BJ’s Wholesale Membership kinda flies beneath the radar in comparison with Costco, however in the event you’re about to throw down just a few hundred bucks on a large 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 guidelines. Right here’s the complete scoop on how BJ’s really does returns together with some actual speak on the way it compares to the large canine within the warehouse world.

BJ’s Provides You 365 Days

Whereas BJ’s 365-day return window on common merchandise is nice, it’s inferior to Costco’s coverage (extra on that under).

Right here’s a screenshot of what BJ’s determines to be “Normal Merchandise”:

Some in-club purchases would possibly get a little bit extra wiggle room (just a few experiences counsel as much as a yr and half for common merchandise), however formally, three hundred and sixty five days is the usual, and BJ’s customer support will sometimes follow it in the event you attempt to push your luck.

For electronics you’ve gotten 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 the event you open the digital merchandise, and discover that it’s broken, they solely offer you 14 days to make the return.

Additionally price noting: In the event you 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 objects everytime you need. Sure, actually. A sofa to procure a pair years in the past? In the event you’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 objects should be in new situation with equipment intact”.

So I began a reside chat to resolve 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’ll be able to return the pans even when they’re used and with out the field, however it’s finest to verify together with your native membership for his or her particular return course of.”

So apparently their web site is unsuitable and their coverage is much like Costco’s in that you just CAN take again used objects.

All of the Stuff That Can’t Be Returned

BJ’s has an honest checklist of stuff that they gained’t take again, most notably….

– Buying and selling playing cards: Consists of 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 allow you to 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 the event you don’t need them.

– Opened DVDs, video video games, or laptop 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 customers that in the event you declare it malfunctioned or prompted discomfort, they’ll typically make a one-time exception. She additionally informed me to keep away from saying “I didn’t prefer it”. As an alternative 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 “Closing Sale”

PRO TIP: GET AROUND THE 90-DAY LIMIT ON ELECTRONICS

BJ’s says most electronics should 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 instances, they’ll override the coverage and concern a refund or retailer credit score to maintain you from coping with the producer. Convey 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 Truly Return Stuff

Returning to BJ’s is fairly easy—however provided that you follow 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 transport label.

– In-club purchases: Convey 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. In the event you purchased the unsuitable dimension or simply need a completely different mannequin, you’ll must return the merchandise and place a brand-new order. No “even swaps”.

COSTCO WITH THE “W” AGAIN

Costco makes this simpler. You’ll be able to return something to procure on-line at any warehouse, no questions requested.

In addition they don’t require a receipt—your membership quantity pulls up all the pieces. 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 unique fee methodology.

Count on 5–7 enterprise days for it to point out up in your card. In the event you used a BJ’s reward card, they’ll concern retailer credit score.

Price noting: BJ’s doesn’t refund transport 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 the event you return in-store.

Even on-line returns get processed shortly, and sure—they’ll sometimes refund transport if there was a difficulty with the merchandise. One other win for the Costco crowd.

See Additionally: Right here’s How the Sam’s Membership Return Coverage Works

Product-Particular Guidelines at BJ’s

Right here’s the place BJ’s return coverage will get a little bit extra difficult. Some product classes have stricter guidelines:

– Electronics & TVs: 30-day return window. Don’t miss it.

– Jewellery: Should embody all unique packaging and paperwork. No exceptions.

– Perishable items: Convey 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 the event you’re not the unique purchaser.

– Alcohol & cigarettes: Not returnable until required by state regulation.

And once more: No exchanges. Simply returns and repurchases.

Costco additionally has product restrictions (electronics = 90-day window), however they’re far more forgiving with meals.

You’ll be able to return half a cake in the event you hate the frosting. They’re additionally extra versatile with diamonds, alcohol (relying on state), and so they enable some exceptions that BJ’s gained’t contact. General, Costco handles “tough” objects 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. In the event you sense resistance in-store, simply return it on-line, even in the event you purchased it on the warehouse.

Chat with BJ’s customer support and say you “can’t make it again to the shop quickly” and so they’ll ship a free return transport label, no questions requested.

Membership Assure

In the event you’re sad together with your BJ’s membership, you possibly can cancel it and get a refund, however just for the present membership interval.

Don’t count on them to refund final yr’s renewal in the event you forgot to cancel it in time.

To cancel, go in-club or name their member care workforce at (800) 257-2582. In the event you ordered on-line, you possibly can cancel via your account.

SEEING A PATTERN HERE?

Costco’s coverage is extra beneficiant. In the event you’re ever dissatisfied together with your membership—at any level—they’ll refund your price in full, even in the event you’ve used all of it yr. 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.

In the event you ordered on-line, your digital order historical past works. In-store? In the event you misplaced the receipt, they *would possibly* be capable to look it up—however it’s not assured.

HMMM, TAKE A GUESS

This one’s straightforward. Costco tracks each buy by membership quantity.

You could possibly return a 3-year-old blender with no receipt, and so they’ll nonetheless comprehend it’s yours. BJ’s doesn’t have that stage of system help, which makes Costco far more return-friendly.

See Additionally: The Massive-Identify Shops That Let You Make a Return With out 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 the event you go too onerous (fixed returns, empty bins, serial refunds), they will deny future returns or flag your membership.

COSTCO IS BUCKLING DOWN

Costco can also be extra 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.

Closing Take…

BJ’s return coverage is… okay. It’s not horrible, however it’s undoubtedly stricter than Costco’s.

You’ve obtained a set 365-day return window, restricted flexibility on meals or high-value objects, and no exchanges. It really works nice in the event you observe the principles, however there’s not a number of wiggle room if life will get in the way in which.

In the event you worth return flexibility, no-hassle refunds, and beneficiant timeframes, Costco wins this spherical fingers down. However in the event you’re already a BJ’s shopper and you retain observe 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 Quite-Be-Purchasing.com in 2000 and have turn out to be a shopper professional and advocate writing about out-of-the-box methods to avoid wasting at shops like Amazon, Walmart, Goal and Costco to call just a few. I’ve been featured on FOX Information, Good Morning America, and the NY Occasions speaking about my financial savings suggestions. (Be taught extra)