Costco Return Policy: 90-Day Rules & Exceptions

Quick Answer: Costco has a broad satisfaction guarantee for most merchandise, but it is not an unlimited return promise for every purchase. Televisions, computers, touchscreen tablets, smartwatches, many major appliances, and other specifically listed electronics generally must be returned within 90 days of the date the member received the item. Some products are nonrefundable or have special requirements. Warehouse purchases are returned at a Costco warehouse; eligible Costco.com orders can usually be returned at a warehouse or started through the online order page.

If you are holding an item and wondering whether Costco will take it back, first identify the exact item category, then how you bought it, and finally the date you received it. Those three facts are more useful than a blanket claim that Costco accepts everything forever. The rules below reflect Costco’s published U.S. customer-service information and explain what to do if your purchase does not fit the usual process.

Table of Contents

Costco return policy at a glance

Most eligible merchandise: covered by Costco’s satisfaction guarantee, without a single standard 30- or 90-day deadline applying across the entire store.
Specified electronics and major appliances: a 90-day return period measured from when the member received the merchandise.
Items with special rules: certain jewelry, custom installations, tires, batteries, optical purchases, freight deliveries, and other categories require extra attention.
Items excluded from refunds: Costco’s published policy names precious metals, Costco Shop Cards, certain gift cards and ticket items, and airline or live-performance event items, among other exceptions.
Where to begin: the warehouse returns counter for an in-store purchase; a warehouse or the Orders & Returns area for an eligible online order.

These are U.S. Costco rules, not a worldwide policy. For the definitive list, see Costco’s official return policy. Also check the product’s own Shipping & Returns information, which may provide instructions that the general policy does not.

Costco return time limits by product: quick reference table

Start here if you are checking a specific purchase. “Broad guarantee” means Costco does not publish one standard return deadline for that category in its general U.S. policy; it does not mean an unconditional lifetime refund. Costco can publish additional requirements for individual products and services.

Product or purchase	Typical rule	What to check
Televisions, projectors, laptops and desktop computers	90 days	Count from when you received the merchandise.
Touchscreen tablets, smartwatches, cameras, drones and cellular phones	90 days	Phone carrier-contract terms can affect the process.
Specified large refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, washers, dryers and other listed major appliances	90 days	Check the exact appliance definition and arrange collection if needed.
Recreational carts ordered online	90 days	Review the product page for return instructions.
Air fryers and many small kitchen appliances	Broad merchandise guarantee in general	These are not named in the published 90-day category; check the precise product listing.
Headphones and ordinary earbuds	Broad merchandise guarantee in general	Not named separately in the 90-day list; verify item-specific restrictions.
Clothing and shoes	Broad merchandise guarantee in general	Bring the product and the transaction or membership details.
Food and groceries	Broad merchandise guarantee in general	For perishables, especially online, ask how Costco wants the issue handled.
Sofas, mattresses and standard furniture	Broad merchandise guarantee in general	Check special orders, custom work and any freight-return arrangements.
Diamonds of 1.00 carat or greater	Verification procedure	Bring original IGI/GIA paperwork; expect authentication review.
Tires and batteries	Product-specific warranty terms may apply	Consult Tire Center or the relevant service team.
Hearing aids, glasses and contact lenses	Specialized process	Use Hearing Aid Center or Optical guidance rather than guessing a deadline.
Precious metals, Costco Shop Cards, select gift cards and tickets	Nonrefundable under Costco’s published exclusions	See each item’s specific wording before purchasing.
Customized installations or made-to-specification products	Generally nonreturnable for a change of mind	Failure to meet specifications may qualify for warranty repair/replacement.

This chart interprets the official U.S. Costco merchandise-return policy rather than rules published by other retailers or other countries. It is a starting point, not a replacement for the item’s Shipping & Returns terms.

Which Costco purchases have a 90-day return deadline?

Costco explicitly puts the following kinds of purchases under its 90-day electronics-and-appliances exception: televisions, projectors, computers, touchscreen tablets, smart wearable devices, cameras, aerial cameras or drones, camcorders, MP3 players, and cellular phones. Phone returns can also depend on the carrier service contract. These are defined categories; not everything with a plug automatically falls under the same rule.

The list also covers specified major appliances: refrigerators with more than 10 cubic feet of capacity, freezers, ranges, cooktops, over-the-range and under-counter microwaves, range hoods, dishwashers, water heaters, washers, and dryers. Costco also lists recreational carts ordered online under a 90-day window, with item-specific return instructions. Read the official list rather than relying on a general statement such as “all appliances are returnable for 90 days.”

