Best Buy Return Policy
Best Buy has the shortest standard window of any big-box store at 15 days, and charges a flat $45 restocking fee on opened phones.
Best Buy Return Policy
Best Buy's standard return window is 15 days, but Plus and Total members get 60 days. Activatable devices have a strict 14-day window, and restocking fees apply to phones, drones, and cameras.
Bought something at Best Buy? You have 15 days.
The UnBuy app will track your Best Buy return window and alert you before day 15. Coming soon for iOS.
Get notified when the app launches:
How Do You Return Items to Best Buy?
In Store
Bring item + accessories + receipt to Customer Service
Staff processes refund on the spot
Online
Go to BestBuy.com/returns → select item
Choose reason, print prepaid shipping label
Pack securely with all accessories and ship
Refund in 5–7 business days
Do You Need a Receipt to Return to Best Buy?
Best Buy can look up purchases via My Best Buy account, credit/debit card, or phone number
Alternative proof of purchase:
- My Best Buy account order history
- Credit/debit card lookup
- Phone number lookup
What Condition Do Items Need to Be In?
Items should be returned in like-new condition with all original packaging, accessories, and manuals. Opened items may be subject to restocking fees depending on category.
What Are Best Buy's Return Exceptions?
Not all items follow the standard 15-day rule. Review the exceptions below.
| Category | Window |
|---|---|
| Activatable devices | 14 Days |
| Apple products (for Plus/Total members) | 60 Days |
| Major appliances | 15 Days |
| Premium audio (custom installation) | See rules |
| Digital content and subscriptions | No returns |
| Opened software | No returns |
| Prepaid cards and gift cards | No returns |
| Custom-installed products | No returns |
| Completed services | No returns |
| Items marked Final Sale or non-returnable | No returns |
Does Best Buy Charge Return Fees?
Flat $45 restocking fee for opened activatable devices (phones, tablets with carrier plans, smartwatches with cellular).
Applies to: Activatable devices
15% restocking fee for opened drones, DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, lens kits, and projectors.
Applies to: Drones, cameras, projectors
What Should You Watch Out For at Best Buy?
Opened phones/tablets/watches: flat $45 restocking fee, no exceptions
Opened drones and cameras: 15% restocking fee ($180 on a $1,200 camera)
Holiday extension doesn't override 14-day phone window
Do Members or Cardholders Get Extra Return Time at Best Buy?
My Best Buy Plus members
$49.99/year membership. Extends return window to 60 days for most items including Apple products.
My Best Buy Total members
$179.99/year membership. 60-day returns plus 24/7 Geek Squad support, AppleCare, and 2-year product protection.
How Long Does a Best Buy Refund Take?
5-10 business days for credit card refunds; immediate for in-store returns
Does Best Buy Offer Price Adjustments?
Best Buy offers a Price Match Guarantee within 15 days of purchase. If the price drops at Best Buy or a qualifying competitor, you can request a refund of the difference. Best Buy matches prices from Amazon.com, Crutchfield.com, Dell.com, HP.com, Newegg.com, and Staples.com.
Conditions
- Must be within 15 days of original purchase date
- Item must be identical and currently in stock at the lower price
- Competitor must be an authorized reseller of the product
- One price match per identical item per customer
Exclusions
- Open-box, clearance, refurbished, and pre-owned items
- Deal of the Day and other limited-time offers
- Bundle offers where individual item pricing is unclear
- Marketplace, auction, or third-party seller prices
- Prices that require a membership or loyalty program to access
In-store: visit Customer Service with proof of lower price. Online: contact Best Buy by phone or chat. Competitor price matching is available both in-store and online.
Bought something at Best Buy and the price dropped? You have 15 days to request the difference back.
Missed Your Best Buy Return Deadline?
Still thinking about that return?
The average person forgets about returns until it's too late. The UnBuy app will watch every deadline for you and send a reminder while you can still act.
Coming soon for iOS. Get notified:
Get policy change alerts
We'll email you when major retailers update their return policies or holiday windows open.
Common Questions About Best Buy Returns
The Full Picture: Best Buy Returns
Best Buy's standard return window is 15 days, the shortest of any major big-box retailer. My Best Buy Plus ($49.99/year) and Total ($179.99/year) memberships extend that to 60 days, which is four times the standard window. If you buy something expensive and might want time to evaluate it, the membership can pay for itself on a single return. The catch: you had to be a member at the time of purchase. You can't join after the fact and retroactively extend a return.
Opened phones, tablets, and wearables carry a flat $45 restocking fee regardless of why you're returning them. You opened the phone, changed your mind after a week, and went to return it before day 14. You get roughly 86% of your money back, not 100%. Cameras and drones have a 15% restocking fee that adds up fast on a $1,200 mirrorless camera, costing you $180 for deciding you prefer a different brand. Both fees are waived in states that prohibit restocking fees by law (about eight states, including Ohio and Colorado).
Activatable devices like phones and cellular tablets have a strict 14-day return window that no membership tier can extend. A phone bought on December 20th needs to be back by January 3rd, even during the holiday extension. Holiday purchases from October 31 through December 31 are returnable through January 15, but that window does not override the 14-day phone deadline.
For in-store returns, the Geek Squad desk can often do more than the standard return counter. If you're experiencing a defect and the standard return agent is resistant, asking to escalate to Geek Squad for a diagnostic can sometimes open up exchange or replacement options that aren't visible in the normal return flow.
About eight states, including Ohio, Colorado, and Alabama, prohibit restocking fees entirely. If you live in one of those states, Best Buy will not charge any restocking fee on any return.
