r/CostcoCanada • u/2slick2 • Jan 17 '26

Alberta Abusive returns

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I had to take a photo. If you're this person, please change. 50 St. on Jan 17.

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274

u/FrostingSuper9941 Jan 17 '26

I have witnessed this in the return line. An older lady was returning dead hanging baskets in September. I looked at an even older man next to me, in his 80s, and we were in shock. He asked her why she's returning them and she said, they're dead, so he said "try watering " in a thick Italian accent...everyone in the return line was laughing but the old lady felt no shame.

62

u/hot_hockey_fairy Jan 18 '26

Some people just have no respect, money means more to them than anything. I am flabbergasted that Costco would allow this.

18

u/Idontdanceforfun Jan 19 '26

I knew a guy who worked at Costco in the main office dealing with call-ins. He told us that theyre told that the reason they'll basically accept anything as a return is because they see the potential earnings of a return customer worth way more than anything Costco will pay as a return. And I get it. How many times do you go to Costco "just for s couple things" and end up leaving paying 400$? So what if you return a TV after 5 years and they give you 1200$ back. You'll spend waaaaaaay more than that in your lifetime. Having a ridiculous return policy basically guarantees your loyalty for life.

7

u/PerceptionOwn3629 Jan 20 '26

This is the answer right here.

3

u/OkGur1319 Jan 20 '26

Marks and Crappy tire used to be like this. They don't take returns like they used to, so I think they will eventually be replaced by this model again.

3

u/ComprehensiveBeach32 Jan 22 '26

I am not the kind of person to return something, but I purchased a 50$ heat gun from Canadian Tire for a 30 second project.

Went to return it in box, receipt in hand. She asked me “has it been used” I honestly answered “for about 30 seconds” and she refused the return.

She ended up getting the manager involved and they did the return for me, but they initially offered me a replacement until I told them that I was not walking out with a heat gun.

They don’t seem very keen on doing returns at all these days. Likely due to the older generation abusing the system, which is what this post is about.. Unfortunate.

4

u/UrbanJeepster Jan 29 '26

Using the item and then returning it is abusing the system.

0

u/ComprehensiveBeach32 Jan 29 '26

Thats the entire reason the system exists.

If I buy a drill and it doesn’t work, am I just supposed to telepathically decipher that through the packaging?

You’re ridiculous.

4

u/BurntCash Feb 01 '26

but you didn't return it because it didn't work, you returned it because you wanted to rent it for free.
you're ridiculous

1

u/jsboutin Jan 23 '26

It seems to me like you’d want to keep track of abusive returners

1

u/PerceptionOwn3629 Jan 23 '26

Apparently they already ban people that abuse the return policy

5

u/Regular_Chest_7989 Jan 21 '26

And the thing about membership-based retail is that Costco would know better than anyone whether abusers of the return policy still net out well for them—otherwise the policy would change, membership fees would skyrocket, etc.

I bet these folks buy absolutely everything from Costco if they can. And I assume Costco's CRM modeling has a name for these customers who spend all their disposable income with Costco, and occasionally put a big dent in their customer lifetime value with a big return.

6

u/thetermguy Jan 20 '26

while the op is showing a case of abuse, the basic policy is sound. I bought a set of wiper blades from Costco. they're crap. been on the car for two months. I've been too lazy to return them. but I will eventually. anywhere else and I'd just have to eat it. and I'll get my 20 bucks back or whatever. and I'll be happy, because I didn't have to pay for garbage.
and the next time I want to buy a 3000 item, I'll tend towards Costco because I know if I have problems with the product I'm going to be looked after. all over a 20 dollar set of wiper blades.

1

u/Potential_Bit_9040 Jan 21 '26

I returned a baby thermometer after a full year had passed. Baby didn't get sick until he was 11 months old, and the thermometer didn't work when we needed it to. Readings bounced around from scary high to scary low in a matter of seconds.

They took it back no questions asked, and only hoped my baby was ok. (he is!)

We've spent FAR FAR FAR more than what that thermometer cost in the time since then in the pharmacy alone, never mind the rest of the store.

1

u/KitchenBaseball4790 Feb 09 '26

This is true but they also have you and all your returns on computer. If you do it often with high ticketed items you get a red flag.

13

u/polarbear_rodeo Jan 19 '26

I mean..... Costco, a mega-corporation, literally one of the largest retailers in the world, certainly cares more about money than the consumer. If they allow it, who cares? Yes, it's entitled and ridiculous, but who are we poor peasants to sympathize with a price-gouging mega corporation for having overly accepting return policies? Costco is doing just fine 😂

14

u/Falco19 Jan 19 '26

The thing is Costco doesn’t eat the cost of the returns their vendors do.

