Is the Costco Return Policy Good? Everything You Need to Know About Returning Goods to Costco

Costco's return policy is often hailed as one of the most generous in retail, making it a go-to choice for smart consumers. However, before shopping at Costco, you should take the time to understand their return policy.

This is a well-researched article to help you navigate return and refund policies. We answer questions such as what the return policy is and if any exclusion applies. What is the Costco refund policy? What are the steps for Costco in-store and online returns? And how to resolve the issues you might encounter.

Key insights

• Costco Wholesale Corporation was founded by James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman in 1976.
• It has since become the 3rd largest retailer in the USA, after Walmart and Amazon. Also, Costco has 848 warehouses worldwide.
• While most customers are happy with the return policy, some report consumer issues with returns, refunds, and replacements, particularly for online returns.
• In particular, 13% of the Costco reviews on PissedConsumer are about returns.

What Is Costco’s Return Policy? 

Costco boasts a “risk-free 100% satisfaction guarantee” that promises customers satisfaction for every product, or else they will refund you.

The Costco satisfaction guarantee allows customers to return eligible items or cancel their membership anytime for a full refund if dissatisfied with their purchase. However, Costco reviews on Pissedconsumer.com indicate mixed experiences.

For instance, in one review, the customer shared: “I LOVE COSTCO!!! If you buy something from Costco and you are not satisfied, you can RETURN IT ANYTIME…”

On the flip side, in review, the customer expressed their frustration about being accused of abusing the Costco return policy.

…The lady pulled up my account and started questioning me about previous purchase & returns and then accused me of abusing their return policy and then went as far as to say Does your son keep breaking the computers…

What Are Exceptions to Costco’s Return Policy

While Costco offers a generous return policy, there are some exceptions, with some product categories being non-refundable and others having a return time limit.

Non-refundable products are:

• Airline and live performance tickets
• Precious metals
• Shop cards
• Gift cards
• Cigarettes and alcohol (where prohibited by law)
• Special order kiosk and custom-installed products – warrant applies for repairs or replacement if the product fails to meet specifications.

Costco further clarifies the return policy for the following products:

• Electronics. The Costco electronics return policy stipulates a 90-day return period from the date you received the merchandise. The Costco warranty is also applicable for electronics as per the stipulated terms. 
• Diamonds (1.00ct or larger). There is no indication of a time limit for returning diamonds to Costco. However, you must present all the original paperwork and allow 48 hours for the Costco Graduate Gemologist to inspect the authenticity of the diamonds.
• Tires and batteries. They are sold with the respective limited warranty, and their returns are subject to manager approval. However, Costco’s five-year Road Hazard Warranty covers treadwear damage and tire failure.

How to Return Items Purchased at Costco 

If you are wondering how to return items to Costco, the appropriate return procedure depends on the specific items and whether you are returning items online or in-store, as discussed in the next sections.

In-store returns 

Their returns and refund policy stipulates that items purchased at a Costco location should be returned to the returns counter at any warehouse. Use the Costco warehouse locator to find one near you.

Source: costco.com

There is no Costco return policy time limit except for a few product categories. 

People on TikTok have been testing out the no-limit-on-return timeline with some being able to return food to Costco, used, or over a year-old cooking pans and other items for a full refund, no questions asked.

Source: costco.com

Online returns

You can return items ordered online either to a Costco warehouse or by applying for a return through Costco.com. Below are the steps for Costco online returns:

1. Go to Costco.com
2. Log into your account. If you do not have an account, register for one.
3. Select “orders & returns”
4. Find the specific item you want to return and select the “return or replace items” button next to the order.
5. Follow the prompts to receive your return label or schedule a pickup.

For most items, you will receive your return label within an hour. Items such as food, high-end jewelry, floral products, and paper products may require additional processing time for the return label. For large items, you will be sent an email with additional return instructions.

Costco stipulates exceptions to their self-service returns for the following items:

• Special order kiosk items such as custom flooring garage doors, HVAC systems, water heaters, and more.
• Optical items 
• Tires
• Tickets and digital goods
• iTunes and Google Play
• Jewelry items
• Perishable items
• All Apple products 

In this case, you need to contact Costco customer service or visit your local warehouse for assistance.

Source: costco.com

The Costco online returns policy stands out because you can return items for almost any reason. However, different customers report different experiences with Costco returns. In review # 3794184, the customer describes Costco as “Simply, the best”. 

While in other review, the customer expressed their dissatisfaction explaining that they bought a vanity from Costco.com, but the product delivered was poorly made and defective. It has been difficult to get a replacement or refund.

…My option is to find something else, have the contractor come back, it took 5 months to get one, and take the unit out, replace it, and then I can get a refund from Cosco. So it is going to cost me more time, money, and headaches to get this fixed…

Returns without receipt 

According to their website, a Costco return without receipt is allowed as they track purchases on members’ accounts. However, having a receipt or the original product packaging can help to make the process smoother.

How Are Returns Processed?

The Costco refund process is straightforward for qualifying in-store returns. You will receive an immediate refund, including shipping and handling fees.

The main thing to keep in mind when seeking a refund is that the accepted payment method differs for online and in-store purchases. Therefore, if you are returning an online purchase to a warehouse, check the payment methods accepted for warehouse returns and choose your preferred option where your refund will be placed. Most preferably, the card that you used to make the purchase.

Source: costco.com

For Costco online returns, the refunds will be credited to the credit card used to place the order. The refundable amount includes shipping and handling fees. Costco emphasizes that you will not be charged for return shipping. 

There is no indication of a Costco refund timeline for online returns. However, you can follow the steps below to check the return or refund status for your items:

• Go to Orders & Returns on Costco.com
• Follow the prompts to log in to your Costco account
• Select “View order details” for the respective order
• Then select “View return/refund status”
• On the next page, you will be provided with your refund/return status.

To cancel an auto-renewed membership, fill out the Auto Renewal Refund Request form on the Costco website. Provide the first and last name of the cardholder charged, your email address, membership number, and the full membership renewal amount charged. You will be issued a full refund within 5-7 business days, and your membership will expire at the end of that month.

Source: costco.com

If you have questions about the return and refund process, you can approach the returns desk at a Costco store near you to ask what steps to take or what to bring. For example, you might want to seek clarification on Costco’s perishable returns or how to return food to Costco.

Does Costco Truly Guarantee Customer Satisfaction?

Costco has one of the most customer-friendly return and refund policies among retailers. Aside from the above-noted exceptions, you can return most items for a full refund for any reason. Returning items to Costco is easy, either online or at a warehouse. 

However, based on online reviews, customer experiences with Costco's return policy vary. Some praise it as the best, while others report issues such as delays or accusations of police abuse.

What has your experience been with Costco returns and refunds? Please write a review on PissedConsumer.com to help other customers make smart buying decisions.