Buying in bulk: There’s a sweet new beta feature in the Costco app. You can search to see if what you want is in stock at your store. Go to the Warehouse tab, then see if you have the option to Search Warehouse Inventory. Log out of the app and log back in if you don’t see it. If it’s a no-go after that, sorry, you’ll have to wait.
Secret to trying a laptop out at home
Here’s a tech-savvy tip most people overlook: Just like returning clothes that don’t fit, you can often return a laptop if it’s not the right fit for you. The key is understanding the seller’s return policy. I’ll break it down so you don’t end up with an expensive doorstop.
Know the basics
Here’s what to look for in a return policy that lets you take a “try before you buy” approach:
- Return period: These range from 15 days to 90 days.
- Shipping and restocking fees: Some sellers hit you with return shipping or restocking fees of up to 25% of a laptop’s original price.
- Surprises: You may have to keep every bit of the original packaging, or the clock on your return windows could start the second you hit “Buy,” not when it’s delivered.
So, where’s the best place to buy?
- The best: Costco and Walmart both have a 90-day return window with very little in the way of fine print or picky policies.
- The worst: Best Buy’s return policy is only 15 days. You get 60 days if you pay up to $180 for a My Best Buy annual membership. Don’t shop here.
What about Amazon? The return window is 30 days for laptops that didn’t start when they arrived, were delivered in a damaged condition or are still in an unopened box. If you open the box or it works, you’ll pay a 15% restocking fee. Pro tip: If you’re a good Amazon customer, hop into a chat with their customer service team and ask them to reverse the charge. This worked for me!
I asked my IT genius, John, to pick his favorite Windows and Mac laptops. He shops for the tech we use here in the studios, so you’re in fabulous hands.
Windows of opportunity
💰 HP 17 Business Laptop ($486): Powered by an i3 processor that gets the job done for browsing, banking and school or work. The 17.3-inch screen is also big without being bulky.
💰💰 Dell Inspiron ($616, 5% off): For about $100 more, you get a touchscreen and a slightly more powerful i5 processor. It can handle heavier-duty stuff, like casual gaming and programming.
💰💰💰 HP Envy ($1,129): All the bells and whistles, including an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD. Zoom-zoom!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Blu-rays are back: Why people are building physical media libraries again
Remember when you’d go to Costco and buy DVD movies? Some habits are hard to break and I’m embarrassed to admit I buy a ton of movies on Apple and Amazon. That’s why the news coming out now surprises even the cynical me.
Weird ways to get a Costco refund
What’s the wildest way you’ve ever gotten a refund? Listen now to find out just how far Costco goes to keep its customers happy.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
🚨 Use Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail or Yahoo? No joke, three out of every four Black Friday-themed emails are scams. The scammers’ goal? To steal your credit card info or plant malware. Brands most impersonated include Amazon, Shein and Costco. Stay safe: Always double-check the sender’s email address (not just the sender’s name) before you click.
5 ways to get the most out of a Costco or Sam's Club membership
Retailers like Costco and Sam’s Club may be able to save you up to 30% on your annual grocery bill. However, just because you shop big doesn’t mean you’ll always come out on top.
Convenience, accessibility and, of course, price all vary by purchase. Luckily, we’ve got five tips to help you make the right choice every time.
8 things that are cheapest to buy in February
It’s no secret that consumer prices fluctuate with the seasons. Every month brings new deals that you can count on yearly. February is no exception. With excellent sales and blowouts for holidays like Presidents Day and Valentine’s Day, you’ll be sure to save big on select goods.
📺 This is wild: A funny Reddit post shows a Costco customer trying to return a TV they bought back in 2002. The thing is it might be within the guidelines. Costco didn’t add a 90-day limit to its electronics return policy until 2007. Before that, you could return indefinitely. Did it work? Yup!
🍗 Costco’s rotisserie chicken is making people sick: The new plastic bag might be breeding bacteria. It’s more likely the chicken is being left at room temperature for too long. Pro tip: As soon as you get home, pop the chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate it.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Best hidden map feature that will save you money on gas
With gas prices soaring, you’ll want to find any savings at the pump. Even a few cents make a difference when you can easily spend nearly $100 to fill up your tank.
Big-box stores such as Sam’s Club and Costco offer fuel services to members. It typically costs less to fill up your car at one of these locations than at a regular gas station. But remember that membership isn’t free. Tap or click here to learn if a big-box membership is worth the reduced gas price.
Listener question: 'Is Dave Ramsey's budgeting app EveryDollar any good?'
There’s never a wrong time to save some money, but it’s been a crucial task during the pandemic.
Gas prices are high, and every cent you can save on a gallon adds up by the end of the year. One way to save is to use the pumps at big-box stores like Costco and Sam’s Club. A membership to shop and fuel up there isn’t free, but it could offset some of your expenses at the pump. Tap or click here to learn more.
Is it worth paying for a Costco or Sam's Club membership to save on gas?
With gas prices climbing to alarming heights, electric vehicle manufacturers take this as their time to shine.
What is the true cost of ownership when it comes to EVs? You don’t need to fill them up with gas, but they need a power source. And that isn’t free. Aside from that, the infrastructure is not quite there yet, so you may need to drive longer to find a charger. Tap or click here to check out our report before deciding on an EV.
Check your cupboard! This snack from Costco could make you sick
Over the last few weeks, several recalls have involved food products. Recently, the discovery of a massive rodent infestation at a Family Dollar Stores warehouse sparked a recall of several products.
A few days earlier, a recall included baby formula due to dangerous bacteria, and several frozen products and ice cream suffered the same fate for potentially harboring deadly listeria. The bacteria has been found in many products since 2020.
A warning to Costco customers - Card skimmers spotted stealing card info
Shopping online comes with hidden dangers, and many are still uneasy about the process. Those people usually prefer to go into a physical store, as they deem it somewhat safer. But that isn’t always the case.
Card payment facilities are incredibly vulnerable to attack from hackers or criminals, as they have had years to refine their techniques. Recently card skimmers have been running rampant around the country.
Recall alert: Check your home for these latest product recalls
Whenever a recall is issued for a product, you know that the problem is severe. Not only does it cost the company money, but it also damages its reputation. Whatever the issue is, you should always react as quickly as possible. Tap or click to see why almost 2 million dehumidifiers were recently recalled.
10 things you should never buy on Amazon
Amazon has been a source of essentials, hobbies, electronics and supplies during the pandemic, and business has been booming as a result. You can find just about anything on Amazon, which is both good and bad. Need an obscure replacement part for your dishwasher? You can probably find it on Amazon. But not all products are useful, and some can be downright dangerous.
Generators sold at Home Depot, Lowe's, Costco and more recalled for finger amputation and crushing hazards
A portable generator is handy to have around the house when the power goes out or to take on a camping trip for electricity. They should always be used with caution and operated in a manner that won’t harm others.
Unfortunately, accidents do happen. Whether it is through negligence or not paying attention, many people have been injured while using heavy equipment.
Walmart, Costco and Target banned from selling 'non-essentials' - how to get what you need
Empty shelves in retail stores are a familiar sight to many Americans at this time. Between shoppers prepping and panic-buying, it’s tricky enough to find the essentials we need on top of reducing time outside our homes.
How to get your pharmaceutical drugs if you can't go to the pharmacy
You already know how important it is to stay at home as much as possible — unless, of course, you need to restock on food and essentials.
Venturing outside for any reason still puts you at risk for viral exposure, though. The grocery store is no exception. Fortunately, most stores are taking additional measures to help you shop while maintaining social distancing. Tap or click here to see the safest ways to buy and unpack your groceries.