{"id":1747,"date":"2026-06-15T13:34:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T13:34:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arizonamovinginsider.com\/?p=1747"},"modified":"2026-06-15T13:34:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T13:34:24","slug":"shopper-stuck-with-shattered-tv-after-missing-best-buys-15-day-return-deadline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arizonamovinginsider.com\/?p=1747","title":{"rendered":"Shopper stuck with shattered TV after missing Best Buy’s 15-day return deadline"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Michael Saylor thought he had 30 days to return his new TV. <\/p>\n

But he had just 15.<\/p>\n

Saylor’s 65-inch TV sits in the entranceway of his home \u2014 a reminder of a costly lesson about return policies.<\/p>\n

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“They left it right on the porch, I took three steps in, and gently sat it down, and there it sat in the box for two and half weeks,” Saylor said.<\/p>\n

When he finally opened the box, the damage was already done.<\/p>\n

“The entire top is shattered,” Saylor said. <\/p>\n

Not only had the screen been damaged in transit, but there was no picture when he plugged it in.<\/p>\n

Saylor went back to Best Buy, where he purchased the TV, but quickly discovered the store’s return window had already closed.<\/p>\n

“They explained to me they have a 15-day return policy, and I was beyond it,” Saylor said.<\/p>\n

Watch as a shopper discovers he cannot return his shattered new TV:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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Beware shorter and shorter return windows for electronics<\/div>\n
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Saylor said no one had warned him about the shorter window.<\/p>\n

“Guess I am old school. I thought everyone still did 30 days, I was really shocked,” Saylor said.<\/p>\n

What you need to know about shorter return windows<\/b><\/p>\n

Best Buy’s website clearly states customers have 15 days to return most electronics. Rewards members receive 60 days.<\/p>\n

The issue extends beyond Best Buy and televisions, however.<\/p>\n

Kevin Brasler with Consumers’ Checkbook said shoppers may have just weeks \u2014 or days in some cases\u2014 to return major appliances and electronics. <\/p>\n

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Apple has a similar two-week return window for MacBooks.<\/p>\n

If you discover a problem after that, you have to contact the manufacturer and request a repair.<\/p>\n

One reason retailers set shorter windows is the difficulty of reselling returned items.<\/p>\n

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“They usually have to sell them as a refurbished item or an open box item. It’s more difficult for them to get the full value back,” Brasler said.<\/p>\n

Returns carry a significant cost across the retail industry. For every $100 in sales, consumers return nearly $16 \u2014 a figure that adds up quickly for retailers.<\/p>\n

To avoid getting caught outside a return window, shoppers should unbox items right away, plug them in to confirm they are working and hold on to their receipts.<\/p>\n

If you are past the return window and something stops working, Brasler said it is still worth asking for a refund.<\/p>\n

“Even though a retailer might have a shorter return window, they should stand behind the stuff they’re selling,” Brasler said.<\/p>\n

RELATED STORY | <\/b>Many retailers offer ‘returnless refunds.’ Just don’t expect them to talk much about it<\/b><\/p>\n

Best Buy offered Saylor a $75 gift card, but he is hoping for more. The company told us it is looking into his case while reiterating its two-week return policy.<\/p>\n

Saylor’s advice to other shoppers: do not wait to open a new purchase.<\/p>\n

“If you are remodeling, you are doing something, you don’t get around to opening it immediately,” Saylor said.<\/p>\n

He now knows to open the box on delivery, so you don’t waste your money.<\/p>\n

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