Costco kills return anytime policy
We all knew it was too good to last. For several years now, one solid piece of advice to anyone buying a big-ticket item such as a plasma TV was to get it at Costco if possible, thanks to the big-box retailer's well-known return anytime policy. With the exception of desktop and laptop computers (limited to six months), a member could pretty much return any item at any time, including that $2,000 TV that suddenly stopped working two years later.
Of course, plenty of people abused the privilege, returning items when a cheaper model came out or using the return policy as a lifetime extended warranty. This, naturally, caused financial analysts to take a sour view of the overly generous company. (Note: I purchased my current plasma TV from Costco after being forced to wait almost five months while a third-party extended warranty company tried--and failed--to repair my old set.)
MSNBC reports that Costco's new policy is to allow customers only 90 days to return electronics--although they will extend the manufacturer's warranty to two years and set up a tech support hotline to help people with basic support issues.
The new Costco return policy states: "We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell, with a full refund. Exceptions: Televisions, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPod/MP3 players and cellular phones must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund."
New York native Dan Ackerman, a former radio DJ turned journalist, has written about technology and music for publications including Spin, Blender, The Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. He hosts the weekly Digital City podcast and the New York edition of Editors' Office Hours. Dan's new album, Tales Out of Night School, is available now. E-mail Dan. 
the numbers of emboldened serial returners is just too darned high. The
customer as always right? Poppycock. WalMart routinely takes back items
abused, broken & worn out. Without that the always low prices could be lower.
Costco as the last of the good guys? I suppose.
the numbers of emboldened serial returners is just too darned high. The
customer as always right? Poppycock. WalMart routinely takes back items
abused, broken & worn out. Without that the always low prices could be lower.
Costco as the last of the good guys? I suppose.
I have also heard of people the liberal returns as a free upgrade every couple years.
I am sorry that Costco had to take this step, but it easy to see why.
BJ's etc., I always see people opening up the package of a product and then they
don't take the product they just open, instead take an unopen product of the
one they just open. People abuse the return policy of all stores and I feel they
should stop letting people return products at all. Hong Kong got a zero return
policy because of people abusing the return policy. United States should start
and adapt the same policy now.
I have also heard of people the liberal returns as a free upgrade every couple years.
I am sorry that Costco had to take this step, but it easy to see why.
BJ's etc., I always see people opening up the package of a product and then they
don't take the product they just open, instead take an unopen product of the
one they just open. People abuse the return policy of all stores and I feel they
should stop letting people return products at all. Hong Kong got a zero return
policy because of people abusing the return policy. United States should start
and adapt the same policy now.
Real f*ckin smart.
At least my 50" Pio is grandfathered. Just for spite, I'm gonna return that f*cker 3 years from now for a full refund.
But your last sentence is specifically the reason they have limited the length
in which you can return something.
*You* want them to sell it cheaper than anywhere and *you* want them to
allow you to return it whenever *you* want. Or else you'll throw a hissy fit.
How about they honor the manufacturer warranty and you have the option to
buy an extended one?
It's because of people like you that there are restocking fees and tighter
return policies. Hassah!
Real f*ckin smart.
At least my 50" Pio is grandfathered. Just for spite, I'm gonna return that f*cker 3 years from now for a full refund.
But your last sentence is specifically the reason they have limited the length
in which you can return something.
*You* want them to sell it cheaper than anywhere and *you* want them to
allow you to return it whenever *you* want. Or else you'll throw a hissy fit.
How about they honor the manufacturer warranty and you have the option to
buy an extended one?
It's because of people like you that there are restocking fees and tighter
return policies. Hassah!
BJ's etc., I always see people opening up the package of a product and then they
don't take the product they just open, instead take an unopen product of the
one they just open. People abuse the return policy of all stores and I feel they
should stop letting people return products at all. Hong Kong got a zero return
policy because of people abusing the return policy. United States should start
and adapt the same policy now.
BJ's etc., I always see people opening up the package of a product and then they
don't take the product they just open, instead take an unopen product of the
one they just open. People abuse the return policy of all stores and I feel they
should stop letting people return products at all. Hong Kong got a zero return
policy because of people abusing the return policy. United States should start
and adapt the same policy now.
- Costco kills return anytime policy
- by Tropj February 28, 2007 5:27 AM PST
- Unfortunately it had to happen. Too many people took undue advantage of their policy and they are in business to make a profit, not give consumers an opportunity to try out electronics and return them when the newer models become available. The new policy is still reasonable and they are extending the warranty which is still better than most other stores - and their prices are still excellent.
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