Best Buy Return Policy 101 | Online Returns, Return Fees, & More!
Here are the details of the Best Buy return policy!
Making a trip to Best Buy?
Best Buy is a one-stop-shop for all things tech and major appliances. With these kinds of purchases, it’s nearly inevitable that you haven’t bought the right item at least once. With a store like Best Buy, their policy is most definitely not common knowledge. For this reason, we’re supplying a simplified rundown of the return policy!
All info has been sourced from Best Buy’s website. For more information or FAQs, be sure to double check the return policy page.
What’s the Best Buy return policy?
To return an item, it has to be in like-new condition. When returning, you either mail or bring in person all the item’s contents along with its original packaging. For in-store returns, bring either your item’s packing slip (if purchased online) or the receipt along with the form of payment and a valid ID.
Mail-in returns receive a free pre-paid shipping label once you locate your order on BestBuy.com. You’ll pack it up and bring it to any UPS center within the return timeframe.
For major appliances, Best Buy recommends inspecting the item upon delivery; if there’s an issue, you can reject the delivery. If you accept, you’ll have 15 days to return, and, to start a return, call 1-888-BEST BUY (1-888-237-8289); do not bring the item to the store!
Your items will be refunded to the original form of payment, and the return will be available within around 10 days. If you made a purchase of over $800 in cash, you’ll likely be refunded via check.
Before we dive deeper into the details, in short, you can return, replace, or repair your order either in-store with proof of purchase or online. Although the last day of return varies, activatable devices like phones have 2 weeks to be returned while major appliances and holidays have 15 days. Best Buy TotalTech members get an extended warranty of 60 days to return most items.
Because of the holiday season, purchases made from October 24th through December 31st, the extended return policy is through January 14th, 2023. However, this policy does not include third-party contracts, holiday products, and major appliances.
Return fees are something to look out for, with activatable devices (not prepaid phones) having a $45 fee.
The following items have a 15% of purchase return fee:
- Drones
- DSLR cameras and lenses
- Mirrorless cameras and lenses
- Electric bikes
- Electric mopeds
- Leg and body recovery systems
- Premium camcorders
- Projectors
- Projector screens
- Special-order products
The following items are final sale and cannot be returned:
- Custom orders
- Digital games/non-subscription digital content (excluding Microsoft Office)
- Prepaid cards such as gift cards and phone cards
- Memberships
- Completed services
- Vehicle replacement key fobs
- Generators
- Damaged open products
- SIM kits
- Plumbing items
- Trading cards like Pokémon
- Consumable items that are open, such as batteries, oil, ink, and more
Are there any exceptions to this Best Buy return policy?
Items that arrived damaged, defective, or incorrect may be returned or eligible for an exchange. If you don’t have your receipt, there’s a chance your order may be found in your email; however, there’s no guarantee, and they may reject your return. If you’re returning an item you received a discount on or for free based on a qualifying purchase, you won’t keep that benefit unless you return the entire purchase.
When returning connected items with WiFi, always wipe the data prior to your return. You’ll be responsible for contacting a third-party service provider when making a return. When returning a phone, you can visit your local store and have the associate cancel your service or call Best Buy Mobile at 1-877-702-2211 who will be happy to help!
Gift returns will receive store credit while seasonal products can be returned within 15 days. Hearing aids have a 60-day return policy while hearing amplifiers have a 15-day window. Opened entertainment products including computer software, music, movies, and others are only eligible for an exchange. Return details for subscription services, including Microsoft 365, can be found at BestBuy.com/PlanTerms.
The Best Buy return policy was definitely more complex compared to the other ones we’ve reviewed.
Hopefully, this has helped you understand it a little better! If you have any questions, check with your local Best Buy location, which would be happy to explain how this affects your purchase before you even buy it.
Check out the latest Best Buy deals!
Best buy has the worst customer service ! I would steer clear and shop with them.
SO sorry to hear that, Randi. Thanks for the honest feedback on their customer service. ❤️
I purchased the apple watch ultra, about two weeks later it dropped in price by $60. Best Buy refunded me $60 + taxes on my purchase. I think card holders can utilize the price match for 30 days. Just wanted to throw it out there. 🙂
Thanks for that helpful response about your experience, Heather! Glad to hear that you were able to get a refund of the difference! 🙌💞
We bought components for a build your own gaming computer and had them build it for us. The Total Tech membership is about $200 but extends our return periods and paid for itself by covering warranty purchases through the year. Also the computer parts totaled over $1400 and I went atleast 5 times to price match refunding over $300. Totally worth it!
Return fees? A $45 fee? Gosh, I have not been paying attention to return policies. Guys, thank you for pointing this out. $45 is a lot.
You’re welcome, Lissa! 💕
Slightly off topic, but did everyone check their Best Buy Account for mystery rewards? I got $5 today.
Thanks for the heads up on that! 🙌 Happy shopping! ❤️
I received an email with my mystery reward. $5 : )
Hip2Save has done it again! 😊 This is valuable information. Thanks!
You’re welcome! So glad this post was helpful for you! 🤗💗
So I bought a 900$ drone and was unaware of the restocking fee which was a whopping 135$ . I asked the guy who got the drone out for me if I decided not to keep it would I be able to return it he said absolutely but failed to mention it would cost me 135$ also I paid 900$ in cash and have spent over 3000$ here in the last 2 days alone yet they can’t refund me in cash or put it on my debit card they will send me a check in 10-14 days . Every place I’ve ever returned anything refunds you in the same manner you paid which in my case should’ve been cash . Manager says she don’t have 900$ in store but I spent 3000 in cash between yesterday and today so clearly she’s lying . It’s the outrageous restocking fee that will make me never return to this place again this drone package was about 8 inches square and weighed about 9 pounds how do you justify charging me 135$ to restock it . This has been a horrible experience for a # of reasons first they have no staff I waited for an hour and a half in audio for no one to show up the geek squad has not been here for 4 days in a row that I’ve seen it took me 2 days of walking. Out of the store and coming back the next day to finally get some help and the help I got was completely clueless about amplifiers subs drones Apple Watch bands phone cases and televisions which made up a large portion of what I bought . Now I’m going to go home and grab the television the 400$ solobaric 12 and the 350 dollar kicker amp and bring them back . Best Buy management if it exist need to car the restocking fee and hire some knowledgeable people this is ridiculous to say the least good riddens Best Buy