8 Costco Apple Product Perks You Cannot Ignore

If you're like me, you love to stay up-to-date with the latest Apple products, but the Apple store can get crazy busy and expensive. The good news is that if you have a Costco membership, you can purchase your Apple products, sometimes at a discounted price and get more perks than you would buying directly from Apple.

Whether you are a Costco loyalist or haven't bit the bullet yet, it's worth discovering the Costco Apple product perks.

Apple products are one of the few items you don't have to buy in bulk at Costco, but can still save money. They often run deals on slightly older versions of iPhones and Macbooks or they may run a special that includes AppleCare+ with your purchase.

If you're looking for the latest Apple gear and trying to find ways to save money, buying your Apple products at Costco may be a good choice.

There's nothing more frustrating than to be all geared up to buy your new Apple product only to find your local Walmart, Target, and Best Buy are out of stock. These stores often get limited quantities of products and when they run out it could be months before they get more.

As a big buyer, Costco often has more inventory available. Of course, no retailer will have the range and choice of products that Apple itself does, but Costco probably comes the closest.

Deciding to buy an Apple product is a big (and expensive) decision. If you aren't satisfied with the purchase, you only get 14 days to decide when buying through Apple. At Costco, though, you get a full 90 days to decide.

That can be important with electronics because sometimes it takes a while to find out if something doesn't work the way it should.

It also means that you can buy that gift early from Costco and not worry about being able to return it after the holidays.

If you've ever bought something only to see it get cheaper a week later, you know the frustration. It happens all the time, but fortunately, at Costco, you get 30 days after the purchase date to request a price adjustment.

Keep in mind that this only pertains to a price drop at Costco, not any other store, including Apple. The price adjustment policy doesn't apply if the price in the club drops but the online price doesn't. The price drop can only be on Costco.com for a Costco.com purchase or an in club price for an in club purchase.

If you notice the price drops, complete this form and you'll receive a credit. If you purchased the Apple product in the store, you must visit the customer service counter at your local club.

If you're still looking for a reason to go to Costco rather than the Apple Store, here's a big one for anyone like me who hates crowds. At Costco, you can walk right up to the counter, ask for the product you want, and get someone to help you pretty quickly.

By contrast, the Apple Store is usually more crowded because that's where many people go to get repairs or updates in addition to shopping. My local Apple store has an hour plus wait almost anytime I go there. Since Costco usually has what I need I typically go there just for the calmer experience and less time wasted.

AppleCare+ gives you three years of protection against malfunctions and accidents, well beyond the standard and limited one-year warranty.

Since Costco purchases items like this in bulk, they often provide better pricing. Though repair prices vary, it's worth checking out, especially if you seem to need to have the screen repaired at least once.

It's important to note, though, that you cannot purchase AppleCare+ separately at Costco. You can only purchase it simultaneously with an Apple purchase.

You might think you have to go through Apple or your phone service provider to take advantage of trade-in deals, but Costco offers them too.

You can enter the details of your product on their partner Phobia's site to see what they would pay you for your device. You aren't obligated to accept an offer after entering the details, so it's worth comparing what they would give you versus any offers Apple or your phone provider may offer.

Apple Stores can be few and far between, especially in smaller cities. There are 273 Apple locations throughout the U.S. By contrast, there are 603 Costco locations around the country.

Why does that matter? If you're like many people, you don't want to trek to the mall or even to the next town over.

Why not save time and fuel costs to buy closer to home? You may even be able to get Costco to deliver it to your door.

Costco is my one-stop shop for all my household needs and my Apple products too. I love the price guarantee, larger selection, and often lower cost on AppleCare+.

Plus, if you qualify, you may be able to use your Costco credit card to help you with your purchase and earn some membership points that go toward refunding your membership dues for the next year.

To make the decision where to buy, factor in the aspects of the purchase that matter to you, such as selection, warranty, and return policy, and Costco could be a great place to buy your next Apple product.