Costco ends unlimited returns for electronics

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coolz481

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Read this item in today's paper that Costco is replacing it's unlimited return policy for electronics with a 90-day return window instead and extending one-year manufacturer's warranties to two years at no cost. The company stated that customers were essentially "trading up" plasma and LCD TV's as prices fell and features got better. The new policy is going nationwide in April; it's already starting in California. Not sure how this affects prior purchases, but a heads up to anyone who planned on trading an old 360 for the rumored black version.
 
[quote name='coolz481']Read this item in today's paper that Costco is replacing it's unlimited return policy for electronics with a 90-day return window instead and extending one-year manufacturer's warranties to two years at no cost. The company stated that customers were essentially "trading up" plasma and LCD TV's as prices fell and features got better. The new policy is going nationwide in April; it's already starting in California. Not sure how this affects prior purchases, but a heads up to anyone who planned on trading an old 360 for the rumored black version.[/QUOTE]

Ah, well, we knew the abuse would lead to this eventually. I actually have a Costco 360 bundle sitting here. Now that they are changing this policy I will definitely return it (haven't opened it yet) and wait for the newer (rumored) one.
 
[quote name='coolz481']Read this item in today's paper that Costco is replacing it's unlimited return policy for electronics with a 90-day return window instead and extending one-year manufacturer's warranties to two years at no cost. The company stated that customers were essentially "trading up" plasma and LCD TV's as prices fell and features got better. The new policy is going nationwide in April; it's already starting in California. Not sure how this affects prior purchases, but a heads up to anyone who planned on trading an old 360 for the rumored black version.[/QUOTE]

This is not necessarily true of all electronics. Costco's policy states its for certain items like camera's, TVs, cell phone, and portable music players. Nowhere in there does it mention videogame hardware or other electronics. I'm fairly sure you're still safe if you want to return one of those items.
 
Actually, I don't think this affects people who purchased their Electronics prior to this policy going into effect. So, anyone who bought their 360(s) from there should be safe. We'll see I guess.
 
[quote name='kill3r7']Actually, I don't think this affects people who purchased their Electronics prior to this policy going into effect. So, anyone who bought their 360(s) from there should be safe. We'll see I guess.[/QUOTE]

This really depends. Odds are, in the fine print, Costco probably said they could change the warrenty at any time (so really, what kind of warrenty is that). So, just because you bought it before the change doesn't mean your covered. It's worth looking into anyway.
 
[quote name='mtxbass1']So much for the people who "bought it at Costco for the warranty".[/quote]

You still get an extra year warranty. This just stops the 'no questions asked' returns a year after you buy something.

It's still the best place to buy electronics.
 
Well, another great store policy bites the dust. I love all the complaining and bashing stores get concerning their customer service, when most times it's the customers who have helped to kill it.
 
Damn this bites! I was thinkin about buying another 360 at costco simply so I don't have to deal with MS when one breaks.

The king 5 article says money back returns, could that be different than exchanges for another model/nonbroken item?

Article is reporting on this article: According to a report in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, on March 12.
Maybe we should examine that one as well?
Edit: here we go:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/305240_costco27.html
Get in before March 12th In everywhere but California.
But I wanna return my xbox that flew out of my car on the freeway and was run over by a semi!
 
[quote name='elwood731']Well, another great store policy bites the dust. I love all the complaining and bashing stores get concerning their customer service, when most times it's the customers who have helped to kill it.[/quote]

Which is why I am amazed it lasted as long as it did...
 
I dunno, I've heard this several times, but it's never come true. Just because it's on some bigger sites doesn't mean much.

When I go into work tomorrow, or even to another Costco today, I'll ask and verify.
 
[quote name='indiraider']Its was posted on their website... Last time i buy a computer at costco

http://www.costco.com/Service/FeaturePageLeftNav.aspx?ProductNo=10166081#Returns

"We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell, with a full refund. Exceptions: Televisions, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPOD/MP3 players and cellular phones must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund."[/QUOTE]

Not really sure what your complaining about? It is still the best return policy and FREE warranty in the industry. The two year warranty only applies to TV's and computers. Everything else is under the manufactures warranty, which was there the whole time.

As a company, I hope they direct the stores to crack down on the return abuses for items broken by the member. We get at least 4-5 iPods a week that the member broke the LCD screen on, or put it through the washing machine. They even have the balls to come in and tell us they washed it! LOL!

In the end this translates into higher prices and/or lost revenue for the shareholders in the end. Glad to see this is being done.

As for the video game console returns? Use the freaking warranty that it came with, or buy the extended one. I can't think of any other store that would take back a broken console years later and give someone a full refund.
 
[quote name='marctina']Not really sure what your complaining about? It is still the best return policy and FREE warranty in the industry. The two year warranty only applies to TV's and computers. Everything else is under the manufactures warranty, which was there the whole time.

As a company, I hope they direct the stores to crack down on the return abuses for items broken by the member. We get at least 4-5 iPods a week that the member broke the LCD screen on, or put it through the washing machine. They even have the balls to come in and tell us they washed it! LOL!

