Best Buy return policy explained

Last checked: October 31, 2026. Independent summary — not affiliated with Best Buy.

Best Buy’s standard return clock is short: 15 days from the day you receive the product for most items, unless you have My Best Buy Plus™ or My Best Buy Total™ (generally 60 days on eligible Best Buy–sold purchases). Activatable devices keep a tighter window. Holiday 2026 dates stretch many purchases into mid- or late January 2027 — with important carve-outs.

Standard return window

Outside the holiday table, Best Buy states that for purchases before Oct 30, 2026 and after Dec 31, 2026:

Day 1 is the date you acquire/receive the product. The policy covers new, clearance, open-box, refurbished, and pre-owned products sold/shipped by Best Buy across Best Buy, Outlet, Pacific Sales, Magnolia, Education, and Business (vendor-direct in-store purchases follow the vendor’s policy). Marketplace products generally follow the same standard return period unless noted, but Plus/Total extended member timeframes do not apply to Marketplace.

Activatable devices include cell phones, cellular tablets, mobile hotspots, and cellular wearables. Verizon activatable devices have a 30-day return period for all customers per Best Buy’s disclosure.

Some categories get longer non-holiday windows for everyone: litter boxes 90 days; pet training devices and hearing aids 60 days (hearing amplifiers stay on the standard 15-day policy). Holiday decorations categories: 15 days even for members.

Exceptions, fees, and non-returnables

Restocking fees (if the product is opened; none if unopened, or in AL, CO, HI, IA, MS, OH, OK, SC, and where prohibited):

• Activatable devices (excluding prepaid phones): $45
• Drones, digital cameras, lenses, camcorders/action cameras, golf launch monitors, certain scooters/wheelchairs, recovery systems, projectors/screens, premium cold tubs/saunas, special-order products: 15% of purchase price

Nonreturnable once purchased (Best Buy & Marketplace examples): custom/personalized orders; Final Sale; non-subscription digital content (digital gaming excluding Microsoft Office); codes/prepaid cards; vehicle key fobs; memberships; trading cards; products ≥300 Wh; golf carts/UTVs; e-bikes/mopeds; plumbing items.

Nonreturnable once opened examples: products that interact with bodily fluids; SIM kits; LEGO; completed services; certain delivered generators/backup systems; Marketplace entertainment physical media; many consumables.

Items must be returned in like-new condition with major contents/packaging; damaged, unsanitary, or incomplete returns may be denied. Unlink cloud accounts and wipe data on connected devices. Carrier-contract phones: you are responsible for canceling service.

Member perks

My Best Buy Plus and Total members get the 60-day return window on most eligible Best Buy–sold products (not Marketplace; not activatable devices, which stay at 14 days except Verizon’s 30). Membership does not remove restocking fees or non-returnable rules.

Holiday extensions (2026)

Purchases made Oct 30 through Dec 31, 2026 have an extended return period through January 15, 2027 for most Best Buy purchases, excluding items purchased with a third-party contract (e.g., activatable devices and AppleCare+ plans) and holiday decorations. Other exclusions (restocking fees, non-returnables, etc.) still apply.

Receipt rules

Bring packing slip or receipt and the payment card when possible. Returns lacking proof of purchase may be store credit only, limited or denied, and may omit tax/fee reimbursement. Mail refunds generally process within 7–10 business days after receipt, then bank timing applies.

How to return

1. Store: Return Best Buy–sold in-store or online purchases to any Best Buy store (Marketplace: many non-truck items also accepted in store except Puerto Rico / Pacific Sales limitations).
2. Mail: Print a prepaid FedEx label from your Best Buy account (free return shipping on eligible items). Exclusions include major appliances, TVs over 50", kegerators, SodaStream makers, and some battery/hazmat limits.
3. Major appliances / truck delivery: Inspect before accepting; call 1-888-BEST BUY for return/pickup — do not start at the store for those paths. Marketplace truck items: coordinate pickup with the seller via your account.

FAQ

Not affiliated with Best Buy. Trust BestBuy.com over this summary. Last checked Oct 31, 2026.