Did You Buy Something at Costco Right Before It Went on Sale? You Could Get Some Money Back

We've all experienced the disappointment of buying something, maybe even after you've been saving up for it or putting off the purchase for a while, only to realize that it went on sale right after you bought it. 

And with the cost of many items having risen quickly thanks to high inflation over the past couple of years, it's more important than ever to get a good deal on your purchases to keep your personal finances on track.  

Well, there's good news if you're a Costco member. The company offers a price adjustment for items that have recently gone on sale, but there are a few details you should know. 

Here's what is and isn't available for Costco's price adjustment, and how to request it if your recent purchase just went on sale.

What qualifies for a price adjustment at Costco 

Not everything qualifies for a price adjustment at Costco. For example, the popular gold bars the company began selling this year can't be returned under Costco's policy.

Here's what items Costco says may qualify for a price adjustment: 

• Price adjustment eligibility is limited to non-resale members and/or products
• Purchases must be made within 30 days prior to a change in price and within applicable promotional item limits
• Costco won't price match with other sellers
• You can't price match an item found in a Costco warehouse with an item on Costco.com

Costco's price adjustment policy appears to be more generous than competitor Sam's Club. Some online research shows that Sam's Club only gives price adjustments for online orders and only does so within eight days of purchase, compared to 30 days at Costco.

Of course, Costco can change the requirements for price adjustments at any time, deny an adjustment for a specific item, or stop the policy altogether if it wants to. 

I usually take the approach that it never hurts to ask, but I never expect any special favors either. So if you're unsure if a price adjustment qualifies, it may be worth asking. 

How to request a price adjustment at Costco 

If you think you might qualify for a price adjustment on an item you recently purchased, Costco says there are two ways you can go about requesting one. The method you choose depends on where you bought your item: 

• If your purchase was made on Costco.com: You can request a price adjustment online if you bought your item from Costco's website. Click the "Request a Price Adjustment" button listed on this page and follow the instructions. The company says it will take about five to seven business days to receive your credit. 
• If your purchase was made in a Costco warehouse: Take the item back to the store you purchased it from and go to the Returns counter to ask if it qualifies for a price adjustment. 

It may be possible to also return the item, and then buy it again at the sale price, but you may want to consider the above options first before going that route. 

How to find the best deals and track your Costco purchases

If tracking down past sales and requesting price adjustments sounds like too much work, there are a few Instagram and TikTok accounts you can follow to find the best deals at Costco the first time around. 

And, of course, you can maximize your Costco savings by taking advantage of all of the available membership perks the company offers or even earn cash back on purchases using the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. 

And if you find yourself spending a little too much money at Costco, using a budgeting app to see how much you're spending could be a good way to keep your finances on track.