Costco is an American staple, and in these increasingly expensive times, it’s becoming more and more popular to find ways to save. For a small fee per year, either $60 or $120, depending on which membership type you select, you are able to shop at Costco and get year-round wholesale prices. While popular for its grocery items, Costco sells a wide selection of goods and services, including furniture, liquor, jewelry, electronics and even vacations.
When navigating such a massive store with such an enormous selection of items, it’s likely you may have made a few impulse purchases. Even the savviest shoppers make mistakes. Maybe you grabbed a few things you actually didn’t need, or you selected the wrong size or color or once you got home and unloaded, you realized the item might not work for you. Or perhaps you received a gift from Costco that you don’t want to keep. The question is, if you need to make a return at Costco, how does that work? Is the return policy the same for shorts and toothpaste as it is for washers and televisions?
We’ve put together a guide for understanding Costco’s return policy. We’ll tell you how to make returns, help you to understand the return policy and call out any items that have different return policies. So whether you realize right away you need to make a return or decide a couple of months in, you will know what to expect and how to get your money back.
The Official Costco Return Policy
We are pleased to inform you that Costco has a pretty generous return policy. In fact, if you aren’t satisfied with your Costco membership, you can even return that! Costco wants its members to feel secure, knowing that practically everything they buy can be returned.
This satisfaction-guaranteed approach makes shoppers more confident when stocking up on their favorite items. In fact, the reasons that Costco allows for returns are impressively broad and include: no longer wanting item dissatisfaction, mistake purchase, incorrect item received, duplicate item, damaged box refused on delivery, missing item, and lost shipment. There are only a small amount of items that deviate from this generous policy, which we will list below.
Costco Electronics Returns Policy
The return policy is a little bit stricter for electronics at Costco. You will need to return any electronics within 90 days of purchase. The items subject to this return policy include projectors, computers, touchscreen tablets, smartwatches, cameras, aerial cameras (drones), camcorders and MP3 players. You can return cellular phones as well, but you will need to check with the carrier’s specific contract details.
Costco TV Returns Policy
The return policy for televisions is also stricter than other purchases. You will need to return the TV within 90 days. Televisions, like many electronics (but not all, so double check) are covered by Costco’s Concierge service, which means you’ve got access to free troubleshooting and tech support, plus an extra year of Costco’s warranty. So if the reason for the return is a technical issue, be sure to call the Costco concierge to see if they can help you fix the issue.
Costco Diamond Returns Policy
When it comes to high-end jewelry purchases, in particular diamonds over 1.00ct, you can expect your return to be a credit only. Be sure to have all your original paperwork, and your diamond will also need to be inspected by a Costco Graduate Gemologist for verification of its authenticity. Costume jewelry and lower-end jewelry can be returned according to the more generous return policy.
Costco Cigarettes and Alcohol Returns Policy
Most Costco locations will not accept any returns for alcohol or cigarettes. However, laws for the return of cigarettes and alcohol are determined by individual states, so check with your local Costco for their specific policy.
Costco Special Order and Custom Installation Returns Policy
Don’t expect a return if you’ve customized an order. Once these items have been altered for your specific criteria or dimensions, they cannot be resold. If, however, there was a quality issue, check with the product warranty because it may be able to be repaired or replaced.
How To Make a Return In-Store at Costco
Returns are flexible at Costco. They offer you the choice to return items that you bought in the store as well as online purchases in person to your local Costco warehouse store.
- Head to the Membership Counter and speak with a Members Services Team member.
- Bring your item to be returned in its original packaging and your receipt.
- If you’ve lost your receipt or already unboxed, don’t despair. Depending on your item, Costco may be able to process some returns without receipts and not in original packaging, so give it a try.
How To Make a Return Online at Costco
Returning items purchased online through their website is quick and easy. Items returned online will also include a refund of your shipping and handling fees. Even better news? If you have to send the item back, Costco will pay for the return shipping.
Return Process at Costco.com:
- Log into your account at Costco.com.
- Select “Orders & Returns.”
- Locate your order and click the “return items” button next to the order that contained your return.
- Follow the prompts to complete your return or replacement.
- Print out the return label immediately or schedule a pick-up if needed. Larger item returns will be followed up with an email detailing instructions.
Exclusions to self-service returns online: While most items can be returned fairly easily, there are a few items that won’t be accepted for return online. Exclusions are Special Order Kiosk items like countertops, custom flooring, garage doors, home organization and closets; generators, HVAC systems, water treatment, solar, gutters, water heaters; optical items, tires, tickets; digital goods, iTunes and Google Play, jewelry items, perishable items and all Apple products. Custom-made items usually are excluded from returns as well. Apple products will be subject to Costco’s 90-day return policy for electronic items.
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