9 Costco Items With a Strict 90-Day Return Policy (Even With a Membership)

A Christmas tree after Christmas. A box of cat litter with litter in it. A half-eaten rotisserie chicken. These are just some of the craziest things ever accepted for return at Costco. Taking advantage of their generous return policy is one way you can unlock the true value of your membership. 

But believe it or not, there are some things that the big box juggernaut has a strict window for a return. Here are a few items where you'll want to keep your receipt handy.

If you're in the market for a new television, Costco has a truly impressive selection of TVs in its inventory. You can browse by size, brand, and features like smart TV technology.

However, Costco will only accept a television for return if you have purchased it within 90 days; otherwise, you will be stuck with the television. But don't despair: If your TV has problems, Costco's tech support team can help you troubleshoot them.

In case you didn't know, Costco sells household appliances that are likely less expensive than what you'll get at a dedicated appliance store.

That includes microwaves, refrigerators, stoves, water heaters, washers and dryers, and dishwashers. That renders Costco a one-stop shop if you're moving into a new home and need to outfit the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room; they even have appliance packages.

Just know that, similar to the policy for televisions, you have 90 days to decide whether or not you want to keep the appliance. After that, Costco won't accept them for return.

While drones are certainly less essential for your home than televisions or appliances, they can be super fun to experiment with. They can also take your photography to the next level, especially if you're hoping to snag that perfect aerial shot. And some people have found some fun ways to make money with a drone.

Of course, drones are super affordable at Costco, though their selection of aerial cameras is fairly small. Before you buy one from the big box store, however, know that they too cannot be returned after 90 days. So just be super careful when you take your drone out for a spin.

It's hard to remember the time when computers weren't a staple of our working lives. Fortunately, Costco sells computers to keep your office stocked with the best machines out there.

And if you're using computers for leisure, such as for gaming, don't fret — Costco has options for you as well. Again, be advised that you have only 90 days to return a computer purchase to Costco — which is a good reason to purchase a solid warranty.

Similar to computers, cellphones have become an integral part of our lives. We depend on them for phone calls, text messages, news and information, even directions to get from A to B.

Costco sells both iPhones and Androids, with the caveat that you have 90 days from purchase to return the device.

From Apple watches to Fitbits, smartwatches have become popular wearable devices for those who want to track their steps and workouts or get notifications even more conveniently. We may have once thought a cellphone was enough on-the-go convenience, but now having a device attached to our arms is totally the norm.

Like cellphones, if you bought a smart watch from Costco, you only have 90 to return it. After that, it's all yours.

In a world where there's never too much tech, many of us have laptops, smartphones, and an in-between-size device — a tablet.

The convenience of owning an Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, or Microsoft Surface is obvious: they're smaller and lighter than laptops with a lot of the same features while having a bigger and brighter touchscreen than a smartphone with the ability to make calls. They're great for watching shows or movies while traveling, checking emails, surfing the web, and much more.

If you buy a tablet from Costco, you have 90 days to decide if you want it forever. After that, the megastore will not take it back.

Projectors are a great alternative to traditional TVs. They give viewers the opportunity to a bigger "screen" with less brightness, which is great for dark rooms similar to the theaters. Some are even portable, allowing you to take your shows and movies outside or on the go.

But just like TVs, if you buy a projector from Costco, you only have 90 days to decide if you want to keep it. 

You may consider Costco as your to-go for consumer products from laundry detergents to laptop computers to fresh baked muffins. But the retail giant also has a lot of great home improvement options like water heaters to keep your home and showers warm. They range in size and capacity depending on your home's needs.

Just like washers and dryers, Costco will only let you return a water heater within 90 days. However, after you pay a professional to install one in your home, you're not going to want to uninstall and return it to Costco.

In addition to having great membership benefits that help customers avoid wasting money, Costco really does have one of the most forgiving return policies in retail. 

At times this has resulted in some seriously questionable returns. But one thing is for sure, if you're purchasing big-ticket items or custom work, it's best to familiarize yourself with their policy.