Costco price match and price adjustment: is it too late to ask?
Costco's "price match" (also called price adjustment or price protection) only matches Costco's own prices: if something you bought drops in price within 30 days, Costco refunds the difference. It doesn't match other stores. Enter your purchase date to see your deadline.
How Costco's price adjustment works
- The 30-day window. If the price of something you bought drops within 30 days of your purchase date, you can get the difference back.
- Sales and coupons end sooner. If the lower price is a limited-time promotion, you have to ask while the promotion is still running, as well as within the 30 days. Whichever ends first is your deadline.
- Item limits still apply. If the sale has a limit per member, you're covered up to that limit.
- Costco calls it a "price match". Its customer service pages now use that name, but it's the same thing members call a price adjustment.
How to ask for it
Bought it in the warehouse
Go to the returns counter at the warehouse where you bought it. Bring your membership card, and the receipt if you have it. Ask before your deadline; the calculator above counts 30 days from the purchase date, so going a day or two early is safest.
Bought it on Costco.com
Use the Request a Price Match form on Costco's price match page. Once approved, the difference usually goes back to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days.
What isn't covered
- Other stores' prices. Costco doesn't match competitors.
- Warehouse prices for online orders. Costco doesn't match a lower warehouse price on a Costco.com purchase, because online prices include shipping and handling.
- Precious metals, such as gold and silver bars and coins.
- Resale purchases. The policy is for members buying for themselves, not for resale.
Costco can also turn down a request at its discretion, and it says any future limits on the policy will be shown where you buy.
Shopping around Black Friday? See whether your purchase is covered when the Black Friday sale starts.
How to spot a price drop
- Costco's own savings page. Member-Only Warehouse Savings lists the current warehouse deals with their dates, such as "Valid 10/19/26 - 11/15/26". The second date is the sale end date to enter above. Prices can differ in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Business Centers and online.
- Costco.com sale listings show a "Price valid through" date for online offers; that's the sale end date for an online order.
- Look at the price endings. A price ending in .97 is widely read as a markdown. See what the price tag endings mean.
- Keep your receipts, or use the receipts in the Costco app, so you have the purchase date and price to hand.
Costco has no price-drop alert of its own. Independent apps such as Warehouse Runner track Costco prices across warehouses and send alerts when they drop. They aren't Costco and we haven't checked their prices, so treat an alert as a lead: confirm the price on the shelf or on Costco.com, then come back here for your deadline and refund.
Common questions
How many days do I have for a Costco price adjustment?
30 days from the date you bought it. If the lower price is a sale or coupon, you also have to ask before that sale ends.
Can I get a price adjustment if I bought it before a sale started?
Yes, as long as you bought it no more than 30 days before the price dropped and you ask while the sale is on.
Does it work for online orders?
Yes, for Costco.com prices, through the online form. It doesn't cover a lower price in the warehouse.
Can I get a price adjustment on groceries or food?
Costco's terms don't list food among the exclusions; the items it names are precious metals and purchases for resale. But a warehouse can turn down a request at its discretion, and members report being refused on some grocery items. If that happens, ask a manager politely and bring your receipt. For anything big, like furniture or electronics, the adjustment is well worth asking for.
Does Costco price match other stores?
No. Costco's price match policy only covers a lower Costco price on something you bought from Costco. It doesn't match Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy or any other store, and it doesn't match a warehouse price to a Costco.com order (or the other way around).
Is "price protection" the same thing?
Yes. People call it price match, price adjustment or price protection; Costco's own help page calls it price match. It's the same 30-day rule.
How much will I get back?
The difference between what you paid and the lower Costco price, for each one you bought, up to any item limit on the sale. Enter both prices above for an estimate.
Is there a Costco price tracker?
Not from Costco. Its warehouse savings page shows current deals with their end dates, and independent apps like Warehouse Runner track prices and send alerts. Always check the actual Costco price before you ask.
Is it the same as returning the item?
No. A price adjustment refunds the difference and you keep the item. Returns follow the return policy.
Based on Costco's price match page, checked October 14, 2026, and Costco's warehouse savings page, checked October 21, 2026. Warehouse Runner is an independent app, not affiliated with us or Costco. Policies change, so check with Costco if you're unsure.