Beyond the Devices: Revealing the concealed electronics membership benefits at Costco and Sam's Club.

      Welcome back to another article exploring the realm of warehouse retailers. The premise here is that the savings on electronics at warehouse retailers could be a potential answer to the economic uncertainty we face today. Previously, we examined membership electronics savings, outlining what to purchase at Costco and Sam’s Club, as well as what to avoid from these popular warehouse stores.

      However, we know that a Costco or Sam’s Club membership offers more than just savings. Members can access gas discounts, tire services, and many even do their grocery shopping there. As we consider how warehouse retailer memberships enhance electronics purchases, we realize there are numerous additional perks beneficial to electronics consumers as well. Thus, we present these “hidden” benefits of Costco and Sam’s Club electronics memberships, which can assist with everything from setting up products to repairing a damaged screen.

      Generous return policies

      When we compared Costco and Sam’s Club earlier, we took a close look at their return policies for electronics. To summarize our findings, Costco’s return and exchange policy for electronics was slightly better. Both allow for returns of electronics within 90 days and provide the option for online buyers to return items via shipment or at physical locations. The main distinction arises with smartphone returns: Costco’s policy states that unlocked phones are eligible for their standard return policy, while carrier-specific phones may have restrictions based on the provider. Conversely, Sam’s Club restricts phone returns to 14 days.

      In comparison to the return and exchange policies of Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon, Costco and Sam’s Club offer considerably generous returns that favor the customer.

      Technical support

      Costco is recognized for going the extra mile regarding returns, or at least for attempting to avoid them by ensuring customer satisfaction. While it is sensible to seek technical support directly from manufacturers, not all have readily available support numbers or the prompt responses you might expect. For select products, Costco offers assistance from their technical and warranty services team. While this support may not be groundbreaking (you shouldn’t expect them to have advanced technical knowledge for niche products, for instance), it does establish a personalized support system for the common issues you might encounter when installing and using the typical products purchased from the store.

      On the other hand, shopping at Sam’s Club provides access to certified technicians who can help connect and set up your devices, specifically mentioning TVs, computers, and tablets. It is essential to understand that these services are available in conjunction with an Allstate warranty (as discussed below).

      Customer service reputation

      In our earlier discussions about the electronics benefits and overall value of shopping at Costco and Sam’s Club, we also touched on their customer service approach. This is evident from both stores’ generous return policies and Costco’s technical support staff, but it goes beyond that.

      For instance, Sam’s Club offers a 'Scan & Go' feature that allows you to exit the store without waiting in line. Additionally, Costco is famous for its food court for in-store shoppers, tech support, and more. These companies are renowned for their commitment to assisting customers at a higher level.

      Warranty options (Standard & Extended)

      Costco’s electronics warranties include Allstate Protection plans alongside a service known as Costco Technical and Warranty Services. This latter option provides a warranty directly from Costco for up to two years after the purchase or delivery date on specific electronics, such as TVs, projectors, and most computers. When combining both Allstate and Costco warranties, you can secure up to five years of extended warranty coverage. This is a substantial duration for any product, especially for tech items that manufacturers often expect to be replaced every few years.

      You may have heard about Costco Concierge Services, designed to assist customers well after the purchase is complete. Interactions here can be quite pleasant, as evidenced by reports on Reddit about concierge staff visiting homes to resolve issues, including replacing an outdated TV. However, the service isn’t flawless, and some things may not be covered, but customer care is a core element of the service.

      The electronics warranty offered by Sam’s Club follows a similar structure. In addition to the satisfaction guarantee and any manufacturer's warranty, you can also purchase an Allstate protection plan. What differentiates Sam’s Club from Costco is the varied plans by product, including tablets. These plans are categorized into “Standard” and “Accident” protection plans. For example, purchasing a TV can get you a five-year standard plan that covers tech support and everyday use or power surge failures. Alternatively, a three-year accident plan can be applied to a computer or laptop, covering incidents like liquid damage and hard drive failure. Their two-year portable electronics protection plan is particularly noteworthy for its coverage of drops, spills, and cracks, which can easily affect even the best-made tablets.

      Peace of mind factor

      Overall, you will likely discover that warehouse stores offer impressively customer-focused policies, contrary to the profit-driven reputation typically associated with the phrase “warehouse retailer.” This makes a lot of sense. You’re not just signing up for a membership at Costco or Sam’s