Support NeoGAF

[GamePnoy74]

FYI, from hot-deals.org:

Costco Changes Return Policy for Electronics: Costco changed their return policy for all electronics purchases. Under the new policy, all electronics purchases as of 2007 can be returned "no questions asked" for up to 3 months after purchase, and up to 6 months for defective merchandise. This is a huge change to their policy, where all non-computer electronics returns were accepted for up to 3 years (sometimes 5 years) after purchase with the original receipt. The new policy is for all electronics, including televisions, stereos, GPSs, cameras, projectors, MP3 Players, and phones.

Costco stores will still accept returns for all electronics purchased within the last 3 years, but only for a few more weeks until members are notified about the new policy. The product being returned must include the original receipt, all manuals, cables, and everything which came in the original box. The original product box itself is not required for most electronics returns.

If you still have the original receipt from an electronics purchase made within the last 3 years, you may want to consider returning it soon before the new policy formally takes affect. For example, if you purchased an upconvert DVD player 2 years ago for $120, a 32" LCD HDTV 2 years ago for $900, a 37" LCD HDTV 2 years ago for $1700, or a Garmin Nuvi 350 GPS a year ago for $800, you can return it today for a complete refund which can be used toward anything including a brand new HDTV or GPS. HDTVs have dropped in price by half over the past 2 years, and GPSs have dropped in half over the last year. Getting a full refund for a past purchase and upgrading to a new model is definitely a hot deal.

All non-electronics purchases still can be returned years after purchase, with the original receipt.

If people want to exchange their old electronics they bought at Costco for credit/upgrades/etc. do it now...!

 

[Man of Knowledge]

I purchased a TV for a 1200 at costco in november, and now the TV is 1600, can I go there return it and get 1600 back instead of 1200.

 

[Phobophile]

I purchased a TV for a 1200 at costco in november, and now the TV is 1600, can I go there return it and get 1600 back instead of 1200.

Looks like you can, if you kept all the original literature and packaging.

 

[Man of Knowledge]

Looks like you can, if you kept all the original literature and packaging.

So I can get them to pay me 400 more than I paid for it.

I paid 1200, the TV is 1600 now. I want 1600 back if I return it since the TV is now 1600.

 

[MoxManiac]

So I can get them to pay me 400 more than I paid for it.

I paid 1200, the TV is 1600 now. I want 1600 back if I return it since the TV is now 1600.

Is there something wrong with the TV, or are you just out to defraud Costco?

 

[MagicJackBauer]

I purchased a TV for a 1200 at costco in november, and now the TV is 1600, can I go there return it and get 1600 back instead of 1200.

There is no way they will give you back more money than you paid. Even if you don’t have the receipt they can search for the transaction in their computer system and see the price that you originally paid for.

 

[Man of Knowledge]

Is there something wrong with the TV, or are you just out to defraud Costco?

Nothing wrong with the TV, just was at costco the other day and say the TV increased in price. Was wondering if I could profit from this some how.

 

[Cornballer]

Is there something wrong with the TV, or are you just out to defraud Costco?

He's in it for the Knowledge.

 

[cubanb]

Geeez, I just bought a plasma TV there a couple months ago because they have such a good return policy. In case it broke or whatnot. I could have shopped for cheaper prices, but i was willing to pay a little extra for piece of mind.

 

[Man of Knowledge]

Geeez, I just bought a plasma TV there a couple months ago because they have such a good return policy. In case it broke or whatnot. I could have shopped for cheaper prices, but i was willing to pay a little extra for piece of mind.

Quick return it.

 

[Kevtones]

Having to present the receipt will present issues I assume. I pray Costco employees are intelligent enough to look at your receipt and recognize you shouldn't get $1600 back.

 

[Rolio]

Well there goes my wish for a nearby CostCo. I thought that would be the best place to buy a PS3, but not any longer I guess. If people had used their policy only to return defective electronics, and not simply get a free upgrade, maybe they would keep the policy. Oh well.

 

[MagicJackBauer]

Even without the receipt they will scan your membership card and see the purchase.

 

[Companion Cube]

Nothing wrong with the TV, just was at costco the other day and say the TV increased in price. Was wondering if I could profit from this some how.

You get refunded what you paid for.

