UsersRatedHeads Up: 15% Fee on Certain Returns
Best Buy charges a 15% restocking fee on returns of certain high-value electronics. This fee is deducted from your refund — it's not a separate charge. On a $1,000 laptop, you'd get $850 back instead of $1,000.
Key exception: My Best Buy+ and My Best Buy Total members pay no restocking fee on any return.
Which Products Have a Restocking Fee?
Best Buy's 15% restocking fee applies to:
Products with No Restocking Fee
Most products at Best Buy do NOT have a restocking fee:
- ✓Most small appliances
- ✓Headphones & earbuds (unopened)
- ✓Gaming consoles & games
- ✓Smart home devices (unopened)
- ✓Kitchen appliances
- ✓Fitness equipment
- ✓Musical instruments
- ✓Furniture & home goods
- ✓CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays (unopened)
- ✓Most accessories (cases, cables, etc.)
Restocking Fee Calculator
Here's what the 15% fee looks like at different price points:
| Item Price | Restocking Fee (15%) | Refund (Non-Member) | Refund (Member) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 | $30 | $170 | $200 |
| $400 | $60 | $340 | $400 |
| $600 | $90 | $510 | $600 |
| $800 | $120 | $680 | $800 |
| $1,000 | $150 | $850 | $1,000 |
| $1,500 | $225 | $1,275 | $1,500 |
| $2,000 | $300 | $1,700 | $2,000 |
Membership Tiers & Restocking Fee Benefits
No Membership
Cost
Free
Return Window
15 days
Restocking Fee
15% restocking fee
My Best Buy (Free Loyalty)
FreeCost
Free
Return Window
15 days
Restocking Fee
15% restocking fee
My Best Buy+
RecommendedCost
$49.99/year
Return Window
60 days
Restocking Fee
No restocking fee
My Best Buy Total
Best Value for Heavy UsersCost
$179.99/year
Return Window
60 days
Restocking Fee
No restocking fee + Geek Squad support
How to Avoid Best Buy's Restocking Fee
- 1Get My Best Buy+ membership. At $49.99/year, it pays for itself the first time you avoid a restocking fee on a $335+ item. You also get 60-day returns.
- 2Report defects clearly. If the product doesn't work as advertised, document it and explain to customer service. Defective items often get fee waivers.
- 3Ask for a manager. Front-line associates have less flexibility. Managers can waive restocking fees at their discretion, especially for loyal customers.
- 4Return quickly. Returning on day 1 or 2 (vs. day 14) signals that something is genuinely wrong, which gives you more leverage when asking for a fee waiver.
- 5Consider an exchange instead. If you want a different model rather than a refund, Best Buy may process it as an exchange and waive the restocking fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Best Buy charge a restocking fee?
Yes. Best Buy charges a 15% restocking fee on returns of certain products including laptops, tablets, drones, DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, and similar items. TVs may also have a restocking fee. My Best Buy+ and Total members are exempt from restocking fees.
How much is Best Buy's restocking fee?
Best Buy's restocking fee is 15% of the item's purchase price. For a $1,000 laptop, that's $150. For a $600 tablet, that's $90. The fee is deducted from your refund at the time of return.
How can I avoid Best Buy's restocking fee?
The most reliable way is to become a My Best Buy+ ($49.99/yr) or My Best Buy Total ($179.99/yr) member — both tiers waive all restocking fees. You can also try asking a manager for a fee waiver, particularly if the product had a defect or the return is within a day or two of purchase.
Which products have a restocking fee at Best Buy?
Products with a 15% restocking fee include: laptops, tablets, e-readers, drone/UAVs, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, projectors, camcorders, and some other specialty electronics. Cell phones and smartphones (non-carrier locked) also have a restocking fee. TVs may be subject to fees as well.
Is there a restocking fee if the product is defective?
If a product is defective — meaning it doesn't work as advertised — Best Buy should waive the restocking fee. Document the defect clearly and explain it to the customer service associate. If they won't waive it, ask for a manager.
Do open box items at Best Buy have a restocking fee?
Open Box items from Best Buy are already discounted and typically do not have an additional restocking fee on return. The return process for Open Box items is the same as for new items, with the same membership-based benefits.