What to Know When Buying Costco Cell Phones (2022 Guide)

Buying Costco cell phones, is it worth it? Should I do it? Here's what to know before buying Costco cell phones. The yearly fee is usually worth it because the store provides other services, such as the members-only benefits of purchasing a cell phone.

Things to know before buying Costco Cell Phones

Here's what to know before buying Costco mobile phones.

Understand the Salespeople at the Costco Cell Phone Kiosks are Wireless Advocate Employees

When shopping at the Costco cell phone kiosks, it's important to understand that the sales people are not Costco employees. Wireless Advocates is its own company that operates within Costco, so the employees at the kiosk are not Costco employees.

That means if you have a question about something relating to Costco, the Wireless Advocate employees are not the ones to ask. However, this also means that the kiosk employees are trained and knowledgeable about the products they’re selling.

In contrast, Costco employees who man the jewelry department are not trained in gemology or diamond expertise. So if you're looking for someone who can answer your questions about cell phones, the kiosk is the place to go. The salespeople there will be able to help you find the right phone and plan for your needs.

Costco Cell Phones are sold via wireless plans

Costco offers great savings on cell phones for members who sign up for new wireless plans with Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile. The plans are the same as what you would find at the carriers' retail locations or online, but Costco's special member pricing gives you significant savings. If you're already a customer of one of these carriers, you can buy a phone that is primed to work with your existing plan.

Or, if you're not currently a customer of any of these carriers, you can get a phone and sign up for a new plan with one of the major carriers. Either way, you'll enjoy the convenience and savings that Costco membership provides.

You can’t buy unlocked Costco cell phones

You should be aware that Costco does not sell unlocked phones that can be used with any carrier. Instead, all of the phones sold at Costco are locked to a specific carrier. This means that if you're not already using Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile, you'll need to switch to one of those carriers in order to use a Costco phone.

While this isn't necessarily a bad thing - as all of those carriers offer excellent service - it's something to keep in mind before making your purchase.

You can find the top brands when shopping Costco Cell Phones

According to Clark.com, you can find the top brands when shopping for cell phones at Costco. The Wireless Advocate kiosks at Costco usually have the newest phone models available, including the iPhone 13 and the Galaxy Z Flip3.

Costco also has a decent selection of older models, which are of course even more affordable. The company did not, however, have the latest Google Pixel model, which was surprising since it had been out for a few months at the time of publication.

Benefits to buying costco cell phones versus other avenues

There are definitely some benefits to buying your cell phone through Costco. For one, you can often get a great deal on the latest models. Costco has partnerships with some of the biggest names in the industry, so they're able to offer exclusive discounts and deals that you won't find anywhere else.

As well, if you're a Costco member, you'll also get access to customer service and support that can be very helpful if you have any problems with your phone. Overall, if you're looking for a great deal on a new cell phone, Costco is definitely worth checking out.

Buy your costco cell phone when you have some time

Costco is known for offering great deals on cell phones. However, the process of actually buying a cell phone at Costco can be quite time-consuming. There is often only one person working at the cell phone counter, so the line can move slowly.

In addition, there is quite a bit of paperwork to fill out. So if you're considering buying a cell phone at Costco, make sure you have some time set aside. It's also a good idea to avoid busy times, such as weekends. By following these tips, you can help ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.

Costco cell phones are eligible for return for 90 days

According to Clark.com, you can return a Costco cell phone up to 90 days after purchase. Returns are handled through Wireless Advocates, and not Costco. To return your phone, contact Wireless Advocates via email at [email protected] or by phone at 1-888-369-5931.

Overall, this return policy is more lenient than Costco's general return policy; however, electronics like mobile devices follow a different policy. Therefore, if you need to return your Costco cell phone, be sure to follow the correct process.

Conclusion

So, if you're in the market for a new phone and are a Costco member, definitely check out the warehouse for great deals. You'll get quality service from one of the three major carriers, as well as ongoing deals and perks that make it an unbeatable value.

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