 

[heavy liquid]

I'd like to personally thank all of the ****ers who abused Costco's policy by returning HDTVs, digital cameras and computers every 3 years to "upgrade" for free, and thus ruining it for all of the legitimate people.

I suppose this holds true for consoles, so it looks like I won't be a first adopter anymore. I went through a number of 360's before getting one that worked, but those were all actually defective.

Thank you.

 

[JB1981]

this is what happens when too many people abuse a good thing.

 

[snacknuts]

this is what happens when too many people abuse a good thing.

I think this is what happens when too many people abuse a good thing:

 

[Snah]

Is this confirmed? I don't see anything about it on Costco's website.

 

[Mrbob]

I'd like to personally thank all of the ****ers who abused Costco's policy by returning HDTVs, digital cameras and computers every 3 years to "upgrade" for free, and thus ruining it for all of the legitimate people.

I suppose this holds true for consoles, so it looks like I won't be a first adopter anymore. I went through a number of 360's before getting one that worked, but those were all actually defective.

Thank you.

I'm shocked at how Costco's return policy is so leniant. I don't have a local one to shop so this info is new to me.

I was reading an interview with the Best Buy CEO in a business magazine, and he made some interesting remarks how 80 percent of his customer base is good, but wants to get rid of the bad 20 percent. The bad 20 percent who buy items, return them, and then rebuy them at a discount as an open box.

 

[maynerd]

this is what happens when too many people abuse a good thing.

Yup. A-holes.

 

[SSGMUN10000]

Yes the others ruined the policy. It was too good to last anyways. The new policy isnt too bad either...how many other electronic stores will even accept items after a month.

 

[emomoonbase]

Under the new policy, all electronics purchases as of 2007 can be returned "no questions asked" for up to 3 months after purchase, and up to 6 months for defective merchandise.

That's still better than most any other place though. Try taking a computer back to best buy or something after 3 months (let alone a week) and they'd cut their arm off before they'd refund you anything.

 

[JB1981]

I think this is what happens when too many people abuse a good thing:

speaking of, where can one find some good jenna porn?

 

[·feist·]

Smart business move. I know a few people from various locations and the stories of high dollar electronics return abuse is seriously troubling (legit customers getting the worst of it). People actually use the place as a Rent-a-Center for a good number of their purchases.

Nothing wrong with the TV, just was at costco the other day and say the TV increased in price. Was wondering if I could profit from this some how.

Wow.

 

[Nerevar]

I'm not surprised they changed it, but there goes any reason to ever buy any big ticket items at Costco ever again. They only sell off-brand merchandise, and they charge a premium over other retailers too. In the past having the "Costco warranty" made it worthwhile, but now it's not.

What I don't get is why they didn't just drop the "no questions asked" return period to 3 months and keep the long time period (3-5 years) for merchandise that breaks? That would've done a lot more to dissuade the douchebags (like we see in this thread) while not pissing off their prior customers. It seems to me like if all they wanted to do was get rid of abusers that's what they would have done - instead they'd really just like to cover their own ass on these big ticket purchases.

 

[heavy liquid]

I'm not surprised they changed it, but there goes any reason to ever buy any big ticket items at Costco ever again. They only sell off-brand merchandise, and they charge a premium over other retailers too. In the past having the "Costco warranty" made it worthwhile, but now it's not.

Exactly. I'll probably keep my membership, but will never buy any high ticket items from them again, either.

What do you mean about them selling only off-brand merchandise? All of the Costcos I've been to have most of the major brands like Sony and Samsung, as well as the off brands. And they have some pretty competitive prices, like the 22" widescreen Viewsonic monitor I was pricing a few months ago.

 

[maynerd]

I'm not surprised they changed it, but there goes any reason to ever buy any big ticket items at Costco ever again. They only sell off-brand merchandise, and they charge a premium over other retailers too. In the past having the "Costco warranty" made it worthwhile, but now it's not.

What I don't get is why they didn't just drop the "no questions asked" return period to 3 months and keep the long time period (3-5 years) for merchandise that breaks? That would've done a lot more to dissuade the douchebags (like we see in this thread) while not pissing off their prior customers. It seems to me like if all they wanted to do was get rid of abusers that's what they would have done - instead they'd really just like to cover their own ass on these big ticket purchases.

