Shipping and return policies for electronic products vary by retailer, but some common rules and practices apply across the industry. Because electronics can contain sensitive components or hazardous materials like lithium batteries, special care is often required for packaging and shipping.
Common shipping practices
- Carrier services: Most retailers use major courier services like FedEx, UPS, or national postal services (e.g., USPS, Canada Post). For international shipping, carriers like DHL are also common.
- Speed and cost: Options usually range from standard ground shipping to expedited or express delivery. For smaller, less time-sensitive items, standard ground shipping is more affordable. Larger retailers may offer free shipping as a standard benefit.
- Restricted items: Due to safety regulations, electronic devices containing lithium batteries must be handled carefully. Shippers like USPS may require ground-only transport and specific labels for these items.
- Packaging: Proper packaging is crucial for preventing damage to sensitive electronics.
- Original packaging: If available, using the original box and cushioning is highly recommended.
- Professional packing: Services like The UPS Store offer professional packing assistance, often with a guarantee, for valuable equipment.
- Shipping insurance: Insuring valuable electronics during shipping is often a wise choice to protect against loss or damage.
Common return practices
- Time limits: Most companies offer a limited window for returns, often between 14 and 30 days from the date of purchase or delivery. Some may offer extended holiday return periods.
- Return condition: To be eligible for a refund, products must typically be in their original, unused condition with all original packaging, manuals, and accessories included.
- Restocking fees: Many retailers charge a restocking fee for returned electronics. This fee helps cover costs for inspection and repackaging. For example, eevee’s Micromobility charges a 10% fee on returns of unopened products.
- Shipping costs: Customers are often responsible for the cost of return shipping. If an error was made by the company, they may cover the return shipping costs or deduct it from the refund amount.
- Digital products: Sales of digital products, such as downloadable software, digital games, and gift cards, are often final and cannot be returned.
- Simplified returns: To improve the customer experience, some companies offer simplified return processes.
- Prepaid labels: Retailers like Best Buy and Amazon provide prepaid shipping labels for returns.
- Label-free returns: Some services, like Amazon’s, allow customers to receive a QR code and drop off an unpackaged item at a designated location.
- Retailer-specific policies: It is essential to check the specific policy of the retailer you purchased from. Major online retailers like Amazon and Newegg, as well as smaller specialized stores like electronicsforless.ca and Sound Electronics, all have their own rules regarding returns.