Surprising Reasons Why TVs At Costco Are Returned So Frequently

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You might already know you'll save money on groceries when shopping at Costco instead of Walmart. As long as you don't mind buying in bulk, you can frequently save money on food and essentials at Costco even factoring in the annual membership fee. Meanwhile, the discounts Costco provides its members on big-ticket items like furniture, flooring, sporting goods, and electronics can also be a huge selling point at the store.

Even though TVs are the one product that seems to defy inflation, with large units selling for increasingly lower prices while featuring improved specs, Costco remains a popular destination for those looking to save a little extra money on their next flat screen. However, one alleged Costco employee on Reddit says that, while the warehouse retailer may sell a lot of TVs, they are also among the items most frequently returned to the store. One of the most surprising reasons for TV returns is simply the transportation process, with the Reddit user writing, "People stuff them in their car that's too small to safely transport it, and it cracks or breaks on the way home." The employee went on to highlight buyer's remorse and some customers' inability to actually get the products up and running in their home as other potential explanations for the frequent returns. Meanwhile, Costco's liberal return policy may be enough of an incentive on its own for other shoppers to bring a television back to the warehouse.

Costco sells all kinds of TVs, but much of its inventory is made up of larger options measuring well over 50 inches. Given their bulk and fragility, it's no surprise that trying to move a big TV without the proper aid or equipment could damage the product. Even if they get it home unscathed, buyers may find their new TV doesn't fit in their living space the way they'd imagined, which could also inform their decision to make a return. There are ways to avoid both these mishaps, such as taking advantage of Costco's free shipping and delivery services or measuring the area intended to hold your TV before you buy one, but the return policy does act as something of a safeguard regardless of your buying habits.

Additionally, many TVs on the market right now are smart TVs, which offer the ability to connect to the internet and stream content without an external device like a Roku. Although many people find setting up a smart TV to be a simple process, those used to traditional cable setups or connecting a separate streaming apparatus may find it so confusing they can't even figure out how to work the unfamiliar technology. Alternatively, since TVs have gotten so cheap, there's always the possibility that a better deal could come along soon after you make a purchase. Costco's return policy all but eliminates these risks, as buyers who get overwhelmed by a user interface or find a better fit for their home can simply get their purchase refunded at will.

Although there is a small list of non-refundable Costco items, including airline tickets and precious metals, the warehouse retailer makes it extremely easy to return the vast majority of its inventory. However, it's important to note that televisions, appliances, and electronics have slight limitations on the options for making returns compared to other product categories. In these sectors, Costco gives shoppers up to 90 days to return the item from the date they purchased it for a full refund.

For comparison, Best Buy requires returns within 15 days for most items, and even My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total members only get 60 days to make a return. Many of those returns can also be subject to a restocking fee of $45 if the product is opened and not defective, which is never a concern at Costco. Fellow membership warehouse retailer Sam's Club has a similar 100% satisfaction guarantee to Costco's, allowing customers to bring electronics back for a full refund within 90 days of purchase as long as they return the television with the original packaging, user guides, and any included accessories. Despite presumably costing the company considerable amounts of revenue, the lax nature of these membership-only stores' approaches to returns seems to be working to their benefit: Both Costco and Sam's Club reported year-over-year sales increases approaching the end of 2025.