With Costco being such a popular destination for a wide range of products at low prices, it’s no wonder people love the brand, especially with its generous return policy.
However, if you have purchased a product from Costco, you might be wondering if you can still return it without a receipt. And if so, how do you do it and what are the limitations? Here is what I discovered.
Costco Return Policy Without Receipt
Costco will accept returns without a receipt thanks to their risk-free 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Since all purchases made at Costco are done with a membership card, Costco can easily look back at past purchases on their database, so no receipt is necessary.
For more information on Costco’s return policy, how to return an item, and limitations, keep on reading!
How Do You Return Items To Costco Without A Receipt?
Since Costco has one of the most generous and loved return policies in the industry, plus its membership cards, it’s surprisingly easy to return products without a receipt!
Here is a simple walkthrough of how to do it.
When returning a product to Costco without a receipt, it is recommended (but not essential) to bring in all accessories, packaging, boxes, and manuals that came with the original product.
Additionally, customers will also be required to bring in their Costco membership card or member number to process the return.
Once in-store, a Costco team member will be able to look up your past purchases and see that the item you are returning was indeed purchased from Costco.
Side note: Unlike other retailers, having a Costco membership is a huge advantage as it stores all your past purchases on the Costco database, so the card itself is a receipt!
After a Costco team member has seen the evidence of the purchase, they will then initiate the returns process and refund you the amount onto the original card on which you purchased the item.
Are There Any Limitations For Returning Items Without a Receipt?
Since returning a product to Costco without a receipt is the same as with one (thanks to their membership cards), the same restrictions apply.
While almost every product that Costco sells comes with a 100% lifetime guarantee, there are certain categories of items (mainly electronics), that don’t fall into this lifetime guarantee.
Here is a list of products that you can’t return to Costco after 90 days, either without or without a receipt:
- TVs
- Projectors
- Major appliances (freezers, cooktops, microwaves, dishwashers, dryers, ranges, water heaters)
- Computers
- Tablets
- Smartwatches
- Cameras
- Drones
- Camcorders
- MP3 players
- Smartphones
Does Costco Accept Returns Of Gifts Without a Receipt?
Yes, Costco accepts gift returns from non-members without a receipt. However, you will need the membership number of the person who made the purchase.
Most gifts can be returned at any time and are usually refunded onto a Costco cash card, which is usable by members and non-members.
What Items Cannot Be Returned To Costco Without a Receipt?
You cannot return the following items to Costco for a full refund with or without a receipt:
- Alcohol
- Cigarettes
- Diamonds
- Limited lifetime products, such as car batteries and tires
- Special orders made through a kiosk
How Do You Return Or Replace Items From Your Costco Online Order?
You can return or replace items from your online order in-store or online.
To request a return or replacement online, log into your account at Costco.com and select Orders & Returns, following the prompts to receive your return label or schedule a pickup (in eligible locations).
For larger items, you will get an email with additional instructions.
Some items will need additional online processing time before the refund is issued, so for immediate refunds, return your purchased items to your nearest Costco warehouse location.
Does Costco Keep Track Of Returns?
While Costco doesn’t crack down on each customer’s returns, the company does monitor the number of returns that customers make.
Those who frequently return items with a large price tag might be flagged in the system, as well as customers returning items that are visibly used.
Because Costco’s return policy is so lenient, customer-service representatives need to ensure the rules aren’t being bent.
To learn more, you can see our other guides on what Costco does with returns, the Costco glasses return policy, the Costco printer return policy, and the Costco iPad return policy.
Conclusion
You can return most items to Costco without the original receipt for a refund, including your Costco membership itself.
Make sure the item doesn’t have a specific return period, and that all the parts are present before returning it to the store.
Alternatively, you can easily return or replace items that you purchased online through the self-service portal at Costco.com.
