5 Costco Electronics Rules Every Shopper Should Know – BGR

Costco electronics rules can save you a lot of stress if you know them before hitting the “Add to cart” button. The retailer is known for how they handle warranties and returns. However, specifically for electronics, those benefits come with a few policies that are easy to miss.

It’s important to know how a return can vary depending on factors like timing and the condition of the product. Also, while Costco is known for being flexible with its users, electronics often have different rules than other warehouse items, which can catch some people off guard, especially when it comes to online orders.

By knowing Costco’s electronics rules, you can avoid any surprises when trying to resolve a problem, such as when something arrives damaged, stops working, or you simply decide that it is not the right fit. This way, any issues can turn into a quick fix instead of a headache.

One of the first rules that someone interested in buying electronics at Costco should be aware of is that the chain store has a 90-day return policy for these products. Unlike most items sold there, which fall under the satisfaction guarantee, electronics are part of a category with a shorter limit. Purchases like TVs, laptops, tablets, and major appliances for your home are affected by this policy, with the 90-day count starting when the product is received by the customer.

Although it may seem more limiting, especially when considering how generous Costco is with other products’ returns, this 90-day window is actually longer than that of other retail services. Other stores in the U.S. often offer much shorter return periods for electronics, like Amazon, with its 30-day return window for most items, sometimes even less, depending on the category of the product. Costco’s return policy offers the user sufficient time to test their devices.

If the 90-day return window isn’t sufficient, some of the electronics that Costco sells also come with a two-year extended warranty. However, this rule doesn’t apply to every product, only to TVs, projectors, and computers, but not to other devices like smartphones or touchscreen tablets. Some major appliances are also covered.

The positive is that this extended warranty goes beyond what most manufacturers offer by default and also comes with no additional cost for the buyer, since it’s included in the Costco membership plan. After the product’s own warranty ends, the retailer takes responsibility for that extended period and, depending on the situation, it’s possible to repair, replace, or even get a refund for the original purchase.

It’s important to understand what this warranty does not cover, however. Common exclusions include physical damage, liquid damage, software replacement, and data loss, which means users should take precautions, especially with computers. Even so, having a second year of warranty included at no extra cost adds significant value to eligible electronics, especially for more expensive items.

Another great Costco electronics rule to know is that the retailer loves to offer deals on its products, selling them at a reduced price during different sales throughout the year. You don’t need to wait for events like Black Friday to get bigger discounts on your items, since Costco is consistently offering these at a better price for its members, which means that it’s easy to find something on promotion frequently.

For tech enthusiasts, a Costco membership is valuable for this reason, since the products are often on sale, making it easier to save a few bucks on those deals instead of buying everything at once during a single sales event. This way, it’s possible to find products like TVs, computer hardware, headphones, and even other major appliances with a lower price than other retailers, and if the price drops further after you buy it, it’s also possible to use the price match policy that Costco has.

While it’s not a rule only for electronics, the price match policy is another thing that shoppers must know. It can be frustrating buying a new TV only to see that the same one is available for a lower price only a few days later. This can happen at any time, but especially toward the end of the year, when deals are more frequent due to Black Friday and Christmas sales.

According to Costco, “For members other than resellers, purchases that reduce in price within 30 days of the date of purchase are eligible for a price match.” That way, the fear of buying something at “the wrong time” just to find that money could have been saved during a sale is eliminated.

That said, for this price match policy to apply, there are rules that Costco customers need to know before requesting it. The first is that warehouse products are different from those bought online, which means that Costco does not offer price matching across these two different stores. The second is that the price match applies only to Costco sales, meaning they also don’t offer discounts if the electronics have a better price at other retailers like Amazon.

Even though manufacturers offer technical support for their products, Costco also has a similar service, which is great, especially for electronics. For those members who aren’t tech-savvy, or even those who may encounter a problem, having access to additional help can make a big difference. So instead of relying only on the brand’s customer service, Costco offers a second option, which can be helpful for setup questions and other troubleshooting.

This kind of service is particularly valuable when dealing with products that can be overwhelming at first, like installing a printer, smart home devices, or setting up a TV or a laptop. While this process can be simple for some users, this isn’t true for everyone, so having Costco technical service available is a good way to save time and make sure that you’re using your electronics properly, especially when manufacturer support can involve long wait times.