Costco's return policy is genuinely one of the best in retail: a 100% satisfaction guarantee with no time limit for most items. Here's what it covers, what the exceptions are, and how returns actually work.
The 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Costco accepts returns on most merchandise at any time for a full refund of the purchase price. You don't need to give a reason. This is real and widely applied — it's a core part of the Costco membership value proposition.
This applies to clothing, household goods, jewelry, furniture, and most general merchandise. No receipt required if you have a Costco membership (all purchases are logged to your account).
Electronics: 90-day exception
Electronics have a separate 90-day return window:
- Televisions
- Projectors
- Computers and laptops
- Tablets and e-readers
- Cameras and camcorders
- Smartphones and cellular devices
- Smartwatches and fitness trackers
- MP3 players
After 90 days, electronics are not returnable through standard Costco policy (though manufacturer warranties may still apply).
What else is excluded
Despite the broad guarantee, a few categories have restrictions:
- Diamonds (1 carat or larger) — require a GIA or AGTA laboratory grading document for return
- Cigarettes and alcohol — subject to state law restrictions (some states don't allow retailer alcohol returns)
- Gold bullion
- Custom special-order kiosks — products like engraved plaques
- Costco Shop Cards — non-refundable
How to return
In-warehouse: Bring the item to the returns desk at any Costco warehouse. No appointment. No receipt needed if you're a member — they look up the purchase. Refunds are immediate to your original payment method.
Online orders: Return Costco.com orders by mail or bring them to any warehouse. For large items, contact Costco to arrange pickup return.
Costco Travel: Travel packages and vacation bookings have different cancellation terms — these are not covered by the merchandise return policy.
Returning without the original packaging
Costco's policy doesn't require original packaging for most items. You can return a vacuum cleaner without the box. An exception: electronics are easier to return with original packaging (especially if you have the serial number or need to return all accessories), but it's not typically a hard requirement.
Membership returns
If you're not satisfied with your Costco membership itself, Costco will refund your membership fee at any time.
The honest verdict
Costco's return policy is exceptional. The no-time-limit guarantee on general merchandise is real and consistently applied. For clothing specifically — which is the category most relevant to Cove's readers — you could theoretically return something years later if it's unused. In practice, this makes Costco a genuinely low-risk place to buy clothing.
Costco clothing and resale
Costco's clothing — their Kirkland Signature line, branded pieces from Levi's, Tommy Hilfiger, and others that appear seasonally — doesn't hold meaningful resale value. It's designed and priced for volume, not as an investment. If you bought clothing at Costco and want to return it, the return policy is your best option.
Cove focuses on the secondary market value of clothing from brands where resale is meaningful. For Costco clothing, the Costco return policy is almost always a better path than resale.