You can purchase a refrigerator, DSLR camera and an iPad all at once when you visit Best Buy. All these consumer electronics and appliance options under one roof might seem convenient — especially when shopping for gifts during the holidays — but the Best Buy holiday return policy can be a little confusing. Read on to learn more about how the policy works for the holidays and year-round.
What Is the Best Buy Holiday Return Policy?
The 2021 Best Buy Holiday Return Policy is different from the everyday return policy. Most purchases made by Oct. 18 can be returned or exchanged until Jan. 16.
What Is the Best Buy Electronics Return Policy?
The standard return policy is 15 days, but customers who purchase My Best Buy Elite and Elite Plus memberships receive longer return periods. Depending on your membership level, the Elite electronics return policy, including the Best Buy laptop return policy and Best Buy TV return policy, could be as long as 30 or 45 days.
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Best Buy Electronics Return or Exchange Policies |
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| Item | Standard Return Policy | Return Policy for My Best Buy Elite Members | Return Policy for My Best Buy Elite Plus Members | Restocking Fees for All Member Levels |
Most products, including:
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15 days | 30 days | 45 days | $0 |
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14 days | 14 days | 14 days | $45 |
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15 days | 15 days | 15 days | $0 |
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15 days | 30 days | 45 days | 15% of the item purchase price |
Best Buy Return Policy Exceptions
The Best Buy open box return policy allows returns for a full refund as long as the items are returned in like-new condition, with all accessories and original packaging. Best Buy might deny a return or deduct a nonrefundable fee from the refund for missing package components.
Although select items have return fees, the fees are waived if the product is unopened or the purchase and return are made in the following states:
- Alabama
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Mississippi
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
What Other Gifts Can You Return to Best Buy?
All holiday gifts purchased at Best Buy can be returned for a refund or exchange by Jan. 16, 2022 including:
- Microsoft Office cards that have not had their key code scratched off
- Most products you buy at a Best Buy Express location or through Best Buy Business or Best Buy Education (in-store returns only)
- Magnolia Design Center products, can only be returned to Best Buy stores that have a Magnolia Design Center inside
Make the return/exchange process simple for your gift recipient by requesting a gift receipt when purchasing in-store, and include that receipt with the gift. You can also request a gift receipt online at checkout. Gift receipts don’t show the purchase price but they do provide original purchase information that the Best Buy representative will need to process the exchange or return.
What Can’t You Return to Best Buy?
Best Buy doesn’t allow returns or exchanges for the following items:
- Apparel that is missing original tags and/or has been laundered or worn
- Completed services
- Custom orders
- Digital content
- Final Sale items
- Gift packaging
- Memberships
- Opened consumable items, including batteries, cleaning agents, oils, fuel, ink and 3D printer filament
- Prepaid cards, including third-party gift cards
- Returned items that are not like-new or are damaged, unsanitary or missing major components
- Returns lacking proof of purchase
The following items can be exchanged for an identical item:
- Books
- Movies
- Music
- Opened computer software
- Sheet music
- Video game guides
- Video games
Are There Any Exceptions to Best Buy’s Holiday Return Policy?
Best Buy wants to create a hassle-free holiday shopping experience for its customers. There are no exceptions to which items can be exchanged or returned for a refund as long the customer provides a gift receipt for proof of purchase and returns the items in a like-new condition, with all original accessories and packaging.
Restocking Fees for Certain Types of Returns
Restocking or refund fees apply to the following items:
- Cell phones, cellular tablets and cellular wearables: $45
- Drones, DSLR cameras and lenses, mirrorless cameras and lenses, leg and body recovery systems, premium camcorders, projectors, projector screens and special-order products: 15% of purchase price
- Open-box items missing accessories or packaging: Store’s discretion
With the exception of open-box items missing accessories, restocking fees are waived if the item was never opened or if the purchase was made and returned in:
- Alabama
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Mississippi
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
How To Return an Item to Best Buy
The Best Buy return policy lets you return items bought in-store or at BestBuy.com by visiting a local store or mailing the item back. Here’s how to do it:
Best Buy In-Store Returns
Gather the following items:
- The items to return, including all original contents and packaging
- The packing slip or receipt
- The credit card used to make the purchase
- A valid photo ID
Visit a Best Buy store with the above items to receive a refund to the card used to make the purchase or to get store credit or make an exchange.
Best Buy Returns by Mail
Pack the following items:
- The items to return, including all original contents and packaging
- The packing slip and/or the return form
If no packing slip was provided, create a pre-populated return form by looking up your order or print out a blank return form and fill it out.
Affix a return label to the package, add postage and mail it via the carrier of your choice.
A prepaid return label might have been provided with your order. In that case, follow the instructions for printing a prepaid return label and include the packing slip or return form in the box with your return. Affix the prepaid return label to the package and take it to an authorized UPS drop-off location. A return shipping fee might be deducted from your refund.
Tips for Returning Items to Best Buy
To make the return process hitch-free, make sure the items are in like-new condition and include all original packaging and accessories, manuals and documentation. Missing components might cause Best Buy to refuse your return or reduce your refund.
Proof of purchase is required for all returns to Best Buy. Don’t forget to provide a receipt or packing list.
Exchanges and Refunds
You can exchange a product in-store for the same item or receive a refund for an item purchased online or at a Best Buy store. In most cases, the refund will be returned to you via the the same payment method you used for the purchase.
Returns by mail take two to three business days to process after they’ve been received. The refund might take up to seven days to reflect on your account, depending on your bank or credit card provider. Refunds for cash payments over $800 and for payments over $250 made using a check or debit card without a major credit card logo will be issued by check within 10 business days.
How Does Best Buy’s Policy Compare With Other Major Retailers?
Compare how the Best Buy return policy stacks up against competitors’ policies.
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Best Buy Return Policy Compared |
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| Retailer | Return Period From Receipt of Item | Return Fees | Required for Return |
| Amazon | 30 days |
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Order number or Amazon-provided paperwork for return processing |
| Best Buy | 14-45 days | 15% or $45, depending on item, for select items | Receipt or packing list |
| Costco | No return limits except for:
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$0 | Receipt or original product packaging is helpful but might not be necessary |
| Target |
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$0 | One of the following:
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| Walmart |
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$0 | Receipt or packing slip |
The Best Buy Return Policy Simplified
The Best Buy holiday return policy and the store’s everyday return policy aim to make returns and exchanges as simple as possible. Depending on your Elite membership status and level, you have 14 to 45 days to return or exchange your items. Save your receipt or packing slip and all original packaging to receive a full refund on most items. And when you gift someone a Best Buy item this holiday, don’t forget to include a gift receipt.
Information is accurate as of Jan. 24, 2022.