RETAIL WOES
Costco fans ‘stopped dead in their tracks’ as shopper returned entire 30-person turkey meal for a full refund
The customer tried to return both food and supplies from a holiday dinner
COSTCO members shared the most horrific returns they had ever seen at the store, including everything needed for a 30-person dinner.
A Reddit user asked other shoppers in the r/Costco community about the most shocking returns they witnessed.
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The store has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, which means customers can return virtually anything if they say it doesn't meet their standards.
The lenient policy has resulted in some "absolutely nuts" returns, including half-eaten food and items that are decades old.
"I was walking by membership/returns on my way to the food court and noticed not just one, but two whole turkey carcasses," the shopper wrote.
"Along with obviously opened boxes of stuffing, two cans of six-pack (or whatever qty they were in) of cranberry sauce, silverware, plates, etc.
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"Basically, the leftovers of a full-on meal and all accessories for 20-30 people, obviously eaten and returned.
"I had to stop dead in my tracks....come to find out, the customer said they 'weren't happy with the purchase,' and per policy, was refunded."
Other Reddit users mentioned a common return that happens after holidays.
"Our Costco started putting up signs every Christmas that all live Christmas tree sales were final," wrote another customer.
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"Previously, so many a**hats were returning dead Christmas trees that it forced Costco, insanely accommodating return policy Costco, to make an exception and refuse returns.
"I was surprised when I saw multiple people returning dead trees and amazed when it got to the point that Costco actually changed their policy. Never underestimate the power of selfish, stupid a**holes en masse, I guess."
Costco Shoppers Seethe at Members Who Abuse the Wholesale Store's Extremely Generous Return Policy
BUYER BEWARE
Costco keeps close track of what members are returning and how often they are doing so.
Shoppers who abuse the policy could get booted from the wholesale club.
A Reddit user claiming to be an employee explained what happened when a woman was flagged for making too many returns.
"When I worked there, a woman would bring in a bag of oranges where two or three were bad, and the rest were gone," they recalled.
"This happened every month or so."
"After about six months, her account was flagged, and she was given a choice to return her membership or accept the fact that oranges go bad if you don’t eat them fast enough," the post ended.
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:
- Gold Star 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 Circle Card: 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. Formerly Target RedCard.
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.
TikToker Caroline (@trubirdsisters) worked at Costco for seven years, six of which were in the returns department.
She explained that employees are trained to ensure members aren't "purchasing as much as they are returning."
"Their policy is there for a reason and the reason is - that they are smart.
"They know that you're spending way more than you are returning on average.
"Costco knows that it is advantageous to have that kind of great return policy because it's bringing you back into the store, we take good care of you, you return your item, so most likely you are going to be there and you are going to buy more stuff."
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Despite the lenient policy, shoppers were baffled when they saw a man try to return two obviously stained mattresses.
And a customer explained what happened when a shopper in front of them in line tried to return a bizarre item from 2017.