Comments on: Return Policy Ethics http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html personal finance blog with anecdotes, advice and commentary. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:22:10 +0000 hourly 1 By: BubbaMcTrasten http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html/comment-page-1#comment-382276 BubbaMcTrasten Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:02:49 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html#comment-382276 Why hello! I have been surprisingly amused at all the above posts! I had quite a laugh at the gent or lady who tried to return a tv after 8 years! While some of the replies here have been a wee bit snarky, I've been a' laughin! Here is my query, be kind y'all! (Warning, this is pretty BORING!) I received three very ugly shirts from a well intending parent with dementia in regards to fashion. (Now I'm not saying Costco sells ugly clothes...just that every person wears their own thang!) The person who gave me the gifts included the receipt (the items were purchased on 10/2/11). Can I waltz into my local store (Proud member since '05) give 'em the receipt, my unworn, unopened boxed shirts, and go on a lil shopping spree? Can I do this or will the fashion bumpkin (I keed!) just get the stuff put back on there ole credit card? Thank you! Bubba Why hello!
I have been surprisingly amused at all the above posts! I had quite a laugh at the gent or lady who tried to return a tv after 8 years! While some of the replies here have been a wee bit snarky, I’ve been a’ laughin!

Here is my query, be kind y’all!

(Warning, this is pretty BORING!)

I received three very ugly shirts from a well intending parent with dementia in regards to fashion. (Now I’m not saying Costco sells ugly clothes…just that every person wears their own thang!)

The person who gave me the gifts included the receipt (the items were purchased on 10/2/11). Can I waltz into my local store (Proud member since ’05) give ‘em the receipt, my unworn, unopened boxed shirts, and go on a lil shopping spree? Can I do this or will the fashion bumpkin (I keed!) just get the stuff put back on there ole credit card?

Thank you!

Bubba

]]> By: Mike Young http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html/comment-page-1#comment-381126 Mike Young Sat, 26 Nov 2011 11:39:53 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html#comment-381126 Return policies are in place to keep and attract more customers. It's a very tough economy today and even Costco feels the pinch I'm sure. You are misguided in your attempt at justifying your actions here.I don't believe you when you say the manager is your friend and doesn't have a problem with this. I'm sure the employees (customer service) roll their eyes at you behind your back. You sound proud of what you do , but it's actually a shameful act. btw , I work in construction, not retail. I love good deals as well as anybody but thankfully I was raised with morals. Return policies are in place to keep and attract more customers. It’s a very tough economy today and even Costco feels the pinch I’m sure. You are misguided in your attempt at justifying your actions here.I don’t believe you when you say the manager is your friend and doesn’t have a problem with this. I’m sure the employees (customer service) roll their eyes at you behind your back. You sound proud of what you do , but it’s actually a shameful act.
btw , I work in construction, not retail. I love good deals as well as anybody but thankfully I was raised with morals.

]]> By: Mike http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html/comment-page-1#comment-381125 Mike Sat, 26 Nov 2011 11:21:50 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html#comment-381125 Did nothing wrong?? Beside the fact of accusing racism , the tv was 4 years old...I run a small business and people like you are not welcome. If there were more people like you then there would be no Costco . Did nothing wrong?? Beside the fact of accusing racism , the tv was 4 years old…I run a small business and people like you are not welcome. If there were more people like you then there would be no Costco .

]]> By: Kot http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html/comment-page-1#comment-371611 Kot Sat, 30 Jul 2011 04:38:02 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html#comment-371611 Just tried to return 8 years old TV (original price $1400) COSTCO did not take it, saying it is up to their discretion each time Just tried to return 8 years old TV (original price $1400) COSTCO did not take it, saying it is up to their discretion each time

]]> By: Bertha http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html/comment-page-1#comment-365768 Bertha Wed, 23 Mar 2011 04:38:30 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html#comment-365768 Could u please tell me which Costco you returned it to because we are dealing with the same issue right now and we are being given the run around. Thanks! Could u please tell me which Costco you returned it to because we are dealing with the same issue right now and we are being given the run around. Thanks!

]]> By: Michelle http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html/comment-page-1#comment-364563 Michelle Mon, 28 Feb 2011 04:20:28 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html#comment-364563 I'm so sorry this happened to you! You did nothing wrong. All is not lost. They will not remember who you are and it is a minor thing. I’m so sorry this happened to you! You did nothing wrong. All is not lost. They will not remember who you are and it is a minor thing.

