It's frustrating to buy an item and later see it selling for significantly less. Fortunately, Costco offers a price adjustment policy that may allow you to receive a refund for the difference—if you know how it works.
Many shoppers aren't aware that price drops, including manufacturer discounts and some in-store markdowns, can qualify for adjustments within a specific time window. Costco doesn't automatically issue refunds, so it's up to the customer to request one.
This guide explains when price adjustments apply, how clearance pricing is handled, and why online and warehouse prices are treated differently—so you can take advantage of savings when they become available.
The Rule: The 30-Day Window
The Verdict: If the price drops, you get paid.
Costco's policy is simple: If you purchase an item and the price drops within 30 days of your purchase, you are entitled to a refund of the difference.
It doesn't matter if you bought it at the standard .99 price and it went on sale, or if you bought it on sale and it went on clearance. If the price is lower today than it was when you swiped your card, that money belongs to you.
The Two Types of Price Drops
Most people know about standard sales, but there are actually two ways to trigger a price adjustment. Knowing the difference is how power users save hundreds a year.
1. The Manufacturer Discount (Instant Rebate)
This is the standard "coupon book" savings. You bought a blender for $399.99. Ten days later, the new monthly coupon book comes out and that blender is now $329.99 thanks to a manufacturer discount.
- •Can you adjust? Yes.
- •The savings: Usually $5 to $20.
2. The Clearance Markdown (.97)
This is the secret weapon. As we covered in our Price Tag Guide, when Costco wants an item gone, they slash the price and end it in .97.
If you bought a patio set for $999.99 on July 1st, and on July 20th the manager marks it down to $699.97 to clear floor space, you can walk in and get $300 back. You keep the furniture; you just get the cash.
- •Can you adjust? Yes.
- •The savings: Massive.
How to Get Your Money
The process is slightly different depending on where you shopped.
In-Warehouse Purchases
If you bought it physically in the store, you must go back to the store.
- •Go to Member Services: Do not go to the regular checkout line.
- •Bring your Receipt: It helps speed things up, but if you lost it, don't panic. They can look up your purchase history using your membership card.
- •Request the Adjustment: Simply tell them, "I'd like a price adjustment please. Item number 1234567." They'll look it up and verify.
- •Get Paid: If you are still within 30 days, they will refund the difference to your original payment method or give you a shop cash gift card.
Online Purchases (Costco.com)
Costco.com and the Warehouse are treated as two separate entities.
If you bought it online, you cannot go to the store for an adjustment. Instead, there is a simple Price Adjustment form on their website. Fill it out, and the credit usually appears on your card in 3–5 business days.
The "Gotchas"
Before you run to the service desk, keep these rules in mind:
- •In-Store vs. Online: Costco does not price match between the warehouse and the website. If you bought it in the store, the lower price must be in the store. If you bought it online, the lower price must be online.
- •Clearance Stock: For clearance (.97) adjustments, you must be at the warehouse you purchased it from, and the item needs to still be in stock. You can even get price adjustments on clearance items if they dropped in price (ie. $9.97 to $4.97).
The Problem: You Can't Track Everything
Here is the reality: The system is designed for you to forget.
To take advantage of this policy manually, you would need to:
- •Keep every receipt.
- •Memorize the price you paid for every item.
- •Walk the aisles of Costco every few days to check for price drops.
- •Catch the price drop before the 30-day window expires.
Nobody has time for that. You aren't going to drive to Costco just to check if your laundry detergent dropped by $3.00.
Because of this, thousands of dollars in potential refunds are left on the table every year.
The Solution: Automate Your Refund
You don't need to memorize prices. You just need CostLow.
We built the CostLow app to handle the "detective work" for you. Instead of manually tracking prices, you let our the app do the heavy lifting.
How CostLow Gets You Cash Back:
- •Snap Your Receipt: As soon as you leave the warehouse, open the CostLow app and take a picture of your receipt. (do this before the door checkers draw a giant line through the receipt)
- •We Digitize It: The app reads every item, the price you paid, and the date of purchase. The app allows you to edit, add, or delete automatic receipt scanning errors.
- •We Watch the Prices: We monitor the database. If a manufacturer discount kicks in, or if other users report a .97 clearance drop for that item at your store, we know.
- •You Get Alerted: You get a notification: "Price Drop Alert: The Dyson Vacuum you bought 12 days ago just dropped by $60."
- •You Collect: Next time you go to Costco, you walk up to the counter, show the alert (or your receipt), and collect your money.
Real Savings
We aren't talking about pennies. CostLow users frequently see adjustments on:
- •Electronics: TVs often drop $100–$300 shortly after release.
- •Seasonal Items: Furniture and holiday decor plummet in price as the season ends.
- •Clothing: That jacket you bought for $24.99 often hits $14.97 a few weeks later.
Stop Leaving Money at the Warehouse
Costco's price adjustment policy is one of the best perks of your membership—but only if you use it.
You've already paid for the membership. You've already bought the items. Don't let the savings slip away just because you didn't know the price changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a price adjustment?
A refund for the difference between what you paid and a lower current price. Cash back.
How long do I have to request a price adjustment?
30 days from your purchase date. After 30 days, you're no longer eligible for an adjustment.
Do I need my receipt for a Costco price adjustment?
No, you just need the item number. Costco can look up your purchase history using your membership card.
Can you get a price adjustment on clearance items?
Yes. Clearance items (.97) qualify for price adjustments. You can even get adjustments if a clearance item drops further in price (e.g., $9.97 to $4.97).
What qualifies for a price adjustment?
Regular price drops, sales, clearance markdowns (.97), and manufacturer discounts. Not eligible: Costco Cash, Executive member rewards, or mail-in rebates.
Can you get a price adjustment on online purchases?
Yes, but you must use Costco.com's Price Adjustment form. In-store and online are treated as separate entities—no price matching between channels.
How do I request a price adjustment in-store?
Go to Member Services (not checkout) with your item number or receipt. They'll verify the price drop and refund the difference to your original payment method or issue a shop cash gift card.
How long does a Costco price adjustment take?
In-store adjustments are immediate. Online adjustments typically appear on your card in 3–5 business days.
Can you get multiple price adjustments from one receipt?
Yes. Each item is evaluated separately within the 30-day window. If multiple items drop in price, you can request adjustments for all of them.
Do you need to be at the same warehouse for a clearance price adjustment?
Yes. For clearance (.97) adjustments, you must go to the warehouse where you made the purchase, and the item must still be in stock.
Explore More Guides
Learn how to maximize your Costco savings:
- →Costco Price Tags Explained
Learn how to read price tags and decode .97, .99, and asterisks to find hidden deals.
