Costco return policy = free computer? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

DementedReality · 09-18-2007, 03:50 PM

Anyone work at Costco?

I was just there and they have these big signs that say with a reciept and original packaging you can return any notebook or desktop within 6 months for a full refund.

What is stopping someone from simply using it for 5 months and returning it and then doing it again for another 5 months and so on?

Does anyone find it a moral or ethical issue to do this?

Just curious, I thought it was a major loophole that could be abused.

photon · 09-18-2007, 03:56 PM

I know a guy that works at Costco and I asked him about that once.. he said it used to be a lot more loose but that 6 month thing came in just for that reason, people were returning stuff years and years later.

He said that the transactions are on your account and if they see you abusing it they will start denying it, or at least taking a harder look at it.

Mind you I had a 18 month old TV that I returned because it broke and they took it back ok (I totally didn't expect them to, I was prepared to have it repaired).

As for is it moral or ethical, I guess if a company allows it why not use it, though if I was doing that I think it would say something about myself that I wouldn't like.

MolsonInBothHands · 09-18-2007, 03:58 PM

I have heard from ex-Costco employees that their rules used to be much looser than they are now.... no six month limit. They said it was ridiculous what some people would successfully return after even a year + of service. Apparently there are many who have no worries about the moral and ethical issues.

OILFAN #81 · 09-18-2007, 03:59 PM

Screw computers.....I see people who do that with their wives...

Juventus3 · 09-18-2007, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Screw computers.....I see people who do that with their wives...

I thought Costco stopped selling wives when they started selling coffins...

Bertuzzied · 09-18-2007, 04:04 PM

I returned a LCD tv that i bought for my parents 16 months later.

Felt kinda bad, no box and nothing really wrong with the TV other than a crappier picture.

I had this big story all planned out and they didn't even ask me what was wrong with it.

Did a quick u turn and went back in and bought them a 50 inch plasma which was the same price now.

I think right after they changed their TV policy to 1 year max.

Tyler · 09-18-2007, 04:06 PM

Costco takes everything back. BBQ a couple months later full of grease. Sure no problem!

No receipt!? How about store credit!

We take a lot of products back that crap out on us. Never had any issues.

Prototype · 09-18-2007, 04:07 PM

The bottom line with Costco is that you pay a membership to shop there. Without the memebership, they don't get your money. Most of the items they sell are US models as far as electronics go, which I thought the government made them have atleast a 1 year warrenty.

I don't know all the rules, but I've heard stories that thanks to the membership, people can return stuff whenever. I've heard of people returning movies cause the movie sucked...

If you get resistance from Costco, remind them that you're a member there. They've bended in the past.

MoneyGuy · 09-18-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DementedReality

Anyone work at Costco?

I was just there and they have these big signs that say with a reciept and original packaging you can return any notebook or desktop within 6 months for a full refund.

What is stopping someone from simply using it for 5 months and returning it and then doing it again for another 5 months and so on?

Does anyone find it a moral or ethical issue to do this?

Just curious, I thought it was a major loophole that could be abused.

Um...yes. If you have to ask, then you probably wouldn't understand.

If you don't see the ethical issue, then you might as well furnish your house the same way.

albertGQ · 09-18-2007, 04:13 PM

I never knew they had such a lenient return policy. I only buy my food there. Looks like I might buy some electronics now!!!

The Yen Man · 09-18-2007, 04:15 PM

Like six or seven years back when I worked at Walmart partime, they used to take back everything too. I remember some guy returning a pair of muddy workboots that were over 6 years old (as they were a Wolco brand, and not even a Walmart brand) and they still did the refund for him. I think their policy has since gotten a lot tougher.

The funniest thing I've ever seen was when some guy walked into the store, grabbed a tv from the aisle, andthen took it to the return desk for a refund, claiming he lost the receipt.

Sylvanfan · 09-18-2007, 04:16 PM

I played hockey with a guy from PG who worked at Costco there and he was telling us to buy our sticks from Costco and if they were broken they'd take it back and exchange it. But yeah...If I want to host a barbeque for the weekend and need something...Costco is the greatest rental place on Earth!

photon · 09-18-2007, 04:21 PM

Yeah my mom used to be a greeter at WalMart, she would tell crazy stories about the stuff people used to return. Holidays were the best, people would buy, use then return whole piles of camping equipment.. Everything from tents to sleeping bags to stoves.

DementedReality · 09-18-2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Um...yes. If you have to ask, then you probably wouldn't understand.

If you don't see the ethical issue, then you might as well furnish your house the same way.

actually, i do see an ethical issue with it, but I was asking what others felt.

my rule of thumb is genreally if you arent sure if its "ethical". it most likely isnt.

FlamesPuck12 · 09-18-2007, 04:23 PM

Hey, I bought an Ipod Video at the end of June but it turns out it's battery sucks and qualifies for the warranty from Apple. Instead of wasting my money shipping it to Apple, do you think Costco would let me exchange for another one? I kind of feel bad for not returning it sooner but I didn't have the time.

What do you guys think?

Bobblehead · 09-18-2007, 04:23 PM

I'd feel kind of bad taking advantage of that. I appreciate the policy and would want that policy to be there when I needed it. If people abuse it, Costco, at some point, will have no choice but to add restrictions.

I kind of like that there is a retailer with a good return policy and is (purportedly) good to it's staff. I personally don't want to take advantage of that.

Killing the goose that laid the golden egg, and all that tripe.

I-Hate-Hulse · 09-18-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

The funniest thing I've ever seen was when some guy walked into the store, grabbed a tv from the aisle, andthen took it to the return desk for a refund, claiming he lost the receipt.

Working at Canadian Tire, I saw someone try that with a Canoe.

Not exactly discrete. He got busted by plainclothes store security. It's considered fraud.... funny that.

Engine09 · 09-18-2007, 04:44 PM

Wow, talk about a ######bag move, returning some used up 3 year old merchandise and expecting a refund.

I simply would not be able to do that, I'd feel like a piece of crap.

Flames_Gimp · 09-18-2007, 04:52 PM

do they sell xbox360? i'll return it when it gets the red ring

The Yen Man · 09-18-2007, 04:55 PM

I think businesses like Costco and Walmart bank on the fact that most normal people are ethical and that they would feel bad abusing the return policy like that. By having a good one in place, it encourages shoppers to buy items that they may have otherwise bought somewhere else. To giant retailers like Costco and Walmart, the amount of money they spend on returns really are miniscule compared to their actual sales.