BJ’s Wholesale Club kinda flies beneath the radar in comparison with Costco, however in case you’re about to throw down a couple of hundred bucks on an enormous flat-screen or a bulk pack of batteries, their return coverage out of the blue turns into a giant deal. Spoiler: it’s undoubtedly not a carbon copy of Costco’s famously chill return rules. Right here’s the complete scoop on how BJ’s truly does returns together with some actual discuss on the way it compares to the large canine within the warehouse world.
BJ’s Offers You 365 Days
Whereas BJ’s 365-day return window on normal merchandise is nice, it’s not so good as Costco’s coverage (extra on that beneath).
Right here’s a screenshot of what BJ’s determines to be “Common Merchandise”:
Some in-club purchases would possibly get a little bit extra wiggle room (a couple of reviews counsel as much as a 12 months and half for normal merchandise), however formally, three hundred and sixty five days is the usual, and BJ’s customer support will usually keep on with it in case you attempt to push your luck.
For electronics you might have 90 days to make the return, the identical as Costco. (Make sure to maintain on to the field, handbook, and equipment to make your return MUCH simpler)
Oddly, in case you open the digital merchandise, and discover that it’s broken, they solely offer you 14 days to make the return.
Additionally value noting: If you happen to begin a return on-line however don’t ship the merchandise again inside 30 days, BJ’s will auto-cancel the request. So don’t wait round.
Costco completely crushes this one. They allow you to return most gadgets everytime you need. Sure, actually. A sofa you acquire a pair years in the past? If you happen to’re sad, they’ll nonetheless take it again. So if return flexibility is your factor, Costco is the clear winner.
PRO TIP: SIMILAR TO COSTCO, ITEMS CAN BE USED
This was complicated to me initially as a result of the BJ’s web site clearly states “Returned gadgets have to be in new situation with equipment intact”.
So I began a reside chat to unravel this and I discovered a set of Cuisinart pans that I “used” for 8 months as my instance (and I threw the field away).
The chat rep informed me this, “You possibly can return the pans even when they’re used and with out the field, but it surely’s greatest to verify together with your native membership for his or her particular return course of.”
So apparently their web site is incorrect and their coverage is just like Costco’s in that you simply CAN take again used gadgets.
All of the Stuff That Can’t Be Returned
BJ’s has a good checklist of stuff that they gained’t take again, most notably….
– Buying and selling playing cards: Contains Pokémon and sports activities playing cards, whether or not they’re sealed or opened, can’t return them.
– Alcohol, lottery tickets, cigarettes, and tobacco: Some states let you return alcohol to Costco however apparently to not BJ’s.
– Present playing cards: As soon as you purchase them, they’re yours. Promote them on eBay in case you don’t need them.
– Opened DVDs, video video games, or pc software program
– Fireworks: This consists of something that’s had gasoline, oil, or gasoline added to it.
– Opened therapeutic massage chairs: Formally, opened therapeutic massage chairs are non-returnable. However I used to be informed by a longtime BJ’s consumers that in case you declare it malfunctioned or prompted discomfort, they’ll usually make a one-time exception. She additionally informed me to keep away from saying “I didn’t prefer it”. As a substitute say, “It stopped working” or “It aggravated my again” and ask for retailer credit score or an change.
– Prescription glasses or contact lenses
– Something marked “Ultimate Sale”
PRO TIP: GET AROUND THE 90-DAY LIMIT ON ELECTRONICS
BJ’s says most electronics have to be returned inside 90 days, however right here’s the workaround: If the product is faulty after 90 days however throughout the producer’s guarantee, take it to the membership and ask for a supervisor.
In lots of circumstances, they’ll override the coverage and difficulty a refund or retailer credit score to maintain you from coping with the producer. Carry within the guarantee paperwork as backup. Additionally, point out you’re a long-time member otherwise you’re changing it with one other BJ’s merchandise. Loyalty + repurchase = leverage.
Right here’s How You Really Return Stuff
Returning to BJ’s is fairly easy—however provided that you keep on with the principles.
– On-line purchases: Go to your BJ’s account, choose the merchandise, and begin the return. They’ll offer you a pay as you go delivery label.
– In-club purchases: Carry it again to any BJ’s Member Companies desk. You *often* want your receipt or membership card to course of it.
A bizarre quirk: BJ’s doesn’t do straight exchanges. If you happen to purchased the incorrect measurement or simply need a completely different mannequin, you’ll have to return the merchandise and place a brand-new order. No “even swaps”.
COSTCO WITH THE “W” AGAIN
Costco makes this simpler. You possibly can return something you acquire on-line at any warehouse, no questions requested.
In addition they don’t require a receipt—your membership quantity pulls up every little thing. And sure, Costco permits exchanges. BJ’s feels a little bit extra old-school as compared.
Refunds: How You Get Your Cash Again
As soon as BJ’s receives your return (both in particular person or by mail), they’ll refund your authentic fee technique.
Anticipate 5–7 enterprise days for it to point out up in your card. If you happen to used a BJ’s present card, they’ll difficulty retailer credit score.
