Mobile phones today are produced with a huge variety of features, specifications, and accessories, making it difficult for customers to choose the one that best suits their preferences.
So what if you’ve bought a phone from Costco and found that it lacks some of your desired features? Here is everything I’ve found out about Costco’s phone return policy!
Costco Phone Return Policy
Costco accepts returns of unopened, opened, and used phones in-store and online within 90 days of purchase or delivery. You must cancel the network contract within 14 days yourself to avoid cancellation fees. Provide the original receipt or your membership number to get a full refund.
If you want to learn more about whether you can return phones without the original receipt, what is the quickest way to return a phone to Costco, and much more, keep on reading!
How Long Do You Have To Return A Phone To Costco?
When you purchase a phone from the Wireless Advocate kiosk at Costco’s warehouse locations, you will have 90 days from the date of purchase or delivery to register a return.
Note that it is your responsibility to cancel the contract service with the phone’s network provider since Costco will not do that on your behalf.
Additionally, if you enroll with one of the carriers (Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile) operated at the Wireless Advocate kiosk, you’ll receive a 14-day trial period during which you can cancel for free.
If you decide to cancel after this 14-day window, you will be liable to pay cancellation charges.
Can You Return A Phone To Costco Without A Receipt?
Costco requires customers to provide proof of purchase (ideally in the form of a receipt) to return an item and receive full cash or card refunds.
Fortunately, cashiers can also identify your transaction by inserting your 12-digit membership number into the system in case you have lost the receipt.
Once your purchase is verified and your phone is within the eligible time frame for returns, you will receive a full refund, exchange, or replacement where applicable.
If your transaction is undetectable, Costco may deny your return or offer store credit, with the store manager making the final decision.
Note that customers with a regular track record of requesting returns without a receipt may face restrictions since Costco keeps track of such returns in its system.
Can You Return Opened Phones To Costco?
As part of its policy to provide exceptional levels of customer service, Costco allows customers to return phones that have been opened for a full refund or exchange.
However, you must make sure that all additional accessories such as chargers, headphones, manuals, and plug adapters are also returned with the original box.
How Do You Return A Phone Purchased From Costco.com?
Costco sells a variety of phones on Costco.com from carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, along with notable brands such as Apple, Samsung, LG, and Google.
You can use the self-service return system at Costco.com (via your online account) to return all types of phones except for Apple products such as iPhones.
Follow these steps to use this feature and process your return:
- Log in to your online account and select ‘Orders & Returns’
- Click ‘Return Items’ on the phone you wish to send back, and follow the upcoming prompts
- Proceed, forwards, if you want to return the phone or fill out the request form if you want a replacement
- Print the free return shipping label and securely attach it to the package, making sure to include all additional accessories
- Drop the package off at any UPS or USPS location for free
Note that if your phone is eligible for a return, you will be refunded the cost of the item as well as the shipping and handling fees.
Can You Return Used Phones To Costco?
You can return used phones to Costco as long as they are returned in new condition. Phones that have been broken will not be replaced or refunded by Costco.
However, customers that received damaged or defective phone devices are eligible to receive a full refund if they request a return within 90 days after the purchase or delivery.
How Do I Return A Phone Received As A Gift To Costco?
Costco allows non-members to return phones they received as gifts from Costco members. You can do this at the customer service desk in-store at any warehouse location.
All you need to bring is the receipt or membership number of the gift giver and in return, you’ll receive a Costco shop card loaded with the paid price of the phone.
These cards do not expire and allow non-members to shop in-store and online, just like regular members.
Keep in mind that if you return the phone via mail, the gift giver will receive the funds in 1-2 weeks.
What Is The Quickest Way To Return A Phone To Costco?
The quickest way to return a phone (bought online or in-store) to Costco is to head over to your local warehouse location and initiate your return at the customer service desk or Wireless Advocate kiosk.
Make sure you have proof of purchase such as the receipt or your membership number for Costco to track and verify the transaction.
Cash refunds will be distributed on the spot whereas those who paid with a credit or debit card will typically receive the funds in around 48 hours.
Additionally, customers who paid with a Costco shop card can reload their original card or take a new one.
If you want to learn more about the phone policies of retail chains, you can see our related posts on Target’s cellphone return policy, Walmart’s phone return policy, and whether Walmart buys phones.
Conclusion
Phones purchased from Wireless Advocate kiosks at Costco warehouses or Costco.com can be returned within 90 days after purchase or delivery.
Remember to cancel your contract from the provided networks within 14 days to avoid cancellation charges. Apple phones are the only handsets that cannot be returned via Costco.com self-service.
However, all phones are returnable in-store with the original receipt or membership for a full refund. Customers must return used or open phones with original accessories and boxes.