Costco shopper returns item that ‘looks like it fell out of helicopter,’ leaving people worried it will ruin policy

COSTCO buyers were not happy when a colleague returned an extremely damaged item to the warehouse.

They feared that improper returns would ruin Costco’s return policy for other members.

Costco has a very generous return policy, allowing members to get their money back for items they are not 100% satisfied with.

Some members use the policy for typical returns, such as clothes that don’t fit or damaged products.

On the other hand, some shoppers abuse the lenient policy, asking for full refunds on items like half-eaten food, dead flowers, and carts full of furniture.

Another noteworthy return was a gun safe so damaged that it was questionable how it got that way.

A Costco customer who witnessed the return shared the details on the Costco subreddit.

“I saw someone recovering a gun safe that was so damaged it looked like he dropped it from a helicopter and rolled it down a mountain,” they wrote.

The buyer had already seen many other absurd returns, including dead trees and rusty, greasy grills.

They were afraid that clients like this would ruin everything for people trying to earn normal returns.

“Big politics is being taken advantage of and will ruin it for all normal people,” said the buyer.

Others were shocked that members returned items in such unacceptable conditions.

“You get to see the best and worst of humanity if you work at the Costco returns counter,” one wrote.

COSTCO RETRACTS

While many Costco customers have returned items without repercussions, the warehouse responded to one member’s return.

Her membership was revoked in 2018 after she attempted to return a six-year-old printer.

The customer purchased the printer in 2012 and had problems with it, but forgot to return it to the warehouse, because Business Insider.

However, when she tried to return the item, she was told she had reached the limit for returning items.

Costco Membership Levels

Costco customers can choose from three membership cards.

Gold Star Membership:

• $60 annual fee
• Includes a free domestic card
• Valid at all Costco stores worldwide

Executive Member:

• $120 annual fee
• Includes a free domestic card
• Valid at all Costco stores worldwide
• 2% Annual Reward on Qualifying Costco Purchases

Business Association:

• $60 annual fee
• Includes a free domestic card
• Add affiliate cardholders for $60 each
• Valid at all Costco stores worldwide
• Purchase for resale

The buyer was refunded her membership fee and printer, but the retailer confiscated her membership card.

“It is evident from a review of your member account that you are not satisfied with the products you purchased from Costco and we are unable to satisfy you as a member,” said Jeff Long, senior vice president of Northeast Operations at Costco.

Other Costco members have successfully returned items purchased years before.

Costco fans were left baffled after a customer returned two 10-year-old mattresses.

Another Costco shopper returned a TV 22 years later and was accused of treating the store like Antiques Roadshow.