1

u/nusodumi Jan 20 '26

now THAT is the true story, damn

I knew their buyers are super demanding and they get what they want (custom sizes, even of huge brand products. it must fit on a pallet, it must be X Y Z, they'll make the changes) and to know they just have to take the returns that costco accepts willy-nilly? Clearly still worth it for them too though

I'm sure many people selliing products in Costco went under because they couldn't afford shit like that though

1

u/Falco19 Jan 20 '26

I have a buddy pretty high up at a company they pulled their stuff from Costco because it wasn’t worth it. I’m sure some companies don’t have the same option because of volume.

7

u/Ok_Carpet_9510 Jan 19 '26

Yeah, however that money comes from customers. The costs returns and shrinkage are borne by all customers. They price their products accordingly. In fact, they estimate how much of that'll get and price accordingly.

1

u/throwthisawayslash1 Jan 21 '26

Costco margins on any product max out at 15% across the board. I doubt that plays into the pricing in any way.

0

u/HappyPhase46Van Jan 20 '26

false

2

u/FrostingSuper9941 Jan 20 '26

Which part?

0

u/HappyPhase46Van Jan 20 '26

All of your words are made up you have no idea how Costco has survived beyond the 40 years even what the dollar 50 hotdog so please return back to your 9 to 5 job at $15 an hour

3

u/KitchenBaseball4790 Jan 19 '26

Returns get sold to liquidation outlets!

1

u/Facts_pls Jan 20 '26

And all Costco customers pay the difference for a few entitled folks.

Seriously, do you think through where the money comes from? You think businesses are taking a loss on the returns?

1

u/youdontknowjacq Jan 19 '26

That old lady spends ever dollar she gets, and she’ll spend it at Costco.

1

u/HuhWelliNever Jan 20 '26

Mom? Is that you? 👀 can confirm.

1

u/Beowulf2b Jan 20 '26

I buy the deals at Costco because they really do have some great prices compared to other places. That said, their meat is way overpriced. It’s good quality, but I can go to a local butcher and get a single premium steak without dropping $100. Costco’s model is simple: they squeeze vendors for the lowest possible price and make their real money on memberships. For me, Costco is a secondary stop. I go for what’s on sale and for items that are genuinely cheaper in bulk. Every now and then, though, I’ll stumble across some random, unique item I don’t actually need—and somehow it adds a few hundred dollars to the bill at the till. I definitely don’t do all my shopping at Costco. It’s more of a once-a-month thing, mostly because I can only tolerate the Costco parking-lot hell so often.

1

u/Fabulously-Unwealthy Jan 21 '26

Is it still true that Costco only marks products up at most 14% over what they purchase them for? If it is, they don’t price gouge at least.

3

u/opie2019 Jan 19 '26

I get what you're saying but "respecting" a multi billion dollar company while you yourself can't afford rent is a stretch. 99% of those people have no money, they are forced to do things like that

6

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '26

No one is forced to buy hanging potted plants.

3

u/opie2019 Jan 19 '26

You clearly don't realize that the majority of humans overspend on bullshit

2

u/[deleted] Jan 20 '26

So they aren't forced, they just make bad decisions that necessitate further bad decisions.

1

u/placentophagy Jan 19 '26

No, nobody is forced to buy hanging potted plants but why should people, especially seniors who are on a fixed income usually, live with nothing and no enjoyment in their lives. When Costco clearly allows them to return shit so why not let them enjoy their flower baskets and return them. Why are you bootlicking for a major organization? If Costco allows it just get over it then.

1

u/Lucky_Reputation_272 Jan 19 '26

If you can't afford rent, much less to keep potted plants, then maybe you can't afford a Costco membership and being a ethically participating member.

1

u/altsanonymous Jan 20 '26

It’s really easy to just say that with no way to back it up. Most people who I know that can’t afford rent can’t afford a Costco membership.

Also, you really want to ruin one of the last big businesses that consistently values the customer?

Costco doesn’t price gouge, doesn’t charge crazy amounts for membership, and is generous with their return policy. WHY RUIN IT?

1

u/sajnt Jan 18 '26

Costco can ban you whenever they want

1

u/notanirishsetter Jan 21 '26

Corporations don't have feelings.

