Best Buy, one of the dominant consumer electronic stores in America, allows customers to return items and request refunds if they are unsatisfied with the purchase.
However, most consumers are often reluctant about returning items to Best Buy for the trepidation of a possible restocking fee. Most customers ask, does Best Buy charge a restocking fee? Here’s what I found out!
Key Takeaways
Does Best Buy Charge A Restocking Fee In 2022?
Best Buy does charge a restocking fee for selected items that have been opened as of 2022. For cellphones, Best Buy charges a restocking fee of $45, and for items such as drones, cameras, lenses, and projectors, Best Buy charges a 15% restocking fee of the item’s purchase price.
If you want to get more information on the restocking fees at Best Buy, including how best buy charges restocking fees and whether open box items at Best Buy attract restocking fees, keep reading!
How Much Does Best Buy Charge For Restocking Fee?
Best Buy charges restocking fees for selected items when customers return unsatisfactory purchases during the return and exchange policy.
A restocking fee of $45 applies to cellphones (except for prepaid phones), cellular wearables, and cellular tablets.
Similarly, Best Buy charges restocking fees of 15% of the item’s purchase price if you purchase and return drones, projector and projector screens, mirrorless cameras and lenses, DSLR cameras and lenses, leg and body recovery systems, premium camcorders, and special-order products.
However, if you return the listed items unopened, Best Buy will not charge restocking fees.
Additionally, if you purchase and return an item within states that prohibit the imposition of a restocking fee, such as Alabama, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, and South Carolina, Best Buy will not charge restocking.
How Do I Avoid Restocking Fee At Best Buy?
If Best Buy charges restocking fees for the item you intend to return, you can avoid restocking fees by not opening the item.
However, there are minimal chances that you will not open the item after purchase.
Consequently, avoiding restocking fees for items that attract restocking charges may be rendered practically impossible unless you return the item before opening.
Additionally, one can avoid restocking fees at Best Buy by purchasing open box items instead of new ones.
Does Best Buy Charge A Restocking Fee On Open Box?
Generally, Best Buy does not charge restocking fees for open box items. However, in some situations, restocking fees for Best Buy items may apply.
In case you return an open-box item through Bestbuy.com, a notification will pop up on the checkout page to inform you if the open-box item will attract a restocking fee or not.
Similarly, if you return the open-box item at Best Buy in-store, you can inquire from the sales representatives if the item attracts restocking fees.
Is It Legal To Charge Restocking Fee At Best Buy?
The legality of charging restocking fees at Best Buy varies in different states.
Best Buy only charges restocking fees for selected items in states that permit retailers to charge restocking fees for returned items.
Similarly, Best Buy exempts restocking fees for items purchased and returned in states that prohibit retailers from imposing restocking fees on customers.
Therefore, consumers in exempted states can return opened and unopened items at Best Buy without being charged any amount for restocking.
However, if the customer returns the item without original packaging and accessories, an amount will be deducted from the expected refund to replace all missing items.
It is important to note that the deduction on the refund is applicable whether the item attracts a restocking fee or not.
What Is A Normal Restocking Fee At Best Buy?
While most stores charge a 15-20% restocking fee, Best Buy provides specified rates for selected items.
Best Buy has enacted a restocking fee of 15% of the item price for items such as drones and cameras, among others.
However, for cellphones (except for prepaid phones), cellular wearables, and cellular tablets, Best Buy does not provide a percentage of restocking fees but instead charges $45 regardless of price differences.
Why Does Best Buy Charge Restocking?
Best Buy charges restocking fees when you return the selected items because the store cannot sell the item as new and will have to sell the returned item as refurbished or used.
Therefore, in a bid to claw back lost profit on the selected items, Best Buy charges customers restocking fees and consequently does not provide 100% refunds.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on whether or not Best Buy is a franchise, Best Buy exchange policy, and if Best Buy accepts Visa gift cards.
Conclusion
Best Buy charges restocking fees for specific items at the store. Subsequently, some items may need restocking fees upon return, while others may not.