]]> By: Feeling Betrayed http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html/comment-page-1#comment-362671 Feeling Betrayed Wed, 19 Jan 2011 04:42:51 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html#comment-362671 I was made to feel like a criminal because I tried to return a TV that was 4 years old. I was demeaned, ridiculed and talked down to by the assistant manager and store manager. A TV older than mine had just been returned by another party. I suspected discrimination since I was not the same ethnicity as the manager. I now have a sick feeling about even shopping at this store and there are no other stores in my town. Because I loved Costco, I drove clear across town to shop for groceries there and other items which now I guess I will shop closer to home where I won't feel humiliated if I need to return something. I took their return policy to be what I was told by several employees over the years, and had called before taking back the TV which had never had a satisfactory picture in my opinion even tho it was not broken, but definitely inferior. And why so long to return, I am an older woman unable to lift such a heavy item. My son was finally able to help me and we called before going in and was told it would be ok to return it as long it was sold before the 90 day policy began. So I didn't think it was unethical since I was told it was their policy. If there were a written policy saying there was a time limit, I would have been fine with it, but to say it is up to their discretion when another TV had just been returned, it seems very prejudicial and unfair. And if I return a 1000 dollar TV and replace it with a 2000 dollar TV, what has Costco lost? They would have kept a good customer for the rest of my life, but now I feel more comfortable to shop elsewhere. I will miss Costco, it is too bad a few misguided manager chose to enforce their discretion on a defenseless older female. God bless them anyway and may they enjoy whatever reward Costco gives them for being disrespectful to elderly people. I was made to feel like a criminal because I tried to return a TV that was 4 years old. I was demeaned, ridiculed and talked down to by the assistant manager and store manager. A TV older than mine had just been returned by another party. I suspected discrimination since I was not the same ethnicity as the manager. I now have a sick feeling about even shopping at this store and there are no other stores in my town. Because I loved Costco, I drove clear across town to shop for groceries there and other items which now I guess I will shop closer to home where I won’t feel humiliated if I need to return something. I took their return policy to be what I was told by several employees over the years, and had called before taking back the TV which had never had a satisfactory picture in my opinion even tho it was not broken, but definitely inferior. And why so long to return, I am an older woman unable to lift such a heavy item. My son was finally able to help me and we called before going in and was told it would be ok to return it as long it was sold before the 90 day policy began. So I didn’t think it was unethical since I was told it was their policy. If there were a written policy saying there was a time limit, I would have been fine with it, but to say it is up to their discretion when another TV had just been returned, it seems very prejudicial and unfair. And if I return a 1000 dollar TV and replace it with a 2000 dollar TV, what has Costco lost? They would have kept a good customer for the rest of my life, but now I feel more comfortable to shop elsewhere. I will miss Costco, it is too bad a few misguided manager chose to enforce their discretion on a defenseless older female. God bless them anyway and may they enjoy whatever reward Costco gives them for being disrespectful to elderly people.

]]> By: serafino http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html/comment-page-1#comment-356561 serafino Sat, 23 Oct 2010 05:48:41 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html#comment-356561 I usually believe that returning items after good use is unethical, however, recently i found myself in a tough predicament: I bought a $2500 tv from costco in 2005 and 4 years later it stopped working. This is an expensive item to break so quickly!! I went online a it was a known defect. After trying to manage the issue with the manufacturer and was not getting anywhere, they tried fixing it but where unsuccessful, so I decided to go to my local costco to ask for a replacement or store credit (current cost) to purchase a replacement, they immediately took my tv back and gave me full credit. I was truly shocked, but after all i realized that this is the reason why i shop at costco in the first place...I can feel confident that they take care of their customers. I usually believe that returning items after good use is unethical, however, recently i found myself in a tough predicament: I bought a $2500 tv from costco in 2005 and 4 years later it stopped working. This is an expensive item to break so quickly!! I went online a it was a known defect. After trying to manage the issue with the manufacturer and was not getting anywhere, they tried fixing it but where unsuccessful, so I decided to go to my local costco to ask for a replacement or store credit (current cost) to purchase a replacement, they immediately took my tv back and gave me full credit. I was truly shocked, but after all i realized that this is the reason why i shop at costco in the first place…I can feel confident that they take care of their customers.

]]> By: Ben http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html/comment-page-1#comment-354636 Ben Wed, 06 Oct 2010 22:58:13 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html#comment-354636 Mr. Frugal. There's nothing wrong with that. First, you need to understand it's THEIR POLICY. I know this won't be popular and everyone is going to go off on me, but I've been taking advantage of Costco's 90 day return policy on TVs since 2007. That means that approximately every 90 days, I put my TV in its original box, head to Costco, return the TV and buy another one. Sometimes I'll even get the same TV just to keep my 90 days going. I've gone from a 42" Vizio up to a 55" Sony 240HZ TV. As a consumer, it's within my right to do this. Technology changes so fast, that 42" Vizio I bought in 2007 is awful compared to what's on the market now. Why not take advantage of an awesome policy that Costco created FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS to take advantage of? Also, the manager of an area Costco is a family friend. They don't have a problem with this. In fact, when it comes to TV's, Costco has a deal worked out with the manufacturer that they get their money back if a TV is returned. Ever notice how TV manufacturers create specific models for Costco and Sams? You can't buy those same TV's in Best Buy or other big box retailers. Return policies are there for the customers to take advantage of. It's that simple. Mr. Frugal. There’s nothing wrong with that. First, you need to understand it’s THEIR POLICY. I know this won’t be popular and everyone is going to go off on me, but I’ve been taking advantage of Costco’s 90 day return policy on TVs since 2007. That means that approximately every 90 days, I put my TV in its original box, head to Costco, return the TV and buy another one. Sometimes I’ll even get the same TV just to keep my 90 days going. I’ve gone from a 42″ Vizio up to a 55″ Sony 240HZ TV. As a consumer, it’s within my right to do this. Technology changes so fast, that 42″ Vizio I bought in 2007 is awful compared to what’s on the market now. Why not take advantage of an awesome policy that Costco created FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS to take advantage of?