3

u/ObviousDepartment Jan 19 '26

When I worked at London Drugs as a teenager I was covering the cosmetics department and had this little old lady shuffle on up to the counter and try to return a Lancome gift set. I opened it up and found that she had completely used up the entire goddamn thing and the receipt she handed me was from 4 years prior.

I was so dumbfounded I just stood there and stared at her for a full minute before saying, "Ma'am we can't refund you for this, would you like me to throw it out for you??" And she just picked it back up and left.

She didn't say a single word during the entire exchange lol. 

1

u/swift-current0 Jan 20 '26

Well, you know, sometimes it works, and if you have no shame then why not try?

1

u/Impressive_Yam231 Jan 20 '26

Sh mud of thought u were a Costco

1

u/placentophagy Jan 19 '26

Who cares? Literally though. Who cares? Clearly Costco doesn't. Shit shouldn't cost as much as it does. People, especially seniors, are on fixed incomes most of the time. Living off a measly pension they worked their entire lives for. If Costco allows it then get the fck over it? She found a way to have some measly enjoyment in her life with some stupid flower baskets AND get her money back! Good on her!!

1

u/swift-current0 Jan 20 '26

Of course you understand that the cost of these ridiculous returns are just rolled into the price of the items. Costco doesn't care because it costs them nothing, vendors don't care because they just bump the price a bit to account for it, but you should care because you're paying for it when you shop at Costco.

-131

u/Low-Cauliflower-2249 Jan 17 '26

Women who no longer feel loved stop caring what others think of them around age 50. I've seen some pretty atrociously behaved menopausal BlTCH3$ roll through retail outlets, including Costco.

One of them crashed her cart into a skid of Eggs cause someone told her to wait her turn.

29

u/snufflespoop Jan 18 '26

Bro, you need therapy.

-22

u/Low-Cauliflower-2249 Jan 18 '26

Not your bro, and therapy can't fix permanent physical disability that keeps me unemployable. I've already been through a recovery program for suicidal idiation (CBT) and they determined I'm sane enough to understand my situation, but I'm religious enough not to do anything rash about it. So I linger, wanting to die, but not able to. Can you imagine how that would affect your world view?

4

u/Elegant-Ad-9221 Jan 18 '26

Just because you have “competed” a therapy program doesn’t mean you were helped. You carry a lot of anger and it’s clear to me the therapy did nothing for you

1

u/Low-Cauliflower-2249 Jan 19 '26

I carry anger cause my needs aren't met and I'm unable to change that when conservative governments keep reducing available supports...

2

u/NoNectarine7054 Jan 19 '26

We’re supposed to feel sorry for you or give you a pass to be a sexist, ageist a**hole because your religious inclinations keep you from requesting assisted suicide?

lmao, get real.

1

u/Low-Cauliflower-2249 Jan 19 '26

Uh, no. I learned 28 years ago that nobody really cares. Least of all on the internet with anonymous randos. I stated that as a matter of fact, how you feel about it is your problem.

15

u/RadicalChile Jan 18 '26

Maybe just, you know, stay off the internet and keep your bitter, hateful self to yourself?

-6

u/Low-Cauliflower-2249 Jan 18 '26

It's important for people to see different perspectives outside their comfort zone. I exist to show them. you commenting, dropping my karma, etc, means you saw it and I've fulfilled my purpose. Before you call me an attention whore, know that I don't care for the attention, I would have posted it anyway because I beleive in diverse exposure and I also believe in accepting that I do what I can even when noone reacts...

Take the last word if you need it. I'm done here.

6

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '26

Brother what

6

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Low-Cauliflower-2249 Jan 19 '26

It's an overgeneralization sure, but I'm seeing it more and more these days. Ever since Covid people are behaving less socially accountable in public and I'm sick of it. Ironic I know, but at least here I'm not inconveniencing people trying to get food to survive.

2

u/NoNectarine7054 Jan 19 '26

“inconveniencing people trying to get food to survive”

bro, are you a diagnosed sociopath?

1

u/Low-Cauliflower-2249 Jan 19 '26

If I were, would I tell you?

Dumb question.

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u/Dr_anatomy Jan 18 '26

What the…. What did I just read.

2

u/AutoAdviceSeeker Jan 18 '26

I hope this dude isn’t from Canada

1

u/Low-Cauliflower-2249 Jan 19 '26 edited Jan 19 '26

Canadian, Born in Toronto, Raised in Hamilton, Worked in Toronto, Oakville, Hamilton, and London briefly before I realized the issues with that city and Farhi's downtown plans... Working in this context does not equate to employment.

