Costco vs Ashley Furniture: Which Brand Offers the Best Value for Home Buyers?
Jun, 30 2025
If you’ve ever checked your bank account after furniture shopping, you know there’s always a bit of sticker shock. The two names that pop up for most folks looking for new sofas, dining sets, or beds? Costco and Ashley Furniture. But which one is actually better for your wallet and your home? Let’s break it down so you’re not staring at buyer’s remorse every time you sit on your new couch.
The Real Deal on Costco Furniture
It’s easy to assume Costco’s just about bulk toilet paper, roasted chickens, and free samples, but their furniture selection is surprisingly solid. You don’t need a ten-pack of recliners, just one that won’t fall apart after a year. Walk into your local warehouse (or browse online), and you’ll see everything from leather sectionals to acacia wood dining tables—often with big brand names like Thomasville, Sealy, or Northridge thrown in. Costco’s not making this stuff themselves; they’re curating, using their buying power to cut deals and pass savings onto you. That’s why you’ll often spot the same models under different labels elsewhere—but with a better price tag at Costco.
The other secret sauce? Costco’s return policy. You get a full 90 days to sit, snooze, and maybe spill a coffee before needing to make up your mind. If you’re not happy, they’ll take it back, no dramatic questions. In comparison, most traditional furniture shops (including Ashley) will raise an eyebrow if you try to send back a full living room set just because you’re not feeling the color.
Quality-wise, Costco tends to offer “good enough” goods—nothing too fancy, but not junk either. They’re banking on mainstream tastes, so their styles fit most Kiwi homes without screaming for attention or clashing with your grandma’s china cabinet. Assembly is sometimes required (get the Allen keys ready), but larger items can even be delivered to Auckland doors pre-assembled with white-glove service if you’re keen to pay a little more.
Still, Costco isn’t always at the top of the craftsmanship food chain. Most items are mass-produced with engineered woods, plywood framing, and synthetic upholstery (though leather’s common too). If you’re after solid hardwood or hand-carved heirlooms, you’ll need to look elsewhere—or be ready to cough up quite a bit more. But for what you pay, the value’s hard to argue with. According to Consumer NZ’s 2024 survey, over 91% of Costco buyers said their furniture held up as expected or better after two years. Not too shabby for a chain known more for pies than poufs.
| Feature | Costco Furniture |
|---|---|
| Return Policy | 90 days, no fuss |
| Brands | Multiple; often national US brands |
| Delivery | Warehouse pickup or home delivery with assembly (fee varies) |
| Style Range | Contemporary, classic mainstream |
| Materials | Engineered wood, leather, fabrics |
Take my neighbour—he snagged a sectional at Costco for less than half the price of the same model at a boutique. Three years of kids and pets later? Still going strong. As he put it, "I only regret not getting two and swapping out my ancient recliner."
The Ashley Furniture Experience—What Do You Really Get?
Ashley Furniture is everywhere. You’ve seen the glossy catalogues, the showroom on the motorway, maybe even the sleek online ads promising ‘designer looks for less’. But Ashley’s been in the business since 1945, so they must be doing something right. Their scale is massive: at last count, they operated more than 1,000 stores globally, pumping out everything from beds to bunk desks.
What sets Ashley apart from Costco? For starters, they design and manufacture their own line, which includes a ton of exclusive pieces and matching collections. If you want that smooth, department-store look—where your coffee table matches your TV stand and your bookshelf? Ashley has you covered. They offer way more choice in finishes, sizes, and add-ons. Plus, they update styles constantly to match what’s trending (goodbye, brown overstuffed couches—hello, slim Scandinavian silhouettes).
The tradeoff for all this choice is price. Even during sales, Ashley furniture usually runs higher than Costco finds. Their 2024 sofa lineup, for instance, started around $999 for the most basic model in Auckland and spiked up into the multi-thousand range for modular designer setups. Delivery isn’t free, and assembly can add on more. Once the furniture lands in your living room, you’re pretty much committed—Ashley’s return window is usually 30 days, and full refunds can be tricky if you’ve unboxed the item.
On the quality front, Ashley sits in the mid-range. Their stuff isn’t cheap or flimsy, but it’s not top-tier luxury either. Most pieces use a combo of woods and veneers, with some engineered tracking for heavier furniture or drawers. Around 75% of upholstery in 2024’s models was synthetic or blended fabric, though you can request leather upgrades by special order (just expect to wait a few months). For most Kiwi homes, Ashley’s pieces offer a nice blend of durability and style without breaking the bank.