Also, the manager of an area Costco is a family friend. They don’t have a problem with this. In fact, when it comes to TV’s, Costco has a deal worked out with the manufacturer that they get their money back if a TV is returned. Ever notice how TV manufacturers create specific models for Costco and Sams? You can’t buy those same TV’s in Best Buy or other big box retailers.

Return policies are there for the customers to take advantage of. It’s that simple.

]]> By: Mr Frugal http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html/comment-page-1#comment-353851 Mr Frugal Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:38:51 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html#comment-353851 Would you consider this ethical or not? Sam's Club has a 90 return policy on their items including TVs. I bought a TV 35 days ago which has now dropped in price by double digits. They only price adjust within 10 days. So the only option is to return the TV and then buy it again to get my adjusted price. Seems like a policy that needs to be revisited b/c it doesn't make sense to me. I agree with the comment above though that if it's part of their existing policy and not abused, there's nothing wrong with it. Would you consider this ethical or not? Sam’s Club has a 90 return policy on their items including TVs. I bought a TV 35 days ago which has now dropped in price by double digits. They only price adjust within 10 days. So the only option is to return the TV and then buy it again to get my adjusted price. Seems like a policy that needs to be revisited b/c it doesn’t make sense to me. I agree with the comment above though that if it’s part of their existing policy and not abused, there’s nothing wrong with it.

]]> By: kris http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html/comment-page-1#comment-346969 kris Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:51:41 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html#comment-346969 to store manager: if i returned several of the same items over a few years becuase they were gifts and i just assumed they were from costco and thats where i shop is that illegal? i would always say im not sure if these are fom cotsco and the clerk would return them. i recently found out i have notes in the system next to my name saying i am blocked from returns stating they might be stolen. they are not stolen. i am however guilty of returning them. all the merchandise was unused and unopen. the manager was really nice to me but as i was leaving i realized " oh my gosh" can they arrest me or send a summons for return fraud? they new i didnt purchase the merchandise because it wasnt on my account but they always took it back? now im scarred to even go to costco. should i call the store and ask to pay for all the returned merchandise? im certain they resold it, nothing was opened. im terrified. i cant eat or sleep. what should i do? and what can they? to store manager: if i returned several of the same items over a few years becuase they were gifts and i just assumed they were from costco and thats where i shop is that illegal? i would always say im not sure if these are fom cotsco and the clerk would return them. i recently found out i have notes in the system next to my name saying i am blocked from returns stating they might be stolen. they are not stolen. i am however guilty of returning them. all the merchandise was unused and unopen. the manager was really nice to me but as i was leaving i realized ” oh my gosh” can they arrest me or send a summons for return fraud? they new i didnt purchase the merchandise because it wasnt on my account but they always took it back? now im scarred to even go to costco. should i call the store and ask to pay for all the returned merchandise? im certain they resold it, nothing was opened. im terrified. i cant eat or sleep. what should i do? and what can they?

]]> By: g.t http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html/comment-page-1#comment-346619 g.t Fri, 04 Jun 2010 23:59:05 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html#comment-346619 NICE COMMENT TOM!! MAHALO!! NICE COMMENT TOM!! MAHALO!!

]]> By: TOM BURBA http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html/comment-page-1#comment-346220 TOM BURBA Sun, 30 May 2010 03:05:24 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html#comment-346220 NO SIR it is not illegal. but do it 3x times your card and you will be severed. remember its up to the individual store mgr what he will accept back and how many times. TB , HAWAII STORE MGR..NIMITZ. NO SIR it is not illegal. but do it 3x times your card and you will be severed. remember its up to the individual store mgr what he will accept back and how many times. TB , HAWAII
STORE MGR..NIMITZ.

]]> By: Randy West http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html/comment-page-1#comment-344136 Randy West Thu, 29 Apr 2010 22:48:17 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html#comment-344136 Is it illegal to buy a TV at Costco and return it every 88 days to buy the newer model, and do this for 5 years? Is it illegal to buy a TV at Costco and return it every 88 days to buy the newer model, and do this for 5 years?

]]> By: echidnina http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html/comment-page-1#comment-342868 echidnina Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:18:44 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/return-policy-ethics.html#comment-342868 Wow! Great comment for an inside view on Costco's returns department... It seems like the company and its employees are well aware of the various uses of its return policy, so if Costco is coming out on top despite these uses and abuses, more power to them. Wow! Great comment for an inside view on Costco’s returns department… It seems like the company and its employees are well aware of the various uses of its return policy, so if Costco is coming out on top despite these uses and abuses, more power to them.

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