SHOPPING NIGHTMARE
Costco fans baffled after customer returns two mattresses from 10 years ago but warns memberships may get canceled
The retailer closely tracks members' returns
COSTCO employees shared the most audacious returns they ever saw, including two 10-year-old mattresses with multiple stains.
Employees who replied to the Costco Reddit thread warned shoppers that their memberships could be revoked if they abused the lenient return policy.
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The store has a famous 100% satisfaction guarantee that has resulted in products being returned years after they were purchased in dismal condition.
In the r/Costco subreddit, someone asked what the "most egregious" returns employees had ever seen and if they had ever seen someone's membership get revoked for returning an item.
"Two 10-year-old mattresses with piss stains," replied one person.
They said this person didn't lose their membership, but they've seen people get booted from the club for returning "far too much."
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"[Like] 60% to 70% of all purchases," they said.
Another employee said they once saw a customer return nearly $32,000 worth of trees two years after buying them.
"They were redoing their landscaping, and those no longer fit the new design," they wrote.
"The GM approved the return because they spent a lot of money at that warehouse, and it was worth keeping her happy and continuing to be a member than it was to say no."
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In a similar situation, another employee said a frequent shopper would return Dyson vacuums every few years as a way to get a free upgrade to the newest model.
"The manager looked at how much the member spent a year and approved it. [Spending] X thousand a year entitled him to free vacuum replacements for life."
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SOMETHING FISHY
Despite the flexible policy, Costco employees can deny returns.
One employee shared that a shopper canceled his membership after he was told he couldn't return a rotten piece of fish.
"This guy came in wanting to return rotten salmon he left in his trunk for months," she wrote.
"It was green and black and smelled like absolute death. I denied the return."
"Got called every name in the book but still denied the return."
She said everyone around them was shocked at the customer's attempt.
"I was also eight months pregnant and extremely tired of the conversation, so my coworkers were defensive of me, obviously, including members that were in line."
Membership and store cards on offer from major retailers
Here is a breakdown of the store cards on offer to customers from various retailers and their benefits:
Costco:
- Goldstar Membership: $60 per year, shop all Costco stores and online with two additional cards for your household.
- Executive Membership: $120 per year, annual 2% reward, additional discounts and benefits on Costco services, shop online and in-store and get two additional cards for household 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 and battery center, complimentary membership, and add-on memberships.
- Plus Membership: $110 per year, all benefits of Club membership plus Sam's Cash, free shipping, free curbside pickup, early shopping, and pharmacy and optical savings.
Target:
- Target Circle: A free-to-join reward program allowing users to earn 1% in Target Circle earnings rewards when an eligible purchase is made, access deals and personalized offers, get a birthday gift and earn a vote to help direct how Target helps out your community.
- Target RedCard: A credit, debit, or reloadable account card that gives users 5% off in-store and online as well as exclusive offers, free two-day shipping, and an additional 30-day returns window.
Walmart:
- Walmart+: $12.95 per month or $98 per year with a free 30-day trial. Offers members free delivery, free shipping with no minimum spend, fuel savings, Paramount+ subscription, auto car, Walmart+ travel, returns from home, mobile scan and go in-store, and early access to deals and product releases.
In the same Reddit thread, a shopper shared a photo of someone trying to return a decades-old television.
"I thought it was a prank when I saw it," the customer captioned the photo of a 22-year-old television in a cart waiting at the return desk.
Other shoppers were equally surprised by the return.
"I fully support canceling the Costco membership of the person who did this," wrote one shopper.
"You have to be an absolutely psychotic human being to do this."
It is unclear if the return was granted, but Costco implemented a 90-day return limit for electronics in 2007.
Another shopper was floored after watching a member try to return an obviously-used five-year-old grill.
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