Costco and their Return Policy...

[WayneTeK]

Ok, maybe i'm a bit slow with this concept, but my friend took back his digital slr to costco because it was outdated and some of his buttons didn't work anymore...

It turns out Costco gladly accepted it and refunded him his FULL PRICE..

WHAT THE HELL???? Is he lying or is this somewhat truthful? It's a 4 friggin year old camera and they took it back???

1.How does Costco and the manufacturers stay in business with this type of business service???
2.If i bought a XBOX 360 today and the next generation XBOX came in 4 yrs later.. Does this mean i can take back the Xbox 360 to trade up for the next generation XBOX?

You could theoretically never ever pay for another camera/electronics ever again and keep on upgrading...? Am i right?

 

[FleshLight]

Yes. But that would be abusing the system. Rampant abuse would raise a red flag and your membership might be revoked.

 

[WayneTeK]

Originally posted by: FleshLight
Yes. But that would be abusing the system. Rampant abuse would raise a red flag and your membership might be revoked.

What does your signature mean? Fleshlight? Am i thinking of the same thing you are?

About the rampant abuse... My friend said if you actually buy more than what you take back (even if that means you take back a lot of stuff), they won't really care..

 

[OdiN]

I knew a guy that bought a portable A/C unit before summer and returned it after summer was over.....

 

[SophalotJack]

I rent stuff from wal-mart all the time.

But I actually like costco, and never have abused their excellent CS.

I plan to get the 2405fp from them once I sell enough of my body to old men.

 

[dugweb]

Originally posted by: OdiN
I knew a guy that bought a portable A/C unit before summer and returned it after summer was over.....

heh, pretty good...

I know some people that bought all the camping gear they could, went on a trip then returned it all

jan 2005 Wal-Mart tightened up their return policy a little. It used to be you could take back whatever the crap you wanted even w/o a reciept, but they are a little more aware now. For example you are only allowed 3 non reciept returns a year (they take your DL #)

 

[mjrpes3]

Originally posted by: OdiN
I knew a guy that bought a portable A/C unit before summer and returned it after summer was over.....

Way to 'beat the system'.

 

[IQJUMPuw]

Yes alot of retailers have the same return policy. I know REI does too. They want a complete customer satisfaction. They stand by everything they sell, which is pretty amazing. Only happens in US.

The sad thing about it is that bunch of pathetic retards abuse system like this. I have a friend who would buy a pair of shoes from REI only to return them for another pair after few years or buy ski pants for one winter and returning them. How sad is that? You may think it's funny or cool, but if enough people did it and the retailers lose enough money, they will eventually change their return policy.

What worries me is that, many of you will go and buy something expensive from those stores and abuse the system after reading this. I only hope that by the time you go back to return your expensive merchandise, their return policy have changed.

 

[Strk]

When my uncle passed away, Coscto was pretty accomidating for taking returns on a bunch of things. It's a pretty great company to deal with, but sadly, there are probably some people who do take advantage of how generous Coscto is.

And since then, my mom bought a membership and started spending a whole bunch there

 

[TallBill]

I cant save my reciepts past 2 days, let alone 4 years.

 

[IQJUMPuw]

Originally posted by: TallBill
I cant save my reciepts past 2 days, let alone 4 years.

Yes but people who buy stuff from those retailers to abuse the system in the first place do. They KNOW they will return the merchandise after a while so they make sure they don't lose the receipts.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: IQJUMPuw

Originally posted by: TallBill
I cant save my reciepts past 2 days, let alone 4 years.

Yes but people who buy stuff from those retailers to abuse the system in the first place do. They KNOW they will return the merchandise after a while so they make sure they don't lose the receipts.

True.. scumbags.

 

[BlueFlamme]

They even give you a full 6 mo. warranty of a computer system (great for relatives).

Plus they do not mark up their Rx drugs (a lot of people don't even know these can be marked up, ie. generic brand X 400mg [lets say name brand is $90], might be $22 at costco, $28 at target, and $60 at walgreens).

