Costco LIFETIME warranty?

[shervinj]

Let me get the straight. if I buy a dlp or plasma tv from costco I do not need an extended warranty of any kind. I would only be returning it if it failed to function. If this is true that is great.

 

[Drango]

Computers are refurbed by Costco in their own facility and you can buy them on-line. <P>
Here is a link to what I've been told is the Costco OUTLET http://www.ehscomputersales.com/

 

[swage]

Yes buy any plasma, and get a lifetime warrantee. Keep the receipt for a full refund.

I returned a 2 year old DVD that somehow got scratched, for a full refund. I asked about returning a dvd player without receipt, and they said "Sure, but you'll only get credit".

 

[Maximus96]

i just worry that they print their receipts on thermal paper and those things start to fade in a few months. a year goes by and you'll probably won't be able to read the receipt.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: jrichrds

Originally posted by: MuseYeah, I did. Thing is, it wasn't worth it for me to drive 12 miles and spend a good hour or more to fetch it. I just figured I'd take my chances and go in two months on my regular trip.

Beats me why you were so upset they initially didn't have it for you then.
The responsibility still lies with you for losing the card, and then expecting a store to hold it for you for 2 months until it's convenient for you to pick it up.

Yeah, you're right. But dig: If I hadn't made a scene and been insistent, I wouldn't have come home with my card and I would have had to bug my bank for a new one, gotten it in the mail, gone through the trouble of resetting the PIN to one I can remember. So, it paid off. I wasn't that upset, really, but I made a scene because I'd been told it would be there for me and then they tried to brush me off without making an effort. It was the treatment by the hacks there that pissed me off, not the fact that I didn't have the card. You would have had to be there to see what I mean.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: jck8r

Originally posted by: LIVAN
2 months is a long time for people to keep your card. It seems to me if you waited two months to go get it, it must not be tht important to you so why should they treat it as something important. I think it's a testament to Costco that they actually found it.

Irresponsible to just leave people with your card.

Yeah, that's me - irresponsible! :evil:

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: popeye44

I may start buying my hard drives there as I seem to break drives about 3 days after that 1 year warranty most drive companies have.

Get a Seagate Barracuda. I bought 3 different ones this summer off threads in this forum. The prices were great and Seagate has a new 5 year warranty on the drives. I got them for under $.50/GB. You won't get prices that good at Costco. They are real quiet, too.

 

[Juice Box]

what>?

 

[bigfil]

I had bought a first gen 5 disc dvd changer about 4 years ago from Costco.
Last year my daughter broke the changer and got a dvd stuck inside of it.

I still had the box but no receipt could be found.
I brought the item back to costco with my brother in law in tow.

They looked at the item, punched it into their computer and wala it showed up in their system.
Then they proceeded to count out cash much to my bro in laws and my own surprise.

They gave me $500+ cash that day for an item without a manual or wrap or anything for that matter in the box.

This is why I buy all my electronic items from them.

Hopefully they don't change their policy any time soon as I will remain faithful to costco until that happens.

Bigfil

 

[Z80]

I ate one of their hotdogs and went back an hour later and puked it back up.
They gave me a full refund!
Now that was a HOT DEAL/MEAL!

 

[drx9175l]

I tried returning a Sylvania 17" monitor I bought there just under 5 years ago today. It started getting a little flaky a few years ago. At random times the entire screen will black out, almost like it has a loose connection. Each time it does this it only last a half second or so, just enough to be annoying. At the time it started the warranty had run out, so I just moved the monitor to the garage and bought a new Envision.

After reading most of this thread I dedcided to try and return it. I still have the receipt, manual and cables. The box was the only thing missing. I carted the it up to the return desk and handed the gal my receipt. She looked at the purchase date and told me there was no way I could return an item this old. I asked about their lifetime customer satisfaction program and she snickered something about how they'd go out of business if that was true. She then pointed me to a large sign behind the counter that basicly said that returns are to be made within 30 days and only with all the original items, box included. So, apparently this deal is YMMV. I will call the other three local Costco locations to ask what their return policys are.

