Holiday tech shopping is always chaotic, but this year is going to be extra busy. Not only are there tons of new smartphones, game consoles, PC components, and smart home devices up for grabs, but COVID-19 also has most of us doing our gift purchasing online. Delays, shortages, and other errors are bound to crop up, but those issues won’t impact your ability to return items if necessary.
Most online retailers are extending their return policies this year so you can get items exchanged or refunded if necessary—hopefully in time for your family gatherings before the end of the year, though many places plan to let customers return stuff well into 2021.
We’ve compiled the holiday return policies for most of the big online retailers into this guide. We’ve also included links to each store’s support page so you can track down more information, as some retailers include exceptions for which items are covered or have differing requirements for getting a full refund on your orders.
Amazon
You can return most items that ship directly from Amazon between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2020 until January 31, 2021. There are some exceptions, however, so check Amazon’s support page first. Items that ship outside of that window, as well as most items purchased from third-party sellers on Amazon, can be returned within 30 days of the original shipping date.
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Customers are responsible for paying the return postage, but Amazon will refund up to $20 of the cost automatically if the item is received on time, and you can request a full postage refund from Amazon if a package costs more to send back.
Note: Amazon’s return policies apply to most purchases made on the site, but some third-party Amazon Marketplace sellers have their own separate return policies. Check Amazon’s Returns Center for more details.
Apple
Any Apple hardware purchased from Apple’s Online Store that you receive between Nov. 10 and Dec. 25, 2020 can be returned through Jan. 8, 2021. Purchases made before or after those holiday return dates can only be returned within 14 calendar days of the item’s purchase or delivery date. Check Apple’s online returns policy for exceptions.
Best Buy
Most products you buy from Best Buy between Oct. 13, 2020 and Jan. 2, 2021 can be returned through Jan. 16, 2021 for a full refund. Some items, like smartphones and major home appliances, are not eligible for the extended holiday returns and must be sent back within 14 days (for smartphones and cellular tablets or wearables) or 15 days (major home appliances and holiday-specific products).
My Best Buy Elite members may also enjoy extended return windows for holiday purchases, depending on your membership plan.
B&H Photo
Devices purchased between Oct. 19, 2020 and Jan. 1, 2021 may be returned or exchanged through Feb. 1, 2021 (or 30 days after the purchase date, whichever is later), provided the package has not been opened.
Google Store
Devices purchased from Google’s online store can be returned within 15 days. Google offered holiday shipping extensions in 2019, but so far has not announced anything for the 2020 season. We’ll be sure to update this guide if that changes.
HP
HP Products bought from Nov. 1 through Dec. 25 are eligible for returns through Jan. 15.
Microsoft
Select devices purchased between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2020 can be returned through Jan. 31, 2021. Check Microsoft’s support page for a list of eligible products.
Monoprice
Monoprice-branded items purchased from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24, 2020 can be sent back through Jan. 31, 2021. This does not apply to 3D printers or open box/refurbished devices.
Newegg
Select purchases can be sent back to Newegg for refund, exchange, or repairs through Jan. 31, 2021. No purchase dates are provided on the Newegg return policy page, so you’ll have to check the “Warrant and Returns” section on the item’s Newegg listing to see if it’s covered. All other products have a 30-day return policy.
Target
Target offers 90-day returns for most products (120 days for Target RedCard holders), as long as it’s unopened (some exceptions apply).
Walmart
Items purchased from Oct. 18 through Dec. 25, 2020 have extended return windows, depending on their original return policies:
- Items that usually have a 14-day return window can be sent back by January 8.
- Items with a 30-day return period can be sent in by January 24.
- Items that have a 60-day return limit can be returned by February 23.
Woot
Most purchases can be returned within 30 days (you can find restrictions here).
