Refurbished Return Policies Compared (Apple, Amazon Renewed, Back Market, eBay, Walmart, Best Buy)

Return windows for refurbished electronics in the US run from 14 days at Apple to 365 days on Amazon Renewed Premium. Most programs land at 30 or 90 days, and Best Buy's standard window is 15 days. Every policy page we read allows exceptions for particular items, so the listing you buy from sets the real deadline.

We read each program's US return policy on October 7, 2026 and quote it below in the program's own words. Rebuya does not inspect, grade or guarantee anything. It shows each seller's terms next to the price so you can compare before you click through.

Return windows side by side

Scroll table sideways to read all columns.

Two of the longer windows come with qualifications worth reading twice. Amazon says "most" Renewed items get 90 days, not all of them, and some get 30 days plus the Asurion warranty instead (Amazon Renewed Guarantee). Walmart's 30-day Premium window gives way to a 15-day window on certain electronics (Walmart item conditions).

How the clock starts

The programs do not all count from the same day. Apple counts "from the date you received it" (Apple returns). Amazon's ordinary window runs "within 30 days of delivery" (Amazon returns). Best Buy says the time starts "the day you receive your product," and that applies to refurbished and open-box items too (Best Buy returns).

eBay words its grade-mismatch return as "within 30 days of purchase," which is the order date rather than the delivery date (eBay Refurbished). A slow shipment eats into that window, so note the order date when you buy.

Back Market describes its 30-day period in terms of when you received the order (Back Market help). For Walmart and Amazon Renewed, confirm the start day on the final listing or order page.

Fees, shipping and exceptions

Free returns are common, but each program keeps some carve-outs.

Apple says refurbished purchases come with "free shipping and returns" (Apple refurbished). Direct Apple returns must be made in the country where you bought the item (Apple returns).

Amazon says "Most items include at least one free return shipping option." It may charge for a nonfree shipping method, a heavy item, a late return, or damage and missing parts (Amazon returns). Before you return a Renewed device, Amazon asks you to "disable phone tracking, unlink cloud accounts, and perform a factory reset" (Amazon Renewed Guarantee).

Back Market describes its returns as free within the 30 days (Back Market help). Rebuya's Back Market seller page shows those terms next to each listing it compares.

eBay labels its 30-day free returns as "subject to certain exceptions," and the refurbished page does not list them all (eBay Refurbished). Read the return section on the specific listing before you buy.

Walmart warns that "certain items may have a shortened return window or a restocking fee," and points you to the item's return details (Walmart resold items).

Best Buy offers a "prepaid FedEx shipping label" for mail returns. Its table shows a "$45" restocking fee on activatable devices, with stated exceptions (Best Buy returns). Mail-return exclusions include "Major Appliances; TVs over 50 inches," and Marketplace orders follow their own return route on the same page.

What to save when it arrives

Return rights only help if you can show what you received. The FTC puts it plainly for marketplace shopping. "If you don't see pictures of the actual item, you can't check its condition" (FTC, buying on online marketplaces). Save the listing photos and the condition description before you order, because a listing can change or disappear.

If a Back Market device arrives in a different grade than you ordered, its help page asks you to "include photos of the device from every angle" in your service request (Back Market condition page). Rebuya's Back Market grades guide explains what each grade word covers.

Keep the box and everything in it until you are sure you are keeping the device. Apple requires "all of its included parts, accessories, and packaging" for a return (Apple returns). Best Buy says to "Gather the purchases ... along with the original contents and packaging" (Best Buy returns).

None of the policy pages we read requires an unboxing video. Photos of a mismatch are what the pages support, so take them as soon as you open the box.

What to check before you buy

• The return window on the final listing, not the program's headline number. Every program allows item exceptions.
• Whether the window counts from delivery, receipt or purchase. eBay's grade-mismatch return runs from the purchase date.
• The Best Buy member window. The 60 days for Plus and Total members does not extend to Marketplace purchases.
• Walmart's item return details. The 30-day Premium window can drop to 15 days on certain electronics.
• Amazon Renewed item eligibility. Some items get 30 days and an Asurion warranty instead of 90 days.
• Restocking fees, such as Best Buy's listed $45 on activatable devices.
• Where you will be when you return it. Apple direct returns must be made in the purchase country.
• Saved copies of the listing photos and condition text.

FAQ

Do I pay for return shipping on a refurbished item? Usually not, but it depends on the program and the item. Apple states "free shipping and returns" on refurbished purchases, Back Market says "free 30-day returns," and Best Buy supplies a prepaid FedEx label. Amazon says most items have at least one free option but may charge for heavy items, late returns or damage.

Does Amazon Renewed really give 90 days? Amazon's wording is "Most Amazon Renewed items include a 90-day return period." Select items get 30 days plus an 11-month Asurion warranty, so check eligibility on the item page (Amazon Renewed Guarantee).

What if my Back Market phone arrives in a worse grade than I ordered? Open a service request and include photos of the device from every angle, as Back Market's help page asks (Back Market condition page). All Back Market items come with free 30-day returns.

Can I return a refurbished Mac to Apple if I bought it on a trip to another country? Apple says direct returns must be made in the purchase country (Apple returns). Buy from the Apple store for the country you live in if you may need to return it.

Does Best Buy's 60-day member window cover Marketplace sellers? No. Best Buy says "extended return timeframes do not apply to any Marketplace purchases," so Marketplace orders follow the Standard policy unless the listing says otherwise (Best Buy returns).

Do I need to film the unboxing? None of the policy pages we read requires it. Save the listing photos before you buy and photograph any mismatch when you open the box.

Compare each seller's return window next to its price and condition words on Rebuya before you buy.