There are undoubtedly some things Costco could do better. For one thing, the online shopping experience isn’t the best. I’d also really like to use something other than a Visa credit card, even if there are some great rewards cards to use at Costco.
But there’s one place that Costco objectively excels: returns. Costco has a fantastic return policy that lets you return almost anything at almost any time.
So, what items are members buying that require that excellent return policy? According to the tea from Costco employees online, there are some products that are almost daily visitors to the return desk. Here are some of the worst offenders.
1. Keurig coffee machines
Every single time I’ve seen threads about Costco returns (or Sam’s Club, for that matter), there are always mentions of the Keurig coffee machines. Apparently, they break more or less constantly. One poster went so far as to say Keurig coffee machines are daily returns at Costco.
While I’m sure there are plenty of newer machines being returned, I’ve also seen a lot of stories of Keurig machines being returned two, three, or even 10 years after being purchased. (FWIW, my household has had two that worked for years with no issue.)
FYI: Some of us may balk at returning a used product, particularly if we’ve already had it for a year or more. But don’t feel bad taking something back that dies well before its time! That’s what the return policy is for, and it’s part of why we pay those pricey fees for Costco memberships in the first place.
2. Dyson vacuums
Speaking of daily returns, the same comment on Keurig coffee makers coming in daily also mentioned Dyson vacuums — as did several other commenters, and not just employees. Nearly every comment about Dyson vacuums I see in these social media threads are about how often they break down.
Given that these vacuums start at $349.99 — and these are Costco prices! — the number of people having to return them should be a big red flag.
3. Clothing
If you’ve ever tried to buy clothing at Costco, you’ll probably have noticed something quite peculiar: Costco has no fitting rooms. So, if you want to try on those sexy Kirkland trousers that are the envy of every dad bod at the block party, you’re going to have to buy them first.
As you might suspect, the lack of fitting rooms means that Costco employees see a lot of clothing returns. Generally, this seems to be more about sizes than clothing quality, thankfully.
Pro tip: Rocking the Kirkland pants can be a solid way to save money, but it’s even better when you earn rewards while you’re at it. Check out this strategy for maximizing Costco rewards with one of our favorite credit cards.
4. Windshield wiper blades
Another very commonly mentioned item for frequent returns was windshield wiper blades. And this one isn’t about a poor fit — there were a lot of complaints about low quality.
Bad windshield wiper blades aren’t just an annoyance — they can be downright dangerous. Poorly functioning wiper blades can limit visibility during poor weather and potentially cause car accidents.
(That said, some amount of this could be user error; one commenter said the package they had suggested running the wiper blades on a dry window after install and before use.)
5. Fresh produce
This one probably comes as zero surprise to anyone who has ever purchased fruits and vegetables from Costco. For one thing, buying produce in bulk is only a good idea if you eat produce in bulk. Otherwise it goes bad long before you get to it.
But even if you go through produce like a pizza shop salad bar, chances are good that produce still won’t last. There just seems to be something about Costco produce that makes it go bad faster. (Personally, I think it’s an issue with the produce already being old by the time it gets to the warehouse, which is one of the many reasons it’s far better to buy locally grown produce when you can.)
Return exceptions
One of the reasons that the items on this list can be returned so frequently is that they all fall within the 100% satisfaction guarantee. Not everything you buy from Costco can be returned indefinitely, however. Here are some of the main exceptions — some of these items can be returned within 90 days, and some can’t be returned at all:
- Major electronics
- Appliances
- Jewelry
- Tires
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Event tickets
- Gold bullion
- Special orders
- Costco Shop Cards
You can read up on Costco’s return policy online or in the mobile app. You can also chat with the customer service folks at the Members/returns desk if you have any doubts.
