Best Buy Return Policy 2025: Avoid Mistakes and have Stress-Free Tech Returns

Worried your new tech might not be the right fit? The Best Buy return policy in 2025 gives shoppers a fair window for refunds—but it depends on what you bought. This guide breaks down timelines, member perks, restocking fees, and which items can’t be returned, so you can shop confidently and return without stress.

Key takeaways

  • Best Buy’s standard return window is 15 days for most products.
  • My Best Buy Plus™ and My Best Buy Total™ members enjoy a 60-day return window for most items.
  • Activatable devices (phones, tablets, wearables) have a 14-day return window for all customers.

What is the Best Buy Return Policy?

Return Windows by Membership LevelMost Products:

  • Standard Members: 15 days
  • My Best Buy Plus™ & My Best Buy Total™ Members: 60 days

 

Activatable Devices*:

  • Standard Members: 14 days
  • My Best Buy Plus™ & My Best Buy Total™ Members: 14 days

 

Major Appliances:

  • Standard Members: 15 days
  • My Best Buy Plus™ & My Best Buy Total™ Members: 15 days

 

Verizon Devices**:

  • Standard Members: 30 days
  • My Best Buy Plus™ & My Best Buy Total™ Members: 30 days

 

*Activatable devices include cell phones, cellular tablets, mobile hotspots, and cellular wearables.
**Verizon activatable devices have a 30-day return period for all customers.

  • The return period begins on the day you receive your product.
  • Holiday purchases do not have extended return windows; the same policy applies year-round.

Return Conditions and Requirements

General Condition Requirements

  • Items must be in like-new condition.
  • All original packaging, accessories, and manuals should be included.
  • Apparel must be unworn, unwashed, and have original tags attached.
  • Opened items that interact with bodily fluids (e.g., health products) are not returnable.
  • Missing packaging or accessories may result in a deduction from your refund.

 

Exceptions and Special Cases

  • Damaged, defective, or incorrect items can be returned within the standard return window for a replacement or refund.
  • If you receive a damaged item, contact Best Buy immediately to arrange a return or replacement.

Best Buy was originally founded in 1966 as Sound of Music, a small audio specialty store in St. Paul, Minnesota. It rebranded to Best Buy in 1983.

Proof of Purchase: What You Need

Accepted Forms of Proof

  • Original receipt (paper or digital)
  • Packing slip (for shipped items)
  • Order confirmation email
  • The credit card used for the purchase
  • Valid photo ID (for in-store returns)
  • My Best Buy account lookup (for members)

 

Returns Without Proof of Purchase

  • Returns lacking proof of purchase may be denied, limited, or require an email address.
  • State sales taxes and fees may not be reimbursed for returns without proof.
  • My Best Buy members can access digital receipts via their account.
  • Gift returns with a gift receipt will be refunded as store credit.

Non-returnable and Final Sale Items

Some items are not eligible for return or exchange under any circumstances. These include:

  • Custom or personalized orders
  • Items marked as Final Sale
  • Non-subscription digital content (including digital gaming, except Microsoft Office)
  • Prepaid cards (including third-party gift cards and prepaid phone cards)
  • Vehicle replacement key fobs
  • Memberships and completed services
  • Trading cards (e.g., Pokémon cards)
  • Products with 300+ watt hour capacity (e.g., certain batteries)
  • Golf carts, utility terrain vehicles, plumbing items
  • Opened products that interact with bodily fluids
  • Opened SIM kits, LEGO products, consumable items (batteries, cleaning agents, oils, fuel, filters, health supplements, health test kits, ink, 3D printer filament)
  • Delivered home standby generators, delivered whole home backup

 

Defective Final Sale Items:
If a final sale item is defective, contact Best Buy for possible repair or replacement options.

How to Start a Best Buy Return

In-Store Returns

  1. Gather the item, all original packaging, accessories, and proof of purchase.
  2. Bring a valid photo ID and the credit card used for the purchase.
  3. Visit any Best Buy store and present your items to the customer service desk.
  4. The associate will inspect your return, process your refund or exchange, and provide a receipt.

