Costco vs Sam's Club Return Policy

Costco

• Risk-free 100% satisfaction guarantee on merchandise — Costco will refund the purchase price on most products at any time
• No time limit on most merchandise returns
• Electronics have a strict 90-day return window from the date the member received the merchandise
• Membership itself can be cancelled and fully refunded at any time if dissatisfied
• No receipt required for most returns — purchases are tracked by membership card and can be looked up at the returns counter
• Having a receipt or order confirmation speeds up the process but is not mandatory
• Items should be returned in reasonable condition; however, Costco is known for accepting used items

Sam's Club

• 100% Satisfaction Guarantee on most items — no time limit for standard products
• Only active Sam's Club memberships are eligible for the guarantee
• All purchases tracked to membership account — receipts are never required
• Electronics and major appliances are the main exception with a 90-day window

Costco

• Electronics (90-day return window): televisions, projectors, major appliances (refrigerators over 10 cu. ft., freezers, ranges, cooktops, over-the-range and under-counter microwaves, range hoods, dishwashers, water heaters, washers, dryers), computers, touchscreen tablets, smart wearable devices, cameras, aerial cameras (drones), camcorders, MP3 players, and cellular phones
• Diamonds 1.00 carat or larger: require original IGI or GIA certificates and a 48-hour inspection period by a Costco Graduate Gemologist before a refund is issued; diamonds under 1.00 carat follow the standard unlimited return policy
• Cigarettes and alcohol: non-returnable where prohibited by law (varies by state)
• Airline tickets and live performance event tickets: not returnable
• Precious metals (gold bars, silver bullion): may have additional return instructions and restrictions
• Costco Shop Cards and gift cards: not returnable
• Custom-ordered products: not returnable (except for warranty repairs)
• Products with limited useful life (tires and batteries): sold with a limited warranty instead of being returnable — tires carry a 5-year Road Hazard Warranty protecting against treadwear damage and tire failure
• Custom-installed programs and duplicate items: not returnable
• Contact lenses: separate return procedures apply — contact the Costco Optical department
• Eyeglasses: in-store purchases handled by warehouse optical departments; online orders have separate FAQ procedures
• Hearing aids: must contact the warehouse hearing aid center for returns
• Freight/oversized items: special return handling procedures may apply

Sam's Club

• Electronics (TVs, computers, laptops, monitors, tablets, smart devices, cameras, drones, gaming consoles, video games, software, movies, music): 90 days
• Major appliances (washers, dryers, refrigerators >9 cu ft, freezers, ranges, cooktops, over-the-range microwaves, dishwashers): 90 days
• Cell phones (prepaid, postpaid, no-contract): 14 days — consistent with carrier contract rules
• Commercial heavy equipment (vending machines, cooking ranges, hood vents, ice machines): 30 days
• Motorsport products (ATVs, go-karts, golf carts, electric/gas vehicles): 30 days
• Diamonds over 1 carat: 90 days — must have original paperwork/certificate
• Perishable/fresh items: request replacement or refund immediately at club; item return not required
• Gift cards and prepaid cards: non-returnable
• Event tickets: non-returnable
• Prescriptions: non-returnable (final sale)
• Travel services: non-returnable
• Custom/personalized products (photo prints, etc.): non-returnable
• Cigarettes and tobacco: non-returnable
• Alcohol: regulated by local laws, varies by location

Costco

• Original payment method (default for all returns)
• In-warehouse returns: refund processed immediately at the returns counter
• Online (Costco.com) returns: refund including shipping and handling fees credited to the original payment method
• Online return refunds typically process within 2-3 business days after Costco receives the item
• Financial institution may take an additional 3-5 business days to post funds to your account
• Debit card refunds may take up to 10 business days
• Cash purchases refunded in cash at the warehouse

Sam's Club

• Original payment method: processed immediately for in-club returns
• SNAP EBT purchases: refunded to member's SNAP EBT account within 90 days, or exchanged for same item
• Gift voucher: substitute if original payment account is unavailable
• Online returns: processed within 5-7 business days after item received at return center
• Shipping/handling fees: typically NOT refunded unless items arrived damaged or due to Sam's Club error

Costco

• Costco.com orders can be returned at any Costco warehouse or by initiating a return online through your Costco.com account
• To return online: go to Orders & Returns, select 'Return or Replace Items' next to the order, and follow the prompts
• Return label provided within the hour, or you can schedule a pickup (where eligible)
• Return shipping is free — Costco covers the cost
• Shipping and handling fees from the original order are also refunded for online returns
• Freight items may require special return handling and scheduled pickup

Sam's Club

• Online purchases have three return options: return to any Sam's Club location (fastest), ship back using prepaid return label, or contact customer service
• Prepaid return label generated through online account or by calling 888-746-7726
• Free return shipping available for most online orders
• Items marked 'cannot be returned in-club' on the product page must be shipped

