Costco adopts 90-day return policy on electronics

[boboko]

The party's over.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/305240_costco27.html

"The Issaquah-based retailer has begun limiting money-back returns on TVs, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPods, MP3 players and cell phones to 90 days. Previously, there was no time limit except for personal computers, which was six months.

"The change went into effect Monday in Costco's 109 California stores and begins March 12 in all 27 Washington stores. The company has more than 500 U.S. stores.

"The policy also will begin in other West Coast states on March 12 and then move through the country until all U.S. and Puerto Rico stores adopt the 90-day return policy by April 2, Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti said.

"The cash-and-carry retailer will provide a free two-year warranty for TVs and computers as part of the policy change. Electronics goods purchased before the new 90-day policy goes into effect can be returned at any time."

 

[Jules]

I just bought my lcd from there in december does that mean i still have the 2 year warranty (Or is it lifetime?) since i bought it before they changed the policy?

 

[Hammyton]

the days of free computer upgrade every 6 months is over :\

 

[Imdmn04]

Good, all the people abuse that policy can DIAF.

 

[herkulease]

Originally posted by: MyStupidMouth
I just bought my lcd from there in december does that mean i still have the 2 year warranty (Or is it lifetime?) since i bought it before they changed the policy?

you bought it before so you would still have a lifetime.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

The warranty was the main reason I bought my 360 from them. And it did finally die over a year later (two weeks ago). So we were going to buy a TV from them too, I guess we won't bother since the huge draw of lifetime warranty is gone.

 

[Dacalo]

Originally posted by: Imdmn04
Good, all the people abuse that policy can DIAF.

 

[ericlp]

I love these hot deals! I'm in for 10!!!



The change was implemented because the company was losing "tens of millions of dollars" in returns, Galanti said. He declined to specify the losses. I hate dishonest people.... They should have return policy only if defective and only for 4 years max! I might just buy a new tv there before the policy goes into effect ... March 12 here.

 

[JFKJr]

A free 2 year warranty and 90 days return is still way better than Circuit City, Bestbuy, or anyone else for that matter. This keeps all the abusers away and keeps prices low for the rest of us honest people.

 

[FP]

Since this isn't a hot deal I will point out that this is currently being discussed over here

 

[babylon5]

I think it's good to change their policy. Too many people abuse it, it's wrong.

 

[klingsor]

Thanks for abusing their policy jackazzez. Now you screwed it up for all of us.

 

[codeyf]

Originally posted by: Imdmn04
Good, all the people abuse that policy can DIAF.

 

[videopho]

I figure it's just a matter of time.
Cosctco is no difference than any other retailers.
Its dollars bottom-line reality finally has kicked in.
I have been a member since 1991 but I think in the past year or so most of its prices are no longer competitive so I have stopped shopping there less and less.

 

[tbogstad]

and they called people who return stuff to take advantage of the system, jerks.


"This is patently abusive, but Costco didn't want to change the rules for everybody just because a few jerks were, essentially, stealing"

and thieves.

 

[thinlizzie]

Originally posted by: binister
Since this isn't a hot deal I will point out that this is currently being discussed over here

Still, since it affects many who consider this an ongoing hot deal, I think the topic is appropriately placed. Please put your badge away there, Officer Binister.

That said, I am glad to see that policy change, more folks abused the policy than used it for it's intended purpose, so it was a long time in coming.

 

[hytek369]

i guess the stockholders complained long enough

 

[popeye44]

I cannot recall the hundreds of times I've seen forum posts and I have made those posts myself. that basically stated. We'd pay a bit more for the excellent return/warranty policy. Now that it's gone I hope they have some other method to draw people to buy electronics there. Frankly they are usually more expensive and the warranty/return was my reasoning for buying a big tv there. I'm sorry to see this policy go, However I understand a few bad apples spoil the rest. At least the 90 policy will be pretty much a question free return.

 

[ArchAngel777]

I am glad for this change as well... Although the abusers were technically acting in a legal manner, it is immoral and unethical to do what they are doing. In effect, most laws coincide with morality and ethics so as far as I am concerned, abusers of the policy were nothing more than legal theives, but they are still theives and rotten to the core.

 

[AlucardX]

i can't get a clear answer as to whether this is all electronics or only the ones listed in the article. i want to buy a Xbox through them so i can return it when it inevitably gets 3 red lights.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: ArchAngel777
I am glad for this change as well... Although the abusers were technically acting in a legal manner, it is immoral and unethical to do what they are doing. In effect, most laws coincide with morality and ethics so as far as I am concerned, abusers of the policy were nothing more than legal theives, but they are still theives and rotten to the core.

i'm not even sure if it was legal. depends on whether contracts are interpreted to contain 'good faith.'

 

[nealh]

Originally posted by: popeye44
I cannot recall the hundreds of times I've seen forum posts and I have made those posts myself. that basically stated. We'd pay a bit more for the excellent return/warranty policy. Now that it's gone I hope they have some other method to draw people to buy electronics there. Frankly they are usually more expensive and the warranty/return was my reasoning for buying a big tv there. I'm sorry to see this policy go, However I understand a few bad apples spoil the rest. At least the 90 policy will be pretty much a question free return.

I just bought an 37" LCD TV ..Vizio....before the policy changed..I heard an inkling so I bought it..Personally...not happy with it but not sure what to do..I should have gotten the 42" Vizio plasma...too much of a blocky look

I pay more for things from Costco because of there waranty on anything expensive.....but now the draw is less

I would not keep my TV for 3 yrs and return it...

I pay $100 for membership..but think I will scale back the lure is going away....

 

[Childs]

90 days and two year warranty is still very good. Might be cheaper than buying elsewhere with an extended warranty. All depends on how they are going to handle their warranties.

 

[1Cheap2Crazy]

That's Hot. - Paris Hilton

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: ArchAngel777
I am glad for this change as well... Although the abusers were technically acting in a legal manner, it is immoral and unethical to do what they are doing. In effect, most laws coincide with morality and ethics so as far as I am concerned, abusers of the policy were nothing more than legal theives, but they are still theives and rotten to the core.

..:thumbsup: the abusers are parasites and will move on to another host till they're sucked dry. The up side to this story is possibly more competitive pricing since charge back from returns will be much less.