Are you considering buying a new laptop from Best Buy? One critical factor many shoppers overlook is the store‘s return policy – what happens if you need to bring the laptop back?
Best Buy is known for their competitive prices on top laptop brands like Apple, Dell, HP, and more. But how does their return policy stack up? In this ultimate guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about returning laptops and MacBooks to Best Buy, from eligibility requirements to little-known tips that can make or break your experience.
Whether you‘re a first-time buyer or a longtime Best Buy customer, understanding the ins and outs of their laptop return policy can help you shop smarter and avoid headaches down the road. Let‘s get started!
Best Buy Laptop Return Policy: The Basics
First, let‘s review the key points of Best Buy‘s return policy for laptops and computers:
- Return window: Best Buy allows returns on most laptops within 15 days of purchase for standard members. My Best Buy Elite members get 30 days, and Elite Plus members get 45 days.
- Opened/used items: In most cases, you can return a laptop even if you‘ve opened the box and used it. Best Buy understands you may need to test the device before deciding to keep it.
- Proof of purchase: Best Buy requires a receipt or packing slip for returns in most cases. If you don‘t have one, they may be able to look it up using your credit card or My Best Buy account.
- Condition: The laptop should be returned in "like new" condition with all original parts and accessories. Excessive damage or missing components can result in denial of return.
- Custom orders: Laptops that were custom-configured to your specs may not be eligible for return, so check this before ordering.
So how does this stack up to other retailers? Here‘s a quick comparison of general laptop return windows:
| Retailer | Standard Return Window |
|---|---|
| Best Buy | 15 days |
| Amazon | 30 days |
| Walmart | 30 days |
| Costco | 90 days |
| Apple Store | 14 days |
As you can see, Best Buy‘s default 15-day window is on the shorter side. However, their Elite membership tiers offer more competitive timeframes (more on those later).
It‘s also worth noting that Best Buy doesn‘t charge restocking fees for laptop returns, which is a big plus. Some competitors like Apple and Amazon can charge up to 15% for open-box returns, so this is a significant policy difference.
Laptop Return Eligibility: The Fine Print
Now let‘s dig into the specifics of what does and doesn‘t qualify for return when it comes to laptops at Best Buy. To be eligible, a laptop return must meet the following criteria:
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Timeframe: The return must be initiated within the 15/30/45 day window based on your membership tier. This window begins on the date of purchase.
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Proof of purchase: You‘ll need to present either the original receipt, the packing slip if you ordered online, or the credit/debit card used to make the purchase. If you have none of these, Best Buy may still be able to look up the purchase using your My Best Buy account.
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Condition: The laptop must be returned in "like new" condition. This typically means:
- No major scratches, cracks, or dents
- All original parts and accessories included
- No missing keys, ports, or components
- Hard drive wiped of personal data
- Factory settings restored
If the laptop shows signs of physical damage or is missing essential parts, Best Buy reserves the right to deny the return. They may also refuse the return if the laptop hasn‘t been reset to factory settings, as this can be a security/privacy issue.
According to a 2020 report by the National Retail Federation, around 10% of electronics purchases are returned on average. Best Buy‘s annual return rate is estimated to be slightly lower at 7-8%, likely due in part to their shorter return window for laptops.
Best Buy‘s MacBook Return Policy
MacBooks are some of the most sought-after laptops at Best Buy, so let‘s take a closer look at how the return policy applies to them:
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Open-box/refurbished MacBooks: Best Buy often sells discounted MacBooks that are open-box (returned by another customer) or refurbished. The return window on these may be shorter than for brand new models, so check with customer service before purchasing if you want the option to return.
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AppleCare+: If you purchase AppleCare+ with your MacBook, you can return the plan and get a full refund within the standard 15/30/45 day window. After that, you can still cancel the plan and get a prorated refund based on how much time is left.
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Accessories: Any Apple-branded accessories like adapters, cases, or cables that you bought with the MacBook must also be returned at the same time to receive a full refund. If you want to keep the accessories, Best Buy will deduct their retail price from the refund amount.
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Data erasure: Before returning a MacBook, make sure to sign out of iCloud and iTunes, then follow Apple‘s guide for erasing and resetting Intel-based Macs or Apple silicon models. Best Buy will not accept returns of MacBooks still containing customer data.
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Engraving: MacBooks that were personalized with custom engraving or embossing are typically not eligible for return, as this is considered a custom order. Double check with Best Buy before purchasing if you plan to add engraving and still want the ability to return the laptop.
According to a 2019 survey by Consumer Reports, MacBook Pro models had some of the lowest 2-year breakdown rates of any laptops at just 8-10%. So the odds are in your favor that you won‘t need to return a MacBook to Best Buy – but it‘s still important to understand the policy just in case.
Advanced Tips for Best Buy Laptop Returns
What if you run into a tricky situation like a lost receipt or a return that‘s past the 15/30/45 day window? Here are some advanced tips for navigating these issues:
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Lost receipts: If you can‘t find your receipt, try checking your email for a digital copy if you provided one at checkout. You can also ask a Best Buy associate to look up the purchase using your credit card or My Best Buy account number. If all else fails, Best Buy may still be able to process the return but they could deny it or offer a lower refund amount.
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Past the return window: Best Buy is fairly strict about not accepting returns past the 15/30/45 day window. However, if there are special circumstances like the product being defective or the return being delayed due to illness/travel, it‘s worth asking to speak with a manager. They may be able to make an exception on a case-by-case basis.
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Geek Squad repairs: If your laptop is malfunctioning, you may be able to get it repaired or replaced for free by Best Buy‘s Geek Squad if it‘s still under the manufacturer‘s warranty. This can be a good alternative to returning the laptop outright, especially if you‘re past the return window. Geek Squad can diagnose the issue and let you know your options.
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Price drops: What if the price of the laptop drops shortly after you buy it? Best Buy will typically price match and refund you the difference if it‘s within the return window and you have your receipt. If it‘s past the return window, you may still be able to get a price adjustment by contacting customer service, but the timeframe for this varies.
Remember, these are general tips and not guaranteed to work in every case. The best approach is always to understand the policy and keep your receipt and original packaging just in case.
The Bottom Line
All in all, Best Buy‘s laptop return policy is fairly standard for the industry, with a few key perks like waived restocking fees and the option to get a longer return window through their Elite membership program. It‘s not the most generous policy out there, but it‘s also not the most restrictive.
As a general rule of thumb, I recommend looking over the return policy before making any big electronics purchase. Understand what qualifies, what doesn‘t, and keep your receipt and packaging at least until you‘re sure you want to keep the item. If you do your research ahead of time and follow the guidelines, you should have a smooth experience should you need to make a return.
Hopefully this guide has given you a comprehensive look at Best Buy‘s return policy and how it applies to laptops and MacBooks. By understanding the ins and outs, you can shop with confidence and know what to expect if you need to bring something back.
Do you have any experience returning a laptop to Best Buy? Any other tips I didn‘t cover here? Let me know in the comments below!
