Costco Return Policy: No Time Limit on Most Items, 90 Days for Electronics
By the Returns & Refunds team · How we research
Summary
- Costco's satisfaction guarantee covers most merchandise with no set return deadline. You can return it at any warehouse for a refund.
- Electronics and major appliances have 90 days: TVs, projectors, computers, tablets, smartwatches, cameras, drones, phones, and major appliances.
- A few things can't be returned at all, including gift cards, precious metals, airline and event tickets, and custom-made items.
- You usually don't need a receipt: every purchase is recorded on your membership.
On this page (6 sections)
Costco’s return policy is one of the most generous in US retail: most items can be returned with no set deadline, and you rarely need a receipt. The big exception is electronics and major appliances, which have 90 days.
Source: Costco’s published return policy.
Costco return windows
| What you bought | Return window |
|---|---|
| Most merchandise | No set time limit (satisfaction guarantee) |
| Televisions, projectors | 90 days |
| Computers, tablets, smart wearables | 90 days |
| Cameras, drones, camcorders, MP3 players | 90 days |
| Cellular phones | 90 days |
| Major appliances | 90 days |
| Your membership fee | Refundable at any time if you’re dissatisfied |
Costco doesn’t publish a formal limit on how often you can return things, and returning something after years of normal use is left to the warehouse to decide.
What Costco won’t take back
- Diamonds of 1.00 carat or larger (handled separately, with the original IGI or GIA certificate)
- Cigarettes and alcohol, where returns are prohibited by law
- Custom-made products
- Airline and live-performance event tickets
- Precious metals
- Shop Cards and gift cards
- Some large freight-delivered items (follow the order’s instructions)
Contact lenses and eyeglasses go through the optical department rather than the returns counter.
How to return to Costco
Warehouse purchases
- Take the item to the returns counter at any Costco warehouse. It doesn’t have to be the one where you bought it.
- Bring your membership card. The receipt and original packaging help but are often not necessary.
- The refund is issued to your original payment method.
Costco.com orders
- Return at any warehouse for the fastest refund, or
- Start the return on costco.com under Orders & Returns and follow the shipping instructions.
Accepted payment methods differ online and in the warehouse, so your refund method may differ too.
Returning without a receipt
Because every purchase is tied to your membership, Costco can usually find the transaction at the returns counter. You can also find two years of in-warehouse receipts yourself at costco.com → Orders & Returns → In-Warehouse. Details in our Costco no-receipt return guide.
Costco’s 2-year Concierge warranty
On televisions, projectors, computers, and major appliances, Costco Concierge Services extends the manufacturer’s warranty to 2 years from the purchase date. It covers defects, not physical or liquid damage. For help, contact Costco Concierge Services at 1-866-861-0450. After 90 days you can’t return these items, but the extended warranty still applies.
Tips
- Electronics: mark the 90-day deadline the day you buy. Our return deadline calculator works it out.
- Bring the packaging and accessories for electronics if you still have them.
Common questions
Does Costco have a time limit on returns?
For most items, no. Costco's risk-free 100% satisfaction guarantee lets you return most merchandise without a set deadline. The main exception is electronics and major appliances (TVs, projectors, computers, tablets, smart wearables, cameras, drones, phones, and major appliances), which must be returned within 90 days.
Can I return something to Costco without a receipt?
Usually, yes. Costco records purchases against your membership, so the warehouse can look up the transaction. A receipt or the original packaging makes it faster but is often not necessary. See our Costco no-receipt guide.
Can I return a Costco.com order to a warehouse?
Yes. Most Costco.com orders can be returned at any Costco warehouse, or you can start the return online. Large items delivered by freight follow special instructions, listed in the order details.
What can't you return to Costco?
Costco lists exceptions including diamonds of 1.00 carat or larger (handled separately with their certificates), cigarettes and alcohol where prohibited by law, custom-made products, airline and live-event tickets, precious metals, Shop Cards and gift cards, and some freight-delivered items. Contact lenses and eyeglasses are handled through the optical department.
Can I cancel my Costco membership for a refund?
Yes. Costco's satisfaction guarantee says it will cancel and refund your membership fee at any time if you're dissatisfied.
Does Costco extend warranties?
Costco Concierge Services extends the manufacturer's warranty to 2 years from purchase on televisions, projectors, computers, and major appliances. Accidental and liquid damage aren't covered.
Related guides
We have no business relationship with the stores or brands on this page. Policies change without much notice, so check the store's own policy page before you count on a deadline. If something here is out of date, let us know.