually, and Elite Plus if you spend a minimum of $3,500 annually.
For customers with a Totaltech membership (Best Buy’s paid subscription service), the return period is up to 60 days.
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.
What Is the 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.
What Is the 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.
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.
What Does 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 Return Without Box: Will They Accept It?
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.
What Is the 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.
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.
