Costco clerk told me to ‘bring it in,’ so I returned a three-year-old printer for $350 — ‘it was glorious’

A COSTCO buyer had to defend his decision to return a three-year-old printer as others said they would never do so.

Members love Costco’s lenient return policy, which offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back.

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While this allows customers to return items years after purchasing them, some customers are opposed to the idea.

In a Reddit thread discussing different customer returns, one person was reprimanded for returning a printer after three years.

“I returned a 3 year old printer last week and got a $350 refund. It’s glorious,” said the customer he wrote.

Another Reddit user replied: “Three years. Have you used it all that time? I would never return a printer I’ve been using for three years.”

The buyer clarified that the printer had stopped working and that he had called Costco before to ensure the return would be accepted.

“He said if people can bring Christmas trees, I can return my printer,” they wrote, referring to buyers who tried to return dead trees in early January.

But three years is nothing compared to some other items Costco shoppers have returned.

Another member was stunned when he saw a customer returning a 2002 television.

“I thought it was a prank when I saw it,” wrote the Redditor, sharing a photo of the giant plasma TV.

“You have to be an absolutely psychotic human being to do this,” one person commented.

“I fully support canceling the Costco membership of the person who did this.”

It’s unclear whether the return was granted, as Costco implemented a 90-day limit on most electronics in 2007.

COSTCO POLICY

Shoppers who try to take advantage of the store’s lenient policy may find themselves in trouble.

In another Reddit thread, someone claiming to be an employee said they had seen people having their subscriptions canceled for returning “too much.”

“[Like] 60% to 70% of all purchases,” they wrote.

Membership and store cards offered by major retailers

Here’s a breakdown of the store cards offered to customers from various retailers and their benefits:

Costco:

• Gold Star Membership: $60 per year, shop at all Costco stores and online with two additional cards for your family.
• Executive Member: $120 per year, 2% annual rewards, discounts and additional benefits on Costco services, shop online and in-store and get two additional cards for home use.

Sam’s Club:

• Club membership: $50 Per Year, Bonus Offers, Same Day Delivery, Instant Savings, Sam’s Club Mastercard, Members Only Fuel Savings, Tire & Battery Center, Free Membership and Complimentary Memberships.
• More membership: $110 per year, all the benefits of Club membership plus Sam’s Cash, free shipping, free curbside pickup, advance purchases, and pharmacy and optical discounts.

Target:

• Target Circle: A free rewards program that allows users to earn 1% in Target Circle earnings rewards when a qualifying purchase is made, access personalized deals and offers, earn a birthday gift, and earn a vote to help direct how Target helps your community .
• Target Circle Card: A credit, debit or reloadable card that offers users 5% off in-store and online, as well as exclusive offers, free two-day shipping and an additional 30-day return window. Formerly Target RedCard.

Walmart:

• Walmart+: $12.95 per month or $98 per year with 30-day free trial. It offers members free delivery, free shipping with no minimum spend, fuel savings, Paramount+ subscription, car, Walmart+ travel, home drop-off, mobile scan and store entry, and early access to offers and product launches.

Caroline TikToker (@trubirdsisters) said he worked at Costco for seven years, six of them in returns, and explained why the store didn’t change its policy.

First, the store closely tracks all member transactions, including returns.

“Everything you buy at Costco is tied to your membership,” the former employee explained in a video.

“So once you get to the returns desk and we get your membership card, we type it in and it brings up your entire purchase history over the last decade.”

Employees are trained to check that customers are “buying as much as they give back.”

Anyone caught doing this could have their membership revoked.

“Costco knows it’s beneficial to have this kind of great return policy because it brings you back to the store, we take good care of you, you return your item, so you’re probably going to be there and you’re going to buy more stuff,” she said.

Customers were surprised to see a buyer returning a 2017 item without a receipt.

Also, see the feedback that shocked employees as “theft”.