What You Should Know Before Buying A New TV From Costco

Of course, most people think of Costco as the go-to spot for stocking up on bulk groceries or grabbing snack samples while shopping. But beyond the oversized snack packs and household essentials, Costco has also become popular for larger purchases. In fact, they deal with everything, including kitchen appliances and high-quality electronics. And among the most popular items you might consider when walking through the aisles or browsing online are TVs. While Costco is perfect for great deals on TVs, there are a few things you should know to ensure you get the best value. 

Costco has become a leading seller in TV sales, often offering the same brands you'd find at Best Buy, Amazon, or other retailers, but at lower prices. But besides the low pricing, the most important factor to understand when shopping for a TV at Costco is the use of exclusive model numbers. While a Samsung 65" QLED at Costco might appear identical to one at Best Buy, the model numbers will often differ slightly. Costco TVs often have unique model numbers, typically adding letters or numbers to the end of what might otherwise be a familiar model. This practice, usually called "model matching prevention," is common among warehouse retailers and makes it hard to price match and compare Costco TVs with other retailers. But what are the other advantages and caveats that you should remember when buying a TV from Costco?

The perks of buying a TV at Costco

Undoubtedly, one of the main reasons you’re shopping at Costco is the combination of competitive pricing and member-exclusive deals. Actually, Costco offers lower prices than other retailers on comparable models, and they also stock exclusive TV models from brands like Samsung, LG, and Sony. As such, these exclusive models have unique features or bundled value packages (think extended warranties, mounting hardware, or streaming credits) that aren’t available elsewhere. 

Another advantage that will leave you drooling to purchase a TV at Costco is its exceptional warranty coverage. Unlike most retailers, where you only receive the manufacturer’s standard one-year warranty, Costco automatically extends this to two years on televisions via its Technical & Warranty Services. What’s even better is that you have the option to add an Allstate Protection Plan and extend this coverage up to five years, even for this 100-inch TV. This plan covers potential issues that may arise during your TV’s lifespan, from mechanical failures to screen defects.

Also, Costco offers one of the most generous return policies, a valuable bonus when purchasing a television. With a 90-day return window on electronics, you have enough time to evaluate the picture quality and smart features to see how well it conforms to your room’s layout and lighting. However, be cautious since excessive or repeated returns on electronics may trigger account monitoring and potential return restrictions.

Potential drawbacks you should consider

While Costco offers excellent value on televisions, there are some potential downsides. For starters, Costco has a limited selection. Many of Costco’s TVs are exclusive versions of retail models, which sometimes have compromises. After all, these exclusives may feature less advanced settings, fewer gaming features, or other limitations compared to the standard models. Additionally, Costco doesn’t carry every brand or model available on the market. So if you’re searching for a very specific TV with particular specifications or from a niche brand, you might not find it in their lineup.

Another factor to consider is the membership requirement. To buy a new TV at Costco, you’ll need an active membership, which starts at $60 per year. This fee grants you access to their products and services, but it’s an additional cost to factor in when buying a TV. Unfortunately, without a membership, you won’t be able to purchase items directly from Costco. While some locations might allow non-members to shop with a surcharge, this isn’t a universal policy and can vary significantly by store.

Finally, while Costco has a reputation for low prices, this can sometimes be misleading. Their bulk pricing doesn’t always guarantee the best deal on every television model. Actually, certain TVs may appear to be bargains at first glance, but could lack key features that similar models at other retailers might include.