Costco is one of the country’s most loved stores with a huge variety of products on sale.
It has an excellent stock of modern tech including a good variety of headphones and earbuds from brands such as:
- Apple
- Bose
- Samsung
- LG
- JLAB
- Beats
- Skull Candy
If you’ve purchased a new set of head or earphones from Costco but aren’t bowled over by their performance or have simply changed your mind, you’ll want to get familiar with Costco’s returns policy.
To bring you up to speed, we’ve looked at what the returns window is, how to make a return, when to expect a refund, whether you need a receipt, and much more.
Keep reading to see what we found…
What is Costco’s Headphones Returns Policy? The Short Answer
You can return headphones to Costco for a full refund or exchange provided you return them within 90 days of receiving them.
However, there is an argument to be had that they do fall under Costco’s 100% satisfaction return at any time policy as headphones aren’t mentioned in the specific exclusions that apply to electronics but we think it’s safer to work on the basis of applying the 90-day policy as it would seem from our research that the interpretation of the policy can vary from store to store and between Costco employees you speak to.
You can return headphones to Costco if:
- They’ve been ordered by mistake
- They’re an unwanted gift
- They’re defective
- You’ve received a duplicate order
- You’ve changed your mind
- You aren’t happy with the performance
Pretty much any reason will do.
You should note this policy applies to gaming headsets as well as headphones.
Can You Return Worn Headphones to Costco?
Yes, you can wear them to try them out and still return them without issue.
However, we wouldn’t make a habit of doing this whereby you’re buying them, wearing them, and returning them as this is likely to get your account flagged and suspended.
How to Return Headphones to Costco
You can return headphones to Costco either by taking them to your local Costco warehouse or by using the online returns process.
You can return headphones purchased from Costco.com to any of Costco’s 847 warehouses in the country.
Simply take along your headphones with the packaging, accessories and your membership card and your return will be processed. This is usually the quickest way to get a refund or replacement.
The other option is to use the Costco online returns process:
- Log in to your Costco account
- Find your order from the orders section on the menu
- Complete the required steps
- Print off the USPS returns label
- Drop your headphones with the label at a USPS drop-off point
Does it Cost to Return Headphones to Costco?
Fortunately, Costco provides free returns delivery with USPS in the form of a prepaid sticker to include with your return so there is no return postage fee.
Moreover, Costco charges zero restocking fees on any of its products like some companies do.
Related Post:
Costco Speaker Returns Policy
How Long Does it Take to Get a Refund From Costco?
If you’re returning your headphones using the online returns process then expect to wait up to 7 – 10 business days.
This is to allow time for Costco to receive your return, to process it, and issue your refund.
It can be slightly quicker or slower than this depending on how fast your bank or card issuer is.
If you return your headphones in-store, your refund will be processed there and then so it can be a lot quicker.
What to Do With No Receipt, Packaging, and Accessories?
Costco is the easiest place in the world to return goods without a receipt as every purchase is tracked on your membership.
Just take a long your membership card and Costco should be able to trace the order.
If you purchased online, you will have been sent an invoice with an order number on and this will also appear in your account under the orders section.
If you’ve misplaced boxes or packaging you should still be able to make a return but we’d advise speaking to Costco using Costco chat if you’ve lost key accessories such as cables or chargers before you initiate the return.
Related Post:
Costco Laptop Returns Policy
Costco Watch Returns Policy
Costco Beyond 90-Days Policy for Headphones
If you’re beyond 90 days, the first thing you should do is speak to someone at Costco chat, especially if you are only just outside this period. They may be able to extend the 90-day period slightly with manager approval.
When speaking to a Costco employee we would mention that headphones are not specifically mentioned in the exclusions on their website which reduces the returns policy to 90 days. While it does say “electronics” (which most modern headsets are), headphones are not specifically listed as you can see:
As above, there is an argument, therefore, that headphones are covered by Costco’s 100% satisfaction policy that allows returns at any time so we would certainly raise this as a first port of call.
If your headphones have developed a fault outside the returns window then you can always rely on the guarantee provided you’re still within it.
Most headphone manufacturers provide at least a year’s warranty.
Here is a breakdown of the warranties provided by some of the main brands:
| Brand | Warranty |
| Bose | 1-2 years |
| Apple | 1 year |
| Beats | 1 year |
| Samsung | 1 year |
| Skull Candy | 1 year |
A further option is to check your insurance as many home insurance policies come with accidental damage, fault, and even refund protection so check your policy to see if you can claim against that (with the added caveat that you’ll likely need to pay a deductible and your premiums will likely increase next time you renew your contract).
A final option is to simply sell the headphones. If they’re in good condition you can usually get relatively good resale value.
How Does Costco’s Headphones Returns Policy Hold Up?
If you’re still undecided on where to buy headphones or you’re returning some to Costco and want to buy elsewhere, it’s perhaps helpful to see how Costco’s rivals compare.
Let’s take a look:
| Retailer | Returns Window |
| Target | 30 days |
| Walmart | 30 days |
| Best Buy | 15 days but extended to 60 days with Total Tech membership |
| Amazon | 30 days |
| Headphones.com | 365 days |
Final Thoughts
Costco’s headphone returns policy is one of the best in the business and is about 3 times more generous than most of the other big players.
Only Headphones.com beats it with its fantastic 365 days returns policy.
With its lengthy returns window, free returns, and hassle-free returns process, Costco is a great place to secure your next headset.
This method absolutely worked and I was able to return my Airpods 100 days later! Thanks!