As one of the largest electronics retailers in the United States, Best Buy offers an extensive selection of Apple iPad models. However, what happens if you need to return that iPad you just purchased? As an expert on retail policies and a discerning shopper myself, I‘ve explored Best Buy‘s iPad return policy in detail to inform consumers.
Overview of Best Buy‘s Return Policy
Best Buy offers a standard 14-day return period for most products, including iPads. This allows you to evaluate the iPad and ensure it meets your needs. If you decide to return it, Best Buy does charge a $45 restocking fee for any iPad model.
There are a few exceptions – in some states, including Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Hawaii, and others, state law prohibits electronics retailers from charging restocking fees. So the fees may be waived depending on your location.
Additionally, you‘ll need to provide your receipt or other proof of purchase for Best Buy to process an iPad return, unless you‘re willing to accept store credit instead of a refund. More details on the documentation requirements are provided below.
What iPad Models Does This Policy Apply To?
Best Buy sells a wide range of current and previous generation iPad models, including:
- iPad Pro – 12.9-inch and 11-inch models
- iPad Air – 10.9-inch 4th generation or 10.5-inch older models
- iPad – Standard 10.2-inch 8th generation model
- iPad Mini – 7.9-inch 5th generation models
The 14-day return policy and restocking fee apply equally to all these iPad varieties sold at Best Buy retail stores and on BestBuy.com.
What is Required to Return an iPad to Best Buy?
To return an iPad or other electronics purchase at Best Buy, you‘ll generally need:
- The original receipt: This provides proof of purchase and shows the purchase date.
- All original accessories/packaging: For an iPad, that includes the charging cable, power adapter, manuals, and the original box everything came in.
- Rewards account number: If you made the purchase as a My Best Buy member for points or discounts.
With all these materials, Best Buy can process a return and give you a full refund back to your original payment method.
Can You Return an iPad Without the Original Receipt?
If you‘ve misplaced your receipt, you do still have some options for returning an iPad to Best Buy. However, it becomes a bit more complicated.
Without a receipt, Best Buy can search past transactions and look up the purchase if it was made:
- On the same credit or debit card you present
- Using your My Best Buy rewards membership
- Within the last 30-60 days
For older iPad purchases or situations where purchase history can‘t be verified, Best Buy will generally provide store credit rather than a cash/card refund. The amount will be based on the current selling price of the same iPad model.
You may receive less store credit for a higher-end iPad Pro versus a standard 10.2" iPad, even if you originally paid more. So receipts are extremely helpful!
Returning Open Box, Refurbished or Used iPads
Best Buy allows iPad returns even for open-box, refurbished and used models, within the 14 day policy. However, you may not get a full refund unless the device and accessories are in new condition.
For example, if you return an open box iPad Air with signs of use like scratches or scuffs, Best Buy will examine the device and determine an adjusted trade-in value. This value gets provided as store credit instead of a refund.
The most generous return values come when purchasing a Geek Squad Certified refurbished iPad directly from Best Buy. These go through rigorous reconditioning and inspection before sale. If an issue arises within 14-days, you‘ll have better luck getting a full refund.
How Strict Is the 14 Day Return Period?
According to customer experiences shared online, Best Buy provides almost no flexibility or exceptions to the 14 day return deadline. While a few consumers were able to get store credit for older iPads, most report being completely out of luck after that 2 week mark.
So I strongly recommend testing and inspecting your new iPad thoroughly within the first 7-10 days of ownership. That gives you a few days to decide whether to keep it or return to Best Buy before time runs out. Don‘t plan on buying an extra week or two to make your choice!
Returning Unwanted iPad Gifts
If you receive an iPad as a gift from a friend or loved one but want to exchange or return it, Best Buy does allow iPad gift returns in most cases.
You‘ll need to provide the original gift receipt for the iPad in order to get a full cash/credit refund. Without a receipt, Best Buy will generally provide store credit to the gift purchaser instead.
If the iPad was shipped to you as a gift directly from BestBuy.com, the order can be tracked back to the gifter‘s account. Best Buy will email them with notification if an online-purchased iPad gets returned by the recipient.
What If I Bought My iPad for In-Store Pickup?
Best Buy offers convenient options like in-store pickup and ship-to-store on many products, including iPads. You can order online and then collect your iPad a few days later at your local store.
Luckily, the 14-day return policy applies equally whether you carried your iPad out the doors or had it waiting on in-store pickup.
However, in-store pickup iPad returns must be done at the original store location‘ – that inventory is unique to each individual Best Buy. So you can‘t return or exchange an in-store pickup iPad across town at another, unrelated Best Buy.
I Purchased My iPad for Delivery – Can I Return In-Store?
For iPads purchased online for home delivery, you generally have more flexibility in return locations. These can usually be returned at any local Best Buy retail store for a refund.
Just be aware – that store may need to ship the iPad return back to a centralized warehouse or processing facility. So your refund would get issued once the returned merchandise makes it back to Best Buy proper, within 10-15 business days.
Compared to in-store bought iPads which can process returns immediately, you may be waiting a bit longer to see that iPad charge taken off your credit card.
I Bought My iPad at a Non-Best Buy Location – Now What?
In recent years, Best Buy has expanded offerings of prepaid phones, smart home devices, and other electronics to complementary retail chains. For example, you can often find Best Buy inventory being sold at Target, Kroger, CVS, or Walgreens locations now.
However, this can cause confusion when it comes time to return something.
The good news is Best Buy will indeed accept returns on iPads or other items originally purchased outside Best Buy locations. Since you are essentially returning Best Buy‘s own merchandise to them, they will take it back…with a few caveats.
First, you can only return these types of items at Best Buy stores, not back to the external retailer like Target or Kroger where you bought it.
Secondly, you‘ll need to provide original packaging and receipts wherever possible. Without a receipt, you‘ll get that dreaded store credit we keep mentioning instead of a refund.
And third, the same 14-day restriction applies no matter where you originally purchased your iPad.
So if you grabbed a killer iPad deal at your local supermarket but want to return it 12 days later, Best Buy will handle it, subject to the policies above.
Key Takeaways: Quick Facts on Best Buy‘s iPad Return Policy
To recap everything we learned in detail above, here are some key facts and top considerations on returning iPads to Best Buy:
- 14 day standard return period for all models and purchases
- $45 restocking fee applies in most states
- Original receipt is required for cash/credit refunds
- All accessories must be included for full value refund
- Open box, used and refurbished models can be returned
- In-store pickup must be returned to original location
- Returns allowed on non-Best Buy channel purchases
- No flexibility beyond the 14 day window
What About Exchanges, Price Adjustments or Warranty Replacement?
This guide focused specifically on Best Buy‘s policies around returning iPads for refunds. However, there are other options as well if you run into issues with your iPad after purchase:
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Exchanges – Best Buy allows you to exchange a problematic iPad for a brand new replacement within the 14 day window. No restocking fees apply for even exchanges.
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Price Matching – If the iPad model you purchased goes on sale shortly after your buy, you can request a price adjustment refund within 14 days. Some conditions apply.
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Warranty Replacements – If your iPad stops working properly after 14 days, Best Buy will repair or replace it under the 1 year Apple manufacturer‘s warranty. You‘ll need to bring it into a store or contact Apple Support directly.
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Geek Squad Protection – For extra coverage during those first few years of iPad ownership, Best Buy offers this extended warranty program to cover more types of damage and extend the usable lifespan of your device.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully this detailed overview better explains Best Buy‘s ins and outs for returning iPads. Their standard 14-day window gives you adequate time to evaluate a newly purchased model. And the restocking fee, while annoying, does deter excessive serial returns.
As with any big ticket electronics purchase, I always recommend keeping your receipt handy, testing immediately after purchase, and reading up on the retailer‘s latest policies. This ensures no surprises down the road if that shiny new iPad doesn‘t meet expectations!
