Change in Costco Return Policy

[Journer]

so does anyone know howt his will effect people who bought their TVs before this policy changed? is there any warrenty on my TV other than MFG?

my scenario:
i bought a big LCD and i LOVE it to death, damn good LCD
i'm not interested in returning it or anything, but if it craps out on me in the next 4 years i'm going to be mad as hell if they dont fix it...

 

[kitkit201]

i was just telling my future brother in law about the lienent return policy at costco, but maybe I should tell him otherwise...

so does this policy include previous purchases? or does the old policy still take into effect?

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Journer
so does anyone know howt his will effect people who bought their TVs before this policy changed? is there any warrenty on my TV other than MFG?

my scenario:
i bought a big LCD and i LOVE it to death, damn good LCD
i'm not interested in returning it or anything, but if it craps out on me in the next 4 years i'm going to be mad as hell if they dont fix it...

The internal memo posted earlier in the thread (assuming it is genuine) says that new policy only affects new purchases, implying that previous purchases are still covered under the previous policy.

 

[RossMAN]

Here's a mirror of the internal memo: http://www.hotdealsaddict.com/costco.jpg

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: kitkit201
i was just telling my future brother in law about the lienent return policy at costco, but maybe I should tell him otherwise...

so does this policy include previous purchases? or does the old policy still take into effect?

All this does is make it so that people can't return a non-defective TV after 90 days and get a refund for it. What happened is that people would buy a TV, then in six months when the price went down a few hundred dollars they would return it and get a brand new version (some would wait for newer models) plus the price difference between them. People were using this to effectively get free (actually in this case they were getting money due to the price difference) upgrades every few months or so.

This change should not effect you if your TV is legitimately defective.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: beer
I can't understand people like Naustica who are now going to change their shopping habits. I have never seen a retail store that has a return policy of more than 30 days and most of them, for these items, have a 14 day policy. Costco's is 90 days. They'll exchange your TV for two years and most other stores, after 30 days, require you to go to the manufacturer. So what exactly is your purchase place when you're STILL getting a better policy than anywhere else?

Sams Club has better return policy now although they will probably follow Costco's move.

I buy lot of things at Costco and Sams. I rarely return any items. I make lot of impluse purchases from Costco because of the peace of mind return policy. Costco is not always the cheapest place. I can usually find better deals on electronics goods online and don't have to pay sales tax. But I was willing to pay little extra to buy it Costco for the return policy / peace of mind. But now with the new return policy, it no longer makes sense to pay little more to buy it at Costco. Now Costco gets traded like any other vendor and must compete on price alone like everyone else. I don't see what's so difficult to understand.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Naustica

Originally posted by: beer
I can't understand people like Naustica who are now going to change their shopping habits. I have never seen a retail store that has a return policy of more than 30 days and most of them, for these items, have a 14 day policy. Costco's is 90 days. They'll exchange your TV for two years and most other stores, after 30 days, require you to go to the manufacturer. So what exactly is your purchase place when you're STILL getting a better policy than anywhere else?

Sams Club has better return policy now although they will probably follow Costco's move.

I buy lot of things at Costco and Sams. I rarely return any items. I make lot of impluse purchases from Costco because of the peace of mind return policy. Costco is not always the cheapest place. I can usually find better deals on electronics goods online and don't have to pay sales tax. But I was willing to pay little extra to buy it Costco for the return policy / peace of mind. But now with the new return policy, it no longer makes sense to pay little more to buy it at Costco. Now Costco gets traded like any other vendor and must compete on price alone like everyone else. I don't see what's so difficult to understand.

They are a business trying to turn in a profit. I always wondered how long it would take them to change that return policy since it has been abused for so long.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Naustica

Originally posted by: beer
I can't understand people like Naustica who are now going to change their shopping habits. I have never seen a retail store that has a return policy of more than 30 days and most of them, for these items, have a 14 day policy. Costco's is 90 days. They'll exchange your TV for two years and most other stores, after 30 days, require you to go to the manufacturer. So what exactly is your purchase place when you're STILL getting a better policy than anywhere else?

