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Many of us are used to going to Costco and stocking up on groceries, cleaning supplies, and paper towels. You might also buy clothes or a laptop if you need one.

But Costco’s offerings aren’t limited to household items you can take home in your car. The big-box store giant also sells a wide variety of furniture (both indoor and outdoor) as well as major appliances.

As a Costco member, you not only benefit from the low prices on these items, but also from the store’s customer satisfaction guarantee. If you’re an executive member, you’re also eligible for 2% cash back on your purchases. That can be even more lucrative if it’s a $2,000 refrigerator or a $3,000 living room set.

The Disadvantages of Buying Large Items at Costco

But it’s much harder to buy things like furniture and major appliances at Costco because the store doesn’t stock many of those items. And that’s understandable. It’s not like the typical shopper is going to pick up milk and eggs and walk out with a brand new dishwasher.

Costco tends to severely limit the selection of appliances and furniture in the store and make those items more readily available online. But buying a washing machine or kitchen table online might not be your cup of tea.

If that’s the case and you live in Anchorage, Alaska, you’re in luck. Costco recently opened a showroom-like store there where you can try out appliances and furniture in person. And if Costco decides to expand this type of store to other markets, it could change the way many people shop there.

An improved shopping experience

It’s one thing to buy something like a blender online. It’s another thing to rely on an online description when replacing your refrigerator. It’s helpful to see such an item in person so you can get a feel for how much storage space you’re actually getting.

Similarly, a website can describe a sofa as “plush” and “comfortable” all it wants. But when you invest in such a piece of furniture, you want to be able to actually touch it and sit on it before you decide.

That’s what makes Costco’s new store concept so great. Customers can try out those big purchases before they pull out their credit cards.

However, Costco’s showroom-like store does not allow customers to take their items home. Rather, all items purchased in store must be delivered and this option is only available to certain zip code areas within a certain radius of the showroom.

But even the largest minivans aren’t designed to haul large appliances and furniture home, so that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Should you buy furniture and appliances at Costco?

Since the majority of Costco members don’t have access to a showroom store, purchasing furniture or appliances becomes difficult. In most cases, you rely heavily on an online description, which may or may not be sufficient.

Remember, while Costco stands behind its inventory, it’s one thing to return a food processor you bought two weeks ago that doesn’t seem to work. It’s another thing entirely to return a patio furniture set. How are you even supposed to get it back to the store?

When purchasing furniture and major appliances at Costco, be cautious, despite the great prices and the possibility of a refund with an executive membership. And if you buy these items online, read the reviews—all of them.

If there’s a discounted dining room set that customers who have purchased it are raving about, you’re taking fewer risks by buying it without seeing it in person or actually sitting in the chairs. But any major appliance or piece of furniture with mixed reviews is probably something you’re better off passing on.

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We strongly believe in the Golden Rule, and editorial opinions are solely our own and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by the advertisers involved. The Ascent does not cover all offerings in the market. Editorial content on The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool’s editorial content and is produced by a different team of analysts. Maurie Backman does not own any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns a position in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.