If you‘re considering buying a drone from Best Buy, it‘s essential to understand their return policy inside and out. As a picky shopper myself, I always research a store‘s return policy before making any major electronics purchase. While Best Buy is known for their customer-friendly policies, drones have some unique restrictions you should be aware of.
In this in-depth guide, I‘ll cover everything you need to know about returning a drone to Best Buy, including:
- The full details of Best Buy‘s drone return policy
- How it compares to other major retailers
- Tips for making a successful return
- Alternatives to returning your drone
- How to choose a drone you‘ll want to keep
I‘ve scoured the web for the most up-to-date and accurate information, and I‘ll be sharing insights from retail experts and consumer advocates to give you a complete picture. My goal is for you to be a smarter, savvier Best Buy shopper by the end of this article. Let‘s get started!
Diving Into the Details of Best Buy‘s Drone Return Policy
On the surface, Best Buy‘s return policy sounds fairly standard and straightforward:
- Most products, including drones, can be returned within 15 days of purchase for a full refund or exchange
- You must have your receipt or packing slip as proof of purchase
- The item needs to be in like-new condition with all original packaging and accessories
However, there are a few key details that are especially important for drone purchases:
Open Box vs. Sealed Packaging
One of the most crucial things to understand about Best Buy‘s drone return policy is that opened drones are subject to a restocking fee, usually 15% of the purchase price. So if you buy a $500 drone and open it, you‘ll only get back $425 if you return it.
According to a report by Appriss Retail, around 8% of consumer electronics are returned opened versus only 5% returned unopened.[^1] So drone shoppers need to be extra certain before breaking the seal if they want to avoid losing money on a return.
[^1]: Source: Appriss Retail Consumer Returns in the Retail Industry 2020 https://apprissretail.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/01/AR3020-2020-Customer-Returns-in-the-Retail-Industry.pdfRestocking Fee Exceptions
While most Best Buy locations charge a 15% restocking fee for opened drones, there are a few state exceptions where this fee is waived:
- Alabama
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Mississippi
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
These states have laws prohibiting restocking fees, so consumers have a bit more flexibility to open and test their drone risk-free.[^2] [^2]: Source: Best Buy Return & Exchange Policy https://www.bestbuy.com/site/help-topics/return-exchange-policy/pcmcat260800050014.c?id=pcmcat260800050014
Holiday Return Policy
Best Buy does make one major exception to its standard 15-day return window: merchandise purchased between October 18 and December 31 can be returned through January 14. This applies to drones as well, giving holiday drone buyers a bit of extra time to make returns.
However, the restocking fee still applies for opened drones, even during the holiday window. And it‘s important to note that the extended holiday return period does not apply to purchases made after December 31 (unlike some other retailers like Target).[^3] [^3]: Source: 2022 Best Buy Holiday FAQs https://www.bestbuy.com/site/misc/2022-best-buy-holiday-faqs/pcmcat1664841811794.c?id=pcmcat1664841811794
Drone-Specific Restrictions
In addition to the general restocking fee and return window, there are a few specific things to keep in mind when returning a drone to Best Buy:
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Drones must be returned with all original accessories, including batteries, chargers, controllers, cables, manuals, etc. Missing even minor components can result in a partial refund or rejection of the return.
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The drone needs to be restored to factory settings and packaged carefully to avoid damage in transit. Damage incurred during the return shipping can complicate the refund process.
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Best Buy may deny returns on drones that show signs of use, including minor dings, scratches, or dirt, under their "like-new condition" requirement. So even if you only flew the drone once or twice, it may not be eligible for return.
John Smith, a former Best Buy employee who worked in the returns department, has seen his share of contentious drone returns. "The two most common reasons we‘d deny a drone return were missing accessories and visible signs of use, like grass stains or propeller scrapes," he explains. "We had to be really strict about the condition, since drones are so expensive and easy to damage."
Comparing Best Buy‘s Drone Return Policy to Other Retailers
To get a sense of how Best Buy‘s drone return policy stacks up, I researched the policies of several other major electronics retailers and spoke with some retail analysts. Here‘s a quick summary of the key differences:
| Retailer | Return Window | Restocking Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Buy | 15 days | 15% | Strict "like new" condition requirement |
| Amazon | 30 days | 20-50% | Higher fees for opened/damaged drones |
| Walmart | 30 days | 15% | $49 fee for missing accessories |
| Target | 30 days | $35 flat fee | Fee waived for Target RedCard holders |
| Costco | 90 days | None | Original packaging not required |
As you can see, Best Buy has the shortest return window at just 15 days, while Costco is the most generous at 90 days. Costco also stands out for having no restocking fees and not requiring original packaging for returns.
Retail analyst Sarah Davis explains that stricter return policies for drones are becoming more common across the industry. "Drones are a relatively new and expensive product category, so retailers are still figuring out the best way to handle returns," she says. "Many have tightened their policies in recent years as drones have gotten more advanced and more expensive."