Does the 90-day clock start when I order or when I receive the item?

For these listed categories, Costco says the deadline starts on the date the member received the merchandise. That distinction matters when an online computer or washer takes several days to arrive. An order confirmation may show the purchase date, while delivery tracking or a warehouse transaction may establish when the merchandise was received. Keep that evidence if you are approaching the deadline.

Consider a laptop ordered online on one day but delivered five days later. When checking the return window, use Costco’s receipt-based rule rather than automatically counting 90 days from checkout. If there is a dispute about the applicable date, ask Costco to review the order details before shipping the device or bringing it back.

Can a broken television or laptop be returned after 90 days?

Do not confuse a product return with a warranty claim. A television that fails outside the return window may qualify for manufacturer, Costco, or purchased protection-plan assistance, but that does not automatically reopen the 90-day return period. Document the failure, find the model number, and use the warranty route described later in this guide. This can be more productive than arriving at the counter expecting an ordinary return.

Items Costco will not refund or may handle differently

The satisfaction guarantee comes with clearly named boundaries. Precious metals, Costco Shop Cards, airline and live-performance event items, and certain gift card and ticket products are listed as nonrefundable. Costco also restricts cigarette and alcohol returns where prohibited by law. A product being sold at Costco is not, by itself, proof that it can be returned through the normal merchandise process.

Jewelry bought on Costco.com has its own official jewelry return instructions, including a warehouse route or a supported arranged pickup, plus authenticity review where required. Do not mail a high-value ring using a generic self-service label.

Several other categories are not simply “yes” or “no”:

Diamonds: for diamonds of 1.00 carat or larger, Costco requires the original grading paperwork and a jewelry verification procedure. Do not expect an instant, routine counter refund for a qualifying diamond.
Tires and batteries: products with limited useful lives can be subject to product-specific limited warranties. Consult the purchase documents and the appropriate Costco service department.
Special orders and custom installations: products manufactured to a member’s specifications generally cannot be returned for a change of mind, subject to the warranty repair or replacement exception described by Costco.
Contact lenses and eyeglasses: Costco directs customers to optical-specific procedures rather than treating every item as an ordinary warehouse merchandise return.
Hearing aids: the official policy directs members to their warehouse Hearing Aid Center for assistance.
Freight-delivered merchandise: large-item returns can require a scheduled collection rather than a parcel label.

The distinction between a nonrefundable item and an item excluded from the online self-service return tool is especially important. Costco’s self-service exclusions include categories such as jewelry, tires, optical goods, perishables, all Apple products, and certain special-order merchandise. That does not mean every product on that list is categorically nonreturnable. It means the ordinary website workflow may not be available; contact Costco or visit the appropriate department instead.

Costco return policy for air fryers, headphones, clothes and groceries

The most searched-for product questions do not always match Costco’s actual exception categories. The safest way to answer them is to distinguish items specifically named in Costco’s 90-day list from merchandise generally covered by the satisfaction guarantee.

Air fryers and small kitchen appliances

An ordinary countertop air fryer is not expressly listed among Costco’s 90-day electronics or defined major-appliance exceptions. It would generally fall under the broader merchandise satisfaction guarantee rather than automatically receiving the same deadline as a full-size range. Still, check the specific item’s Costco product page and purchase terms. If your air fryer stopped heating, bring its model information, accessories and transaction details so staff can distinguish dissatisfaction from a warranty claim. Do not assume every kitchen product has identical terms simply because it plugs into an outlet.

Headphones, earbuds and AirPods

Headphones and ordinary earbuds are not named in Costco’s official list of products subject to the 90-day electronics limit. Avoid applying that list to every audio accessory by analogy. However, the Costco.com self-service exclusions include all Apple products, so AirPods and other Apple purchases may require a different return route even where the ordinary online button is missing. Confirm product eligibility with Costco instead of treating the online-tool restriction as an automatic ban on the return itself.

For a MacBook, iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch or other Apple item that stores account data, Costco’s Apple return instructions specifically require you to factory-reset and unlock the device before returning it. Back up files and unlink personal accounts before the reset. The 90-day period still applies where the item is one of Costco’s named electronics categories; the reset procedure is a separate preparation step.

Clothing, shoes and purchases made years ago

Everyday apparel generally belongs to Costco’s broad merchandise guarantee, rather than the published 90-day list. If you have unworn shoes or a jacket bought a long time ago, bring the merchandise and any transaction evidence. There is no universal “five-year return rule” promising that a particular clothing return will be approved. A genuine dissatisfaction claim is different from expecting a refund solely because an old item is no longer needed.

