Compare · Checked October 13, 2026
Costco vs Sam's Club return policy
Return windows, free shipping, price match, mail return fees and holiday rules at Costco and Sam's Club, side by side, from each store’s own policy.
The short answer
- Costco has no single fixed window (No fixed deadline (most items)), so read its rules below.
Shop at Costco Shop at Sam's Club
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Costco vs Sam's Club side by side
| Costco | Sam's Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Return window | No fixed deadline (most items) | Any time (most items) |
| Free shipping | Not listed | Not listed |
| Price match | Not stated | Not stated |
| Mail return fee | No fee listed | No fee listed |
| Holiday returns | None listed yet | None listed yet |
| No receipt | Not spelled out on its policy page | No receipt: Sam's Club prefers the receipt or printed order but will try to process the return without it. |
| Good to know | TVs, computers, phones and other electronics: 90 days. Most other items: no fixed deadline. | Most items: any time. Electronics: 90 days. Cell phones: 14 days. |
| Shop | Shop at Costco | Shop at Sam's Club |
Costco exceptions
- 90 days from receipt: TVs, projectors, major appliances, computers, tablets, smart wearables, cameras, drones, camcorders, MP3 players and cell phones (phone details vary by carrier contract)
- 90 days: recreational carts ordered online
- Diamonds of 1.00 ct or larger: bring the original IGI or GIA paperwork; you get a Jewelry Credit Memo after a gemologist inspection within 48 hours
- Not returnable: custom-made special order items, airline and live event items, precious metals, Shop Cards, gift cards and tickets; no cigarette or alcohol returns where the law prohibits them
- Tires and batteries may come with their own limited warranty instead
- Contact lenses, eyeglasses, hearing aids and large freight items have their own return process
Full details, sources and the date we checked: Costco return policy.
Sam's Club exceptions
- 90 days: electronics and major appliances
- 30 days: commercial heavy equipment and motorsports items
- 14 days: cell phones (prepaid, postpaid and no contract)
- Not returnable: gift and prepaid cards, tickets, collectibles, trading cards, custom-made items, Truckload program purchases, prescriptions, beer, wine and spirits
- Check with your club: tires and batteries, cigarettes and tobacco, eyeglasses, hearing aids
- Items bought in a club cannot be shipped back or returned through SamsClub.com
Full details, sources and the date we checked: Sam's Club return policy.
Frequently asked questions
Which has the better return policy, Costco or Sam's Club?
Costco has no single fixed window (No fixed deadline (most items)), so read its rules below. The right choice depends on what you are buying; check the exceptions for your item.
Can I return a Costco item to Sam's Club?
No. Each store only takes back what it sold. Return the item to the store you bought it from.
Both stores’ rules come from their own policy pages, checked October 13, 2026. Sources are on each store page.