How long can I return electronics to Costco?
Costco offers a 90-day return window for electronics: TVs, computers, tablets, cameras, drones, smart wearables, and cell phones. Most other Costco items have no return deadline at all under their satisfaction guarantee. You don't need a receipt; your membership card tracks every purchase. Returns within 90 days are accepted at any Costco warehouse. After 90 days, Costco Concierge Services can help with manufacturer warranty claims.
Which Costco items fall under the 90-day electronics rule?
The 90-day window applies to specific categories Costco defines as electronics. The list is more narrow than you might expect. Speakers, smart home devices, and gaming consoles can fall into gray areas depending on the warehouse.
Definitely covered (90-day window):
Not electronics (no time limit):
What do I need to bring for a Costco electronics return?
The accessories requirement is firm. A TV returned without the remote, a laptop without its charger, or a camera without the battery, and the returns desk may decline or offer only a partial credit. Call ahead if you're missing components.
The 90-day rule, explained
Costco added the 90-day electronics restriction because members were returning TVs and computers after using them for a year or more. Before the change, the unlimited satisfaction guarantee applied to everything, which created predictable problems with expensive, depreciating tech. The 90-day window aligns Costco with most manufacturers' standard return periods while still being more generous than many retailers.
The 90 days is counted from your original purchase date, not from when you first used the item or when a problem first appeared. Costco's system tracks this automatically via your membership, and returns desk staff can see your purchase date immediately. There's no way to extend the window through the returns process; if you're past day 90, the returns counter will decline the return.
The window applies equally to in-store and online purchases. Online returns can be initiated through Costco.com for a prepaid shipping label, or returned in person at any warehouse. Both channels use the same 90-day count.
What can I do after the 90-day Costco electronics window?
If your electronics return window has closed, you have a few legitimate paths. None as clean as a direct return, but worth knowing about, especially for defective items.
Call 1-866-861-0450. Costco's free tech support line can facilitate manufacturer warranty claims and troubleshoot issues even after the return window closes. Most Costco members don't even know this exists.
Most electronics come with at least a 1-year manufacturer warranty. If the item stops working from a defect (not physical damage) after 90 days but within the warranty period, contact the manufacturer directly.
The Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi adds up to 2 extra years to the manufacturer warranty on eligible items purchased with the card. File a claim through Citi with your original receipt and warranty documentation.
If your item is defective and you're just past 90 days, bringing it in-store and explaining the defect to a supervisor may result in an exception. This is discretionary, not guaranteed, but worth attempting for clear manufacturing defects.
Step-by-step: returning electronics to Costco
- 1Confirm you are within the 90-day window from your original purchase date.
- 2Gather all original accessories: cables, remotes, chargers, manuals, and original packaging if you have it.
- 3Bring your membership card. No receipt is needed. Your purchase is in the system.
- 4Go to the returns counter at any Costco warehouse (not a regular checkout).
- 5Staff will look up your purchase by membership number and verify the 90-day window.
- 6A full refund is issued to your original payment method with no restocking fee.
- 7For online purchases, you can also initiate the return on Costco.com to get a prepaid shipping label instead of going in person.
Common questions
Can I return a TV to Costco after 90 days?
Not through the standard return policy. Televisions fall under the 90-day electronics window, and Costco generally holds to that limit at the returns counter. However, if the TV has a manufacturing defect, Costco Concierge Services (1-866-861-0450) may be able to connect you with the manufacturer for a warranty claim. The Costco Citi Visa also extends manufacturer warranties by up to 2 years on eligible purchases.
Does Costco membership track my electronics purchase?
Yes. Every purchase you make at Costco is tied to your membership card, including electronics. When you go to the returns counter, staff can pull up your full purchase history. You don't need your receipt, just your membership card or number. The 90-day window is counted from your original purchase date, which they can verify in the system.
What counts as electronics for the 90-day Costco rule?
Costco's official list includes televisions, projectors, computers, touchscreen tablets, smart wearables, cameras, aerial cameras (drones), camcorders, MP3 players, and cellular phones. Items like sound bars, smart speakers, or streaming sticks are a gray area. Most Costco locations treat them as electronics, but it can depend on the warehouse manager.
Do I need the original box to return electronics to Costco?
Costco requires all original accessories (cables, remotes, chargers, manuals) to process a full return. The box itself is not always strictly required, but showing up without packaging (especially for TVs and computers) makes returns harder. If you've lost the box, call ahead and ask your local Costco what they prefer before making the trip.
Does Costco charge a restocking fee on electronics returns?
No. Costco does not charge restocking fees on electronics returns within the 90-day window. This is a meaningful difference from retailers like Best Buy, which charge a restocking fee on open-box TVs. At Costco, you get a full refund with no deductions, as long as you have all the accessories and are within the window.
Can I return an opened laptop to Costco?
Yes. Costco accepts open-box electronics returns within the 90-day window. The return policy doesn't require items to be unopened or unused. It's based on your satisfaction, not condition. You do need all original accessories. An opened, used laptop returned within 90 days with all its original components is fully refundable.
What if the Costco I bought from is far away? Can I return to any location?
Yes. You can return electronics to any Costco warehouse location, not just the one where you purchased. Your purchase history is tied to your membership card and accessible system-wide. This makes returns convenient even if you bought online or at a different location.
Official Costco return policy: Costco Return Policy. Policy details can change; verify before your trip.
Track your Costco electronics return deadline automatically
UnBuy tracks your 90-day electronics window from the moment you buy and reminds you before day 90 arrives. Never miss a Costco electronics return deadline again.
Bought something at Costco? Track your deadline.
UnBuy will scan your receipts, calculate every return deadline, and send you a reminder before time runs out. Coming soon for iOS.
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