Opened food, groceries and perishable products

Food does not appear on Costco’s main 90-day electronics list, and the satisfaction guarantee can apply to disappointing groceries. But do not take the online-return tool as a universal solution: perishable items can be excluded from Costco.com self-service. If food spoiled early, arrived damaged or was unsafe to use, note the purchase date, photograph the problem when useful, preserve the packaging or identifying product information, and ask Costco how to resolve it. Do not ship spoiled food yourself or assume Costco will accept every fully consumed product without questions.

Sofas, mattresses and other bulky furniture

Standard sofas and mattresses are not explicitly included in the 90-day electronics exception, although a custom order or special installation can have separate limits. The practical difficulty is often collection, not the deadline. For a Costco.com freight delivery, check Costco’s freight-return instructions before moving, disassembling or disposing of the item. An opened mattress or five-year-old couch should be assessed against the current item-specific terms; there is no promise of automatic acceptance merely because it is furniture.

How to return something purchased at a Costco warehouse

For an in-warehouse purchase, bring the product to the returns or Member Services counter at a Costco warehouse. A receipt and original packaging make things easier, but Costco’s warehouse-return guidance says they may not always be necessary. Having your membership information available can help staff identify the transaction.

Check whether the product is subject to the 90-day limit or a special exception before making the trip.
Bring the product and, when available, its accessories, receipt, packaging, and related warranty documents.
Explain whether you are returning it because you changed your mind, it arrived damaged, or it has developed a defect.
Ask Member Services to review the transaction and explain the available refund, replacement, or service option.
Keep the return receipt or other confirmation until the credit appears on your account.

For expensive electronics, back up your personal information and sign out of your accounts before handing over the device. For an installed product, do not remove equipment or arrange your own shipping until Costco explains the required procedure.

How to return an item bought on Costco.com

Online purchases commonly have two return paths. Costco’s official online-return instructions permit an eligible Costco.com order to be returned at a Costco warehouse, or you can start a return through Costco.com. Bringing a qualifying order to the warehouse can be convenient when you would rather not wait for a carrier pickup.

Business Center exception: A Costco Business Center delivery order is not necessarily processed like a regular Costco.com order. Costco’s Business Center return guidance asks for the order invoice and describes returns at a warehouse or, for qualifying local-delivery orders, collection on the next delivery. Tobacco, gift cards, tickets and some special orders are excluded.

Option one: take the online purchase to a warehouse

Bring the item and the order information to the warehouse returns counter. Costco says qualifying online-to-warehouse returns can receive an immediate return refund, including applicable shipping and handling charges. “Immediate” describes processing by Costco; a bank or payment provider may take additional time to display the credit. Payment methods accepted online and at warehouses differ, so ask about the appropriate refund method if necessary.

Option two: initiate a return through Orders & Returns

Sign in to the Costco.com account used for the order.
Open Orders & Returns and locate the purchase.
Choose Return or Replace Items when the option appears for that product.
Select the accurate reason and follow the item-specific label, drop-off, or pickup instructions.
Save the label, carrier scan, or pickup confirmation and check the order for updates.

Not every product offers the self-service button. This is particularly relevant for Apple products, jewelry, optical merchandise, tires, perishables, and custom installations. When the automated option is missing, it is safer to ask Costco which channel applies than to ship a parcel to an unverified address.

What about sofas, washers, and other freight returns?

Costco says a freight-delivered item is generally collected using a service level comparable to the original delivery, such as curbside, threshold, or White Glove. After a freight return is initiated, the carrier ordinarily contacts the customer within 5–7 business days to arrange collection. Costco describes exceptions for certain custom and special-event purchases. See its freight-return instructions before dismantling, packing, or moving a major appliance.

Costco refund timeline: what happens after the return?

Returning the product and receiving the money are separate steps. Costco publishes specific estimated times for issuing refunds on Costco.com returns, based on the return method. The following estimates are from Costco’s refund-timing guidance:

UPS return label: typically 2–3 business days after UPS scans the label.
UPS Mail Innovations: typically 2–3 business days after the return label is used.
UPS pickup: typically 2–3 business days after UPS collects the item.
Freight pickup: typically 2 business days after the carrier collects the merchandise.

Some merchandise needs another 3–10 business days for verification. These are not guaranteed dates for the credit to reach your bank. Costco explains that credit- and debit-card posting depends on the financial institution, mailed checks can take up to 15 business days, and eligible Shop Card refunds follow the card-reload or replacement-card process described in its guidance.

If the refund seems late, sign in and open Orders & Returns → View Order Details → View Return/Refund Status. Check whether Costco has issued the refund or whether the payment provider is still processing it. Keep the return receipt and contact support with the order number and tracking information if the status is stalled.

