The Benefits Of Buying Your Next TV At Costco

Honestly, is there anything you can't buy at Costco? From hot dogs to quartz countertops and patio furniture, the members-only wholesale retailer is beloved for good reason: you can shop for food, clothes, electronics, furniture, jewelry, and much more, all on one membership. If you're in the market for a new TV, buying it at Costco has several benefits, including generous warranties, return policies, and tech support.

TV shopping can be overwhelming, with tons of different models and specs to consider. Costco may not be the first store that comes to mind for TV shopping; it's more common to shop at big box stores like Walmart or tech stores like Best Buy. However, Costco carries some of the most popular TV brands, and its famously fair prices and superb customer service also extend to its television lineup. Depending on what you're looking for in your next TV, Costco could be the way to go.

One of the main benefits of buying home products at Costco is the return, warranty, and tech support policies that are included with each order. Costco offers a lengthy 90-day return window, which is longer than most stores, and it tends to be flexible with returns. That makes it much less stressful to shop since you're less likely to get stuck with a model that you don't like or that is defective. Costco also includes a two-year warranty with every TV, regardless of the manufacturer, and you can extend the warranty for up to five years if you like.

Another benefit of shopping at Costco is the customer service. You can use Costco's TV buying guide to figure out the best model for you. Once you decide, each TV is shipped free if you shop online, and goes to the room of your choice with no added fee if it's above 55 inches. Costco also offers free tech support with its Costco Concierge program, so you can get help setting up your new television and troubleshooting any issues for no added cost.

Lastly, Costco's TVs are a great value. The retailer's prices are often lower than other stores for the same products — the Sony 77-inch Class Bravia XR is currently $500 cheaper at Costco than at Best Buy, while the Samsung 43-inch Class Crystal UHD is $20 cheaper at Costco than at Samsung. Several of the most popular brands are at Costco, including Sony, LG, Hisense, Samsung, and Roku.

Before you settling n a Costco TV, there are a few things to consider. First, the selection at Costco isn't at extensive as at some other stores, like Amazon and Best Buy. Costco only carries a total of eight TV brands. Also, Costco doesn't offer same-day or two-day shipping (except for groceries), so if you're in a rush, Amazon or Walmart is probably a better choice.

Also, while you can be confident that you're not overpaying for a TV at Costco, its prices aren't always lower. For example, the Samsung 65-inch Crystal UHD is the same price at Costco and Amazon. If the TV you want is the same price at another store and you don't already have a Costco membership, it makes more sense to shop somewhere else.

That brings us to the last consideration: you need an active membership to shop at Costco. If you're not already a member, you won't necessarily want to become one just to buy a TV. Costco recently raised its yearly membership fee for the first time in seven years from $60 to $65. You can get around the membership requirement by shopping online at Costco.com, but you will pay higher prices than members. You could also have a member friend or relative buy you a gift card to Costco, which you can then use to purchase the TV of your choice.