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Yes — Costco Is an Official Best Buy Qualified Competitor
Best Buy's official qualified competitors list includes Costco, along with Amazon, Walmart, Target, and others. If Costco has the same item for less, Best Buy should match it. You do not need a Costco membership to use this — just proof of the lower price.
Real-World Caveat: Some Associates Will Refuse
Despite Costco being on the official list, some Best Buy employees refuse Costco price matches, citing the membership requirement or uncertainty about the policy. Multiple Reddit users report being told "we don't match Costco" — which is incorrect per Best Buy's official policy.
What to do: Politely say "Costco is listed on Best Buy's qualified competitors page — here's the link." Ask to speak with a manager. In most cases, a manager will honor it.
How to Successfully Get Best Buy to Match Costco
Screenshot the Costco product page with the lower price
Pull up the Costco website (Costco.com) or their app. Show the exact product page with the model number and lower price clearly visible. Make sure the item shows as "In Stock".
Confirm the model numbers match exactly
Costco sometimes sells exclusive SKUs or special configurations — for example, a TV with a slightly different model number that includes extra stands or accessories. The model number must be identical for the match to apply.
Reference Best Buy's official qualified competitors page if needed
If an associate pushes back, pull up bestbuy.com/site/price-match-guarantee/qualified-competitors to show them that Costco is explicitly listed. Ask to speak with a manager who can verify the policy.
Try online or via customer service if in-store fails
Best Buy's online chat and phone support (1-888-237-8289) may be more familiar with the policy. If the in-store experience is frustrating, try requesting the match through a different channel.
What Best Buy Will and Won't Match from Costco
| Costco Scenario | Best Buy Matches? |
|---|---|
| Identical item at Costco.com (in stock) | ✅ Yes |
| Same model sold in-store at Costco | ✅ Yes (with proof) |
| Costco bundle with extras (different SKU) | ❌ No |
| Costco member-only price (exclusive deal) | ❌ Possibly not |
| Costco clearance item | ❌ No |
| Costco Kirkland-branded product | ❌ No (not sold at Best Buy) |
| Within 15 days of Best Buy purchase | ✅ Yes (post-purchase adjustment) |
Why Costco Sometimes Has Lower Prices Than Best Buy
Costco's business model is built around high-volume, low-margin selling — they make most of their money from membership fees, which allows them to price products at near-wholesale cost. This means Costco genuinely does undercut retail prices on many electronics, especially TVs, laptops, and audio equipment.
The trade-off is the membership requirement ($65+/year) and the fact that Costco doesn't price match anyone. If you don't have a Costco membership but find a Costco deal, Best Buy's price match policy is essentially a way to get the Costco price without the membership fee — a very useful hack for non-members.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Best Buy price match Costco?
Yes, officially. Costco is listed as a qualified competitor on Best Buy's price match guarantee page. Best Buy will match a Costco price on an identical item. However, there are important requirements: the item must be identical (same model, color, condition), and Costco must have it in stock.
Why do some Best Buy employees say they won't match Costco?
This happens because of a gray area in implementation. Some associates aren't sure how to handle Costco since it requires a membership. Officially, the policy includes Costco — Best Buy's own website lists Costco as a qualified competitor. If an associate refuses, politely ask to speak with a manager or reference Best Buy's qualified competitors page.
Do I need a Costco membership to get a Best Buy price match?
No. You don't need to be a Costco member to get Best Buy to price match a Costco price. You just need to show proof of the Costco price (a screenshot, the Costco website listing, or their app). Best Buy will verify the price and match it regardless of whether you're a Costco member.
What's the time limit for Best Buy price matching Costco?
15 days from your purchase date. If you buy something at Best Buy and later find the same item cheaper at Costco within 15 days, you can request a price adjustment. Bring your receipt and proof of the Costco price to any Best Buy store or contact customer service.
Does Costco price match Best Buy?
No. Costco does not price match any competitor. Costco's philosophy is that they already offer competitive prices through their bulk buying power and membership model. If Costco's price is higher than Best Buy's, you'd need to buy from Best Buy directly rather than getting Costco to match.
Are Costco bundle deals eligible for Best Buy price matching?
No. If Costco sells a product as part of a bundle (e.g., a TV with free streaming subscription or accessories included), Best Buy won't match that bundle price. The item must be identical and sold individually at both stores at a comparable configuration.