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.
Amazon Prime members: get a $250 Amazon Gift Card!
If you're an Amazon Prime member, apply for the Prime Visa(Rates and fees) credit card here and you can get a $250 Amazon Gift Card instantly loaded into your Amazon account's Gift Card Balance upon approval (get an instant decision within 15 seconds).1 <p class="">If you respond via the Internet, the majority of applications are responded to in less than 15 seconds. Your actual response time may vary depending on the Internet connection and volume of submitted requests. We may not be able to give you an immediate answer in every instance.</p>
This is the perfect card to do some last minute holiday shopping, especially with the instant decision on application. There is no extra work or spending requirement and no annual fee!
The Prime Visa credit card also lets you earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
If you spend a good amount on Amazon this card could be worth $100s in cash back every year. Don't delay — apply today!
Good or excellent credit (typically 670 or higher) is recommended.
Click here to apply for the Prime Visa credit card today and get an instant decision in 15 seconds
Costco sells quality tech products
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
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
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!
You can get the latest release
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
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
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
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
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
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!
- 18-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60-69
- 70-79
- 80+
Bottom line
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.
Earn Easy Cash Rewards at Amazon.com
Benefits Card Details on Chase’s secure website Intro Offer
Limited-Time Offer: Get a $250 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
Annual Fee $0 Why we like it
If you're a loyal Amazon Prime member and you love getting cash back rewards on your purchases, the Prime Visa is a fantastic option. You can earn big rewards with this card, and it comes with some other valuable perks as well.
With the Prime Visa card, you get a $250 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members (limited-time offer). Plus, cardmembers earn a whopping
unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases
.
The Prime Visa also comes with some great travel protections that you rarely see with a no-annual-fee card. It offers lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, travel accident insurance, and travel and emergency assistance.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Subscribe Today
Learn how to make an extra $200
Get vetted side hustles and proven ways to earn extra cash sent to your inbox.