*edit* This was at the Aloha, OR store. *edit*

*update* I called the Tigard, OR location and asked the guy to explain their return policy. He basicly said the same thing that has been discussed in this thread - that they will do almost anything to make sure the customer is satisfied. I then ask about returning an item that was several years old. He said that it depends on who is working the returns counter at the time. So apparently it's hit and miss. I'll probably try again sometime in the future. *update*

 

[flot]

Originally posted by: drx9175l
After reading most of this thread I dedcided to try and return it. I still have the receipt, manual and cables. The box was the only thing missing. I carted the it up to the return desk and handed the gal my receipt. She looked at the purchase date and told me there was no way I could return an item this old. I asked about their lifetime customer satisfaction program and she snickered something about how they'd go out of business if that was true. She then pointed me to a large sign behind the counter that basicly said that returns are to be made within 30 days and only with all the original item, box included. So, apparently this deal is YMMV. I will call the other three local Costco locations to ask what their return policys are.

*edit* This was at the Aloha, OR store.

That's very strange, I haven't actually joined costco but will one of these days, mostly because I always hear about this fantastic return policy... ??

 

[rk0]

You have trouble remembering your pin and your ATM card?

Please don't have any kids or you might forget them ala Home Alone!

Yeah, you're right. But dig: If I hadn't made a scene and been insistent, I wouldn't have come home with my card and I would have had to bug my bank for a new one, gotten it in the mail, gone through the trouble of resetting the PIN to one I can remember. So, it paid off. I wasn't that upset, really, but I made a scene because I'd been told it would be there for me and then they tried to brush me off without making an effort. It was the treatment by the hacks there that pissed me off, not the fact that I didn't have the card. You would have had to be there to see what I mean.

 

[Muse]

I "joined" Costco when I was in a union. Do they still have restricted memberships, based on your affiliation with multivarious organizations such as schools, the military, credit unions, unions, yada yada yada, or can anyone join?

 

[Maximus96]

anyone can join

 

[Finalnight]

damn, after reading all this, i wanna join!!!

 

[Kwad Guy]

Originally posted by: bigfil
I had bought a first gen 5 disc dvd changer about 4 years ago from Costco.
Last year my daughter broke the changer and got a dvd stuck inside of it.

I still had the box but no receipt could be found.
I brought the item back to costco with my brother in law in tow.

They looked at the item, punched it into their computer and wala it showed up in their system.
Then they proceeded to count out cash much to my bro in laws and my own surprise.

They gave me $500+ cash that day for an item without a manual or wrap or anything for that matter in the box.

This is why I buy all my electronic items from them.

Hopefully they don't change their policy any time soon as I will remain faithful to costco until that happens.

Bigfil

Too bad. If they could get rid of buyers like you, everyone else's prices would be a lot lower.

Again, this is about ethics. Your kid broke the unit years after you bought it. The ethical thing to do was to toss it out. Costco might have let you return it, but that doesn't make it ethical. The problem with Costco's policies is that they are predicated upon people being ethical.

In the end, we will (and do) all pay.

Kwad

 

[Maximus96]

below is the official word from costco's customer service.


Dear Zaku,

Yes, this is a company wide policy. I do apologize for the
misinformation. The only items we have a limit on are computers (6
months) and tires (dependant on the amount of tread).

Thank you,
Brittni J.
customerservice@costco.com

-----Original Message-----
From: IMCReply
Sent: Monday, December 06, 2004 4:10 PM
To: Brittni Johnston
Subject: Re: Costco.com Returns [AAE20041207000019926712836]

Brittni,
Thank you for your response. Is this no-time-limit a company wide
policy? My brother-in-law told me a return service rep in costco told
him he has 90 days to return. I want to do all my research before
hand so I don't have to run into any problems should they arise.

