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9 Reasons You Should Always Buy Your AirPods at Costco Instead of the Apple Store

Sure, the Apple Store is great, but Costco is on another level.

costco wholesale location
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
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Everyone knows you can buy bulk foods and delicious rotisserie chicken at Costco — products they are famous for selling at great prices. And somehow, they even keep the hot dog combo priced at $1.50, an impressive feat in any economy.

But groceries aren't the only thing you can save money on at Costco. Did you know that it’s super smart to buy your next set of AirPods at the big box juggernaut rather than at the Apple Store? And no, you don’t have to buy 100 pairs at once, either.

Here’s why you should skip the Apple Store in favor of Costco.

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Costco sells quality tech products

Shahid Jamil/Adobe various apple products on black table

One of Costco's hallmarks is its commitment to selling high-quality products across all categories, including electronics. You don’t have to worry about getting knock-offs.

When you buy your AirPods at Costco, you can trust that you're getting a genuine, top-of-the-line product backed by Costco's solid reputation. They’re also a certified Apple Reseller.

AirPods have simple specs

alimyakubov/Adobe apple airpods 3

Unlike some tech products that require in-depth research on all the bells and whistles you can get, like smartphones and laptops, AirPods have relatively simple specs.

That’s not to say they aren’t extremely innovative and high-quality, but across the board, they’re uniform with each generation. They’re the same product no matter where you buy them, giving you a reason to comparison shop.

You'll likely save money

LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe saving glass jar for money

While prices may vary depending on the specific model and any promotions, you may find that AirPods are cheaper at Costco than they are at the Apple Store.

Some customers said they saw a price difference of $50 off AirPods Pro and $70 off AirPods Max at Costco — in both cases, that’s a really good deal!

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You can get the latest release

alexugalek/Adobe apple wireless earphones

Costco stays up-to-date with the latest releases in pretty much everything, including tech, like new generations of Apple products.

So whenever Apple drops a new version of AirPods, you can find them at Costco. This allows you to get your hands on the newest tech without having to wait in line at the Apple Store.

Costco has ample inventory and a good selection

mandritoiu/Adobe LED TV's of diiferent sizes and specifications in costco stock

One of the frustrations of shopping for tech products is dealing with limited inventory and selection. The Apple Store only has so many in stock, sometimes making it difficult to keep up with demand.

However, Costco’s inventory model is second to none. They manage everything they stock extremely effectively, including AirPods.

You can get AppleCare

sdx15/Adobe apple care on phone screen

AppleCare, Apple's extended warranty and support service, gives you protection (depending on how much you spring for) and peace of mind for your AirPods. After all, who hasn’t lost an AirPod at least once?

Costco sells AppleCare for AirPods as well, so you don’t have to buy them at the Apple Store to enjoy the same benefits.

Costco's return policy is generous

Andriy Blokhin/Adobe social distancing

Costco is known for its (sometimes too) generous return policy, which allows you to return electronics for a full refund within 90 days of purchase. This policy applies to AirPods, too, so any issues that pop up within that time won’t be an issue.

Note that all Apple products have to be fully restored to factory reset mode.

You have an Executive Membership

dennizn/Adobe Costco wholesale cart with groceries in Costco warehouse

There are two types of Costco memberships available: Gold Star and Executive. Members of the latter earn back 2% of the money they spend there every year. The more you spend, the more you get back (up to $1,000).

That means the cash you spend on AirPods goes toward your year-end refund, saving you even more money when you deposit that cash at year’s end.

You can buy more than just AirPods

Tada Images/Adobe a  masked customer loads his car after shopping in Costco

While AirPods may be at the top of your shopping list, Costco sells a bunch of other products (and services) that you can score while you're in the warehouse.

Like AirPods, you can count on anything you buy at Costco to be high-quality and reasonably priced. A stop at the food court is worth it, too — you can’t get a hotdog at the Apple Store!

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Bottom line

Kevin Brine/Adobe dartmouth costco store from outside

Listen, we’re not trying to throw any shade at the Apple Store; they sell great products that have revolutionized the way we live.

There are just too many advantages to picking up your next set of AirPods at Costco, from saving you money to customer service perks. Plus, it’s a chance to buy all your Costco favorites, making it a one-stop shop for everything you need and saving you big bucks on everyday essentials.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

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Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

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