--- title: The One Costco Rule That Keeps It Leagues Above Other Stores description: Costco has a generous return policy. Here's what to know about returning items, the exceptions to the policy and more. authors: - name: Marc Guberti url: https://money.com/author/marc-guberti/ bio: Marc Guberti is a personal finance writer who hosts Breakthrough Success, a podcast where he teaches listeners how to grow their businesses and achieve personal transformations. at_money_since: 2024 articles: 463 covers: - Shopping - Banking - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Debt - Economy and Politics - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Pets - Professional Services - Retirement - Taxes published: '2026-11-06T14:00:25.000Z' section: Shopping word_count: 413 canonical: https://money.com/costco-return-policy/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** Money may earn a commission when you click on the products and services below. Opinions are our own, but compensation and in-depth research determine where and how they appear. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/) about how we make money. ![Costco Wholesale](https://img.money.com/2026/10/Explainer-One-Costco-Rule.jpg) Costco has become a staple for many people’s shopping trips. Not only does it have groceries, but it also has everyday products like shampoo and dish soap, plus a wide range of services. While the $65 Costco membership gives you access to good deals, that’s not the only thing that makes Costco special. The company’s refund policy sets it apart from many competitors. ## Canceling anytime for a full refund Many companies limit you to a 90-day or 30-day refund period, and some businesses reduce it to a 14-day or even a seven-day window for certain items. But at Costco, you can get a refund for many items that you bought years ago. The company boasts a “risk-free 100% satisfaction guarantee,” and says that if you’re not satisfied, it will refund your purchase price, with some exceptions. That means for many items like clothes and small appliances, you can return the items at any time. Costco receives upfront annual membership fees that help it absorb some of its losses (and keep its $1.50 hot-dog-and-soda combo at the same price since in the 1980s). That membership model may also give the company a bit more flexibility with its refund model. Some returned products can be resold in stores or in secondary markets, too. But there are exceptions. The company has a 90-day refund window for electronics and major appliances, such as televisions, refrigerators and dishwashers. The company also says that items with a limited useful life expectancy, such as tires and batteries, may have their own specific warranties. Gold and silver are nonrefundable. You can find the full list of exceptions to the general return policy on Costco’s [website](https://customerservice.costco.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1191/~/what-is-costcos-return-policy%3F). ## How to return items at Costco To return items, you need to visit the returns counter at a warehouse. If you bought it online, you can still return it in person, or start your return process on the company’s site. The company says on its website that it helps if you have the receipt or original product packaging, but that it’s likely not necessary. ## Only buy what you can store This doesn’t mean you should try to abuse Costco’s generous return policy. Earlier this year, the retailer [reportedly](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/costco-quietly-cracks-down-returns-163300909.html) started [cracking down](https://www.newsweek.com/costco-returns-policy-changed-reports-11528117) on its returns. Going into a Costco warehouse with a shopping list and knowing what you can reasonably fit in your home can help you avoid needing to use the company’s refund policy. 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