Costco has one of the most generous return policies in the United States compared to their competitors in the likes of Walmart and Target.
Oftentimes, customers purchase items and later realize that they aren’t quite for them and want to return them. Other times, the item is damaged or simply doesn’t work, in which case, you’d want to return it and get your money back.
But, what happens if you’ve thrown away the receipt?
Can you still return the item, and if so, how? That’s a question a lot of Costco customers have.
In this article, I will tell you more about the Costco return policy if you don’t have your receipt, how to go about returns, what items you can and cannot return, and more.
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Costco Return Policy Without Receipt In 2023
As of 2023, Costco will accept your item back without a receipt. This of course depends on various factors such as if you’ve opened and used the time, if it’s damaged, how long you’ve had it since purchase, and more.
For more information on how Costco returns without receipt work, continue reading.
How Can I Return Items Back To Costco With No Receipt?
Returning items at Costco without a receipt (as long as it’s within their policy) is surprisingly easy.
You actually don’t need a receipt to prove that you’ve bought the item at Costco since your membership already keeps track of what you’ve bought.
As far as the process of returning an item goes, here’s what you need to do.
Firstly, make sure to bring your membership card with you. This is an important part of returning items at Costco without a receipt since it’s proof that you actually shopped at their retail stores.
Secondly, make sure the item is in one piece and has been kept in its original condition from purchase otherwise they won’t accept the return.
You must take the item back to Costco just how you bought it – with its original packaging, manuals, additional accessories, and whatever else was included in the purchase.
Once at the store, head over to the customer service desk and request a refund. They will inspect the item and if everything is good, they will refund you the money.
When Will I Get My Money Back After A Costco Return?
In a lot of cases, you’ll be refunded through your original payment method. For example, if you’ve paid through Apple Pay, then your money will be refunded through Apple Pay and directly into your VISA card.
This can take between 5-7 working days.
If you paid cash, however, you will most likely get your money on the spot.
Can I Return Any Item Back To Costco Without A Receipt?
According to the Costco return policy, Costco will accept returns on most types of items as long as you haven’t forgotten your membership card.
This means that if you bought a product back in July but no longer have the receipt, they will still allow you to return the item without a receipt as long as it hasn’t been over 90 days since purchase.
Items that you can return at Costco without a receipt include:
- Clothing (not all types of clothing)
- Projectors
- Printers
- Appliances like freezers, cooktops, dishwashers, and water heaters
- Tablets
- Laptops
- Computers
- Drones
- Camcorders
What Products Cannot Be Returned To Costco Without A Receipt?
While you can return most purchased items at Costco, there are a few exceptions to the rule.
For example, you cannot return any type of medication or alcohol back to Costco without a receipt. Also, if you’ve opened and used the product, Costco will not accept it back.
This means that if you’ve used a product such as a vacuum cleaner and want to return it, they will not accept it. However, if the vacuum cleaner is still in the packaging and has not been opened, they would accept it.
This of course doesn’t apply if the vacuum cleaner is broken or faulty after a single use as it would still be under warranty.
Some other items that you can’t return include cigarettes, diamonds, car batteries, tires, custom wedding cakes, and others.
For the full list of items you can’t return, please contact your local Costco directly and they will be able to give you a better idea of what you can and can’t return.
Can I Return A Gift Back To Costco Without A Receipt?
Yes, you can return a gift back to Costco without the receipt, even if you’re not currently a member of Costco.
You will, however, need to present the membership number of the person who made the purchase so that the item can be tracked down.
Do note that you are unlikely to get a refund in the form of cash or a deposit to your bank account but rather the whole sum of the product will be deposited onto a Costco cash card.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a member to use it at Costco.
Does Costco Keep Track Of Returned Items?
They do. Costco, like most large retailers out there, keeps a close eye on the number of returns a customer makes.
This is not done with any malicious intent but rather to protect themselves from customers who are trying to take advantage of the generous Costco return policy.
Conclusion – Can You Return Items To Costco Without A Receipt?
Costco have one of the most lenient return policies around. This means that you can return pretty much any item you want without a receipt (as long as it is within reason and within the Costco return policy).
This is predominantly because your Costco membership card acts as a receipt itself. Costco employees can look up your information and see exactly which item you bought, which is enough proof for them to accept your return.
Despite that, do note that you can’t return items after 90 days. This includes electronics, appliances, and more.
On the other hand, you can’t return custom items such as cakes, diamonds, opened food products, alcohol, and cigarettes at all once you buy them.