Sams Club has better return policy now although they will probably follow Costco's move.

I buy lot of things at Costco and Sams. I rarely return any items. I make lot of impluse purchases from Costco because of the peace of mind return policy. Costco is not always the cheapest place. I can usually find better deals on electronics goods online and don't have to pay sales tax. But I was willing to pay little extra to buy it Costco for the return policy / peace of mind. But now with the new return policy, it no longer makes sense to pay little more to buy it at Costco. Now Costco gets traded like any other vendor and must compete on price alone like everyone else. I don't see what's so difficult to understand.

They are a business trying to turn in a profit. I always wondered how long it would take them to change that return policy since it has been abused for so long.

Majority of Costco's profit comes from membership fees and not from selling of the merchandise.

 

[erub]

Originally posted by: Naustica

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Naustica

Originally posted by: beer
I can't understand people like Naustica who are now going to change their shopping habits. I have never seen a retail store that has a return policy of more than 30 days and most of them, for these items, have a 14 day policy. Costco's is 90 days. They'll exchange your TV for two years and most other stores, after 30 days, require you to go to the manufacturer. So what exactly is your purchase place when you're STILL getting a better policy than anywhere else?

Sams Club has better return policy now although they will probably follow Costco's move.

I buy lot of things at Costco and Sams. I rarely return any items. I make lot of impluse purchases from Costco because of the peace of mind return policy. Costco is not always the cheapest place. I can usually find better deals on electronics goods online and don't have to pay sales tax. But I was willing to pay little extra to buy it Costco for the return policy / peace of mind. But now with the new return policy, it no longer makes sense to pay little more to buy it at Costco. Now Costco gets traded like any other vendor and must compete on price alone like everyone else. I don't see what's so difficult to understand.

They are a business trying to turn in a profit. I always wondered how long it would take them to change that return policy since it has been abused for so long.

Majority of Costco's profit comes from membership fees and not from selling of the merchandise.

That doesn't mean that they won't be losing money on returns!

To the Rebel XT stealer, unbelievable. And Christmas lights, those things are really cheap too, don't you pay enough in fraternity dues that you don't have to rip off a corporation? Oh wait, I forgot all corporations are evil..jackass

 

[Turkish]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
Please rate my cheapness on a scale of 1-10:

- Winter vacation I bought a Canon Rebel XT and returned it afterwards. I had something like 2.5 GB of sexy photos. I don't really like my Powershot G3 anymore.

- Rush event for our fraternity we bought Christmas lights from Costco and returned them

- Camping we bought propane stoves at Target and returned them. Hey, we paid for the propane at least.

Now I would honestly never buy a TV and return it. You're just whacked if you do that. Same goes for idiots and their laptop + return stuff. I'm not reformatting every 90 days just to get a free laptop.

Umm, ban this thief?

 

[sjetexas]

I can't say I blame them for doing this. I returned a TV after 15 mos. However, the TV was a POS (a Panasonic model that was involved in a class action lawsuit). Panny wouldn't help me so I took it back. I bought a Sony that same day which I plan to keep.

However, with the change I probably won't buy another TV from Costco. Not because the policy is bad now, but Costco doesn't deliver if you buy it in their stores. It was worth the hassle to try and get a 60 inch TV in your home by yourself before...not so much now. I'll still buy easily moveable items from Costco though (LCD monitors, computer parts, etc).

 

[911paramedic]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I think that makes them still the best return policy around.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: waggy
guess i won't be getting a TV from Costco

so, where would you buy a TV? what is the policy of the store where you will buy a TV from?

you buy a TV planning on getting a refund more than 90 days after buying it?

the whole reason was buying one of the offbrand TV's they put out. with the old policy if it broke in a year we could take it back with no worries.

now i will wait and find the best deal i can on a TV with proven track record.

I didn't know that Phillips, Sharp, Sony, Panasonic, JVC, Samsung, and Mitsubishi were off-brands.

Just Sony.

 

[ScottFern]

This news is extremely disappointing because it was the sole reason I took chances on a lot of products there. Now they are no better than any other big electronics retailer. The extra 60 days for a return mean little when I am more worried about my 50" Vizio Plasma breaking down the line because they have little track record in the TV industry. Costco's appeal dropped big time in my opinion.

