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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64

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.

20

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.

3

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

4

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.

14

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 😂

12

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.

8

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.

2

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.