 

Online Returns (Mail-In)

  1. Log in to your Best Buy account and locate your order.
  2. Select the item to return and print a prepaid UPS shipping label.
  3. Pack the item securely with all original packaging and accessories.
  4. Include the packing slip and indicate the reason for return.
  5. Drop the package at an authorized UPS location.
  6. Track your return via your Best Buy account.

 

Special Cases

  • For major appliances, inspect upon delivery. If damage is found after accepting delivery, call Best Buy at 1-888-BEST BUY.
  • Hazardous materials and heavy items may have special return instructions.

Best Buy Refund Policy

How Refunds Are Issued

  • Refunds are generally processed to the original payment method.
  • If the purchase was made with a gift card, the refund is credited back to the gift card.
  • Cash purchases over $800, check payments over $250, or debit card purchases without a major credit card logo are refunded by check within 10 business days.

 

Refund Timeline

  • Most refunds are processed within 7–10 business days after the return is accepted.
  • Refunds for mail-in returns may take longer due to shipping and processing times.
  • Original shipping fees are typically nonrefundable unless the return is due to a Best Buy error or a defective product.

 

Restocking Fees

  • $45 restocking fee for activatable devices (excluding prepaid phones).
  • 15% restocking fee for drones, digital cameras, camera lenses, camcorders, electric bikes, mopeds, scooters, mobility devices, projectors, premium cold tubs, premium saunas, and special-order products.
  • No restocking fee for unopened items or in certain states (AL, CO, HI, IA, MS, OH, OK, SC).

“I still remember saving up to buy my first stereo from Best Buy. That place felt like Disneyland for anyone into gadgets.”
– Jimmy Fallon, comedian and television host

Return Policy Full Breakdown

  • Best Buy’s standard return window is 15 days for most products.
  • My Best Buy Plus™ and My Best Buy Total™ members enjoy a 60-day return window for most items.
  • Activatable devices (phones, tablets, wearables) have a 14-day return window for all customers.
  • Items must be in like-new condition, with all packaging and accessories.
  • Proof of purchase is required for all returns; My Best Buy members can access digital receipts.
  • Returns are accepted both in-store and by mail, with free shipping for online returns using a prepaid label.
  • Some items, including custom orders, digital content, and products interacting with bodily fluids, are nonreturnable.
  • Restocking fees apply to select categories; check before returning.
  • Refunds are issued to the original payment method, typically within 7–10 business days.
  • Gift returns with a gift receipt are refunded as store credit.
  • Missing packaging or accessories may result in a deduction from your refund.
  • Purchases made with cash, check, or certain debit cards may be refunded by check.
  • Major appliances should be inspected upon delivery; call Best Buy if issues arise after acceptance.
  • Best Buy tracks return activity and may limit returns for suspected abuse.
  • Holiday purchases follow the same return policy as regular purchases.
  • Always check the specific return policy for your product category before purchasing.

Best Buy Return policy FAQs

Most products can be returned within 15 days; My Best Buy Plus™ and Total™ members have 60 days for most items.

Custom orders, personalized items, digital content, prepaid cards, memberships, trading cards, and opened health-related products are nonreturnable.

Yes, any online or in-store purchase can be returned to any Best Buy store.

Yes, but packing slips, order confirmation emails, or My Best Buy account lookup are also accepted.

Yes, certain items such as activatable devices and select electronics have restocking fees.

With a gift receipt, you’ll receive store credit. Without a receipt, returns may be denied or limited.

Refunds are typically processed within 7–10 business days after the return is accepted.

Returns without proof of purchase may be denied or limited. My Best Buy members can access digital receipts online.

Shipping fees are usually nonrefundable unless the return is due to a Best Buy error or defective item.

If you lack proof of purchase, the item is not in like-new condition, or if your return activity is flagged as excessive.

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