Quick answer
Best Buy refunds take 3–7 business days for credit and debit cards, counted from when Best Buy processes the return, not when you dropped it off or shipped it. Gift card credit is instant. Weekends don't count.
Refund time by payment method
| Payment method | Refund time |
|---|---|
| Credit card | 3–7 business days From when Best Buy processes the return, not when you shipped |
| Debit card | 3–7 business days Check (debit) cards can take up to 10 business days at some banks |
| PayPal | 1–3 business days to balance Credit posts to PayPal balance within 1–3 days. Withdrawing to your bank adds 1–3 more. Some users report holds up to 30 days. Contact PayPal if it exceeds 10 business days. |
| Best Buy gift card | Instant Issued at time of return, in-store or via email for online returns |
| Cash | Immediate In-store cash returns only; online cash purchases refund to gift card |
| Best Buy financing / credit | 3–7 business days Citibank-issued Best Buy cards follow credit card processing timelines |
Why your Best Buy refund might be delayed
Weekends and holidays don't count
Business days exclude Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays. A return processed Friday won't start the refund clock until Monday.
Mail return not yet received
For online returns shipped back, Best Buy's refund timer starts when they receive and process the package, not when you dropped it off. Allow 7–10 business days after the carrier scans it.
Bank holding the credit
If Best Buy shows "refund issued" but you don't see it yet, your bank is holding it. This is especially common with debit cards. Contact your bank with the refund reference number.
Restocking fee deduction
If a restocking fee applies ($45 for phones, 15% for cameras/drones), it's deducted from the refund before processing. This can create a mismatch in expected amounts.
Marketplace seller, not Best Buy
Items sold by third-party sellers on BestBuy.com are handled by those sellers. Their refund timelines can be different. Check who "Sold by" was on your order.
Post-holiday return volume
January, post-Prime Day, and post-Black Friday periods can slow processing by a few additional business days due to high return volume.
If your refund hasn't arrived: step-by-step
- 1Check your Best Buy account or order confirmation email for a "refund issued" status and the date it was processed.
- 2Wait the full window (7 business days for credit card, 10 for debit) before escalating. Weekends don't count.
- 3If the status says "refund issued" but it hasn't posted, contact your bank first. Provide the refund reference number from Best Buy.
- 4If Best Buy hasn't issued the refund at all, contact Best Buy customer service (1-888-237-8289) with your order number and return tracking.
- 5If unresolved after 15+ business days, file a dispute with your credit card issuer. Keep your return receipt and tracking confirmation as evidence.
Common questions
How long does a Best Buy refund take?
Best Buy refunds take 3–7 business days for credit cards and most debit cards from the date the return is processed. PayPal refunds post within 1–3 business days to your PayPal balance. Gift card refunds are instant. The clock starts when Best Buy confirms the return, not when you mailed the item.
How long does a Best Buy credit card refund take?
Credit card refunds from Best Buy typically post within 3–7 business days. Best Buy processes the credit on their end within 1–2 days, but your card issuer controls when it actually appears on your statement. Most cards post within 5 days.
How long does a Best Buy debit card refund take?
Debit card (check card) refunds from Best Buy take 3–7 business days in most cases, but can take up to 10 business days depending on your bank. ACH processing for debit refunds is slower than credit card networks. If it's been more than 10 business days, contact your bank with the refund reference number.
Why is my Best Buy refund taking so long?
The most common reasons: the return is still in transit to Best Buy's warehouse, Best Buy hasn't processed the inspection yet, or your bank is holding the credit. If Best Buy shows "refund issued," the delay is your bank's. Contact them directly. Post-holiday periods can also slow things by a few days.
Does Best Buy refund to the original payment method?
Yes. Best Buy refunds to the original payment method used at purchase. If you paid by credit card, the refund goes back to that card. If you paid by gift card, you receive a new gift card. Cash purchases refunded in-store are returned as cash; cash purchases made online typically refund to a Best Buy gift card.
Can I get an instant refund from Best Buy?
Not for card payments. Those go through standard banking processing. You can get an instant refund by choosing Best Buy gift card credit instead of returning to your original payment method. In-store cash returns are also immediate.
Official Best Buy return policy: Best Buy Return & Exchange Policy. Policy details can change; verify before your return.
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