Costco tossing their return policy

[rocky]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17350641/

[jestmaty]

I posted here just 2 months ago that my 90 day old HDTV from Costco blew up Christmas Eve.

I brought back my 90 day old, $2500 Hdtv to Costco the day after Christmas and actually bought another one of the same model.

I didn't know the price had dropped $200, but it was a nice perk for the hassle of loading up a 100lb, 62" wide tv in the back of my Pilot.

I have a feeling that I contributed to the 'new' return policy.... but I truly did have a problem with a tv that quits 90 days into ownership. I have 6 tvs in my house, the oldest one is 20 yrs old. Never have a problem with any of them, cause' if they did act up, in the trash they go.

I'm off to the website to investigate the new news....

[Tuck & Jack]

No, it wasn't people like you, it is the people that keep the TV for 2 years and return it because they want a better, bigger one for the same or less money. Or the people that drop their I-pod and return it because the screen broke or the people that returned 1 4oz. piece of their Thanksgiving turkey and said they didn't like it. Blame Costco for having a ridiculous return policy that cost them 5% a year from their bottom line. They will still honor returns due to defects, even going as long as two years on some items. Now you only have 90 days to pull the lame excuses on them.

[5Gs]

sadly, they'll still be able to return that piece of turkey, as it looks like the updated return policy only applies to electronics.

[jay]

I was in the refund line a while back behind a guy who returned a battery for pro-rated credit. His 84 month battery only lasted 82 months, so he got back $3.24.

[jlee2070]

The return policy has been truly abused by some... I have "friends" who have "traded" up after a year or 2 on everything from PC's to TV's (and thought it was their right to do so)... Many times I have been at the store and see people returning items with the inch of dust still on the TV or food particles stuck on appliances!!! A huge abuse of the generous policy...

Don't blame them as it must be costing them (and us) lots of money...

[whizmo]

Go up on AVS forums and the number of people who crow about how they keep trading up their TVs for free at Costco is pretty amazing. They honestly don't think they are donig a thing wrong - the rationale is simply that if the retailer allows it, then one is stupid not to take advantage of it.

This all comes back to the "shopping as a sport" mentality where it's not about whether you need something, it's about getting the great deal. Consumerism at its worst, IMHO.

- Mark

[sfhondapilot]

Originally posted by whizmo
Go up on AVS forums and the number of people who crow about how they keep trading up their TVs for free at Costco is pretty amazing. They honestly don't think they are donig a thing wrong - the rationale is simply that if the retailer allows it, then one is stupid not to take advantage of it.

This all comes back to the "shopping as a sport" mentality where it's not about whether you need something, it's about getting the great deal. Consumerism at its worst, IMHO.

- Mark

I always enjoy those threads at AVS and the bashing back and forth. I have no problem with returning defective product. But the abuse of the system by some individuals was simply egregious. BTW, I've been using Costco' new Concierge service as my recent LCD panel purchase has needed to be repaired and the service is excellent.

[tim.s]

The Costco employees have even encouraged it. Once when a customer was looking at a washer/dryer set, I heard the employee tell the customer that they could use the washer/dryer until they broke and then return them to the store "years from now" and exchange them for new.

[xGS]

So, who's going to be the first one to request a refund on their membership fee because the decision to join was based upon Costco having an "unlimited" return policy?

[jay]

Originally posted by xGS
So, who's going to be the first one to request a refund on their membership fee because the decision to join was based upon Costco having an "unlimited" return policy?

Not me. With the excellent quality of the Kirkland branded products, the great prices overall, the lowest price in town on gas, and the no annual fee American Express card (and the cash rebate structure fo purchases), I get my money's worth. And the socks I wear have a $3 off coupon next week. How could I miss out on that?

[rocky]

Originally posted by xGS
So, who's going to be the first one to request a refund on their membership fee because the decision to join was based upon Costco having an "unlimited" return policy?

Maybe the lawyers will sue.........

[xGS]

Originally posted by rocky


Maybe the lawyers will sue.........

Perfect opportunity for a class action suit.

The attorneys will take home one-third of the settlement and each Costco member gets a 98-cent refund.

[rocky]

Originally posted by xGS


Perfect opportunity for a class action suit.

The attorneys will take home one-third of the settlement and each Costco member gets a 98-cent refund.

YEAH BABY!!

[jay]

Originally posted by xGS


Perfect opportunity for a class action suit.

The attorneys will take home one-third of the settlement and each Costco member gets a 98-cent refund.

Wouldn't that be a 98 cent coupon good toward any future purchase of a single item valued at $2000 or more?