Thank you
Zaku

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 15:38:28 -0800, customerservice@costco.com
<customerservice@costco.com> wrote:
> Dear Zaku,
>
> There is no time limit on returns for TV's. You will receive your
> shipping charge at the time of the refund as well.
>
> Thank you,
> Brittni J.
> customerservice@costco.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: IMCReply
> Sent: Monday, December 06, 2004 2:36 PM
> To: Brittni Johnston
> Subject: Re: Costco.com Returns [APR20041206000035326708626]
>
> what is the return policy on LCD tvs. there is no time period written
> anywhere on your return policy. what if it breaks in a few years and
> I am not completely satisfied then? If i buy from costco.com, will my
> shipping fees be refunded when i return?
>
> thank you
> Zaku
>

 

[Adul]

Originally posted by: oogabooga
i <3 costco more than i did now

any one know if they really have a policy where all members can get free tire rotations?

i believe that isn't offered any more. Tough for 4 bucks a tire you get a balance and rotation. still cheap

 

[jrichrds]

Originally posted by: Adul

Originally posted by: oogabooga
i <3 costco more than i did now

any one know if they really have a policy where all members can get free tire rotations?

i believe that isn't offered any more. Tough for 4 bucks a tire you get a balance and rotation. still cheap

I called a couple Costco locations, and they said they'll ONLY work on tires purchased from Costco now. So you can't even pay to have your outside-bought tires balanced and rotated.

I like Costco tire center because they hand-torque tires to the proper spec (vs. most other tire shops, which just rattle on your lug nuts with an impact socket wrench).
And at many locations, they're now using nitrogen to fill the tires.

 

[Tsunami982]

my friend heard about this... and just to test it this is what he did:

went to vons and bought some bananas... let them sit in his car for a week (yeah i know its gross). took them to costco, and even though the dont even sell bananas, they refunded him the amount for a sack of assorted fruits (apparently the closest thing they had to bananas). he gave the money back and told them that it was an experiment. the cashier had a "WTF" kind of look and took the money back.

cant beat that kind of customer service.

i heard that costco doesnt actually keep track of what you buy exactly but rather keeps a running total. and if your total returns exceeds your total purchased they stop allowing returns and if you keep on doing it they cancel your membership. does anyone know if thats actually true? and if so has anyone been dumb enough to return more than theyve bought?

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Tsunami982
my friend heard about this... and just to test it this is what he did:

went to vons and bought some bananas... let them sit in his car for a week (yeah i know its gross). took them to costco, and even though the dont even sell bananas, they refunded him the amount for a sack of assorted fruits (apparently the closest thing they had to bananas). he gave the money back and told them that it was an experiment. the cashier had a "WTF" kind of look and took the money back.

cant beat that kind of customer service.

i heard that costco doesnt actually keep track of what you buy exactly but rather keeps a running total. and if your total returns exceeds your total purchased they stop allowing returns and if you keep on doing it they cancel your membership. does anyone know if thats actually true? and if so has anyone been dumb enough to return more than theyve bought?

My Costco does sell bananas. If you want to buy bananas there you get a LOT, and of course, they are green initially. The reason I usually don't give their produce a second look (I did buy 6 romaine for $2.49 a month ago, an exception), is that I heard that Costco has a bad record vis a vis pesticide contamination and the like. Anybody have an intelligent take on this? Anyway, since I live alone, the quantities for produce are usually too great for me to be interested, but there could be exceptions (I still have two of those lettuce believe it or not). If they go bad before I decide to have a salad you better believe I will not be in line to get my money back, they'll be in my compost pile.

 

[kuangs168]

so, after all these great word about costco returns, can you return opened cd/dvd/games etc if i said I dont like them or not working after few years?

 

[Tsunami982]

Originally posted by: kuangs168
so, after all these great word about costco returns, can you return opened cd/dvd/games etc if i said I dont like them or not working after few years?

i dont know about all costcos but ive seen a guy get store credit and another guy get his money back before. i think returning DVD's is clearing going into the abuse section.

i mean returning stuff after a long time is kinda shady but its part of their whole lifetime warranty thing so if it breaks its technically ok to return it (i mean its debatable). buying DVD's and games (or anything for that matter) with the express purpose of returning them later is abuse. if you bought it (without the purpose of returning it) and it breaks, i would say return it.

 

[FFactory0x]

Jesus this is like Staples abuse, but even worse