Ahh, Costco – our favorite superstore. What can’t you find there? There are deals for everything under the sun, from socks to patio furniture to protein powder.
Bulk tomatoes and chicken nuggets on your list? No worries! Shopping for a new phone? Costco has you covered. They even sell diamond rings.
And when something goes wrong and you need to return a product, Costco’s return policy also has you covered. You can return anything at any time — with just a few exceptions.
Free Fine Print Guide!
Want to save money on your Nike shoes? Or know what you’re entitled to the next time your flight is delayed?
> Download Erika’s free “Fine Print” guide.
She reads the fine print so you don’t have to!
What Can You Return at Costco?
Pretty much anything you buy at Costco can be returned to Costco. And in most cases, there isn't a time limit on when you need to return it.
You also don't need to be worried about a reason — even if you just don't like something or change your mind, you can take it back.
But there are a few things that have special caveats. Here's what to know.
Electronics
Costco promises a refund on the original purchase price of electronics, but it needs to be within a 90-day window. You can still return for any reason — the product doesn’t have to be damaged for you to get your money back.
Say you bought the new Apple Watch at your local Costco, but you aren’t happy with it and decide you want a Garmin instead.
You can take the Apple Watch back within 90 days and be refunded the entire purchase price, no matter the reason.
The 90-day window for returning electronics covers laptops and computers, TVs, tablets, phones, cameras, and lots more. It also applies to large appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, water heaters, and washers/dryers.
RELATED: Apple Discount Tip: How To Save on Apple Products as a Student
Diamonds
Relationships don’t always work out. Or maybe the ring just didn’t fit and you need to return it for the right size.
Whatever the reason, there’s no timeline or return window to worry about. That means if you bought a ring there years ago, you can still return it if you aren’t happy with it.
But be warned that if the diamond is over one carat, you’ll need the original diamond certification paperwork (a GIA or IGI certificate).
Once you bring in the ring (or any other jewelry) and paperwork to Costco, you’ll be issued a refund and the diamond will be inspected for authenticity.
Hot tubs
One of the quirks of the Costco return policy includes a lifetime return policy for hot tubs.
They don’t fall under the electronics or appliances category, so they can be refunded at any time if you aren’t satisfied.
Did the jets die five years after you purchased it? You can still get your money back!
RELATED: How To Get Free New Shoes Under Nike’s Warranty
What Can’t You Return at Costco?
While Costco’s return policies are pretty lenient, there are several categories of items you can’t get a refund for.
If you buy tires, batteries, or other products that have a useful life expectancy, they will have their own product-specific warranty.
Special orders from a kiosk or other custom programs or services are also not eligible for refunds beyond “warranty repair/replacement due to failure to meet specifications.”
Basically, if you make a custom scrapbook from the photo center, you cannot return it for a refund unless you receive it with the binding already torn or the incorrect pictures in it.
Live performance tickets and airline purchases are also non-refundable. Gold bullion? You can’t get a refund for that, either. And cigarette and alcohol returns are dependent on your local laws.
What About Costco's Tariff Refunds?
Costco announced in March 2026 that it would return any recovered tariff charges to Costco members “through lower prices and better values.”
This is in response to the Supreme Court ruling that Donald Trump's tariffs were illegal — and that the government is to pay back potentially billions of dollars to importers who paid those tariffs.
Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that you, as the consumer, will get a refund. But it does mean that you may be seeing discounted prices at Costco — but there's no word as to when.
Costco's CEO Ron Vachris said, “It is not yet clear what the process will be, what refunds, if any, will be received, and when this will happen.”
How To Make a Return at Costco
Returns are pretty straightforward at Costco — the returns counter is normally right inside the doors and you can even return items you bought online to the physical warehouse.
You can also start your return process online by logging into your Costco account (you'll need to set one up if you don't have one).
Once you're in your account, select “Orders & Returns,” click the return or replace button next to the relevant item, and follow the prompts. You can then either print a return label or schedule a pick-up if you live in an eligible area.
TL;DR: Costco's Return Policy
Costco promises a 100% satisfaction guarantee on almost every item they sell.
That means, with a few exceptions (like tires, airline tickets, gold, and possibly alcohol), you can return pretty much anything and everything at Costco, no reason required.
You can take your item directly back to the warehouse or, if you initiate the return online, arrange for a pick-up in some regions.
I Read the Fine Print!
Want to learn more ways to save money through the fine print? Follow me on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube! That's where I share all my best tips! Or download my FREE Fine Print Guide!
Learn With Erika
- Free Travel Secrets Workshop
- Learn how to use the fine print to book your next vacation practically for free with Erika's step-by-step system
- Free 5 Day Investing Challenge
- Learn how to get started as a beginner investor and make your first $10,000
- Free 5 Day Savings Challenge
- Discover how you can save $1,000 without penny pinching or making major life sacrifices
- Join Erika Kullberg Insiders
- Ask investing questions, share successes and participate in monthly challenges and expert workshops
