Category Hub

Electronics & Appliances Return Policies

Compare return windows and policies for smartphones, laptops, TVs, smartwatches, and major appliances.

Category Comparison Matrix

Retailer	Return Window	Receipt Required	Opened Items	Return Postage Fee	Policy Page
Amazon	30 Days	Optional	Allowed	Free returns	View Policy
Walmart	90 Days	Card Lookup	Allowed	Free returns	View Policy
Target	90 Days	Card Lookup	Allowed	Free returns	View Policy
Costco	Lifetime	Optional	Allowed	Free returns	View Policy
Apple	14 Days	Mandatory	Restricted	Free returns	View Policy
Best Buy	15 Days	Card Lookup	Allowed	Free returns	View Policy

Category Guide

Electronics are where return policies get strict. A store that happily takes back a sweater after three months will often give you only two weeks — and sometimes a restocking fee — when the box contains a phone, laptop, or camera. The reason is simple economics: an opened electronic device can rarely be resold as new, so retailers shorten the window and shift some of the depreciation onto the customer.

Before you buy, check two things: the category window (which is almost always shorter than the store's advertised standard window) and whether opening the box triggers a fee.

The standard window is not the electronics window

This is the single most common mistake shoppers make. Walmart advertises 90 days, but consumer electronics must go back within 30 days and wireless phones within 14. Target is the same story: 90 days on paper, 30 for electronics, and only 14 for Apple products and mobile phones. Even Costco — famous for its no-deadline satisfaction guarantee — carves out a hard 90-day limit for TVs, computers, tablets, cameras, and cell phones.

At the specialist end, Apple gives you exactly 14 calendar days on all hardware with the original receipt, packaging, and every cable and accessory included. Best Buy's standard window is just 15 days, although My Best Buy Plus and Total members get 60.

Watch for restocking fees on opened items

• Best Buy charges a $45 restocking fee on opened activatable devices (contract and prepaid phones, LTE tablets, cellular smartwatches), and 15% on opened drones, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, lenses, projectors, and rideables.
• Amazon may deduct up to 50% from your refund if an electronic item comes back damaged, used, or missing parts.
• Missing accessories cost you money almost everywhere: Best Buy deducts the value of missing cables and manuals from the refund, and Apple requires the complete original packaging for a full refund.

Practical advice before you open the box

Keep the receipt and the box until you are certain you're keeping the device — for at least the length of the category window, not the store's headline window. If you're buying a phone or anything that gets activated on a carrier, treat the purchase as close to final: activation shortens the window and usually adds a fee. And if you genuinely aren't sure about a high-ticket item, Costco's 90-day electronics window is among the most forgiving of the stores we track.

Electronics & Appliances Retailer Listings

Amazon

30 Days Receipt Optional

Most items purchased on Amazon can be returned within 30 days of shipment. Exceptions vary by product category, and third-party marketplace seller policies may differ.

View Policy Check Deadlines

Walmart

90 Days Lookup Available

Walmart offers a standard 90-day return window. Electronics and marketplace items must be returned within 30 days, wireless phones and marketplace electronics/luxury within 14 days, and major appliances within 2 days (not returnable in store). Marketplace items may incur a restocking fee up to 20%.

View Policy Check Deadlines

Target

90 Days Lookup Available

Target provides a standard 90-day return window. Target Circle Card holders get an additional 30 days (120 days total), and Target owned brands (like Cat & Jack) carry a 1-year guarantee. Electronics and Target Plus items must be returned within 30 days, while Apple products and mobile phones have a 14-day limit. Opened media and airbeds are exchange-only, and gift cards, trading cards, and open breast pumps are final sale.

View Policy Check Deadlines

Costco

Lifetime Receipt Optional

Costco offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee with no return deadline for most items. Returns are accepted at any warehouse or online, and return shipping is free for eligible online returns.

View Policy Check Deadlines

Apple

14 Days Receipt Required

Apple has a strict 14-calendar-day return window for all hardware. Items must be returned in original condition with all accessories, cables, and packaging. Opened software, digital downloads, gift cards, and developer products are strictly non-returnable.

View Policy Check Deadlines

Best Buy

15 Days Lookup Available

Best Buy has a standard 15-day return window, which is extended to 60 days for My Best Buy Plus/Total members. Activatable devices must be returned within 14 days (30 days for Verizon) and carry a $45 restocking fee. Drones and professional cameras are subject to a 15% restocking fee if opened. Hearing aids (60 days), litter boxes (90 days), and holiday decor (15 days) have special windows. Gift cards, trading cards, and digital content are non-returnable.

View Policy Check Deadlines

Related Categories

Clothing & Apparel Return Policies

Review tags-on conditions, unworn garment restrictions, hygienic liners, and return mailing fees.

Shoes & Footwear Return Policies

Check original designer shoe box requirements, tags regulations, and wear/tear return allowances.

Furniture & Decor Return Policies

Verify guidelines for return shipping of mattresses, sofas, tables, and associated freight restocking fees.

Electronics & Appliances Policy FAQ

What is the average return window for Electronics & Appliances products?

Typically, return windows for Electronics & Appliances vary between 14 to 90 days. High-value hardware or designer apparel is usually limited to 14–30 days, while general goods may extend up to 90 or 180 days.

Can I return opened or swatched Electronics & Appliances items?

It depends entirely on the store rules. Some retailers allow returning opened items (like Sephora/Ulta for beauty tools and gently used cosmetics, or Target for owned brands). Others (like Apple, Zara, or Shein) strictly forbid returns on opened items or require safety seals intact.

Is a receipt mandatory for returns in Electronics & Appliances stores?

While having a proof of purchase is highly recommended, many large department stores can look up transactions using credit card details or digital membership logbooks. Specialty boutiques and clothing labels are more likely to enforce mandatory receipt policies.

Which major retailer has the longest electronics return window?

Of the stores we track, Costco offers the longest electronics window at 90 days, which covers TVs, computers, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, cameras, major appliances, and cell phones. Most other large retailers limit electronics to 14–30 days even when their standard policy is longer.

Do I always pay a restocking fee for opened electronics?

No — it depends on the store and device type. Walmart states restocking fees do not apply to most items, and Costco charges none. Best Buy charges $45 on opened activatable devices and 15% on opened drones and professional cameras, and Amazon can deduct up to 50% if an item comes back damaged or incomplete.