Costco Price Adjustment Policy: How to Get Money Back When Prices Drop

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Bought something at Costco, only to get a deal alert for the same item at a lower price a week later? You’re not alone. The good news is that Costco offers a price adjustment policy that may allow you to get refunded the difference if the price drops shortly after your purchase.

Here’s how Costco’s price adjustment policy works, how to request one for in-store and online purchases, and what limitations to keep in mind.

What Is Costco’s Price Adjustment Policy?

Costco offers a 30-day price adjustment policy on most items. If something you purchased goes on sale within 30 days of your original purchase date, you can request a refund for the price difference.

For example, if you purchase a TV for $499 and it drops to $449 two weeks later, Costco may refund you the $50 difference. The 30-day window begins on the date of purchase, not the delivery date.

This policy applies to most merchandise purchased either in a Costco warehouse or through Costco.com. It’s particularly useful during seasonal promotions, holiday sales, and Costco’s monthly coupon events when prices frequently change.

If you regularly shop Costco deals, it can be worth checking prices periodically within that 30-day window to make sure you didn’t miss a markdown. Setting a deal alert for something you already bought might not seem like a good idea, but it can be useful to set one temporarily for situations like this.

How Do You Get a Price Adjustment at Costco?

The process depends on where you made your purchase.

In-Store

If you bought the item at a Costco warehouse, you’ll need to visit the store to request a price adjustment. Bring your original receipt to the membership or returns counter and let the associate know you’d like a price adjustment. They’ll verify that the item is now selling at a lower price and issue a refund for the difference back to your original form of payment.

If you no longer have your receipt, Costco can often look up the purchase using your membership account. Policies may vary slightly by warehouse, so it’s best to request the adjustment promptly once you notice the price drop.

Online

For purchases made on Costco.com, you can request a price adjustment online without going into a warehouse. Log into your Costco.com account, navigate to your order history, and select the item in question. If it qualifies, you can submit a price adjustment request directly through the website.

If you run into issues, Costco customer service can assist with the process. As with in-store purchases, the request must be made within 30 days of the original purchase date.

It’s important to note that you cannot get a price adjustment online if you see a lower price in the store, or vice versa. You can only get a price adjustment from the same place you purchased your item.

What Are the Caveats?

While Costco’s price adjustment policy is relatively generous, there are some limitations to be aware of.

First, the 30-day window is strict. If you miss it, Costco typically will not honor a price adjustment request.

Second, some clearance items or limited-time promotional offers may not qualify. For example, if a manufacturer is offering a discount that Costco honors, they might not allow for price adjustments on those items. This can happen a lot during Black Friday.

Additionally, availability can sometimes matter. If an item is completely out of stock or discontinued, some locations may decline the adjustment request.

During major promotional periods such as Black Friday, Costco has historically implemented specific rules around price adjustments. In certain cases, shoppers have reported that price adjustments were limited or excluded during special event pricing. It’s always worth reviewing promotional details during large sales events.

Is Costco’s Price Adjustment Policy Worth Using?

Compared to many retailers that offer shorter price protection windows — or none at all — Costco’s 30-day price adjustment policy is fairly consumer-friendly. For big-ticket purchases like TVs, appliances, laptops, or seasonal furniture, even a small price drop can result in meaningful savings.

If you’re making a larger purchase, it may be smart to keep an eye on pricing for a few weeks afterward. Setting a reminder before the 30-day window closes can help ensure you don’t miss out.

If you ever run into issues getting a price adjustment, remember you can always return the original product and buy it again. Might not be very convenient for some items, but it is an option.