Off-brands like Panasonic, Sony, Apple, Dell, HP, etc...

WTF are you talkin about?

 

[Nerevar]

Off-brands like Panasonic, Sony, Apple, Dell, HP, etc...

WTF are you talkin about?

eh, talking more about the website than anything else, which carries a very limited selection of brands like that and is mostly "Vizio" and "Sceptre". Their in-store merchandise varies from location to location as the don't stock like most other retailers.

 

[The Faceless Master]

I'm not surprised they changed it, but there goes any reason to ever buy any big ticket items at Costco ever again. They only sell off-brand merchandise, and they charge a premium over other retailers too. In the past having the "Costco warranty" made it worthwhile, but now it's not.

What I don't get is why they didn't just drop the "no questions asked" return period to 3 months and keep the long time period (3-5 years) for merchandise that breaks? That would've done a lot more to dissuade the douchebags (like we see in this thread) while not pissing off their prior customers. It seems to me like if all they wanted to do was get rid of abusers that's what they would have done - instead they'd really just like to cover their own ass on these big ticket purchases.

because then people would make sure to break the item before returning it.

 

[maynerd]

eh, talking more about the website than anything else, which carries a very limited selection of brands like that and is mostly "Vizio" and "Sceptre". Their in-store merchandise varies from location to location as the don't stock like most other retailers.

They have plenty of name brand stuff online. Visit their website sometime.

Just a quick look in TVs.

4 Sony
5 Panasonic
3 Mitsubishi
1 Samsung
2 Sharp
7 Philips
1 Hitachi
1 JVC

That's quite a selection.

 

[suaveric]

Yikes. I bought my camera and my xbox 360 there specifically for their warranty. Even though I didn't get the 360 until last March, the manufactured date on it is December 05. I haven't had any problems with it, but I figured it was only a matter of time. I wonder if I should just exchange the 360 now before it's too late.

 

[maynerd]

Yikes. I bought my camera and my xbox 360 there specifically for their warranty. Even though I didn't get the 360 until last March, the manufactured date on it is December 05. I haven't had any problems with it, but I figured it was only a matter of time. I wonder if I should just exchange the 360 now before it's too late.

You are the reason for the change in policy.

 

[suaveric]

You are the reason for the change in policy.

Except I've never returned anything to Costco before. I bought both of those items there just in case they broke. I wasn't planning on "upgrading" through their return policy. Now I'm just wondering if I should return the Xbox before it's too late, what's wrong with that?

 

[maynerd]

Except I've never returned anything to Costco before. I bought both of those items there just in case they broke. I wasn't planning on "upgrading" through their return policy. Now I'm just wondering if I should return the Xbox before it's too late, what's wrong with that?

Is your Xbox broken?

 

[cubanb]

What I don't get is why they didn't just drop the "no questions asked" return period to 3 months and keep the long time period (3-5 years) for merchandise that breaks? That would've done a lot more to dissuade the douchebags (like we see in this thread) while not pissing off their prior customers. It seems to me like if all they wanted to do was get rid of abusers that's what they would have done - instead they'd really just like to cover their own ass on these big ticket purchases.

Exactly, it would be great if they could keep the longtime period for broken merchandise. By broken , they could specify technical failure and not accidental damage from dropping it or pouring water in it. Have a tech look at the item and determine if someone deliberatley broke it.

 

[Patrick Klepek]

Well, this really sucks. I bought my TV at Costco for the return policy, and now I'm ****ed because I overpaid.

UPDATE -- DEBUNKED, CHANGE UNTRUE (hot-deals.org)

Costco Electronics Return Policy NOT Changing: In response to our recent article about Costco's return policy on Electronics changing, we were contacted by a member at Costco Corporate who told us this was a rumor and is untrue. Costco Corporate is aware store managers have documents detailing a change in the Costco return policy, and are relaying this false information to their employees and customers. Their return policy continues be an unlimited return policy on all electronics purchases, including HDTVs, GPSs, stereos, projectors, cameras, MP3 players, and phones. While they have no limit on how long they will accept returns with the original receipt, some stores may give difficulty with electronics returns greater than 3 years old.

 

[cubanb]

well, which one is it? where did they get their original info from? bleh

 

[suaveric]

Is your Xbox broken?

