Drones fall under Costco’s limited electronics return policy, meaning that once you purchase your drone, you only have 90 days to return it.
The good news is that you can return a drone regardless of whether it’s been used. So, feel free to take your drone out for a spin to see if you like it. Just make sure you return it before 90 days have passed, otherwise you’ll be stuck with it even if you don’t.
That said, Costco does not accept returns of drones that have been damaged or crashed. If Costco can detect any sign of damage to your drone, you will not qualify for a full refund. You may, however, be offered a replacement or an exchange.
Costco only processes returns for active Costco members. If you receive a drone as a gift, you will need the membership number of the person who bought it for you in order to return it.
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Returning A Drone Without Receipt
One of the best things about Costco’s return policy is that they don’t require receipts for returns.
This is because they have a record of all of your purchases attached to your membership account. Simply arrive at Costco with your drone, give them your membership card or number, and Costco will handle the rest.
How To Return A Drone To Costco?
If you would like to return your drone to Costco, you can do so in one of two ways. First, if you purchased your drone in person, you will need to return it in person to any Costco Warehouse location using the returns counter (usually located near the exit doors).
If you purchased your drone online, then you can either return it online through Costco’s mail-in returns process, or you can return it in person to the Costco Warehouse of your choice.
To return your drone in person, follow these steps:
- Bring your drone along with all of its original accessories to your preferred Costco location
- If you have your original receipt and the product’s packaging, bring both of these as well (optional)
- Bring your item to the returns counter and let them know you would like a refund
- The employee at the returns counter will walk you through the rest of the process
- If you are granted a refund, you will receive it on the spot to your original form of payment
To return your drone through the mail, follow these steps:
- Log in to your Costco.com account
- Select “Orders & Returns”
- Click the “Return Items” button next to the order you would like to return and follow the prompts (if there are multiple items on this transaction, you can select the individual item you would like to return)
- The prompts will walk you through the process of printing your return shipping label, assembling your return package, and returning your item by mail
- Assemble your package and mail it back to Costco
- When your return has been processed and approved, you will receive a refund to your original form of payment
Keep in mind that the return shipping label includes prepaid shipping. You are not expected to pay for shipping for Costco returns.
Warranty And Exchange Policy For Drones
Costco exchanges are regulated by the same rules laid out in their return policy. If you would like to exchange your drone for something else, simply arrive at any Costco Warehouse within 90 days of your purchase date and visit the returns counter to request an exchange.
Unfortunately, Costco does not offer warranties on drones. However, any drone purchased at Costco will come with its own manufacturer warranty.
For example, the DJI drones currently being sold on Costco.com come with a basic manufacturer’s warranty that covers defects as long as the drone is used properly. You can also purchase additional warranty coverage from DJI to protect you from accidents and crashes.
How Does Costco Process Refunds?
If you are granted a refund from Costco, you will receive your reimbursement in whatever form you used to make your purchase originally.
In other words, if you paid with your credit card, you will receive your refund to your credit card. This can take several days to process, so you might not see your refund show up on your account right away. Returns processed through the mail take the longest, and refunds can take up to several weeks to fully process.
If you paid for your drone in cash, you will receive your refund immediately when you return your drone in person.
Does Costco Have Quality Drones?
Costco’s drone selection is currently quite limited.
On Costco.com, you’ll find just two drones–the DJI Mini 3 Pro and the DJI Mini 2 Drone. Both products are listed as Member Only items.
The Mini 3 Pro currently holds a 4.5-star review while the Mini 2 holds a rating of just over 4 stars.
In stores, Costco has also been known to sell affordable drones from a company called Ascend.
Several Reddit users weighed in, saying that the DJI drones available at Costco are definitely worth the money:
They’re also known for being very easy to fly, which is great for beginners…
FAQs
How much are drones at Costco?
Prices range from about $150 to $400 and up.
Can you return a drone to a different Costco store?
Yes. You can return your drone to any Costco Warehouse location, regardless of where you bought it.
Can Costco deny returns?
Yes. Costco reserves the right to deny returns if an item is excessively damaged.
