[ssuh]

I was in a S. Calif. Costco today and I asked one of the customer service peeps about their return policy, especially with their plasma tvs. They basically responded that they will accept returns for 1-1.5 years, and after that, it's up to the store manager. I was told this was a way to keep people from "upgrading" to a better set when they're tired of their current set.


I don't abuse return policies, but the main reason I buy big ticket items at Costco is to have the peace of mind that comes with an unlimited (within reason) warranty. I don't know how I feel now about buying a plasma from them with the prospect of having some cocky/jaded manager refuse to accept my return should something go wrong in 2,3, or 4 years. Anyone else have a similar response from Costco?

 

[chp5592]

Quote:

Originally posted by ssuh I was in a S. Calif. Costco today and I asked one of the customer service peeps about their return policy, especially with their plasma tvs. They basically responded that they will accept returns for 1-1.5 years, and after that, it's up to the store manager. I was told this was a way to keep people from "upgrading" to a better set when they're tired of their current set. I don't abuse return policies, but the main reason I buy big ticket items at Costco is to have the peace of mind that comes with an unlimited (within reason) warranty. I don't know how I feel now about buying a plasma from them with the prospect of having some cocky/jaded manager refuse to accept my return should something go wrong in 2,3, or 4 years. Anyone else have a similar response from Costco?

Pretty amazing to think that people think they should be able to return electronic goods after 30 days, one year, 2-4 years???!!!


What are manufacturers suppose to do with a four year old plasma TV?


Think of the analogy of returning a car after three years of good use.


I can understand that people use policies that are set by stores, but this Costco return policy of unlimited warranty/return is pretty ridiculous.


As someone else said before in another thread, people/stores who abuse return policies after obtaining good use for a length or time results in one final outcome---- higher prices for the rest of us. Just like the insurance industry.

 

[technofan]

Old electronics are like dead fish. Its worth diminish with time quickly. A store that will accept 4 years old plasma for full refund or exchange will bankrupt in a hurry! I have 10 old but working computers (window 95) in my office and I have a hard time to give it away to my employees. I will have to carry some to the town dump eventually!

 

[SaltiDawg]

Quote:

Originally posted by ssuh ... I don't know how I feel now about buying a plasma from them with the prospect of having some cocky/jaded manager refuse to accept my return should something go wrong in 2,3, or 4 years. ...

My goodness, I can't believe you think that you have the "right" to return anything after '2,3, or 4 years." Amazing!

 

[Schlotkins]

Quote:

I don't know how I feel now about buying a plasma from them with the prospect of having some cocky/jaded manager refuse to accept my return should something go wrong in 2,3, or 4 years. Anyone else have a similar response from Costco?

You are joking right? Right??!? If you are serious, you should be going to Rent-A-Center and not Costco.


Chris

 

[Cholerabob]

Quote:

cocky/jaded manager refuse to accept my return should something go wrong in 2,3, or 4 years

Quote:

I don't abuse return policies

Well doesn't look like it......

 

[iqwertyi]

IMO, the ability to return (not service, but return) no questions asked within a year is an excellent return policy.

 

[PhoenixScreen]




There have been those in the past that posted up here whose attitude was "if they're dumb enough to have that generous a return policy, then I'm going to abuse it". And some have said it almost that blatantly!


As a Costco customer, I'd actually prefer for the policy to be tightened up to stop blatant abuse, so that those of us who don't abuse such things aren't forced to pay higher prices for those who do.




Btw, I'm happy to notice that there doesn't seem to be any posts of that ilk in this thread. I'm just grumpy from a thread a few months back......

 

[dsmith901]

Keep in mind Costco is not an authorized dealer and so you have NO MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY!. That is why they generously allow you to return defective products at any time (except computers). It is their policy, and part of their marketing approach, and therefore customers should not be cricitized for following it, especially when it was undoubtedly a reason for buying from Costco in the first place.

 

[snatch]

No manufacturers warranty? I had no idea. Not to mention Costco also only carries previous model year products for Tv's. The old crap that couldn't get sold at CC or BB goes to Costco at an albeit lower price.

 

[KOA]

Damn those cocky/jaded managers that won't give a full refund after four years on electronics!

 

[ssuh]

Quote:

Originally posted by SaltiDawg My goodness, I can't believe you think that you have the "right" to return anything after '2,3, or 4 years." Amazing!

Calm down, dude. First of all, read my post. I never said I had any "right" so you can get rid of the quotes. Furthermore, if any Costco big ticket purchase is defective after 2, 3, or GASP, even 4 years, I'm looking to get it take care of. These big ticket items do not have a manufacturers warranty and instead, have been touted as having a built-in extended warranty (funded by the membership fees). Well, if you pay for an extended warranty and something fails, is it wrong to want to use it? Easy there, SaltiDawg. I'm just asking a question here. I didn't say I feel like I have the "right" to do anything.


Second of all, I've never returned anything at Costco over a few weeks. But if they were implying that I had a multi-year warranty on any item, and now they're not, this is something I think is worth noting? No?


BTW, If I bought something with a one or two year warranty at a retail store, I would automatically get that doubled to 2 & 4 years w/ my credit card. So I don't think it's outrageous to return something that's defective after more than a year.

 

[adb]

"Furthermore, if any Costco big ticket purchase is defective after 2, 3, or GASP, even 4 years, I'm looking to get it take care of"


Almost sounds like an entitlement attitude.

 

[rogo]

There is no implied multi-year warranty and goods sold at Costco. That's simply a complete myth.


And, in fact, I've surveyed informally scores of people and precisely one of them that wasn't on this forum even knew about the essentially open-ended satisfaction guarantee.


Costco does not hype this to get people to sign up, the vast majority of members have no idea it exists, and I'm, well, not going to accept any statements to the contrary without proof because, really, I've checked into this in more than one region of the country.


Since it's clear that a 3- or 4-year-old TV return is worth zero dollars even if functional, it's understandable why Costco wouldn't want them (although I'm sure they've taken a few such TVs back today already). And quite frankly it's a bit ludicrous to claim that after 2 years of use, you're suddenly unhappy. A satisfaction guarantee is generously worded but these kinds of guarantees disappear almost immediately once people start using them as "free rental" programs.


As for product failure, the majority of electronics carry a 90-day to 1-year warranty and the majority of people either have no such warranty doubling or wouldn't even know they did. It breaks, they pay to repair or replace. The fact that Costco might just give you a refund at all outside a warranty period is stunning -- no one else would do this.


Enjoy it while it lists, with all the posts here and the countless lurkers behind them, I'm quite sure that TVs will be down to the 6 months that PCs at Costco are because of the clear abuses that are contemplated and doubtless already going on.


Mark

 

[LiquidCrystal]

I don't take any issue with Costco limiting their return policy, after all 1 - 1.5 years is more than fair.


It's just that they need to put it in WRITING. I've asked countless times at the costco written return policy and they have yet to produce one.


Please Costco, at least let us know where you stand with this policy, especially if returns are going to be at the discretion of store managers. You're a corporation, not a franchise - Returns should not be subjective or at the mercy of prejudice.

 

[ken solo]

seriously people...some of you guys gotta calm down...


i am one of the lurkers on this board...been doing so for about 4 years now.


but man when i see attacks like this towards a person simply asking a question, i'm glad i didn't post it.


if costco chooses to provide such a policy, that is their business.

don't hate on the people who factor that policy into their buying decision.

 

[cheridave]

Lets get back to Plasma's and LCD's.


Thread Closed!


Dave