The Frustrating Reason Some Costco Shoppers Say It's Not Worth It To Buy Kitchen Appliances There

There are plenty of reasons to shop at Costco including that you can get quality products at incredible prices. A one-stop shop for all household needs, Costco posted revenue figures touching $270 billion in the 2025 fiscal year. Spend enough time at one of its gigantic warehouses and you're bound to stumble across an offer you can't refuse. When it comes to buying kitchen appliances, however, the verdict isn't so clear cut, with some shoppers saying you're better off looking elsewhere. And the reason has nothing to do with the products themselves — it's the installation of the appliances, which are largely handled by third-party contractors.

From dented walls and broken junction boxes to refrigerators lying unused despite repeated installation attempts, internet forums are full of stories from frustrated Costco customers. "At our first delivery and installation appointment we were told that we would need a new water inlet valve which has to be located directly behind the fridge," one customer wrote on Reddit. On the second attempt, after they got a plumber to fit the new valve in, they were told that the refrigerator was too big for the space. "He said to reach out to Costco to schedule another appointment to take the fridge back and offer us a refund."

Another customer went shopping for a kitchen remodel, purchasing a fridge, a dishwasher, and an above-range microwave. Since installation was free, they didn't think twice — unfortunately, they got burnt three times. The team that installed the refrigerator didn't connect the water line, the dishwasher blocked a drawer from opening fully, and they broke a drill bit trying to go through the backsplash for the microwave. "So yeah, definitely just have them deliver it," they posted on Reddit, adding, "Their work is not worth free!"

On Costco's website, the store does note that customers are responsible for proper gas, electrical, and water supply lines and must shut off valves. But several customers still say it's better to skip Costco's services and install appliances themselves. "We had a wall oven put in that subsequently burned out from a power surge. When I took it out, they dented the wall and broke the junction box," one customer wrote on Reddit. "I picked up the same oven to replace it and installed it myself and had zero issues," adding that in the future, they would plan to handle the installation themselves. "It may take me longer, but I care more about it being done correctly than getting done with my run a few minutes early."

One important factor to remember: Self-installing large kitchen appliances can cost you more money in the long run. So if you don't want to use Costco's service, consider hiring a professional. "If you can avoid using their installers, do so," another customer wrote. "We have always bought Costco appliances and they've been absolutely amazing. We have them delivered, staged, and unpacked. We hire our own installers."

While there are many more horror stories like these on Reddit, there are some reasons you should buy appliances from Costco. For starters, there's the warranty. Costco extends the manufacturer's warranty for up to two years, while also offering all-state protection plans. Using a combination of the two, customers can ensure their appliances are covered for up to five years. Costco's return policy is great as well. "Most big box stores have a 48-hour return window and sometimes you aren't able to set up and use it in that time," one customer wrote. "Costco offers a 90-day exchange and refund window, and I was able to do both this past year. I have been championing them ever since."