Damaged deliveries, wrong items, and missing packages

A damaged delivery is not quite the same as deciding you no longer want a product. If a Costco.com order arrives damaged or missing a component, photograph the carton, label, visible damage, and contents before disposing of packaging. In the order’s return or replacement flow, give the accurate reason and look for the appropriate replacement or return choice. A large appliance may need a collection appointment rather than a standard label.

If the entire shipment never arrived, there is nothing to physically return. Check the delivery status and contact Costco about the missing shipment, rather than initiating a normal return for an item you never received. Similarly, if an order contains the wrong product, keep the item and packing documents until Costco confirms how it should be handled. These details help separate a delivery investigation from a change-of-mind refund.

Can Costco refuse a return or flag frequent returns?

Costco’s written guarantee is generous, but it includes named exclusions, product-specific conditions, and requirements to document certain purchases. A return can run into difficulty when the product is outside an applicable deadline, is expressly nonrefundable, lacks required jewelry certification, was custom-made, or cannot be matched to the transaction. If that happens, ask the return desk which published term applies and whether a service or warranty route remains available.

News articles and members discussing their experiences describe Costco staff reviewing unusual or repetitive return patterns. Such accounts are useful context, not a published numerical rule. Costco’s official policy does not set out a universal “X returns,” “50% of purchases,” or “$20 return” threshold that automatically cancels membership. Avoid websites that present an anecdote as a nationwide rule. Bring accurate details, be candid about the reason for a return, and ask for clarification if a decision is disputed.

💡 Similar Store Policy BJ’s Return Policy: The Fine Print That Can Save You Money Return & Refund Guide →

Can I return something after two, three or five years?

For merchandise under the broad satisfaction guarantee, Costco does not publish an across-the-board calendar cutoff of two, three or five years. So an older purchase is not automatically disqualified because of age alone. But the specific category matters: a four-year-old TV is well past Costco’s ordinary 90-day return period, while standard clothing is not in that category. An old purchase might be hard to locate, may carry special terms, or may require a separate warranty claim. Check the original purchase, the applicable exception and the reasons for returning it before visiting the warehouse.

What if the item was bought under another membership?

If the item was a gift, bought for a relative, or tied to an old membership, tell Member Services early. Information such as the purchaser’s name, original Costco.com order number, approximate date and payment method may help locate the correct transaction. Never assume Costco can identify an unrelated person’s purchase from your membership alone. Ask which refund method is possible once ownership and eligibility have been verified.

Does Costco accept returns without a receipt or original box?

Costco’s published warehouse guidance says that a receipt or original packaging helps but may not be necessary. This is useful for members who misplaced a paper receipt or opened a product weeks ago. It is not a promise that every return without purchase evidence will be approved. A special-category item can still need certificates, accessories, and other documents.

For a warehouse purchase, bring your membership information and whatever transaction details you still have. For an online purchase, find the order inside Costco.com. If the item includes a unique serial number or was delivered by an installer, retain any paperwork that can connect that specific unit to the sale. If your issue concerns a high-value diamond, the official policy’s documentation requirement matters even when other products might be accepted without their packaging.

Is there a Costco $20 rule or a 30-day price-adjustment option?

One People Also Ask query refers to a “Costco $20 rule,” but the phrase is ambiguous and is not an identified rule in Costco’s published merchandise-return policy. Some online explanations confuse it with price adjustments; others refer to unrelated employment or shopping claims. Do not rely on an alleged $20 threshold when deciding whether a product can be returned.

A different, verifiable benefit is Costco’s price-adjustment policy. Eligible Costco.com purchases that drop in price within 30 days may qualify for the difference, subject to promotion limits and other exclusions. Warehouse purchases are handled through the original location’s returns counter; Costco.com purchases are not price-matched to warehouse pricing or other retailers. If the only problem is that your item went on sale soon after you bought it, request a price review instead of returning a perfectly good product merely to rebuy it.

Costco warranties: what to do when the return window has ended

Costco’s merchandise-return rules should not be mistaken for an all-purpose warranty. According to Costco Technical & Warranty Services, Costco extends the manufacturer’s warranty for certain televisions, projectors, computers (excluding touchscreen tablets), and specified major appliances for up to two years from the applicable purchase or online-delivery date. Coverage has exceptions, and the remedy may be repair, replacement, or refund as described in the warranty terms.

For U.S. Costco members, the published technical and warranty assistance number is 1-866-861-0450. Have the model number, purchase record, and a description of the defect ready. If you bought a separate Allstate protection plan, review that plan’s coverage and dates too. A manufacturer warranty or protection plan may address a malfunction even when a normal return is no longer available.

