Costco is one of the favorite stores for every American, and one of the things that makes it so praised is that it has a pretty good return policy. They barely ask questions if something does not convince you, they refund you as soon as you go to return it and that is it. However, be careful, because many people believe they can also return tires, and the reality is that it does not work the same as other returns.
It is not that Costco does not allow tire returns, but it does not work like a classic return with cash in hand, and that bothers many customers. That is why we are going to explain how the tire policy works and how to proceed if you have any problem.
Tire returns
We have to be a bit fair here. Tires are not something that simply does not fit you. They are a product that wears out and whose lifespan depends on how you drive, where you drive, the weight your car usually carries, a thousand things. That is why, if Costco allowed them to be returned like any piece of clothing, some people would use them until they were worn out and then simply ask for their money back. It may sound like a good idea, but Costco does not run on good ideas, it runs on money. That is why tires are outside its standard refund policy and, if they have already been used, there is no cash refund.
What if you are not satisfied?
Brands like Michelin, Bridgestone, or Goodyear include manufacturing and satisfaction warranties when buying in Costco, they give you that chance. This means that if the tires have defects of factory, wear unevenly, wear out too early, or there is a problem that is not due to you drive very bad, Costco will handle the case with the manufacturer, and they will replace the tire or give you a proportional credit, but they will not give you your money back. Only if the tire price drops after you bought it and you are within the allowed period.
Replacement, but no money
As we told you before, Costco replaces the parts that have the problem but will not refund your money, so think twice if you thought the tires might end up being free.
But it is not always like that, right?
When you buy tires at Costco, you get lifetime maintenance included, without paying an extra dollar. Periodic rotation, balancing, pressure checks, and flat repairs are all included. You cannot complain because you will save quite a bit of money over the years, not always for free.
And if you get a flat or hit a pothole?
Costco also includes a road hazard warranty, so if a tire suffers irreparable damage from a nail, a pothole, or an unexpected impact, Costco covers it. They give you a replacement or a credit proportional to the wear.
How does it compare to other stores?
In most specialty stores, they only accept returns if you have not used the tires and usually within 30 days. We cannot really blame Costco for not wanting to give us our money back when the conditions elsewhere are much worse, do you not think?
So, is it worth buying tires at Costco?
Well, if your idea is to try them for a few months and then return them, of course not. But if you are looking for maintenance the answer is yes, clearly. You just have to choose the right tire for your car and your driving style, you cannot just pick any one.
We love Costco, and knowing that it has support for any kind of problem makes us love it even more, even when they do not give us our money back.