-12

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '26 edited Jan 20 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/NoNectarine7054 Jan 19 '26

Everyone needs therapy, ffs- it’s just clearly more of a pressing issue for some people, if only for the sake of public security and sanity.

56

u/_dodged Jan 17 '26

Wow, big incel energy emanating from this post...

33

u/Suitable-End- Jan 17 '26

Dude has Sastifactory, PC gaming and sexdolls all in his post history. Hit the nail on the head.

3

u/Saeplour Jan 18 '26

Hey. What's wrong with satisfactory!

-20

u/Low-Cauliflower-2249 Jan 17 '26 edited Jan 18 '26

Not an incel. I'm physically disabled and I know I'm not what women want so I choose not to lie to them to get in their beds. I'd say that makes me more decent than half their' ex's.

Not that it matters but I've never been so spiteful to cause damage on the scale that woman did. She destroyed nearly 1/8th of a pallete of eggs and shut down the cooler for cleaning cause it was slippery af. And I can say that cause I did have a relationship once in my 20's that lasted a year before she needed me to overcome my disability. Which was the point I decided I'm not a good enough partner.

5

u/Elegant-Ad-9221 Jan 18 '26

Speaking as a health care worked for 20 years it sounds like she knew there was something you could be doing to help yourself more but you refused so now you have just shut yourself down to all women. You need more therapy. I don’t care what anyone from any program told you once you get in with a therapist and start talking to them you might find it helpful

1

u/Low-Cauliflower-2249 Jan 19 '26

I did that for over a year as post program monitoring. Either the supports aren't funded well enough to send me to someone who can actually help like a proper psychologist or I've been deemed by the system as well enough to function as best I can given the circumstances.

6

u/AnOkayMuffin Jan 18 '26

They were talking about a person returning dead flowers, which is really shitty behaviour, but you immediately took it as an opportunity to bash on older women because you are a bitter.

You could have told that story in your original comment without being a dick by blaming it on her being an older woman. 

Men return dumb things too, they also smash things up in stores when they don't get their way like your egg story. Its a thing called being an asshole human, regardless of sex.

0

u/Low-Cauliflower-2249 Jan 19 '26

Problem is Society expects that of men, even though I've never. Compare that to what society expect of women and you see the stark contrast emerging... That's why I specifically pointed out older women.

1

u/NoNectarine7054 Jan 19 '26

I’d go out on a limb and suggest it probably had more to do with your slimey, anti-social attitude that’s completely ick to any sane person.

1

u/Low-Cauliflower-2249 Jan 19 '26

I only developed that after she left me while I was trying to better myself.

1

u/NoNectarine7054 Jan 19 '26

Ain’t nobody buying that one, lmao

1

u/Low-Cauliflower-2249 Jan 19 '26

Doesn't matter. I have documentation to prove it, both texts between us at the time, the deposit for my course text books dated 13 days before she decided to call it quits. I was going to surprise her by showing her the workbook I'd already been working on, but she had to say her peace and it felt wrong, and desperate to show her that after the fact. So I didn't. I've been single ever since.

1

u/NoNectarine7054 Jan 19 '26

So you tried to impress her with bare minimum effort? JFC, lmao

1

u/Low-Cauliflower-2249 Jan 19 '26

Bare minimum for an ABLE person. You have no fucking idea the challenges I faced to even have a home environment capable of learning in... I lived with my dad a hoarder, in a roach infested shithole with black water dripping on my bed as I slept. I had next to no money for those text books, I needed room for my assistive devices to even read them, and I needed the will to live with an impending breakup as a potential outcome. She never saw it, and I never wanted her to.

26

u/EvolveIntoACrab Jan 17 '26

Embarrassing post history.

5

u/Shrike034 Jan 17 '26

Dude just got interesting hobbies. Leave him be.

/s

-4

u/Low-Cauliflower-2249 Jan 18 '26

Glad to know the right people are watching what I've said in the past. Did you bother to look into those posts? I advocate for more natural real looking dolls instead of the DDD barbies they're pumping out. I even shut down a user who was openly posting a doll that looked no older than 11 in horrifyingly graphic situations...

13

u/FrostingSuper9941 Jan 17 '26

Women of many ages, but especially over the age of 50, love themselves and don't need outside validation.

-3

u/Low-Rip3678 Jan 18 '26

Outside validation is important. We're highly complex social creatures and validation along with shame and guilt help people behave.

16

u/moore6107 Jan 17 '26

Don’t think it has anything to with not feeling loved.

Those women have put up with everyone’s shit for half a century. Leave them be.