Imagine a computer that worked for several months and now will not power on. Instead of assuming Costco must accept it as a 90-day return, first determine whether the issue is covered by Costco’s additional warranty services or the manufacturer’s terms. If it is a software problem, backing up data and explaining the symptoms before service can reduce inconvenience.

What if you want to cancel a Costco membership?

Membership refunds follow a different rule from merchandise. Costco states that a member who is dissatisfied can cancel and receive a refund of the membership fee. This does not mean every earlier product purchase is refunded along with the membership. If you also have a merchandise return, raise the two requests separately so Member Services can apply the right rule to each one.

Holiday gifts, opened products, and three situations worth checking

Do not assume that a seasonal gift automatically receives a longer return window. A holiday television is still a listed electronics product, and the published 90-day deadline remains important unless Costco states a relevant exception. Keep the purchase or delivery date and, where possible, the purchaser’s order information. For opened merchandise, the key question is whether the specific product remains eligible under Costco’s policy, not merely whether a seal was broken.

Situation: a smartwatch was opened and tried on

A smartwatch is a listed smart wearable, so check the 90-day deadline first. Bring the watch, charger, and proof of purchase if available. Do not assume that a broad satisfaction guarantee lets you disregard the electronics category simply because the item still works.

Situation: a refrigerator was delivered with a defect

Document the delivery date and the problem. Because major appliances can have a 90-day return rule, act promptly if a return is the goal. If the item is too large to transport safely, use the official return or freight procedure. If the window has passed, check the applicable warranty before arranging independent repairs.

Situation: you want to return an expensive ring

Before visiting the counter, check the diamond size and gather the original grading certificate and paperwork. High-value jewelry can require a gemologist’s verification rather than an immediate refund. An online account not showing a self-service button does not, by itself, establish that every jewelry return is impossible.

Frequently asked questions about Costco returns

How many days does Costco give you to return most items?

Costco does not state one universal day limit for all eligible merchandise under its satisfaction guarantee. Specified electronics, major appliances, and recreational carts bought online have a 90-day rule, and some other products have restrictions or exclusions.

Can I return a Costco.com purchase to a Costco warehouse?

Yes, Costco lists warehouse returns as one of its primary options for eligible online orders. Bring the item and order information, and keep the refund receipt.

Does Costco require a receipt for a return?

Not always. Costco says a receipt or original packaging helps with warehouse returns but may not be required. Special product documentation requirements can still apply.

Can I get a refund on a Costco Shop Card?

Costco lists Shop Cards as nonrefundable under its merchandise-return policy. That is different from the way a Shop Card may be used or reloaded as a payment method when Costco issues a qualifying refund.

Can I return an Apple product through Costco.com?

Costco’s online self-service exclusion list includes all Apple products. That is a restriction on the automated return channel, not proof that no return is ever possible. Ask Costco for the appropriate process and check the item’s eligibility and deadline.

How long does it take Costco to refund an online return?

Costco’s published refund issuance estimates depend on the shipping or pickup method, often 2–3 business days after a relevant carrier event. Extra verification and bank processing can add time.

Can I return a Costco gift bought for the holidays?

Eligibility depends on the specific merchandise and its policy exceptions, not just the fact that it was a gift. For electronics and major appliances, check the 90-day rule and the date received. Ask Costco about the refund destination if the recipient is different from the purchaser.

What should I do if Costco refuses my return?

Ask which written policy or item-specific condition applies, and whether the product qualifies for a replacement, repair, or warranty review. Have the order number and the relevant documentation ready. An explained, category-specific decision is more useful than repeatedly trying a different return channel without resolving the eligibility issue.

How Costco compares with other warehouse clubs

Costco’s satisfaction guarantee is often discussed alongside competing warehouse-club policies, but their exceptions are not interchangeable. If you shop at both stores, compare the rules in our Sam’s Club return policy guide before assuming that two memberships provide identical electronics deadlines or refund procedures. Our BJ’s return policy guide is another useful comparison for shoppers evaluating warehouse-club purchases.

Bottom line: start with Costco’s current official U.S. return policy, match the product to the exceptions, and select the proper warehouse, online, or specialized service channel. Policies can change, and the product page or Costco Member Services should resolve questions about a particular purchase.

Editorial note: RefundGuides is an independent information resource and is not affiliated with Costco. This guide explains published store procedures; it is not legal advice.

📌 Also Check Out Jetro Returns: Cash-and-Carry Food, Full Cases and Warehouse Receipts Return & Refund Guide →