Comments on: Return Policy Abuse at Costco

By: Domino

Domino — Mon, 21 May 2012 02:57:52 +0000

Correction: the vendor reimburses the loss only for a limited negotiated timeframe. Items returned after several years are usually eaten by Costco. And always when a vendor is no longer doing business with them. I still see iPods being returned-Apple stopped selling Costco more than a year and a half ago. No reimbursement there.

By: ScooterDude

ScooterDude — Sun, 20 May 2012 20:29:13 +0000

Once again–everyone needs to remember that Costco sells products that other businesses make. When someone ABUSES the return policy, the vendor takes the undeserved loss because they have to reimburse Costco for the return. Granted, the businesses know this could happen when signing up with Costco. It’s a big gamble, especially for a smaller business. That is why there are some fantastic products Costco does not have the opputunity to sell.

By: chris b

chris b — Sat, 19 May 2012 19:15:15 +0000

what about mattresses. I have medical issues I cant tell the quality and suitability of mattresses they sell online since the ones I want are not available in store.

By: Kafe

Kafe — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:13:29 +0000

about price returns, prices should be reasonable ALL the time, not go down 20 dollars a month after i purchase it! If that keeps happening, i mostly only buy things when there is a coupon now or a rebate…

By: Kafe

Kafe — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:11:16 +0000

I am disgusted you people think most that return are bad. I spend about 20k at costco a year, depending on THEM to pick good products and they do this return policy so people DO buy everything there…that is their plan to have high sales. Have you ever looked at their assets?
Leave the piano lady alone! They have a built in “extended warranty” kind of thing…………that was the ticket years ago. Now they are being harder to return to, which is not our fault.

By: Piano Lady

Piano Lady — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:36:16 +0000

Okay already. I agree with most above and yes eight years is a bit much. I hear yall loud and clear. However, you are wrong about this situation and again I would have called years ago to return had I known. I did not know until my sister who is a faithful and loyal Costco member mentioned a refund. So I called to no avail. RE: above – We are not talking about $9. How about $6500. That is why my refund is not honored I assure you. It is all about honoring your word and promise to your members which if it was a $9 whatever, I am sure the refund would be honored. Again, I was not aware of the refund policy as I have not shopped Costco but for a few things here and there over the years. Name calling is uncalled for and shows no class. As far as this is concerned, it in no way is a “scam”. Look up the definition. If anything, I am the one who lost. I am a legitmate person who has a piano sold to me under false representation by a salesman whom I am sure got a commission from the sale. Anyway, I am signing out and will follow up on my rights with the corporate office as a Costco member as suggested above. Thank you for your kind responses.

Below was sent to me in an email – copied and pasted here to answer your question chicov1

We are continually expanding our business for your shopping pleasure. We have warehouses in many areas across the United States, and have increased your purchasing options to include warehouses located in the U.K., Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Canada, and Mexico. To find the warehouse nearest you click here: http://www.costco.com/warehouse/locator.aspx

***************************************************************

Costco unconditional double guarantee. On merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. We will refund your membership fee in full at any time if you are dissatisfied.

For questions or comments, please contact customer service at https://www.costco.com/ContactUs/ or call toll-free at 1-800-955-2292.
ested above. Thank you for all your kind advice.

By: chicov1

chicov1 — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:12:27 +0000

Piano Lady, If you were not happy with the product Costco would have taken it back. Thinking that Costco should take back the piano after eight years is a bit much. Costco does not have a double guarantee so I am not sure where got that info from. Your throwing the blame on Costco and that is not where the blame goes. Look in the mirror. Be honest with your self. Piano Lady Costco will be ok if you need to shop else where. They will be here you realize that every where else you may shop at will not do what Costco does.

By: KarmaInLife

KarmaInLife — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:17:18 +0000

Wow, reading this thread is depressing. So many trying to “rent” a product for free and then return it years later because they don’t “like” it. If you don’t like it, return it right away, not after you use it for years. Costco is not committing any “fraud”, sounds like isolated reactions where abuse may be worse.

Mostly Costco is way too lenient; kudos to them for showing a backbone once in a blue moon. I’ve seen Costco take back it all: empty carcasses of rotisserie chickens “we didn’t like”, wilting pointsettias in March, well-worn clothing “we didn’t like”, patio furniture in November “we didn’t like”, each taken back no questions asked. The only time in 15+ years I saw a refund refused was years ago when a member tried to return a tub of potato salad that had expired more than a month earlier. Her argument was that the product had gone bad. The manager was called at the woman’s insistence and still refused the refund, rightfully so. The woman threw a hissy fit and demanded her membership fee be refunded, which was done – and in an exceeding polite manner. Good riddance to sleaze like that. Such a tantrum over a month-old $9 item, not to mention those of us in the return line held up by this nutcase.

And boo on people who want permanent price protection – that’s a ridiculous demand. Two weeks is the best that standard retailers offer, even Nordstrom. Maybe I should return the car I bought in January, worth less now isn’t it?

JMSCE above is dead on correct, just ask any Costco employee, Costco eats plenty of returns. The previous unlimited electronics returns cost them big time….taking returns on 5-10 year old electronics and then having member purchase something costing half as much. Beyond whether or not the returned item was reimbursed by the vendor (and it usually wasn’t after that amount of time), Costco still had negative sales on the books – refund $2000 and members buys something for $1000 = $1000 hit against previously reported sales. No vendor covers that. Every time a new iPod came out there were 10,000 – 12,000 returns of previous generations in first week that suddenly “failed”. Even Apple doesn’t allow that without beyond a year without a pricey warranty.

Geez people, stop whining about not being able to pull off a scam. Be responsible for your own choices and go somewhere else.

By: Piano Lady

Piano Lady — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:10:50 +0000

No, I did not but if you know of someone or a contact it would be much appreciated. I kinda stopped buying from Costco because of my dissatisfaction regarding the piano.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sometimes it is so much trouble to return something you just wonder if it is worth the stress. But I will try to move forward if anyone
can help me contact the right person. Thank you.

By: praveen

praveen — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:09:42 +0000

Hi Piani lady,
I am so sorry about your experience with Costco. Did you try to talk to someone at the corporate level about how you could go about getting your money back? You shouldn’t give up that easily. See if the market manager will help you. It would help if you purchased a lot from Costco over the years then just one item. They will see you are a loyal customer. Good luck!

_Praveen