[bigdeek]

Read the forum rules before posting again. Thank you.

 

[Ericbres]

As I always try to squeeze in before this thread is locked ... due to being against forum rules ...

(Yes, this will make #4 for Costco/L500U threads closed)


Read the fine print:


This item is covered by Costco's guarantee to refund your purchase price if you are not completely satisfied. Costco's guarantee applies, even though this item may not be covered by the manufacturer's warranty, because Costco is not an "authorized" dealer of the merchandise.


NOT AUTHORIZED = NO WARRANTY


If you want a $1500 boat anchor ... knock yourself out.

FYI ... at under 10 pounds ... it won't make a very good boat anchor.

 

[lakerbob]

So if it fails within the warranty would Costco not give you a refund since there is no warranty if you buy from Costco?


What's the difference, and why would this become a boat anchor if it fails and you bought it from Costco?


I am not trying to be obnoxious, or scam costco with unethical consumerism, I genuinely would like this explanied as I am considering buying the 4805 at Costco.


Thanks.

 

[jt-tradder]

Costco has an unbelievable return policy. If you aren't happy with any purchase you can return it at anytime as long as you still have the proof of purchase. Beats any authorized dealer out there if you ask me.

 

[Ericbres]

Quote:

Originally posted by lakerbob So if it fails within the warranty would Costco not give you a refund since there is no warranty if you buy from Costco? What's the difference, and why would this become a boat anchor if it fails and you bought it from Costco? I am not trying to be obnoxious, or scam costco with unethical consumerism, I genuinely would like this explanied as I am considering buying the 4805 at Costco. Thanks.

COSTCO is authorized to sell the Infocus SP4805 ... so your Infocus warranty would be taken care of without any problems at any Infocus Authorized Service Center.


However, they are not an authorized Panasonic dealer. So you have no warranty if something fails. What you DO have is the standard Costco return policy ... whatever that it ... 30 days I think?

If anything happens in 30 days, Costco will replace it at no charge. But after that, you are out of luck. The boat anchor was a joke ... we used to use that term when I worked with the repair department. LCD projector repairs out of warranty can easily run upwards of $1000 ... so we used to say out of warranty repairs were boat anchors ... because people generally wouldn't bother having the unit repaired.

 

[lakerbob]

Costco's return policy has no end, you can return it for a full refund up until the end of time, although to be safe you should probably do it no later then the day before the end of time.


I don't see any warranty issue with buying the Panasonic from Costco then. I see it as ethical to return it for a full refund if it fails within the warranty period as their is no warranty avaialble as they are not an authorized reseller. If it fails outside the warranty period, and you want a full refund, then I think that is questionable ethically, but still technically within the terns of their refund policy.

 

[HTCrazy]

I agree - buying from Costco is the best warranty you can have. No questions asked returns that go on practically forever.

 

[devinjc]

Costco does not have a 30 day return policy, they have a "bring it back whenever you feel like it as long as you have the receipt and we are still in business" policy. I have in-laws that get a new TV just about every year from Costco, and every time they take their old TV back and get full refund for the purchase of the new one. I've also known people to take back 4 year old digital cameras to get a full refund and then upgrade to a newer model.


The only thing Costco exempts from this policy is Computers, think that's more like a 6 month return policy.

 

[rmcgirr83]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ericbres If you want a $1500 boat anchor ... knock yourself out. FYI ... at under 10 pounds ... it won't make a very good boat anchor.

I suppose it all depends on the size of your boat!!

 

[devinjc]

lol 2 people beat me in.


I've been wondering about the ethical aspect here. Their policy pretty much reads if you are ever unhappy for any reason, we'll give you a refund. Hard to read a loop hole into that, and really pretty much everyone I know that has a costco membership has it for their return policy, and uses it.


I know I bought a tv, washer, and fridge there b/c I needed them ASAP and knew that I could take them back when I was ready to upgrade.

 

[Tup]

So what does costco do with all the obsolete stuff that people return? I don't know if I could bring in a 4 year old 2 megapixel camera that I paid $500 for 4 years ago and expect a full refund!

 

[rmcgirr83]

More than likely they sell it on the secondary market for a loss (firesale.com, eg).


You would still get the full refund though.

 

[sipester]

Not to start another DLP/LCD debate, but Costco has the Infocus 4805 (with 76 screen) in the local store for 100 less than the Pansonic 500 is on their online site. Since the prices are so close (and return policy is obviously the same), what do people think is the better one? Is the 4805 better for DVD and upscaling SDTV and the 500 better for native HDTV?

 

[Ericbres]

Holy poop ... I never would have imagined their return policy went on forever. So, who cares about warranty?


How they stay in business is odd?

In any case ... I am off to sign up for a Costco card ...

 

[madpoet]

Ok, all the questions are answered and this thread is straying a bit. Closing now.