15 Things to Know Before Buying a TV from Costco
Costco is known for great prices on big-ticket items, including TVs. When you’re in the market for a new TV, the retail giant often offers the best prices. But is the deal really as sweet as it seems?
Before you buy a new flat-screen TV or smart TV from Costco, there are a few things you need to know. Read on for the full scoop.
15 Things to Know Before Buying a TV from Costco
1. Costco has a lot of TVs to choose from
Costco has one of the largest selections of TV sizes of any large store and sells well-known brand TVs (Hisense, LG, Samsung, Sony, VIZIO, SANUS, WireLogic, etc.).
Typically, they range in size from less than 40-inch screens to nearly 90-inch screens.
2. Some TV options at Costco are limited
While Costco does sell well-known brands of TVs in its warehouses, it doesn’t have as much selection (brands, sizes, and screen types) than Best Buy or Walmart.
3. Sometimes a “deal” isn’t a deal
Costco has deals with big companies to bring you lower prices through specials. For example, if you buy a live package with one of the data companies that Costco works with, Costco will sell you a TV for a lower price.
However, their deals are sometimes not that great. In fact, they often charge more by “transaction” than many of the other live streaming options available.
So, to save some extra money, it might be worth investing in just the TV itself and bringing your own streaming service.
4. Parcel deals can be tricky
Costco offers lower prices than most other retailers, but there’s a catch…
For example, customers may have to sign a two-year agreement with one of their participating companies, such as AT&T. If you do not accept the two-year agreement, you will not be able to take advantage of the special price.
Likewise, while monthly fees can be fairly low for the first year, they usually increase during the second year of the agreement.
Then you’re stuck in deals you can’t easily get out of, paying prices you don’t agree with.
5. Costco has a limited return window for TVs
Most Costco items can be returned anytime, for any reason, for your money back, no questions asked. But that’s not the case with Costco TVs.
The return period for TVs purchased from Costco is only 90 days. So if after 90 days you decide you don’t like the TV, too bad. You cannot return an item for a refund.
However, Costco does offer a very generous TV warranty (more on that below!).
6. Costco offers a premium TV warranty
Most manufacturers offer a one-year warranty on any TV purchased from one of their stores. Costco, on the other hand, is doubling this deal by offering a two-year warranty on any TV they sell!
For TVs larger than 37 inches, Costco offers an optional three-year warranty and technical support, at an additional cost, of course.
7. Extra protection for TV
In addition to the extended warranties offered by Costco, there are protection plans available to cover failure of physical function.
Of course, these come at an additional cost and must be purchased within 90 days of the TV purchase date.
These protection plans provide five years of protection because of Costco’s partnership with Allstate on these plans.
To break down this protection quickly, the first two years are provided by Costco and the other three years by Allstate.
8. A membership is required to buy a TV
Like many club retailers, Costco’s specials are contingent on Costco membership. Simply put, without a Costco membership card, you cannot shop in the store.
For most people now, that doesn’t seem like a big deal. A Costco membership typically costs around $50 per year. Therefore, most people would think that membership is the only logical way to get great deals.
Basically, it is. But if you don’t live near a Costco, or do most of your shopping there, you probably won’t save enough to justify the membership fee.
9. Online Costco matches physical Costco for TVs and other products
If driving to the store on a Saturday and spending hours comparing TVs isn’t your cup of fun, you can go to Costco.com and find everything you can find in a brick-and-mortar store.
This has several advantages:
- It’s easier to compare sets online than in stores.
- Pricing is the same.
- free delivery.
- You can avoid long queues at checkout.
- You are less likely to make an impulse buy.
- You can upgrade your affiliate program by skipping the stressful sales pitch.
To learn how to price match Costco’s own pricing, you can check out my full guide here!
10. Costco makes price matching with other TV retailers nearly impossible
Before you buy a TV at Costco, there’s a little trick you need to know. The model numbers on their TVs often don’t match those of the same model in other stores.
This is because you can insist on a price match if the model number is the same.
Let’s say another retailer has a lower price on your TV, but you want Costco’s premium warranty. So you’re asking Costco to match other retailers’ prices.
Because of the different models, Costco can refuse to make price adjustments. Because technically, it’s not the same TV model as other retailers.
11. Costco offers TV technical support on certain days and times
While Costco does offer free technical support for any issues you may have with your new TV, there are some limitations.
You’d better hope the problem occurs between 5am and 10pm on weekdays. Because tech support doesn’t work after 10pm nightly and on holidays.
This can prove most distressing if you’re stuck at home over the holiday weekend with a glitchy TV. Or if your set malfunctions during your favorite midnight show.
12. Excludes TV transmission and setup
Costco doesn’t include delivery and installation in the bundle it offers when you buy a TV. For most people, this probably isn’t a big deal.
But for the elderly or those who have been unable to complete, this service can be very helpful.
TVs aren’t known for being light. Of course, the bigger they are, the heavier they are. For someone with health issues who can no longer lift heavy weights, the setup can be quite problematic.
Likewise, for those who drive small vehicles, fitting a large TV into their vehicle can be a challenge. Including delivery and setup can be a huge benefit for many.
So while this isn’t a deal breaker, it’s something to be aware of.
13. Not all credit cards are accepted
Since a TV is quite a purchase, you may not have enough cash to pay for it upfront. In most cases, a credit card is used for this type of purchase.
The problem is, Costco doesn’t accept all major cards (Amex and MasterCard) because they only accept cards backed by Visa.
To avoid embarrassment, you may want to double-check your card issuer before attempting to purchase a Costco 60-inch flat panel monitor with this card.
14. Costco’s prices are probably the best, even if they’re higher
Typically, Costco’s TV pricing will be slightly higher than other retailers. At first glance, the lowest price seems to be the best.
However, when you consider the premium warranty that Costco offers, you almost always choose Costco. The extended warranty puts money in your pocket for an extra year compared to other retailers.
15. Buy a Costco TV and get a gift card
Register for an Internet transaction with a company that works with Costco and you’ll receive a Costco gift card. Depending on the specific deal you sign up for, you can earn up to $200 in gift cards!
To learn more about buying from Costco, you can also check out my guides on buying furniture and liquor from Costco.
Research is the key to getting deals
As with any purchase, Costco has good and bad deals when it comes to buying a new TV. Do your research and be sure to read the fine print before making any major purchases. While Costco often has the best prices, sometimes you can find better deals elsewhere.
