Buy Online, Pick Up in Store: How It Works
Order online, wait for the ready email, then bring photo ID; Best Buy holds pickup orders for 5 days, and Costco lets only the cardholder collect.
By Olivia HarperContributing writer. Policy checked .
On this page
Store policies change. This is a summary in our own words of the pickup help pages of Best Buy and Costco, read on October 26, 2026. Every store runs pickup a little differently, so read the page of the store you order from.
How buy online, pick up in store works
The idea is the same almost everywhere:
- Choose store pickup at checkout and pick a store.
- Pay online. The store shows an estimated pickup date.
- Wait for a separate "ready for pickup" message. The order confirmation alone does not mean the item is waiting for you.
- Go to the store with photo ID and your order number, and collect the items at the pickup desk or a marked area.
Best Buy says picking up this way avoids shipping and scheduled delivery charges, and can be faster than delivery.
How long do stores hold online orders?
Hold times are set by each store. Here is what the two pages we read say:
| Best Buy | Costco | |
|---|---|---|
| Hold time | 5 days, then the order is canceled and refunded | Not stated on the pages we read |
| What to bring | Government-issued photo ID and the order number | Valid state or government-issued photo ID |
| Who can collect | You, or a person you name at checkout | Only the cardholder named on the billing card |
| Items not in stock locally | Ship to store, usually 3 to 7 business days | Standard delivery time applies |
| Curbside | At some stores | Not offered on the pages we read |
If you cannot reach a Best Buy store in 5 days, its page says to look in your order details for extended pickup options before the order is canceled.
Best Buy in more detail
Best Buy lets you name someone else to pick up during checkout; you give their name, email and phone number, and they show their own ID with the order number. Some stores have reserved Store Pickup parking near the door. Large items such as TVs and major appliances may be offered for pickup at a local warehouse, which keeps its own days and hours.
For curbside, Best Buy says to wait for the "Your Order Is Ready for Pickup" email before you leave, since even a quick order can be delayed. You check in from the link in that email or the app, and the service also works if you arrive on foot or by bike. Measure your car first: Best Buy suggests allowing 3 to 6 inches on each side of the box, and staff will not unbox items to make them fit.
Costco in more detail
Costco ships most online orders to a home or business. If an item can go to a warehouse, the product page says Warehouse Pick Up under the Add to Cart button. Only the person whose card was billed may collect it, with photo ID.
Tips for a smooth pickup
- Wait for the ready message, not just the order confirmation.
- Keep the order number on your phone.
- If someone else will collect, add their name at checkout; at Best Buy you can change it later under Make Changes in your order details.
- For a big box, check the size against your vehicle before you drive over.
Sources
Store Pickup and Curbside Pickup FAQs, Best Buy; Warehouse pickup and Shipping to a warehouse, Costco. Policy checked October 26, 2026.