Can Costco Online Food Items Be Returned In Store?

mariakray/Shutterstock

Many Costco members would agree that one of the greatest benefits of shopping at the warehouse is its generous return policy, as it boasts a 100% satisfaction guarantee, with just a few exceptions. Indeed, this makes returning items and receiving a refund super easy and hassle-free, which is likely why the return lines at Costco are so long and how people are scoring big with Costco's return policy, including online shoppers. For an immediate refund, Costco customers can, in fact, return food items purchased online to their local warehouse. 

The members-only warehouse offers two options for returning online purchases, which include food items: Return it in stores or request a refund online and ship it back. If you're someone who visits Costco regularly, it may be faster for you to simply bring it back to your local warehouse to process the return, especially since food items may take longer to process. Note that refunds for online orders include shipping and handling fees. The refunded money will typically be credited to the original payment method.

Customers can return items purchased online for a myriad of reasons, including being dissatisfied with the item, purchasing it by mistake, and receiving a damaged or incorrect item. Costco's website states, "It helps if you have the receipt or original product packaging, but it may not be necessary to process your return." 

ShutterStockies/Shutterstock

Costco has partnered with Instacart since 2017 to offer same-day delivery on a wide variety of its items. Bear in mind that same-day delivery items are priced higher than in-store items to account for service and delivery fees. However, for some people, the fees are worth the convenience of having groceries delivered to their doorstep. Costco's Instacart partnership is also one of the genius ways to buy Costco items without being a member. 

Refunds requested online for same-day delivery issues, such as missing items or receiving damaged or spoiled items, must be requested within seven days of delivery. These refunds will be processed through Instacart, not Costco. However, food items purchased through Costco's same-day delivery powered by Instacart are still covered by the warehouse's 100% satisfaction guarantee. Thus, groceries can also be returned in-store at your local Costco like any other online order, with no specific timeframe given.