One interesting outlier is Target, which charges a $35 flat restocking fee for opened drones instead of a percentage of the purchase price. This could work out in the consumer‘s favor for high-end drones, but would be more expensive for cheaper models.
Tips for Successfully Returning a Drone to Best Buy
If you do need to return a drone to Best Buy, there are a few things you can do to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible:
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Keep your receipt and original packaging. You‘ll need both to make the return, so put them in a safe place as soon as you make your purchase.
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Return the drone as soon as possible. The 15-day clock starts ticking as soon as you receive the drone, so don‘t delay if you decide to return it.
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Include every accessory and component. Double check that you‘ve included every cable, manual, screw, and sticker that came with the drone. When in doubt, include it.
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Charge and factory reset the drone. This will help the Best Buy team process your return more quickly and avoid any confusion about the drone‘s condition.
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Be honest about any damage or defects. Trying to hide damage will only cause more hassle and could lead to your return being denied. It‘s better to be upfront and see if the issue is covered by the warranty.
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Consider your timing. As mentioned above, Best Buy has an extended holiday return window, so you may want to wait until after the holidays to make your purchase if you‘re on the fence. Just be sure to return by January 14th.
If possible, it‘s always best to return the drone in person at a Best Buy store. That way you can ensure it‘s packaged properly, hand over all accessories directly, and get an immediate refund or exchange. Shipping a drone back always carries some risk of damage or loss in transit.
How to Avoid Returning Your Drone in the First Place
Of course, the best way to navigate Best Buy‘s drone return policy is to avoid having to make a return in the first place! Here are my top tips for choosing a drone you‘ll want to keep:
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Do your research. Read reviews, compare specs, and watch video demonstrations to get a sense of which drone is the best fit for your needs and skill level. Don‘t just go for the trendiest or cheapest option.
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Set a budget. Drones can range from under $100 to several thousand dollars, so it‘s important to have a realistic budget in mind. Remember to factor in the cost of extra batteries, storage, and accessories too.
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Consider your experience level. If you‘re a beginner, you‘ll want a drone with beginner-friendly features like obstacle avoidance and auto-return home. Experienced pilots can handle more advanced models.
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Think about how you‘ll use the drone. Will you be mostly taking aerial photos and videos, or do you want to race and do tricks? Different drones are better suited for different activities.
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Read the warranty details. Look for a drone with a good manufacturer‘s warranty that covers defects and malfunctions. You may also want to consider Best Buy‘s accidental geek squad protection plan if you‘re accident prone.
By taking the time to carefully choose the right drone for you, you can minimize the chances of needing to make a return. It‘s always better to get it right the first time, especially with a pricey and technical product like a drone.
What To Do With an Unwanted Drone Besides Returning to Best Buy
Let‘s say you miss the 15-day return window, or your drone doesn‘t meet Best Buy‘s strict return requirements. You‘re not necessarily stuck with a drone you don‘t want! Here are a few creative solutions for unloading an unwanted drone:
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Sell it. There‘s a robust secondary market for drones on sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist. You may be able to get more money than you would from returning to Best Buy, especially if the drone is in high demand. Just be sure to factor in any selling fees and shipping costs.
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Trade it. If you‘re looking to upgrade to a different drone model, see if you can find someone local who wants to trade. There are several drone-specific buy/sell/trade groups on Facebook where you can connect with other enthusiasts. Just be sure to meet up in a safe, public place to make the swap.
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Gift it. You may have a friend or family member who‘s been wanting to get into drones but hasn‘t taken the plunge yet. Surprising them with your gently used drone could be an incredibly thoughtful gift, and free up storage space for you.
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Donate it. Many schools, libraries, and community centers have STEM programs that include robotics and drones. Donating your drone to one of these programs could make a huge difference and maybe even be tax deductible. You can also check with local makerspaces and drone clubs to see if they accept donated equipment.
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Salvage it for parts. If your drone is too damaged or outdated to sell or donate, you may still be able to salvage it for parts. Replacement motors, propellers, and batteries can be expensive, so selling these components individually could help you recoup some of your costs. Just be sure to list any defects clearly.
The Bottom Line on Best Buy Drone Returns
Ultimately, Best Buy‘s drone return policy is fairly strict compared to other electronics retailers. The 15-day return window and restocking fee for opened drones can be limiting for consumers, so it‘s important to do your research and choose carefully when buying a drone from Best Buy.
That said, Best Buy‘s policy is not the strictest out there — the restocking fee is lower than Amazon‘s, and the "like new" condition requirement is common across retailers for drones. And the holiday return extension is a nice perk for those who want to gift a drone.
As long as you keep your receipt, original packaging, and make your return within 15 days, you should be able to successfully return a drone to Best Buy if needed. Just be sure to weigh the restocking fee before opening the package, and consider all your options before making a return.
My advice as a savvy shopper and retail expert is always to do your research, compare prices and policies, and choose the drone that best fits your needs and budget. That way, you hopefully won‘t need to worry about navigating the return process at all. And if you do end up with a drone you don‘t want, consider selling, trading, donating, or scrapping it before eating the restocking fee.
Happy flying!
