Costco’s New Return Policy

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.

Now, I did not use Costco’s return policy as a way to get free upgrades. However the policy was part of the reason I shopped at Costco. It was not about cheap prices. The prices were decent, but usually I could find things for cheaper elsewhere. I spent the extra amount at Costco because it was like buying an extended warranty. I have returned a few expensive items because they quit working in an amount of time that was not acceptable for an item of that price point. I’ve also just tossed out cheap items which quit working. I have also bought plenty of things on impulse because “I can always return them if I change my mind.” Most of those never found their way back either, even if the box was never opened. Obviously their policy quit working for them, and I am aware of many people who routinely abused it. It is no doubt easier overall for them to change it across the board than to limit certain customers (although since they keep track of all purchases by account they could easily see who the abusers are.

Anyhow since I have often been known for pimping Costco, I thought I’d point out the change. I’ve sent them an email to verify that purchases under the old policy would still be honored under that return policy. It is why we just spent more to purchase an MP3 player at Costco than we could have gotten it for at Amazon.