Costco may be best known for bulk diapers, laundry detergent, and $1.50 hot dog deals. But the warehouse club also offers some of the most consumer-friendly deals on Apple products — if you know where to look.
Whether you’re shopping for the latest iPhone, iPad, or MacBook Air M4, Costco sells a wide selection of Apple devices both in-store and online.
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What really sets Costco apart from other major Apple-authorized retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart isn’t just price — it’s the overall value, including perks most shoppers don’t realize they’re getting.
I recently walked by the AT&T booth at my Costco and even though I didn’t need a new phone, my daughter convinced me that she did and because AT&T (ATT) was offering a decent deal on a new phone and Costco was throwing in a $100 Costco gift certificate, I took the bait.
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Costco offers longer return period, other benefits
The gift card was a nice bonus, but I learned that one of the biggest advantages of buying an Apple (APPL) product at Costco (COST) is the generous return policy. Members have 90 days to return electronics — including Apple products — no questions asked.
That’s a stark contrast to the 14-day window offered by Apple itself (or Target and Walmart). Best Buy offers a 60-day return window only to customers with a paid membership, and even then, that doesn’t apply to most Apple devices.
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Phones, tablets, and smartwatches typically come with a 14-day return window — and in some locations, Best Buy tacks on a $45 restocking fee.
Costco’s straightforward return policy is a major stress reliever for shoppers, especially when buying high-ticket items like MacBooks or iPhones.
Costco extends Apple warranty on some products
Beyond returns, Costco members who purchase Apple computers (including MacBooks and iMacs) also benefit from an extra year of warranty coverage — included for free.
While Apple provides a standard one-year limited warranty, Costco doubles that to two years for computers. That means you get added peace of mind without having to shell out for AppleCare+.
It’s important to note, however, that this extended warranty doesn’t apply to mobile devices like iPhones or iPads. For those, you’ll still get Apple’s standard warranty — but you may still come out ahead, thanks to Costco’s return policy and other perks.
Costco offers free lifetime tech support on many Apple products
Another lesser-known benefit: Costco provides free lifetime technical support on Apple laptops, desktops, and tablets. Members can reach out to the retailer’s dedicated U.S.-based support hotline for help troubleshooting issues, even well beyond the return period.
This tech support feature, while not a substitute for AppleCare, can be incredibly useful for less tech-savvy buyers — or anyone who wants a second opinion without booking a Genius Bar appointment.
Costco sometimes beats Apple on pricing, hidden discounts
While Apple is famous for rarely offering discounts, Costco members sometimes see savings that match or beat Apple’s official educational, military, or corporate pricing — without needing to qualify for those programs.
Costco also occasionally “blows out” new old stock (NOS) — brand-new but older-model Apple devices — at steep discounts. These deals are often time-limited and not heavily promoted, so shoppers need to stay alert.
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Prices can vary between Costco warehouses and the Costco website, but the retailer does offer a 30-day price adjustment policy. If a product you purchased goes on sale at the same location within 30 days, you can request a refund of the difference.
Shoppers may miss out by only shopping at Apple Store
Despite all these benefits, many shoppers still head straight to the Apple Store, unaware that Apple itself operates separate online storefronts offering discounted pricing for students, military members, and corporations.
Even fewer realize that authorized retailers like Costco may offer similar or better deals — and bundle in more flexible policies and support.
For buyers who value a longer return window, extended warranty protection, lifetime tech support, and the potential for big savings on older models, Costco is hard to beat.
In my case, my daughter got the new phone, and I got all the other stuff I usually buy at Costco — for “free” this time.
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