"Costco kills return anytime policy"

[Stoic]

(I'm not sure this is the right forum for this. Apologies in advance.)

http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-969...?tag=cnetfd.mt

"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."

[coriolis]

It was being abused too much, like people buying a 50" HDTV for the Superbowl, then returning it.

But still, 90 days is almost 3x the time from the other stores like BB.

[vespoli]

Still a much better policy than most stores, as cori said.
I'm sad to see it go, but good things never last.

Thanks for posting the story.

[Gautam]

...people [were] buying a 50" HDTV for the Superbowl, then returning it.

Wow, that's such a cheap move! I don't think I could have even thought of it.

[coriolis]

Another example would be Christmas trees. Buy it, Christmas time yay, then return it.

[Malia]

Christmas trees! That's crazy.

Well, electronics go down in price so fast, I can see myself buying something expensive and returning it a year or two later to get the same thing for less... Probably... I don't know! Or what about, let's say your laptop broke and you need a new one ASAP, but some super awesome technology is about to come out in a month or two. Get one at Costco and return it when you can buy what you want, it's like a long-term free rental! Well, it's not like you can rent laptops, anyway.

Disclaimer: I've never been to Costco or returned used electronics or Christmas trees.

Malia

[Gautam]

Christmas trees! That's crazy.

Well, electronics go down in price so fast, I can see myself buying something expensive and returning it a year or two later to get the same thing for less... Probably... I don't know! Or what about, let's say your laptop broke and you need a new one ASAP, but some super awesome technology is about to come out in a month or two. Get one at Costco and return it when you can buy what you want, it's like a long-term free rental! Well, it's not like you can rent laptops, anyway.

Disclaimer: I've never been to Costco or returned used electronics or Christmas trees.

Malia

I've been to a CostCo, once, and it was just gross.

But I think that using the return period as a "trial period" is unethical. It isn't the intention of the manufacturer or the retailer to have a return period (which is for defective items and gifts you received that you already have) turned into a borrow-from-the-store-time. That's just my take on it.

[Malia]

I don't think there's anything unethical about returning something used that shows no signs of wear. (Otherwise though, it's not good, because someone else might buy it without noticing the damage first, and this someone did nothing wrong to deserve that.)

"The corporations" are winning the balance of power between us and them. They screw us every chance they get if it means more profit. Because business is not about being nice, it's about making money. Well, I don't like being walked all over! So if it happens to benefit me, I'll take some of that power back, thankyouverymuch. (Power = money.)

So that's why I'm not in business any more. Because I don't like calculation, and business = calculation. If we lived in a different world where businesses were about making the world a better place rather than making money, then yeah, it would be unethical. Until then, I'm on the lookout for loopholes.

Malia

[eagle07]

Even at 90 days, that is a generous return policy!

If the policy is further abused, I'm afraid they might end up establishing the 5-15% penalty vendors like Best Buy or Circuit City have to combat the abuse.

r,
eagle

[grumpy3b]

I've been to a CostCo, once, and it was just gross.

But I think that using the return period as a "trial period" is unethical. It isn't the intention of the manufacturer or the retailer to have a return period (which is for defective items and gifts you received that you already have) turned into a borrow-from-the-store-time. That's just my take on it.

Actually HP & Dell (others too...) both have return for any reason policies for exactly that reason. HP seems to use the returns for replacement systems and spare parts and Dell, well, that is why there are so many Dell parts on the market.

Both companies even market the policy to encourage people who are just not sure about buying. So it is a double edged sword...they cannot claim foul then turn around and advertised "return for ANY REASON"...

Retial stores are on a much smaller margin then the mfg. I doubt Costco makes more the $200 on a laptop. It's likely under that by at least half.

It was their policy, then to turn around and cry abuse is just how people are these days...everyone who calls you to live up to your word is labeled an "abuser"...if ya don't want to let people return for any reason, then say it...otherwise live with the outcome!