Costco Return
Policy 2026
Costco's policy is the most generous in retail: no time limit on most items, including opened furniture, used clothing, even partially eaten food. Electronics and major appliances are the firm exception at 90 days. Below: the short list of what can't be returned, the 2026 enforcement update, and the underused membership refund perk.
What you CAN'T return, start here
Costco's "Risk-Free 100% Satisfaction Guarantee" is one of the most generous policies in mainstream retail. Most discussion of it focuses on what you CAN return, which is almost everything. So instead, let's start with the short list of what you can't:
Electronics and major appliances have a hard 90-day window from delivery date. After that, the warranty (manufacturer's or Costco's Allstate Protection Plan) is your only path.
The full list of items permanently non-returnable:
- Cigarettes and alcohol (where state law prohibits)
- Costco Shop Cards and gift cards (cannot be redeemed for cash)
- Precious metals, gold and silver bullion
- Airline tickets and live performance event tickets
- Custom installations, flooring, blinds, garage doors made to specific measurements
- Special Order Kiosk items, countertops, custom cabinets, custom programs
- Digital downloads once accessed (e-books, software keys)
Everything else, and this is what makes Costco unique, has no time limit. Furniture you bought two years ago, kitchen items you've used for a year, clothing that wore out faster than expected: all returnable under the satisfaction guarantee.
How the unlimited return policy actually works
The official policy: "We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell, and will refund your purchase price." Notice what's missing: no time limit. No "must be unopened." No "must have receipt."
In practice, here's what to expect at the returns counter:
- Bring your membership card. Costco can look up purchases via your membership history. Receipts not required.
- Original packaging is preferred but not required for most items. For electronics, accessories should be included.
- Used and opened items are accepted. A half-eaten bag of Kirkland nuts? A dress worn once? Furniture you've had for a year? All eligible if you're not satisfied.
- Refund processing is usually immediate at the warehouse. Online returns refund within 2-10 business days depending on payment method.
The 90-day electronics rule explained
The single firm exception to Costco's unlimited policy applies to electronics and major appliances. The full list:
- Televisions and projectors
- Computers (desktops, laptops, Chromebooks)
- Touchscreen tablets and smart wearables (Apple Watch, Fitbit, etc.)
- Cameras and aerial cameras (drones)
- Camcorders and MP3 players
- Cell phones (return details vary by carrier service contract)
- Major appliances: refrigerators above 10 cu. ft., freezers, ranges, cooktops, over-the-range and under-counter microwaves, range hoods, dishwashers, water heaters, washers, and dryers
The 90-day clock starts on the date you received the item, not the date you purchased it. For online orders that took a week to ship, your clock didn't start until the item actually arrived.
Costco's Concierge Service provides free technical support and warranty information for these items, even after the 90-day return window has closed. If your TV is having issues at day 89, try Concierge first, they can sometimes resolve the problem so a return isn't necessary.
The Costco Apple return process (one extra step)
Apple products bought at Costco, iPads, MacBooks, iPhones, Apple Watches, follow the standard 90-day electronics window. But before returning any Apple device, take one extra step:
Factory reset and unlock the device. Costco's website has device-specific instructions. Skipping this step causes the most return delays at the desk because Costco staff cannot inventory a locked device.
Specifically:
- iPhone: Sign out of Apple ID, then Settings → General → Reset → Erase All Content and Settings
- Mac: System Settings → Erase All Content and Settings
- Apple Watch: Unpair from your phone first, then erase
- iPad: Same as iPhone, sign out then erase
Membership as a return tool
Two underused features of Costco membership related to returns:
Membership refund. If you're not satisfied with your Costco membership for any reason, you can cancel anytime and receive a full refund of the annual fee, even on day 365. This is unique among warehouse clubs.
Price adjustments within 30 days. If something you bought drops in price within 30 days of your purchase, Costco refunds the difference. No need to return and rebuy. Just go to the customer service desk with your membership card and the original purchase info.
Comparison with other warehouse clubs
| Category | Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Costco | No limit / 90 days electronics | Most generous in retail. Opened items accepted. |
| Sam's Club | No limit / 14 days phones | Similar window but stricter on packaging. |
| BJ's Wholesale | 365 days | Generous but step down from Costco/Sam's. |
| Walmart (comparison) | 90 days | Much tighter on most items. |
| Amazon (comparison) | 30 days | Standard tightest of the comparison group. |
Common questions
Never miss a return again
Snap a photo of a receipt, upload a screenshot of any order, or forward your online order confirmation email. RefundHaul extracts the items, looks up the per-category return policy, and reminds you before each deadline. Unlimited free receipt scans.
Try RefundHaul Free →Compare with other store policies
Each store sets its own return windows. Browse the most-checked policies to compare against Costco: