The Fine Print: Best Buy's Return Policy & Price Match Exceptions

Best Buy offers some of the best return policies and price match guarantees in retail — provided you understand the fine print. With the introduction of the tiered "My Best Buy" membership program, the rules have become a labyrinth of exceptions.

Here is a breakdown of the most common traps consumers fall into when trying to return an item or get a price match at Best Buy.

Trap #1: The "Activatable Devices" Loophole

Best Buy advertises a generous 60-day return window for their My Best Buy Plus™ and My Best Buy Total™ members (standard members get 15 days).

However, there is a massive exception to this rule: Activatable Devices.

No matter what membership tier you pay for, the following devices have a strict 14-day return window:

• Cell phones
• Cellular tablets
• Mobile hotspots
• Cellular wearables (like LTE Apple Watches)

Note: There is a minor exception for Verizon devices, which sometimes carry a 30-day window depending on Best Buy's carrier agreement at the time of purchase.

If you buy an iPhone as a My Best Buy Total member and try to return it on day 20, you will be denied, regardless of your premium membership status.

Trap #2: The Hidden Restocking Fees

Returning an opened electronics item to Best Buy is not always free. If the item has been opened, Best Buy imposes hefty restocking fees on specific categories of items.

The 15% Restocking Fee If you open the box, you will lose 15% of the purchase price if you return:

• Drones
• Digital cameras and camera lenses
• Camcorders and action cameras
• Projectors and projector screens
• Premium scooters, e-bikes, and electric wheelchairs
• Golf launch monitors

The $45 Restocking Fee If you open and activate an "Activatable Device" (like a cell phone or LTE smartwatch), you will be charged a flat $45 restocking fee upon return (excluding prepaid phones).

How to avoid it: Restocking fees are not charged if the product is unopened. Furthermore, Best Buy does not charge restocking fees where prohibited by law. As of 2026, residents of AL, CO, HI, IA, MS, OH, OK, and SC are exempt from these fees.

Trap #3: The Price Match Dead Zone

Best Buy's Price Match Guarantee is fantastic: they will match Amazon, Walmart, Target, and other major retailers at the time of purchase, or refund you the difference if the price drops within your return window (15 or 60 days, depending on your membership).

However, there is a massive "Dead Zone" explicitly written into their policy.

Best Buy will NOT match competitor prices from the Thursday before Thanksgiving through the Monday after Thanksgiving.

If you buy a TV on November 15th, and Amazon drops the price on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving), Best Buy will not refund you the difference under their Price Match Guarantee, even though you are within your return window.

Caveat: While they won't match a competitor during this weekend, if Best Buy lowers its OWN price on an item you already bought, they generally will honor a price adjustment for their own price drop.

Trap #4: The "Nonreturnable" List

Do not assume everything can be returned. Best Buy classifies the following items as nonreturnable, meaning all sales are final the moment the transaction completes:

• Custom or personalized orders
• Digital content (downloads, digital games, activation codes)
• Prepaid cards (gift cards, gaming network cards, prepaid phone cards)
• Opened consumable items (batteries, printer ink, cleaning supplies, water filters)
• Plumbing items (like bidets) once they have left the store

How to Protect Yourself

1. Keep the box sealed: If you aren't 100% sure you are keeping a drone, camera, or projector, do not break the seal. Opening it instantly costs you 15% of the purchase price.
2. Check the receipt immediately: Best Buy prints the exact final return date for every specific item on the receipt. Do not assume your 60-day membership applies to everything in your bag.
3. Time your price matches: If you see a competitor drop their price near the holidays, request the price match before the Thursday prior to Thanksgiving.

This guide is for informational purposes only. Retail policies are subject to change without notice. Always review Best Buy's official Return & Exchange Promise and Price Match Guarantee on BestBuy.com or your purchase receipt for the legally binding terms of your transaction.