Does Best Buy charge a restocking fee?
Best Buy charges a $45 flat restocking fee on opened activatable devices (phones, carrier tablets, cellular smartwatches) and a 15% fee on opened drones, DSLR/mirrorless cameras, lens kits, and projectors. The fee is waived if the item is returned unopened. Customers in 8 states are exempt by law.
Which Best Buy products have a restocking fee?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
Activatable devices Cell phones, carrier tablets, cellular smartwatches, mobile hotspots | $45 flat |
Drones All consumer drones regardless of brand | 15% of purchase price |
DSLR and mirrorless cameras Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm camera bodies | 15% of purchase price |
Lens kits Camera lenses purchased separately or as kit | 15% of purchase price |
Projectors Home theater and portable projectors | 15% of purchase price |
All other electronics TVs, laptops, headphones, speakers, gaming | None |
States where Best Buy cannot charge a restocking fee
Best Buy explicitly waives restocking fees in these 8 states where they are prohibited or restricted by law:
How can I avoid Best Buy's restocking fee?
Best Buy's restocking fee only applies to opened items. If you have any doubt about the purchase, don't open it until you've decided.
Best Buy waives restocking fees by law in AL, CO, HI, IA, MS, OH, OK, and SC. If you purchased and are returning in one of these states, the fee cannot be charged.
Managers have discretion, especially for first returns or loyal customers. Politely explain your situation and ask directly. This works more often than people expect.
Cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum offer return protection that can reimburse you for restocking fees, and sometimes for returns the store declined entirely.
Plus and Total members get extended 60-day return windows. This doesn't waive the restocking fee, but having more time to decide reduces the chance you're returning an opened item impulsively.
Common questions
How much is Best Buy's restocking fee?
Best Buy charges a flat $45 restocking fee on opened activatable devices (cell phones, carrier tablets, cellular smartwatches, mobile hotspots). For opened drones, DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, lens kits, and projectors, the fee is 15% of the purchase price. All other electronics have no restocking fee.
Does Best Buy always charge a restocking fee?
No. The restocking fee only applies to specific categories (phones, drones, certain cameras) and only when the item is opened. If you return the item unopened, there is no restocking fee. Customers in Alabama, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, and South Carolina are also exempt.
Can I get the Best Buy restocking fee waived?
Yes, in several situations. If the item is unopened, the fee is automatically waived. If you're in one of the 8 exempt states, Best Buy cannot charge it by law. You can also ask a manager to waive it. This works more often than people expect, especially for first-time returns or loyalty customers.
Does Best Buy charge a restocking fee for phones?
Yes. Best Buy charges a flat $45 restocking fee on all opened activatable devices, which includes cell phones, carrier-activated tablets, cellular smartwatches, and mobile hotspots. This fee applies regardless of membership tier (Standard, Plus, or Total) and does not change during holiday return periods.
Does Best Buy charge a restocking fee for cameras?
Yes, for DSLR and mirrorless cameras and lens kits. The fee is 15% of the purchase price if the item is opened. Point-and-shoot cameras and action cameras are not listed in the restocking fee policy and follow the standard no-fee return process.
Does Best Buy charge a restocking fee for laptops?
No. Laptops and computers are not in Best Buy's restocking fee category. You can return an opened laptop within the standard return window (15 days for standard members, 60 days for Plus/Total members) without a restocking fee.
Does Best Buy waive restocking fees for Plus members?
No. My Best Buy Plus and Total memberships extend the return window to 60 days but do not waive restocking fees. The same $45 fee on phones and 15% fee on cameras/drones applies to all membership tiers.
Official Best Buy restocking fee policy: Best Buy Return & Exchange Policy. Policy details can change; verify before your return.
Decide before you open the box
The restocking fee only applies to opened items. UnBuy tracks your Best Buy return deadline from day one, so you always know how many days you have left to decide.
Bought something at Best Buy? Track your deadline.
UnBuy will scan your receipts, calculate every return deadline, and send you a reminder before time runs out. Coming soon for iOS.
Get notified when the app launches:
Get policy change alerts
We'll email you when major retailers update their return policies or holiday windows open.
Related
See something outdated? Let us know