{"id":652,"title":"Costco TV Clearance: Complete Buying & Insider Guide","slug":"costco-tv-clearance-complete-buying-insider-guide","lang":"en","description":"This guide explains Costco TV clearance deals, covering clearance price tags, seasonal markdown periods, OLED, QLED, Mini-LED, major television brands, warranty coverage, Concierge Technical Support, return policies, and floor model considerations.","content":"

Costco TV Clearance: Complete Buying & Insider Guide

Upgrading your home theater setup with a new television is an exciting investment, but high-end display panels—such as OLED, QLED, and Mini-LED—often come with steep retail price tags. Wholesale giant Costco has established itself as one of the best retail destinations for sourcing premium electronics at reduced costs. Beyond their everyday member pricing, Costco’s periodic TV clearance events offer some of the steepest discounts in the consumer electronics industry.

Navigating a clearance sale effectively requires an understanding of how Costco marks down inventory, when seasonal clearance events take place, how their warranty coverage operates, and how to spot floor model deals.

1. Decoding Costco’s Clearance Price Tags

Understanding Costco's price tags is essential for spotting clearance deals. Unlike standard retail stores that put bright yellow \"Sale\" stickers on everything, Costco uses subtle pricing codes.

Prices Ending in .99: Represents regular, standard-priced inventory. While still offering wholesale savings over traditional retail stores, these items are not on clearance.
Prices Ending in .97: Indicates a corporate-level or store-specific clearance markdown. When a television's price tag ends in .97, Costco has reduced the price below wholesale cost to clear out inventory.
Prices Ending in .00 or .88: Signals manager-discretionary markdowns. These are frequently assigned to floor display models, open-box customer returns, or the very last 1 to 2 units remaining on the warehouse floor.
The Asterisk (*) in the Top Corner: Known among clearance shoppers as the \"Death Star\". An asterisk in the upper-right corner of the price sign means the item is discontinued and will not be restocked once sold through. When a .97 price tag combines with an asterisk, it indicates a final clearance deal.

2. Prime Times for Costco TV Clearance Events

While clearance items pop up randomly throughout the year, major TV markdowns follow predictable retail inventory refresh cycles:

Post-Super Bowl Clearance (February): February is one of the best times to buy a television. Manufacturers introduce new television lineups at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) every January. To clear out warehouse space for incoming spring inventory, Costco aggressively marks down previous-year flagship models right after the big game.
Spring Display Refresh (March – April): As new TV models arrive on warehouse floors, remaining units of previous-generation TVs are marked down to .97 clearance pricing.
Post-Holiday & New Year Clearance (January): After the massive holiday push, overstocked inventory and remaining Black Friday display configurations enter clearance markdown phases.

3. Top Television Brands & Technologies Featured on Clearance

Costco carries displays from major television manufacturers:

LG (OLED & QNED Series): Known for dark room performance, infinite contrast ratios, and gaming features (HDMI 2.1, 120Hz/144Hz refresh rates). LG OLED C-Series and B-Series displays are sought-after clearance items during spring inventory turnovers.
Samsung (Neo QLED, QD-OLED & Frame Series): Preferred for bright living rooms due to high peak brightness and anti-glare coatings. Clearance drops on Samsung Neo QLEDs offer savings for daytime viewing environments.
Sony (Bravia OLED & XR Series): Celebrated for motion handling and color accuracy. Sony clearance units sell out rapidly among home theater enthusiasts.
Hisense & TCL (Mini-LED & QLED): Budget-friendly offerings that provide high value during clearance events, bringing 65-inch to 85-inch Mini-LED displays down to low price points.

4. Costco's Exclusive Benefits: Extended Warranty & Concierge

One advantage of buying a clearance television at Costco rather than other retailers is the added protection package included with purchase:

Free 2-Year Manufacturer Extended Warranty

Standard retail stores offer a 1-year limited warranty. Costco automatically extends the manufacturer's warranty to 2 full years from the date of purchase on televisions, even when bought on clearance.

Costco Concierge Technical Support

Every television purchase includes free access to Costco Concierge Services, providing technical support, setup assistance, and warranty service coordination.

Additional Coverage Options

Members often receive extended 3-year or 5-year Allstate/SquareTrade protection plans bundled for free with specific TV purchases or available for a small fee, covering mechanical failures and power surges.

5. Electronics Return Policy & Floor Model Tips

Strict 90-Day Return Window: Unlike Costco's general merchandise, which falls under an open satisfaction guarantee, televisions are governed by a strict 90-day return policy. You have 90 days from the purchase date (or delivery date) to return the TV for a full refund.
Inspecting Floor Models (.00 / .88 Pricing): If you purchase a clearance floor display model, inspect the panel carefully for screen burn-in (especially on OLEDs) and physical cabinet scratches. Ensure the warehouse includes the original remote control, power cable, stand legs, and user manual.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are clearance televisions sold at Costco brand new or refurbished?

Most .97 clearance televisions are brand new, factory-sealed models being phased out for new inventory. Units marked with .00 or .88 prices are floor displays or open-box returns.

Do clearance TVs at Costco still include the 2-year warranty?

Yes. Even when purchased at clearance pricing, new televisions retain the full 2-year Costco extended warranty coverage and access to Concierge Support.

Can I price match a TV at Costco if it goes on clearance after I buy it?

Costco typically honors price adjustments if an item you purchased drops in price within 30 days of your purchase date, provided the item is still in stock.

Conclusion

Costco TV clearance deals offer a practical way to acquire premium, big-screen televisions at reduced prices. By monitoring price tag endings (.97 clearance codes and the asterisk symbol) during key inventory turnover periods like February and spring, shoppers can secure high-end OLED, Mini-LED, and QLED displays. Combined with Costco’s standard 2-year warranty protection, free concierge support, and 90-day return window, these clearance events deliver value for home entertainment upgrades.

Direct Links & Resources

Disclaimer: This guide is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. Clearance availability, specific television model pricing, floor model discounts, and promotional offers vary by warehouse location and online inventory levels. Always confirm specific warranty details, return windows, and display conditions directly with your local Costco warehouse manager before finalizing a purchase.

","type":"normal","status":"published","published_at":"2026-09-14T05:06:05.000000Z","rac":"Costco TV Clearance: Complete Buying & Insider Guide","keyword_set":null,"feature_media":null,"style":null,"channel":null,"campaign_id":null,"account_id":null,"gtag":null,"ggid":null,"fbid":null,"traffic_type":null,"created_at":"2026-09-14T05:06:05.000000Z","updated_at":"2026-09-14T05:06:05.000000Z"}