Best Buy Return Without a Receipt: How Lookup Works and What You'll Get

By the Returns & Refunds team · How we research

Summary

Best Buy can look up store receipts with the credit card you used, or with your My Best Buy phone number, email, or member ID.
Cash and check purchases can only be found if you're a My Best Buy member.
With no proof of purchase, the return may need an email address, comes back as store credit, may be limited or refused, and doesn't refund sales tax.
The 15-day window (60 for Plus and Total members, 14 for phones) applies with or without a receipt.

On this page (5 sections)

How Best Buy finds your purchase
When there’s no proof at all
Phones, tablets, and computers
Windows still apply
If the item is broken

At Best Buy, losing the receipt usually isn’t a problem, because Best Buy can find it. Trouble starts when the purchase can’t be traced at all: then the return may be refused, or you get store credit without the sales tax.

Source: Best Buy’s receipt help and return and exchange policy.

How Best Buy finds your purchase

How you bought it	How to get the receipt
Online	Your account → the order → “See details & receipt” → print
In store, paid by credit card	Customer service looks it up with the card
In store, as a My Best Buy member	Lookup by phone number, email, or member ID
In store, cash or check, not a member	Best Buy can’t retrieve it

You can also call 1-888-BEST BUY (1-888-237-8289) to ask for a copy of a store receipt. Best Buy can’t retrieve anything older than ten years.

Bring the card you paid with in any case. Best Buy asks for it to process card refunds quickly.

When there’s no proof at all

If no record turns up, Best Buy’s policy says a return without proof of purchase:

may require an email address,
will be refunded as store credit,
may be limited or denied, and
won’t include state sales tax and fees.

That last point means the credit is smaller than what you paid, on top of any price drops since you bought it.

Phones, tablets, and computers

Before you return a device, sign out of your Apple Account or Google account and reset it. A device that’s still locked to your account can’t be resold, and the return can be refused. Opened phones and other activatable devices also carry a $45 restocking fee in most states, receipt or not.

Windows still apply

The deadline doesn’t change without a receipt: 15 days for most products, 60 for My Best Buy Plus and Total members, 14 for phones and other activatable devices (30 for Verizon devices). See the full Best Buy return policy guide.

If the item is broken

If the product is defective and the return window has passed, go to the manufacturer’s warranty or your Geek Squad plan. A card statement and the serial number are often enough proof to start. See the warranty claim checklist.

Common questions

Can you return to Best Buy without a receipt?

Often, because Best Buy can usually find the receipt for you. Bring the card you paid with or your My Best Buy details. If no record turns up, Best Buy may give store credit without sales tax, limit the return, or refuse it.

How do I get a copy of a Best Buy receipt?

For online orders, open the order in your account and choose to print the receipt. For store purchases, go to customer service with the card you used, or your My Best Buy phone number, email, or member ID. You can also call 1-888-BEST BUY (1-888-237-8289).

How far back can Best Buy find receipts?

Best Buy says it can't retrieve receipts for purchases made more than ten years ago, or for cash and check purchases by people who aren't My Best Buy members.

Do I get sales tax back on a no-receipt return at Best Buy?

No. Best Buy states that refunds for returns without proof of purchase don't include state sales taxes and fees.

We have no business relationship with the stores or brands on this page. Policies change without much notice, so check the store's own policy page before you count on a deadline. If something here is out of date, let us know.