Costco buyer returns 5-year vacuum with limited warranty – felt ‘kind of shameful’ but still got my money back

THANKS to a lenient return policy, a Costco member successfully returned a years-old appliance.

Costco offers a risk-free 100% satisfaction guarantee, but there are some exceptions.

In some circumstances, the warehouse retailer will refuse certain items such as televisions, diamonds, alcohol and special order kiosk programs, according to its website.

A shopper in a Reddit thread detailing Costco returns revealed his “semi-shameful” return story.

The Costco member recalled a vacuum cleaner he had purchased about five years earlier that was defective.

They claimed that the vacuum “suddenly could no longer hold out.”

According to the Reddit user, they tried to return the Shark vacuum to the manufacturer, but the warranty only covered the motor.

“Costco withdrew the application with no questions asked two years later,” the member added.

ACCESS DENIED

While the return policy is appreciated by many members, abuse of it can have serious consequences.

A Costco shopper revealed that the retailer revoked his card in 2018.

Former member Maryam Nicksolat said it was taken after trying to return a printer purchased six years earlier.

Business Insider reported that Nicksolat purchased the printer in 2012 and initially had problems with it.

She claimed she had forgotten to return it earlier, but when she did, it didn’t matter.

Costco said she had reached her limit on returns.

While it may not happen often, the warehouse giant will revoke membership if the lax policy is abused.

Nicksolat received a refund of the annual membership fee and returned the printer and ink.

Costco Senior Vice President of Northeast Operations Jeff Long explained his reasoning to Nicksolat.

“It is evident from reviewing your membership account that you are not satisfied with the products you purchased from Costco and we are unable to satisfy you as a member,” Long said.

Costco Return Policy

What are the details of the famous return policy?

“We guarantee your satisfaction with every product we sell and will refund the purchase price,” said the return policy States.

There are some exceptions to this 100% satisfaction guarantee, which are:

• Electronics – Returns will be accepted within 90 days from the date the member received the product.
• Diamonds – 1.00 ct or larger must be returned with all original documentation within 48 hours and will be inspected for authenticity.
• Cigarettes and alcoholic beverages – These items cannot be returned by law.
• Items with a limited shelf life, such as batteries and tires, cannot be returned.
• Special order kiosk and custom installed programs may only be returned or refunded if under warranty repair/replacement.
• Gold bars, silver bars and coins are non-refundable.
• Store Cards are non-refundable.
• Airline and live performance event items are non-refundable.

Costco memberships can be canceled and refunded at any time if the customer is dissatisfied.

Costco shoppers call for habitual offender to be banned after returning $200 skincare product refilled with water.

Additionally, another “frequent returner” was warned he could soon be banned but would still have to get one last refund.