A COSTCO shopper had to defend their decision to return a three-year-old printer as others said they would never do that.
Members love Costco’s lenient return policy that offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee or their money back.
Even though this allows customers to return items years after buying them, some customers object to the notion.
In a Reddit thread discussing different customer returns, one person was berated for returning a printer after three years.
“I returned a 3-year-old printer last week and received a $350 refund. It’s glorious,” the customer wrote.
Another Reddit user replied, “Three years. Did you use it all that time? I would never return a three-year-old printer that I had been using.”
The shopper clarified that the printer had stopped working and that they had called Costco before to ensure the return would be accepted.
“He said if people can bring in Christmas trees, I can return my printer,” they wrote, referring to shoppers who try to return dead trees in early January.
But three years is nothing compared to some other items Costco shoppers have returned.
Another member was baffled when they saw a customer returning a television from 2002.
“I thought it was a prank when I saw it,” the Redditor wrote, sharing a picture of the giant plasma TV.
“You have to be an absolutely psychotic human being to do this,” commented one person.
“I fully support canceling the Costco membership of the person who did this.”
It is unclear if the return was granted, as Costco implemented a 90-day limit for most electronics in 2007.
COSTCO’S POLICY
Shoppers who try to take advantage of the store’s lenient policy could get in trouble.
In another Reddit thread, someone claiming to be an employee said they’ve seen people get their memberships canceled for returning “far too much.”
“[Like] 60% to 70% of all purchases,” they wrote.
Membership and store cards on offer from major retailers
Here is a breakdown of the store cards on offer to customers from various retailers and their benefits:
Costco:
- Gold Star Membership: $60 per year, shop all Costco stores and online with two additional cards for your household.
- Executive Membership: $120 per year, annual 2% reward, additional discounts and benefits on Costco services, shop online and in-store, and get two additional cards for household use.
Sam’s Club:
- Club Membership: $50 per year, bonus offers, same-day delivery, instant savings, Sam’s Club Mastercard, members-only fuel savings, tire and battery center, complimentary membership, and add-on memberships.
- Plus Membership: $110 per year, all benefits of Club membership plus Sam’s Cash, free shipping, free curbside pickup, early shopping, and pharmacy and optical savings.
Target:
- Target Circle: A free-to-join reward program allowing users to earn 1% in Target Circle earnings rewards when an eligible purchase is made, access deals and personalized offers, get a birthday gift, and earn a vote to help direct how Target helps out your community.
- Target Circle Card: A credit, debit, or reloadable account card that gives users 5% off in-store and online as well as exclusive offers, free two-day shipping, and an additional 30-day returns window. Formerly Target RedCard.
Walmart:
- Walmart+: $12.95 per month or $98 per year with a free 30-day trial. Offers members free delivery, free shipping with no minimum spend, fuel savings, Paramount+ subscription, auto car, Walmart+ travel, returns from home, mobile scan and go in-store, and early access to deals and product releases.
TikToker Caroline (@trubirdsisters) said she worked at Costco for seven years, six of them in returns, and explained why the store hasn’t changed the policy.
First, the store closely tracks all member transactions, including returns.
“Anything you purchase at Costco is associated with your membership,” the former employee explained in a video.
“So, as soon as you come up to the returns counter and we get your membership card we type it in and then it brings up your entire shopping history over the last decade.”
Employees are trained to check if shoppers are “purchasing as much as they are returning.”
Anyone who is caught doing this could get their membership revoked.
“Costco knows that it is advantageous to have that kind of great return policy because it’s bringing you back into the store, we take good care of you, you return your item, so most likely you are going to be there and you are going to buy more stuff,” she said.
Customers were stunned to see a shopper returning an item from 2017 without a receipt.
Plus, see the return that shocked employees as they deemed it as “theft.”