No, it's not. But I bought it there (as a bundle with other stuff i didn't want) because of their return policy. I only bought it there for that policy, no other reason. So why not take it back and use the policy before they pull it out from under me?

What they should do is say as of date X, electronics bought at the store have the new return policy. Anything bought before that date should be honored with the old policy.

 

[heavy liquid]

What they should do is say as of date X, electronics bought at the store have the new return policy. Anything bought before that date should be honored with the old policy.

I can agree with that.

 

[tedtropy]

No, it's not. But I bought it there (as a bundle with other stuff i didn't want) because of their return policy. I only bought it there for that policy, no other reason. So why not take it back and use the policy before they pull it out from under me?

What they should do is say as of date X, electronics bought at the store have the new return policy. Anything bought before that date should be honored with the old policy.

Eh, why not. You bought it there with the implication that it had that return policy. Right before the 3-year warranty expired on my old Dell laptop I told Dell the LCD was failing. There was nothing wrong with it, but hell, may as well get my money's worth and get a new or like-new refurb before it was up.

 

[Patrick Klepek]

No, it's not. But I bought it there (as a bundle with other stuff i didn't want) because of their return policy. I only bought it there for that policy, no other reason. So why not take it back and use the policy before they pull it out from under me?

What they should do is say as of date X, electronics bought at the store have the new return policy. Anything bought before that date should be honored with the old policy.

That sounds totally fair. Maybe I'll do that with my TV, if this should ever come into effect.

 

[suaveric]

That sounds totally fair. Maybe I'll do that with my TV, if this should ever come into effect.

Hopefully, they won't change that policy. If they did, there would be no reason to buy electronics from them, especially in the Chicago area. You could walk in to Abt Electronics and have them beat Costco's price any day of the week (plus free delivery).

 

[Patrick Klepek]

Yup. Exactly -- I'm in the same area. Of course, I'd have to drag my TV back from school to return it, but it'd be worth it for the extra $$.

 

[GamePnoy74]

Thanks for the update, was just relaying the info in the OP. I never bought any pricey electronics items at Costco myself (I mostly just go to Costco for occasional film developing and food-court pizzas, churros, and hot dogs...go figure =P)

 

[rc213]

Good to hear it was debunked. I purchased my Ipod at Costco so I wouldn't have to buy a replacement plan because I just can't afford it. :\

 

[Man of Knowledge]

The costco near me is very very picky about returns. You have to have everything it came with. Missing a power cable, no return. Missing the remote, again no return. They don't mind if your missing like the manual and stuff, not no cable, and accessories. They also are picky if nothing is wrong with the TV, they refuse to accept any return after a month if something isn't wrong with the TV. Very picky. Sucks for us.

 

[scorcho]

The costco near me is very very picky about returns. You have to have everything it came with. Missing a power cable, no return. Missing the remote, again no return. They don't mind if your missing like the manual and stuff, not no cable, and accessories. They also are picky if nothing is wrong with the TV, they refuse to accept any return after a month if something isn't wrong with the TV. Very picky. Sucks for us.

oh no! how will you live!

 

[Patrick Klepek]

The costco near me is very very picky about returns. You have to have everything it came with. Missing a power cable, no return. Missing the remote, again no return. They don't mind if your missing like the manual and stuff, not no cable, and accessories. They also are picky if nothing is wrong with the TV, they refuse to accept any return after a month if something isn't wrong with the TV. Very picky. Sucks for us.

Well, can you blame them? Their policy is so open ended, they figure most people will lose something, so it won't apply to them. You can basically replace anything you lose, though; they just look on the side of the box for what should be there, not if it's actually the same item that was in the box when you purchased it. Lost the 8MB SD card? Buy a new one. Lost the wrist strap? Pick up another.

 

[scissorfight]

Glad it isn't true. I made a point to buy my 360 there and I'll do the same with PS3.

I will never buy a warranty for anything.

 

[Man of Knowledge]

I am one of the socalled people who abuse this system. I don't think of it as abusing it though. In 4 years I have only paid $200, for 3 different phones total. Around each year I return my phone, and use the money for a new one. It is great.

I don't think of it as abusing the system, more like making full utilization of a good policy. glad to see it hasn't changed.