In the end this translates into higher prices and/or lost revenue for the shareholders in the end. Glad to see this is being done.

As for the video game console returns? Use the freaking warranty that it came with, or buy the extended one. I can't think of any other store that would take back a broken console years later and give someone a full refund.[/QUOTE]

Wait..... Let me put it this way. I bought an HP laptop it came with a 3 MONTH warrenty. After 4 months the motherboard starts beeping telling me that there is something wrong with it. I returned it to Costco and got my money back and a new laptop. Can I still do that with this policy?
 
[quote name='indiraider']Wait..... Let me put it this way. I bought an HP laptop it came with a 3 MONTH warrenty. After 4 months the motherboard starts beeping telling me that there is something wrong with it. I returned it to Costco and got my money back and a new laptop. Can I still do that with this policy?[/quote]

Per the policy, no, it's now down to 90 days, i.e. 3 months.
 
Wait guys.

So, say if I purchased my XBox 360 at Costco. If it fails at ANY time, can I just return it? Or, would I also have to return all the bundles and stuff that came with it?

Wow, I never knew about this warranty..
 
[quote name='indiraider']Wait..... Let me put it this way. I bought an HP laptop it came with a 3 MONTH warrenty. After 4 months the motherboard starts beeping telling me that there is something wrong with it. I returned it to Costco and got my money back and a new laptop. Can I still do that with this policy?[/QUOTE]

1) For some odd reason, alot of people in this thread seem to think a return policy and a warranty are the same thing. A warranty is not a refund/return, these two words are not interchangable, nor do they mean the same thing. 2) No policy exists anyplace where you get your money back and a new laptop, that you mean you get a laptop for free. 3) If your computer breaks in less than two years and it's something covered by the manufactuer's warranty then they will apparently go through the manufactuers to replace/repair the laptop, this is what a warranty is, which they generously exteneded an extra year, over any other store, at no cost to you. 4) Please read more carefully before you start running on about how you should never buy somehting here or there.
 
Doesnt look like this affects video game consoles at all. Looks to be set up to discourage people from trading in appliances like TV's for new models, not genuinely broken items
 
Actually, when you do the return at Costco, they greatly prefer to get back all the items that came with it, as they only sell it as a bundle. I checked with them as I received a 360 bundle as a Xmas present.

I'm glad they're closing some of the loopholes that numerous people used to try and get the same TV or a better TV for a cheaper price. Make a run through any FW thread about TV's, there's always some jackass that says "Hey, I bought TV XXXXX back a few months ago, so I'll just return it and rebuy it." :wall:

Makes me think more and more I should get the MS warranty on the 360, just to be safe.
 
This was a long time coming.
Im just curious how they will handle items bought before this policy? Will the make it retroactive? Or just things from now on.
 
[quote name='elwood731']I love all the complaining and bashing stores get concerning their customer service, when most times it's the customers who have helped to kill it.[/quote]

Seriously.
 
[quote name='Sarang01']Sond update us on this ASAP. Btw that kitten in your sig is SO cute.[/quote]

My bad, the official thing is correct.

90 days on computers, tv's, mp3 players, and hmmm I'm forgetting something. But it doesn't include Video Game consoles. Therefore nothings changed at all for the video game consoles.
 
Does the new return policy retrospectively apply to TVs purchased, say, in December '06?

I hope they would still honor the old return policy to those already bought TVs.
 
90 days is still great for those items, most places its 14-30 days. I just bought a 22 inch viewsonic monitor there, and will have no problem returning it there if i see something better or at a better price.
 
[quote name='eau']Does the new return policy retrospectively apply to TVs purchased, say, in December '06?

I hope they would still honor the old return policy to those already bought TVs.[/quote]

Anything bought after the Return Policy goes into place where you are, affects anything after it's bought, not before.

In that case, many MANY people are buying high-end stuff now, right before the policy goes into place, so it'll be active under the old policy.
 
[quote name='indiraider']Wait..... Let me put it this way. I bought an HP laptop it came with a 3 MONTH warrenty. After 4 months the motherboard starts beeping telling me that there is something wrong with it. I returned it to Costco and got my money back and a new laptop. Can I still do that with this policy?[/QUOTE]

You will have a 2 year warranty.


For COMPUTERS, TELEVISIONS and PROJECTORS, Costco extends the MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY to two years from date of purchase. Please call Costco Concierge Technical Support @ 1-866-861-0450 for warranty assistance.
 
[quote name='sonderiaom']My bad, the official thing is correct.

90 days on computers, tv's, mp3 players, and hmmm I'm forgetting something. But it doesn't include Video Game consoles. Therefore nothings changed at all for the video game consoles.[/quote]
Thanks for the clarification, sonderiaom. As my 360 and DS Lite were purchased from there, that had me a little concerned.

I also have a TV purchased from there, though it's good to know that they're not reversing the policy for items purchased before the timeframe.
 
[quote name='sonderiaom']My bad, the official thing is correct.

90 days on computers, tv's, mp3 players, and hmmm I'm forgetting something.[/QUOTE]

I think it is cameras/camcorders that you're forgetting, not 100% sure about that though.
 
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