Buying a new TV is exciting, but figuring out how to get that big screen home can be a challenge, especially if you don‘t have a truck or large vehicle. Fortunately, Costco, one of the largest TV retailers in the U.S., offers convenient delivery options for TVs bought online and in stores.
As a retail industry expert and savvy shopper, I‘ve done the extensive research to bring you all the details you need to know about Costco‘s TV delivery services. I‘ll cover key questions like:
- What delivery options does Costco offer for TVs?
- How much does Costco charge for TV delivery?
- How long does it take for Costco to deliver a TV?
- Does Costco offer professional installation and setup with TV delivery?
- How does Costco‘s TV delivery compare to Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart?
Whether you‘re a loyal Costco member or just looking for the best deal on a new TV, by the end of this comprehensive guide, you‘ll be fully informed and ready to order with confidence. Let‘s dive in!
Costco TV Sales & Delivery Trends
Costco is well-known for offering great deals on high-quality TVs, and their sales continue to grow year after year. In fact, according to market research firm Gap Intelligence, Costco was the second-largest TV retailer in the U.S. in 2020, capturing over 18% of all units sold. Only Walmart sold more televisions.
What‘s driving Costco‘s TV sales growth? Competitive prices, an expanding selection of premium brands, and convenient delivery options all play a role. Costco has also increased its e-commerce capabilities in recent years, making it easier than ever to buy a TV online and have it shipped directly to your home.
Industry-wide, TV delivery has become an increasingly popular option for consumers. A 2020 survey by the Consumer Technology Association found that 63% of TV buyers had their new set delivered, up from 57% in 2019. The trend has only accelerated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with more shoppers opting to buy online and avoid the hassle of transporting a TV themselves.
Costco TV Delivery Options & Details
Whether you buy a TV from Costco.com or your local warehouse, you have several delivery options to choose from, depending on your needs and budget. Costco partners with third-party logistics companies like GoShare to handle the heavy lifting and last-mile delivery of large items like TVs.
Here‘s a breakdown of the key TV delivery options available through Costco:
Standard Curbside Delivery
- Included free with most TV purchases
- TV delivered to your driveway or curb via freight carrier
- No scheduled appointment or signature required
- Dimensions up to 50" x 38" x 6", weight up to 75 lbs
- Available in the lower 48 states (may not be available in remote areas)
Threshold Delivery
- Fee of $15-$30 depending on TV size
- TV delivered inside your home to front entryway, garage, or room of choice
- Scheduled delivery appointment and signature required
- Dimensions up to 55" x 42" x 7", weight up to 150 lbs
- Available in the lower 48 states and Hawaii
White Glove Delivery & Setup
- Premium service available for select large TVs 55"+
- Fee of $100-$200 based on TV model
- TV delivered to room of choice and professionally unpacked, assembled, and connected
- All packaging materials removed from home
- Dimensions up to 85" x 55" x 6", weight up to 250 lbs
- Available within 50 miles of select Costco locations
To give you a better idea of how Costco stacks up, here‘s a comparison of TV delivery options and pricing for major retailers:
| Retailer | Free Delivery | Standard Delivery | Premium Delivery | Setup & Installation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | Curbside on most TVs | $15-$30 threshold | $100-$200 white glove | Included with white glove |
| Best Buy | On TVs $35+ | $99+ enhanced delivery | $150+ for mounting | Basic setup included over $99 |
| Amazon | On select Prime eligible TVs | Scheduled appointment | $129+ for mounting | Device connection available |
| Walmart | 2-day on eligible TVs | Free curbside pickup | $79+ for mounting | Haul-away included with some setups |
As you can see, Costco‘s free curbside delivery and affordable threshold delivery tiers are extremely competitive compared to other major TV retailers. Their white glove setup pricing is also in line with the premium installation services offered elsewhere.
One potential downside is that Costco offers fewer delivery options for certain TV sizes and models compared to some competitors. For example, Amazon and Best Buy provide more flexibility around scheduling, same-day delivery, and professional wall mounting.
However, Costco makes up for this with its unbeatable return policy and warranty coverage on TVs, which I‘ll discuss more later.
How Long Does Costco TV Delivery Take?
When you‘re eager to enjoy your new flatscreen, the last thing you want is to wait weeks for it to arrive. With Costco, you can generally expect to receive your TV within 5-10 business days from the date of purchase.
However, the exact delivery timeline will depend on a few key variables:
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Availability: If the TV model you want is out of stock or back-ordered, delivery may be delayed up to 14-20 business days. Check your local warehouse inventory online before ordering.
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TV Size: Smaller and mid-size TVs under 50" can often be delivered more quickly than larger TVs that require freight shipping and special handling.
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Shipping Speed: If you choose standard ground delivery (3-7 business days), your TV will arrive slower than expedited options like 2-day air shipping.
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Location: Your proximity to a Costco distribution center and delivery coverage in your area can impact how quickly your TV arrives. Rural and remote locations may have longer delivery windows.
In my experience, Costco does an excellent job of providing accurate delivery estimates when you place your TV order online or in the warehouse. Once the TV ships, you can easily track its progress and see the expected arrival date from your Costco.com account.
If you need your TV delivered by a specific date, I recommend placing your order at least 2 weeks in advance to account for any potential delays or logistical hiccups. Costco‘s customer service team is also very responsive if you have any questions or concerns about your TV delivery.
Professional TV Installation & Setup from Costco
Buying a massive new flatscreen is exciting, but setting it up can be a daunting task for the average person. That‘s where Costco‘s white glove delivery and setup service comes in clutch.
