How does Costco afford its return policy?

[Craig234]

I returned a bunch of raw hamburger patties right while I was still at the store. My wife mistakenly bought way to many patties for a small party we had and as soon as I got to the cart, before we left the store and saw that I pointed that out. Since the return desk is on the way out to the exit we stopped by and asked if we could return them because of the mistake. They said sure and refunded us our money and then threw them right into the garbage.

I was like "WTF!!??!?!" "WHY?!?!?" and he said they're not allowed to put it back out for sale after it's been sold.

WTF? Shit man if you'd of told me that's what you were going to do with it before just doing the refund I'd of said screw it and kept them and not done the refund. Killed me to see that much waste.

Gotta ask first. Places almost never resell perishable food, and if they do you might not want to eat there.

I hate in supermarkets when I see idiot customers who leave perishable food on random shelves because they don't want to buy it for whatever reason.

 

[alkemyst]

I returned a bunch of raw hamburger patties right while I was still at the store. My wife mistakenly bought way to many patties for a small party we had and as soon as I got to the cart, before we left the store and saw that I pointed that out. Since the return desk is on the way out to the exit we stopped by and asked if we could return them because of the mistake. They said sure and refunded us our money and then threw them right into the garbage.

I was like "WTF!!??!?!" "WHY?!?!?" and he said they're not allowed to put it back out for sale after it's been sold.

WTF? Shit man if you'd of told me that's what you were going to do with it before just doing the refund I'd of said screw it and kept them and not done the refund. Killed me to see that much waste.

Dude, you blind? Shop first then buy.

This is normal practice.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

I think this is part of Costco's business model: They develop a feeling among customers that what is there today, might not be there next time you visit. SO BUY BUY BUY!

That's not intentionally added into the business model, it's a side effect. Costco will only buy at certain margins and the manufacturer can't necessarily always meet those margins. Product X might be dumping their stuff into Costco when they're in a slow season or have a supply glut and selling it through more profitable outlets when they can.

 

[lokiju]

http://consumerist.com/2011/09/costco-lets-man-return-5-year-old-suitcase-with-broken-wheel.html

 

[feralkid]

Might have something to do with the fact they have come up with a brilliant idea of charging tards just for shopping at their store and the tards act like that's a privilege. :facepalm:

It's to keep people like you out.

Seems to be working pretty well.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Costco, as mentioned previously in this thread is an awesome company, they treat their employees well, and their prices reasonable, the return policy sells a hell of a lot more product than they or their manufacturers have to accept back.

I have taken back 2 items, both defective, money refunded with minimal fuss both times.

 

[jhansman]

My wife was returning an item in our local Costco, when a woman came in with (and I'm not kidding) a partially eaten turkey. Everyone in line stood around to see what would happen. Yes, the customer got her money back, but only because Costco keeps a record of every item you've purchased.

 

[Via]

I can't wait for a Costco to open where I live.

 

[vshah]

You think that's crazy?

REI's is THE BEST return policy, ever.

4 years later, something you bought breaks, return it for a full refund. They will let you return anything, whenever, no timeframe.

Amen to this. I had a pair of hiking boots, and the manufacturer wouldn't honor the lifetime warranty. (one of the rings for the laces fell off).

REI refunded me the full price 4 years later, which I used to get a new pair of boots.

also the fact that REI employees actually know wtf they are talking about is very nice