4 Perks of Buying a TV at Costco

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A TV isn't exactly the sort of thing you buy every week. So if you're gearing up to purchase one, it's important to go in with confidence that you're getting a good deal.

To that end, it pays to look to Costco for your next TV. Not only is Costco known for its low prices, but you'll enjoy these perks when you buy a TV there.

1. Cash back on an Executive membership

Costco's Executive membership costs twice as much as a basic one (starting Sept. 1, $130 and $65, respectively). But the upside is that the Executive membership gives you 2% cash back on your Costco purchases. And TV purchases count. In fact, it pays to factor in your Executive membership cash back when comparing Costco's TV prices to those of its competitors.

Say there's a Costco TV you're looking to buy for $1,000, but a competitor has it available for $995. A $1,000 purchase with your Executive membership will put $20 back in your pocket. So in this case, Costco's offer is better, even though it may not seem like it on paper.

2. Free tech support

The last thing you want is to shell out a decent chunk of money for a new TV only to have trouble setting it up. The nice thing about buying TVs and other electronics from Costco is that you're eligible for free tech support. That could spare you a world of aggravation, not to mention prevent you from making a mistake that might damage your new purchase.

3. A free second-year warranty

When you spend a lot on a TV, you want to make sure you're getting your money's worth. And that means you don't want your TV to stop functioning after 13 months, right when it's out of warranty. At Costco, all electronics purchases come with a free second-year warranty. That extra protection could give you more peace of mind for such an expensive purchase.

4. A 90-day return window

Most of the items you buy at Costco can be returned at any time. Costco does limit electronics returns to 90 days. Still, that's a more generous policy than what many other retailers offer. If you buy a TV on Amazon, for example, you only get 30 days to return it if it doesn't work out.

Should you buy your next TV at Costco?

Costco is known for its competitive prices, but it doesn't always have the lowest price on the specific items you're looking for. For this reason, it's important to shop around when you're making a big purchase like a TV.

If you find a much better deal at another store, then it probably makes sense to jump on it. Even with free tech support, Executive member cash back, and an extra warranty, if Costco is selling a TV for $1,000 and a competitor has it for $800, that's too good a discount to pass up. But if the price is pretty similar, then consider the benefits of buying a TV from Costco.

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