Value noting: BJ’s doesn’t refund delivery or supply fees until the return is their fault (like a broken or incorrect merchandise).
COSTCO WINS ON REFUNDS
Costco doesn’t fiddle. You often get your refund on the spot in case you return in-store.
Even on-line returns get processed shortly, and sure—they’ll usually refund delivery if there was a difficulty with the merchandise. One other win for the Costco crowd.
See Additionally: Here’s How the Sam’s Club Return Policy Works
Product-Particular Guidelines at BJ’s
Right here’s the place BJ’s return coverage will get a little bit extra sophisticated. Some product classes have stricter guidelines:
– Electronics & TVs: 30-day return window. Don’t miss it.
– Jewellery: Should embrace all authentic packaging and paperwork. No exceptions.
– Perishable items: Carry them again in-club together with your receipt. BJ’s may not settle for them by way of mail.
– Present returns: Have to be returned in-club. You’ll get retailer credit score (not money) in case you’re not the unique purchaser.
– Alcohol & cigarettes: Not returnable until required by state legislation.
And once more: No exchanges. Simply returns and repurchases.
Costco additionally has product restrictions (electronics = 90-day window), however they’re rather more forgiving with meals.
You possibly can return half a cake in case you hate the frosting. They’re additionally extra versatile with diamonds, alcohol (relying on state), and so they permit some exceptions that BJ’s gained’t contact. General, Costco handles “difficult” gadgets higher.
PRO TIP: USE THIS “ONLINE RETURN TRICK” TO AVOID CLUB HASSLES
Membership returns could be hit and miss relying on who’s on the desk. If you happen to sense resistance in-store, simply return it on-line, even in case you purchased it on the warehouse.
Chat with BJ’s customer service and say you “can’t make it again to the shop quickly” and so they’ll ship a free return delivery label, no questions requested.
Membership Assure
If you happen to’re sad together with your BJ’s membership, you’ll be able to cancel it and get a refund, however just for the present membership interval.
Don’t count on them to refund final 12 months’s renewal in case you forgot to cancel it in time.
To cancel, go in-club or name their member care staff at (800) 257-2582. If you happen to ordered on-line, you’ll be able to cancel by way of your account.
SEEING A PATTERN HERE?
Costco’s coverage is extra beneficiant. If you happen to’re ever dissatisfied together with your membership—at any level—they’ll refund your price in full, even in case you’ve used all of it 12 months. They really stand behind the “100% satisfaction” half.
Maintain On to That Receipt
BJ’s often desires you to have a receipt or proof of buy to course of a return.
If you happen to ordered on-line, your digital order historical past works. In-store? If you happen to misplaced the receipt, they *would possibly* have the ability to look it up—but it surely’s not assured.
Tip Alert: You gotta obtain the BJ’s app and begin utilizing the Express Pay feature. Not solely does it assist you to simply scan gadgets as you store, pay inside within the app, and utterly AVOID the checkout line, however all your receipts get saved within the app.
To search out your receipts simply go to Account, Handle Orders, after which click on on Membership Orders and so they’ll all be sitting there patiently ready for you.
HMMM, TAKE A GUESS
This one’s straightforward. Costco tracks each buy by membership quantity.
You may return a 3-year-old blender with out a receipt, and so they’ll nonetheless understand it’s yours. BJ’s doesn’t have that degree of system assist, which makes Costco rather more return-friendly.
See Additionally: The Big-Name Stores That Let You Make a Return Without Your Receipt
What Occurs If You Abuse the Return Coverage?
BJ’s doesn’t say a lot publicly about return coverage abuse, however like several retailer, in case you go too exhausting (fixed returns, empty bins, serial refunds), they’ll deny future returns or flag your membership.
COSTCO IS BUCKLING DOWN
Costco is also more vocal about this. They’ve shut down memberships for extreme or suspicious returns.
So despite the fact that their coverage is looser, they’re watching. Abuse it, and also you’re out.
Ultimate Take…
BJ’s return coverage is… okay. It’s not horrible, but it surely’s undoubtedly stricter than Costco’s.
You’ve received a set 365-day return window, restricted flexibility on meals or high-value gadgets, and no exchanges. It really works nice in case you observe the principles, however there’s not quite a lot of wiggle room if life will get in the best way.
If you happen to worth return flexibility, no-hassle refunds, and beneficiant timeframes, Costco wins this spherical fingers down. However in case you’re already a BJ’s shopper and you retain monitor of your receipts and deadlines, you’ll be simply nice.
Ask the Reader: What’s your tackle the return coverage at BJ’s? Have you ever had any points or issues utilizing it? Let me know.
By Kyle James
I began Fairly-Be-Purchasing.com in 2000 and have turn out to be a shopper skilled and advocate writing about out-of-the-box methods to avoid wasting at shops like Amazon, Walmart, Goal and Costco to call a couple of. I’ve been featured on FOX Information, Good Morning America, and the NY Instances speaking about my financial savings suggestions. (Learn more)
