Best Buy offers a lenient return policy to all its customers who are not 100% satisfied with their purchases from this electronics store. Additionally, the retailer manages a solid return channel for its online and brick-and-mortar stores. However, buyers often need clarification about open-box items and their returns.
What is Best Buy open-box return policy, by the way? Surprisingly, Best Buy accepts returns for open-box items. Open-box items are more luring since they are available at cheaper prices. Items labeled open-box at Best Buy mean the seal has been removed, but they are perfectly fine.
However, you must abide by a few guidelines to qualify for Best Buy’s open-box return policy. Let’s reveal what you can expect for an open-box return at Best Buy and more.
An Overview of Best Buy’s Open Box Return Policy
Can you return open-box electronics and other gadgets to Best Buy? Of course, you can because Best Buy’s return policy clearly states that customers can return open-box products within a window of 14-45 days from the purchase date.
Chances are that you are not fully satisfied with the purchase, and now, you want to return the purchase. Best Buy will accept your return request without any questions. However, you must present the 2 following things to validate your return request:
- The receipt or proof of the purchase you want to return to Best Buy
- Any certified photo identification of yours
How can you return open-box items to Best Buy? Such questions might bug you. Fortunately, Best Buy facilitates both in-store and mail returns to help you through the entire process.
According to the official site of Best Buy, you must make a return within 15 days of purchase if you are just a standard membership customer. Whereas, both Elite and Elite Plus members of Best Buy get a chance to raise a return request within 30 and 45 days, respectively, from the date of purchase.
Apart from this, Best Buy instructs its customers to return the accessories and original packaging that come along with the open-box item. Otherwise, Best Buy charges you for the compensation of the missing accessories and packaging from the refund amount.
Moreover…
Can you return anything when the Best Buy exchange policy deadline lasts? Reportedly, Best Buy permits customers to return the following items if they turn out to be unsatisfactory:
- Open-box items
- Pre-owned products
- New electronics
- Clearance sale products
- Refurbished items
Overall, Best Buy allows almost every return item and includes open-box products. So, you must initiate a return to Best Buy as long as the return or exchange period is valid.
On the other hand, customers should present proof of purchase when returning anything, including open-box items, to Best Buy. What documents are considered proof of purchase by the electronics retailer? Per se Best Buy, customers can use any of the following documents as proof of purchase:
- Original receipts
- Gift receipts
- Packing slips
- Credit card statements
Well, Best Buy instructs its customers to follow the terms and conditions to increase the chance of accepting returns. The company can deny your return request if you can’t present any proof of purchase and valid photo identification.
Furthermore, Best Buy won’t accept returns if they reach them defective, damaged, or dented.
Process to Return Items to Best Buy
How does the Best Buy open-box return policy work? Best Buy allows both via mail and in-store returns for customers’ convenience. Here’s how you can return your open-box item to the store via mail:
Best Buy’s Open Box Return Policy via Mail
You don’t have to drag your purchase to a nearby Best Buy store if you return the item through the mail. Now, you can either return the purchased item yourself or use the prepaid return label from the Best Buy website.
You can pack the item and contact a carrier for the self-initiated return. Next, fill out the Return Form on the packing slip and ship the package at your cost. Additionally, make sure that you note down the return address of Best Buy. Once Best Buy receives your shipment, the company will process the refund within 3 business days.
Alternatively, you can print Best Buy’s prepaid return shipping label and arrange a return via UPS. The best part of this mailing process is that you don’t have to pay anything upfront. However, Best Buy will deduct the shipping fees from your refund once they approve your return request.
In-Store Return
Returns to Best Buy via mail can be complicated. To avoid confusion, you can also prefer Best Buy’s in-store return policy for open-box items. Be it a purchase from a brick-and-mortar store of Best Buy or an item you bought from BestBuy.com, and you can initiate an in-store return in both situations.
Just locate a Best Buy physical store near you and take the returning open-box item to that location. So, it’s not mandatory to bring your purchase back to the same Best Buy store to get a refund or exchange. You can turn up at any store.
On a related note, the Best Buy open-box return policy expects you to carry the purchase receipt. Thus, you can volunteer a return smoothly. Besides the receipt, you can also carry your valid photo identification, packing slip, and the credit card used for the original purchase.
Restrictions on Best Buy Return Policy
Best Buy allows customers to return open-box items within 15 to 45 days of purchase, depending on their membership status. However, the Best Buy return policy doesn’t accept a few things as returns, such as:
- Final Sale items
- Digital content like downloadable games and software
- Special orders (only 85% of the original price can be refunded)
- Prepaid cards from AT&T, eBay, Nintendo, Disney, and Verizon
- Opened consumable products such as 3D printer filament and ink, batteries, etc.
In addition, Best Buy doesn’t accept damaged returns and missing major components. Previously, the retailer didn’t accept returns for Geek Squad membership. However, you can now return the membership within 14 days of purchase. After 14 days, Best Buy will pro-rate the subscription.
Moreover, you can’t raise any return or refund requests for completed services. For example, you won’t receive a refund for services already completed by Geek Squad.
On a related note, you may have to pay a restocking fee for returning selected items to Best Buy. For example, the retailer charges the following restocking charges for these items:
- Smartphones: $45
- DSLR Cameras and Lenses: 15% of the original price
- Special Order products: 15% of the purchase price
- Projectors: 15% of the original price
- Drones: 15% of the original price
- Rideables: 15% of the purchase price
What Happens if You Can’t Return an Open-Box Item with Receipts or Packaging?
According to the Best Buy open-box return policy, you can return an item by showing a valid photo ID. Otherwise, you can keep the credit card that you used for the purchase. On the other hand, Best Buy can deduct some amount from the anticipated refund if your return has missing accessories and packaging.
Best Buy stores may refund you in cash if it’s not a big purchase. Otherwise, they can send you a check for a refund if the order exceeds $800. Best Buy generally mails the check within 10 days of receiving the return shipment.