How do they make money? Paid membership and a lot of people buy from them because of this policy, but do not make use of it because they lost the receipt or just plain forgot (or the item was such a POS compared to current models 5 years later they don't care).


For reference, LL Bean has an even better policy:

Our products are guaranteed to give 100% satisfaction in every way. Return anything purchased from us at any time if it proves otherwise. We do not want you to have anything from L.L.Bean that is not completely satisfactory.

I took back a pair of $130 hiking boots after 7 years because the arch support got screwed up and after one mile my feet were killing me. I've also had them take back a bookbag (interior lining was ripped) and I've seen other people take back things like blue jeans that got ripped and they replaced them with a new pair.

 

[rudder]

SHENS on your friend. Unless they had that exact same model in stock or he had some sort of extended service plan or he knew the people working at the return desk. I doubt the camera companies maintain the same model number for years on end.

 

[ponyo]

Costco makes money from their return policy. People buy stuff they normally might not because they know the return policy is there if they're unhappy. Most of the time, product is more than satisfactory and people keep it. I know I buy tons of stuff without any worry so I buy lot more than I normally would.

I always keep my receipt from Costco unless it's all food items. I've a folder just for Costco receipts. Many people just tape the receipt to back of big ticket items so they don't forget.

Costco knows exactly how much you've spent, what you've bought, and when. It's all in their computer. If you continuely abuse the system, they can revoke your membership. Costco has around 25 million household members worldwide with about 46 million total cardmembers. 25 million household pay minimum of $45/ a year for membership. Executive members like myself pay $100/ a year for membership. Think about how much Costco is making a year just on membership fees.

Costco return policy is good for Costco and good for the customer. It's a win-win. I'm a Costco shareholder, and I support their return policy 100%.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: rudder
SHENS on your friend. Unless they had that exact same model in stock or he had some sort of extended service plan or he knew the people working at the return desk. I doubt the camera companies maintain the same model number for years on end.

Nope. If you have the item and the receipt, they will refund the purchase price 100%.

 

[Rock Hydra]

Wow, that's pretty crzazy.

 

[Maximus96]

how about the box? do they require the box for returns?

 

[mugs]

It's a nice policy, but your friend is an asshole for abusing it like that. People like him are why retailers are adopting more restrictive return policies.

 

[Horus]

Holy crap. At my store, if it's a hour past the return date, too bad for you.

 

[DVK916]

Originally posted by: Horus
Holy crap. At my store, if it's a hour past the return date, too bad for you.

There is no return date.

Also you don't need the receipt, they keep a record of all of your purchases.

Also you need to have EVERY item that came with the product. If your missing the AC Adapter or AV cables they won't accept the return.


Also this return policy does not apply for computer releated goods.

 

[conehead433]

Wish I had a Costco near me. Not that I would abuse their return policy, but they do have some incredible deals.

 

[BlueFlamme]

Originally posted by: DVK916
Also this return policy does not apply for computer releated goods.

It applies for 6 months on computers, just like I said.

To be more clear, Costco Return or Exchanges

Returns or Exchanges
Costco.com has a 100% guarantee on all of our merchandise. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, we offer two convenient return methods. Costco.com refunds include shipping and handling fees.

1. You can return the item to the nearest Costco Wholesale location. To find a location,
please click here.

2. If you are unable to return your order to one of our warehouses, please e-mail us at
customer service. Please include your name, order confirmation number, phone number, and
reason for return. You will be contacted regarding your return within 5 to 7 business days.

Please note, as of November 4th, 2002 , the return policy for all desktop and notebook computers are six months from the date of purchase. Six months after purchase, all computer services and technical support will be subject to the applicable remaining manufacturer?s warranty.

 

[TrixAreForKids]

I bought some monitors with this policy in mind. Not to abuse but just in case. Do I need to keep the boxes? I usually toss out the boxes, CD, manual but if I need all of them I will keep them.