For an additional fee ranging from $100 to $200, Costco will not only deliver your TV to the room of your choice, but also provide a professional installation. This premium service includes:
- Unboxing the TV and removing all packaging materials
- Attaching the TV stand or base
- Positioning the TV on your furniture or entertainment center
- Connecting the power cord and your basic video devices (cable box, game console, etc.)
- Powering on the TV and verifying picture quality
- Walking you through the TV‘s features and basic operation
Having an expert tackle the heavy lifting and technical aspects of setting up your TV can save a ton of time and frustration. It‘s a great option for people who lack the strength, mobility, or know-how to install a TV on their own.
Keep in mind that Costco‘s white glove setup does not include wall mounting your TV or fishing wires through your drywall. If you want your TV hung on the wall, you‘ll need to hire a third-party contractor for that portion of the installation.
It‘s also important to note that Costco does not offer haul-away services for your old TV with delivery. If you need to dispose of a previous set, you‘ll have to make those arrangements yourself.
How Costco‘s TV Delivery Compares to Other Retailers
Buying a TV is a major investment, so it‘s wise to compare your options from multiple retailers before making a decision. While Costco is known for great prices, how do its TV delivery services stack up to competitors like Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart?
Pricing: Costco offers very competitive delivery pricing across the board. Its free curbside option is hard to beat, and the $15-$30 fee for threshold delivery is a great value. Costco‘s white glove setup pricing is also in line with Best Buy‘s premium delivery and Amazon‘s TV installation services.
Scheduling: One potential downside of Costco is that it doesn‘t allow you to choose a precise delivery date and time slot like some other retailers. With Amazon and Best Buy, you can often select your preferred delivery date and even reschedule online if needed. Costco provides a delivery window but less control over the exact date.
Shipping Speed: In general, Costco‘s 5-10 day TV delivery window is comparable to major online competitors. Amazon Prime members may be able to get faster 2-day delivery on select TV models. But for large TVs requiring freight shipping, delivery speed is similar across most retailers.
Installation: Costco and Best Buy offer the most robust professional TV installation services, with options for unboxing, setup, and device connection. Amazon‘s installation service focuses more on wall mounting, while Walmart provides very basic setup only.
Haul-Away: One area where Costco lags is that it does not offer haul-away services for your old TV. Best Buy will recycle your old set starting at $30, and Walmart includes haul-away with some installation packages. Just factor in the cost and logistics of disposing your old TV yourself if buying from Costco.
Returns: Costco stands out for its generous 90-day return policy on TVs. As long as you have the original packaging, you can return your TV to any Costco warehouse for a full refund within that timeframe. Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart typically have 15-30 day return windows for TVs, so Costco offers much more flexibility.
Warranty: Another big advantage of buying a TV from Costco is that your manufacturer‘s warranty is automatically extended to 2 years with your Costco membership. Most retailers only offer 1-year limited warranties unless you purchase an extended plan. Costco also sells additional Allstate protection plans for even longer coverage.
Overall, Costco‘s TV delivery services are very competitive in terms of price, speed, and professional setup options. Where Costco really shines is its post-purchase perks like an extended 90-day return window and 2-year warranty coverage. That gives you great peace of mind for such a large purchase.
5 Tips for Buying a TV from Costco
Buying a TV online or in-store from Costco is a great way to get a high-quality TV delivered to your home at an excellent price. Having personally purchased several TV from Costco over the years, here are my top 5 tips to help you have the best possible experience:
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Measure your space before buying. Use Costco‘s augmented reality tool on the app to visualize how different screen sizes will look and fit in your room. A 75" TV will look much smaller in a Costco warehouse than it will in a living room or bedroom!
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Compare prices and specs online. Costco often has the best everyday prices on TVs, especially larger models. However, it‘s always a good idea to quickly compare models at other retailers to ensure you‘re getting the lowest price and latest features. Don‘t forget to factor in delivery costs too.
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Read the delivery details carefully. Before placing your order, double check the delivery options available for the TV model you want. Note that threshold delivery may not be available for upper-floor apartment units, and white glove setup has a 50-mile radius from select locations.
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Inspect your TV when it arrives. As soon as you receive your TV delivery, unbox it and give it a careful visual inspection. Power it on and verify there are no cracks, dead pixels, or color/sound distortions. If you notice any issues, take photos and contact Costco immediately so you can take advantage of the return policy if needed.
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Protect your investment. A new TV is a big purchase, so it‘s wise to protect it after delivery. Consider a power conditioner to safeguard against electrical surges, or an anti-tip strap if you have small children or live in an earthquake-prone area. It‘s also worth looking into Costco‘s Allstate protection plans for 3-5 years of enhanced coverage.
By following these simple tips and understanding all your delivery and setup options, you can have an awesome experience buying a TV from Costco. It‘s a convenient and affordable way to treat yourself to an upgraded home theater setup.
Conclusion
As you can see, Costco offers an incredibly robust and competitive TV delivery program for its members. With a variety of affordable shipping options, professional setup services, and an unbeatable warranty and return policy, it‘s a one-stop-shop for all your television needs.
I personally love the convenience of having a massive flatscreen delivered right to my home, and Costco makes that process seamless. Installation is another huge plus – having an expert unbox and set up your TV is game-changing if you‘re not very tech-savvy.
Plus, I have total confidence when buying electronics from Costco. Their extended warranty coverage and 90-day return window are a testament to the quality of the products they sell. I‘ve never had an issue, but it‘s reassuring to know I have that flexibility just in case.
No matter what kind of TV you‘re in the market for, Costco is sure to have the size, features, and services you need, all at a great members-only price. I wholeheartedly recommend shopping Costco for your next TV upgrade – your eyes and wallet will thank you!