But not all that glitters is gold. Compared to Costco’s no-questions-asked returns, Ashley’s customer service can sometimes feel like pulling teeth, especially if there’s a hidden manufacturing issue. Local reviews paint a mixed picture—some rave about the longevity, while others complain about wobbly legs or early signs of wear. As consumer expert Mike Eales put it in a 2023 interview,
"Ashley’s designs turn heads, but always check the frame: what you can’t see is as important as the surface shine."
| Feature | Ashley Furniture |
|---|---|
| Return Policy | 30 days, restocking fees may apply |
| Brands | Ashley-designed collections (exclusive) |
| Delivery | White-glove and standard options, extra fees |
| Style Range | Extensive: traditional to modern |
| Materials | Engineered wood, veneers, solid woods, fabric |
Remember, Ashley’s selling a whole look—you could redo your lounge and dining area in one trip if you really wanted to. If matching styles and more precise options are your thing, they’ve got the edge.
Showdown: Which Store Delivers the Most Value for Money?
The million-dollar question: does Costco or Ashley give you more bang for your buck? Start with price. Costco usually undercuts Ashley, sometimes by hundreds of dollars on the same or similar pieces. They can do this because their business model isn’t focused on huge markups—membership fees and bulk buying power let them keep prices low. If you’re on a budget or just want basic, reliable pieces, Costco almost always wins.
But what if you want to splash out a bit, or you care deeply about matching every piece? That’s where Ashley flexes its muscle. The range is huge, and you can create a coordinated look from room to room, down to the rug and lamp. Styles update often, too, so you’re not stuck choosing from last year’s leftovers. If personalisation, style, or brand-exclusive lines are important, shelling out extra for Ashley might make sense—just keep in mind, you’re paying for those extras.
Quality can be a bit of a coin toss. Both use engineered woods and sturdy, machine-built frames. Neither is selling hand-made artisanal furniture unless you’re moving to the premium line. According to US furniture researcher Statista, the average Ashley sofa lasts around 7–10 years with moderate use; Costco’s offerings clock in similarly if you stick with their mid-tier and above.
Returns are where Costco clearly takes home the prize. Their 90-day, no-questions-asked policy is almost unheard of in retail. Ashley’s timeframe is shorter, and if your new bookshelf arrives with a wonky hinge, you’ll have to jump through a few more hoops. It pays to keep your receipts either way—warranty claims can be tricky with any big box shop.
Customer service? Depends on your luck and location. Some folks in Auckland rave about friendly warehouse crews at Costco, while Ashley shoppers sometimes report long wait times on replacements. For online shopping, both have slick websites, photo-rich listings, and bulk deals—though Costco sometimes rotates inventory faster, so if you see something you love, snap it up or risk it disappearing next week.
The trick is knowing what you want before you buy. If you’re okay with a bit less choice but crave big savings and hassle-free returns, head straight for Costco. If you want to browse, match, and tweak your order to get just the right fabric and finish, Ashley’s got more for you.
The Small Details: Tips for Choosing Between Costco and Ashley
This isn’t just about picking sides. You want to avoid dud purchases, the heartache of poor-quality furniture, and the mess that follows if you need to return something. So here are some concrete tips for making the call—and getting the best deal when you do.
- Always check product reviews on the specific model you’re eyeing. Get down in the weeds—look for comments about weight limit, longevity, how easy it is to clean, and whether it stood up to kids or pets.
- Ask about delivery and assembly costs upfront. Both shops offer delivery, but the devil’s in the details: Costco sometimes partners with local movers, while Ashley’s delivery is branded and usually a bit pricier.
- Don’t get dazzled by an online photo. Take time to see the piece in person if you can, and bring something heavy to set on the display. Does it wobble or creak? That’s not a great sign.
- Careful with warranties. Both brands include one-year limited warranties, but the specifics can differ (some cover just parts or fabric and not the whole item). Fine print matters.
- Watch for local sales at either shop. End-of-season clearances at Ashley and special promo events at Costco can see prices drop by 20-40%—sometimes even more if you stack coupons or membership perks.
- If resale matters to you, designer-looking Ashley pieces tend to sell on Facebook Marketplace or Trade Me for better prices than no-name Costco furniture. But Costco’s price upfront is usually so low that depreciation stings less.
| Brand | Typical Price Range (NZD) | Return Period | Quality Rating (NZ 2024 Survey, out of 5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco furniture | $350-$2500 | 90 days | 4.3 |
| Ashley Furniture | $700-$4000 | 30 days | 4.1 |
For so many Aucklanders right now, the choice between Costco and Ashley is about more than price tags and pretty pictures. It’s about confidence. Costco excels if you want no-fuss deals and simple shopping. Ashley’s the winner if you crave lots of options — and don’t mind some extra legwork if problems crop up. No matter where you buy, do your homework. Because at the end of the day, it’s you and your family flopping down on that couch—make sure it’s built for real life, not just a showroom window.