By the way, I never returned my Vizio and bought a new one back at $500-800 reduced price because prices kept dropping.

 

[razor2025]

Damn it... and I JUST signed up for membership yesterday too. At least SE stores won't be affected till 4/2 (haha I wonder why they didn't do it on 4/1), and plan isn't retroactive. I guess I'll go for one of those Vizio LCDs before the new policy kicks in.

 

[crystal]

Originally posted by: ScottFern
This news is extremely disappointing because it was the sole reason I took chances on a lot of products there. Now they are no better than any other big electronics retailer. The extra 60 days for a return mean little when I am more worried about my 50" Vizio Plasma breaking down the line because they have little track record in the TV industry. Costco's appeal dropped big time in my opinion.

By the way, I never returned my Vizio and bought a new one back at $500-800 reduced price because prices kept dropping.

Why you are disappointed when their return policies still longer than anyone. 90 days still too short for you? How about their 2 year extended manufacture warranties? You know, the kind where you have to pay big dollars to get at other stores.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
Please rate my cheapness on a scale of 1-10:

- Winter vacation I bought a Canon Rebel XT and returned it afterwards. I had something like 2.5 GB of sexy photos. I don't really like my Powershot G3 anymore.

- Rush event for our fraternity we bought Christmas lights from Costco and returned them

- Camping we bought propane stoves at Target and returned them. Hey, we paid for the propane at least.

Now I would honestly never buy a TV and return it. You're just whacked if you do that. Same goes for idiots and their laptop + return stuff. I'm not reformatting every 90 days just to get a free laptop.

You are incredibly cheap and lame

 

[codeyf]

Their return policy is still EXTREMELY generous compared to industry standards. And extending manufaturer warranty to 2 years? For free?

WTF is the fuss about? The only people that should be "upset" about it are the thieves.

"Honest" customers won't be affected by this policy change one bit.

 

[Suture]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
Please rate my cheapness on a scale of 1-10:

- Winter vacation I bought a Canon Rebel XT and returned it afterwards. I had something like 2.5 GB of sexy photos. I don't really like my Powershot G3 anymore.

- Rush event for our fraternity we bought Christmas lights from Costco and returned them

- Camping we bought propane stoves at Target and returned them. Hey, we paid for the propane at least.

Now I would honestly never buy a TV and return it. You're just whacked if you do that. Same goes for idiots and their laptop + return stuff. I'm not reformatting every 90 days just to get a free laptop.

Please tell me this post is just a joke.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: razor2025
Damn it... and I JUST signed up for membership yesterday too. At least SE stores won't be affected till 4/2 (haha I wonder why they didn't do it on 4/1), and plan isn't retroactive. I guess I'll go for one of those Vizio LCDs before the new policy kicks in.

Because April 2, like all of the other dates in the memo, is a Monday.

 

[ElFenix]

90 day return and a 2 year warranty (for those not sure if their tv will break) is still better than anyone else. how much is a PSP at best buy? and how much to extend the return policy to 90 days?

 

[Reckoner]

Good for costco. I hate the scumbags who abuse liberal return policies.

 

[ScottFern]

How exactly does the 2 year manufacturer extension warranty work? Can you just return it to Costco for another 2 years, or do you have to contact the manufacturer's 1-800 number and arrange something? I am not even sure how that would work?

 

[AlucardX]

wonder if this effects Xbox 360

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: ScottFern
How exactly does the 2 year manufacturer extension warranty work? Can you just return it to Costco for another 2 years, or do you have to contact the manufacturer's 1-800 number and arrange something? I am not even sure how that would work?

the memo says costco is extending the manufacturer's warranty. but as costco is likely doing this unilaterally it's probably a warranty through costco. total warranty length will be 2 years. the extending language makes me think it won't be concurrent with the manufacturer's warranty (that is, if you've got a 1 year from the maker then that is who you go to in that year, then costco for the 2nd year).



as for xbox360, the memo does not mention game consoles, so it should be unaffected.