Costco

• Bring the item to the returns counter at any Costco warehouse
• No receipt needed — the associate can look up your purchase using your membership card
• Refund processed immediately at the counter
• Online purchases (Costco.com) can also be returned at any warehouse
• Original packaging preferred but not always required

Sam's Club

• In-club purchases must be returned to a store — no mail option for in-store purchases
• Bring item to the Member Services desk at any Sam's Club
• No receipt needed — membership card tracks all purchases
• Can also use delivery/shipping confirmation emails, credit card statements, or membership account info

Costco

• Gifts can be returned at any Costco warehouse; the membership holder who made the purchase will receive the refund
• If you are not a Costco member, you may need the original purchaser's membership information for the return
• Costco Shop Cards (gift cards) are not returnable or refundable

Sam's Club

• Gift returns processed at the club with membership information
• Refund goes to the original purchaser's payment method

Costco

• Membership fee is 100% refundable at any time if you are dissatisfied — Costco will cancel and refund the full membership fee
• All membership tiers (Gold Star, Executive) receive the same return policy benefits
• Executive members earn 2% annual reward on purchases but the return policy itself is identical
• Membership card tracks all purchases, eliminating the need for receipts
• Costco Concierge Services provides free technical support for electronics purchased at Costco

Sam's Club

• Membership fee: 100% refundable at any time — cancel and receive full refund of current year's fee
• Plus membership upgrade: if unsatisfied, refund of Plus upgrade amount; limit one cancellation/downgrade per household per year
• Plus members: free shipping on most online items, free curbside pickup, early shopping access, 2% Sam's Cash back
• How to cancel membership: in-club or call 1-888-746-7726; refund options include check, eGift card, or free 3-month extension
• Optical: 60-day satisfaction guarantee on glasses; online contacts: 365-day no-questions return on unopened products

Costco

• Damaged or defective items can be returned at any time under the satisfaction guarantee (no time limit for most items; 90 days for electronics)
• For electronics, Costco Concierge Services offers free technical support and can facilitate warranty claims or replacements
• Major appliances delivered by Costco should be inspected upon delivery for visible damage
• Freight items that arrive damaged should be reported immediately — Costco will arrange pickup and replacement

Sam's Club

• Contact Member Services immediately for damaged/defective items
• Perishable items: request replacement or refund at the club — no need to return the item
• Online items that arrived damaged: free return shipping and full refund including shipping fees
• Wrong item received: contact Sam's Club for exchange or refund

Costco

• Costco offers price adjustments within 30 days of purchase if the item drops in price at Costco
• Applies to both in-warehouse and Costco.com purchases
• Costco does NOT price match competitors — only Costco's own price reductions qualify
• Costco does NOT price match warehouse prices for Costco.com purchases (or vice versa)
• Gold bullion and precious metals are not eligible for price adjustment
• For in-store adjustments: visit the returns counter at the same warehouse location
• For online adjustments: credits typically post within 5-10 business days to the original payment method
• No receipt needed for price adjustments — purchases are linked to your membership

Sam's Club

Not available

Costco

• Exchanges can be done at any Costco warehouse — return the item and purchase the replacement
• Costco does not do direct in-place exchanges; you return for a refund and buy the new item separately
• Online purchases can be exchanged by returning online and placing a new order

Sam's Club

Not available

Costco

• Costco has one of the most generous return policies in retail — no time limit on most items
• No receipt needed for any return — all purchases are tracked by membership card
• Membership can be cancelled and fully refunded at any time
• Electronics must be returned within 90 days — this is strictly enforced
• Diamonds over 1.00 carat require a 48-hour inspection with original IGI/GIA certificates before a refund is issued
• Tires come with a 5-year Road Hazard Warranty instead of being returnable
• Costco Concierge Services provides free technical support for electronics
• Costco has faced reports of cracking down on return abuse — excessive or unreasonable return patterns may be flagged

Sam's Club

• Tires: manufacturer warranty against defects for life of original tread or 4 years; 5-year Road Hazard Protection against non-repairable road damage; free flat tire repair for members
• Batteries: warranty-based returns with prorated replacement; free battery health checks; free installation on most vehicles
• Tires and batteries must be returned/serviced at the Tire and Battery Center specifically
• Optical: prescription eyeglasses returnable within first year; contact lenses exchanged if prescription changes; free adjustments and cleanings at any Sam's Club Optical
• Pharmacy: prescriptions are non-returnable (final sale); Plus members get 30-day supply of 600+ generics for $10 or less
• Hearing center returns: processed only at stores with hearing centers
• Member Services: 1-888-746-7726