Customer Shocked by What You Can Really Return at Costco, Calls It 'Abuse of Policy

A surprised Costco customer recently revealed their astonishment at the store's return policy. The customer, known as Nicey713 on Reddit, reported seeing another shopper successfully return several unexpected items, which the store readily accepted.

Surprising Finds in Costco Returns Line

A Reddit user shared their surprise encounter in a Costco returns line on the subreddit r/Costco, where they initially made a "typical" return of clothing items that didn't fit.

The shopper believed returns were limited to certain items, but their experience proved otherwise. "I had NO idea you could return everything," they posted.

The Reddit user detailed observing another customer returning partially used food items. The list included "half a bag of frozen peas," not resealed but cut open, and "half a box of frozen egg rolls."

The response was casual when the Redditor questioned a store employee about these unusual returns. "I brought this up with the person at the counter because I couldn't believe it," they explained. The employee simply shrugged and confirmed, "Yes, they accept everything for returns."

Customers on a Reddit forum have been sharing eye-opening stories about the broad range of items returned to Costco. A former employee recounted several notable experiences.

The ex-staffer recalled a restaurant owner and his wife who returned more than $800 worth of lamb purchased for an Easter celebration at their establishment. In another instance, a customer brought back a chest freezer filled with decaying deer meat after a power outage during his vacation; notably, the freezer was still in working order.

The tales grew even more unusual. One man returned his used, hole-ridden underwear, while another repeatedly bought sneakers, wore them for six months, and then returned them for a refund. These stories highlight the surprisingly lenient nature of Costco's return policy.

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Costco Confirms Broad Return Policy

Costco's official website states that nearly all purchases are refundable, although some items have specific time restrictions.

The site specifies, "The following must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund: televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, touchscreen tablets, MP3 players, and cellular phones." For returns, items must be returned to a warehouse for an immediate refund, or shoppers can seek assistance via email or phone.

In related discussions on Reddit, one user shared a particularly unusual return incident involving dead Christmas trees. "We learned this when people started trying to return dead live Christmas trees," they posted. "Can't imagine showing my face there again after doing that."

Adding to the list of astonishing returns, The U.S. Sun reported an incident where a customer attempted to return a TV 22 years after purchase. Another Redditor reacted, "I thought it was a prank when I saw it," highlighting the extremes of Costco's return policy.

Costco provides immediate refunds, including shipping and handling charges, for purchases returned at any global warehouse location. For those unable to visit a warehouse, assistance is available through emailing customer service or calling the customer service center at 1-800-955-2292. When contacting for help, customers are advised to have their order number ready to facilitate the return process.

Additionally, if a return requires item pickup, the item must be prepared for collection in the same condition as it was delivered. This means if an order was delivered "curbside," it should be ready for curbside pickup. Similarly, items initially offered in a box should be returned in a box to ensure a smooth pickup process.

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