First of all, sorry I don't have a visual to go with this post. It would have been much better with a photo, but of course when I thought about taking one it didn't happen and then it was too late.
Now on with my story.
So yesterday I went to Costco, like usual spent a pretty penny. I don't know how that always happens, but I'm grateful it's not a weekly trip. While there I decided to buy me a smaller and more compact hard drive I can take on my trip. I figured I could either spend the same amount on another flashcard with only a few GB or I could buy a 160 GB HD to use to download all my photos and then just use the same flashcard daily.
Luckily I got home without incident, which I find amazing when dealing with 3 kids at Costco. As I opened the back and looked at the plethora of items all in single packaging I felt overwhelmed as I always do when unloading a Costco trip. So first thing I did was take my newly bought HD and put it on top of my SUV to get it out of the way and proceed to move the rest of the items in the house. Adam was home at this time 5:30p helping me and after a bit we left with the kids. Well it didn't occur to me until we pulled up to the house an hour later that I had left my HD on the car.
#%$@
Are you kidding me. I hopped in the car to trace our tracks hoping to find it unharmed and ready to use. I didn't have to go far, actually it was right outside our neighborhood, off to the side. As I approached it I felt confident it was alright. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. (enter photo...sigh.) It had probably been hit by dozens of cars and pushed off to the side. It was completely smashed. I was so mad. A hundred dollars down the drain.
Upon arriving home I thought I should call Costco just to see what their return policy was. Who knows maybe they would take it back. I felt really horrible just asking, but thought I could either throw it away or try. So I called them. The guy on the phone told me he couldn't guarantee anything over the phone so since I had a RS meeting at 8pm I just decided to leave and do that before.
I must say I felt like a complete idiot bringing this large obviously damaged package into the store when I had just been there 2 hours before. The guy at the return desk just about died when he saw the package, but luckily had already spoken to me so wasn't completely shocked. He had to call over his manager to see if they would return it. Well, not one, but two managers made their way over. I was really embarrassed listening to them repeat over and over, "it fell off the car and got run over". Then one of the managers looked at me and said sort of in a mocking wasn't sure if he was kidding way, "who fault is this, is it our fault?" I just look at him in disbelief and said, "yeah...sigh...I'm just here to see if your return policy covers lame individuals who run over their merchandise." He gave me a smile and said they would return it. I was thrilled though must admit felt I was getting away with something, like I was bringing back a dress I had already worn that I told them I hadn't, but knew they knew I did. It's was awkward, but I'm glad I tried because I didn't loose out on $100.
So I'm curious...would you have taken it back or lost out on $100?
27 comments:
Uh, from personal experience... I would have lost out on $100! I'm still in disbelief that they took it back. Makes me feel even worse that I live nowhere near a Costco now! You go girl!
Oh Amy I'm so glad they took it back! I would have been out the $100 just because I wouldn't think to ask about the return policy. (Too bad the phone I drove over wasn't from Costco!)
I always leave things on my car. I once had a neighbor flag me down and as soon as I saw her I knew she was going to tell me my purse was sitting on my car. It's a good thing it was sturdy!
Costco is a weekly trip for me and it really shouldn't be with the amount of money I pour into that store. I love their return policy though. Wear it, wash it, break it, it doesn't matter, they'll take it back. I returned an ipod attachment for my car after a month when it broke down (turns out it was the fuse in my car and not the attachment).
I bought a shirt from target and the next day decided to return it. It took me a good hour to find my receipt (paid for with cash) and was cursing their return policy the whole time. I hate Old Navy for returns too. I hate it when you get stuck with purchases just because you can't find the receipt. But it's just as bad to break something before it's out of the package.
I am a complete wimp when it comes to returning things. I hate it! Josh usually does it for me. I returned the same duvet cover 3 different times. I never liked it after I brought it home so I would take it back. Then I would see it in the store again and purchase it. Can you say, freak? After that, I am pretty sure they have a picture of me with an x through it behind their return desk. :)
I knew Costco had a good return policy, but I had no idea it was THAT good! I would have been out the $100 because I wouldn't even have asked. And I thought I was the queen of returns!
This is very interesting. You were SO lucky that they returned it. I am usually not the one to ask about returning something. I would have just walked home slowly and CRIED my eyes out over the $100 loss. A similar thing happened to me on Valentine's Day. I bought myself a pair of shoes from Shopko...got my Emmaree in the car, put the cart away and an hour later the same thing! $%&*! I had left the shoes in the cart! OUTSIDE! I drove back so fast because money was so tight for us then...the shoes were not to be found and I reluctantly went back inside to see if some kind soul returned them. Nope...and I went so far to ask the lady if she could give me my money back. She wasn't so nice. Anyway, live and learn I guess. At least you got your HD! That is all that matters. I say, if they let you return it and they gave you a new one...and you were completely honest, then you came out on top...you should feel no guilt! So sad, and yet so funny! ;)
I am so proud of you. I totally would have taken it back. One of the things I love most about Costco is their return policy. So glad that you didn't have to loose out on the $100, that would've sucked!
Actually, my experience with Costco has always been REALLY good. In fact so good, I would compare it to Nordstrom returns. (you know they take back anything!) I actually probably would have taken it back in hopes they would take it back as well.
I am glad it ended on a good note. Loosing a $100 would have really stunk.
There is NO WAY I would have taken it back, and I'm totally shocked that they did. That was totally your fault, I can't believe they're covering it. I guess it's a good thing you asked. Moral of the story though...don't put anything on top of the car!
i am a wimp on returns so i would have cried my eyes out.
good for you for taking it back and i love the response you gave them. how could they NOT take it back after that??? :)
I would have totally taken it back!! You are awesome and should feel absolutely no guilt!!! It wasn't your fault--it is the natural consequence that our brains suffer from after birthing 3 little humans!!
I will preface: you asked for my opinion :)
I've worked retail, so I am completely against taking it back.. REGARDLESS of the return policy. Sorry. To me.. (only my opinion hope you don't consider this judgment).. this is stealing. Sorry, but companies take the hit with MILLIONS of dollars lost because they cannot resell the item. Your experience is no different than wearing an item and returning it because you didn't like it or you burned it when you tried to iron the article and didn't look at the care tag and want to exchange it/return it. This is why lots of companies (GAP INC stores for example) have changed their return policy because they cannot survive. Companies make up for this by charging more for their merchandise, so now EVERYONE is paying for it.
SO.. I am GLAD you didn't have to pay another $100, but shocked they took it back and completely against even trying.
Sorry- I hope I didn't offend anyone. I've very opinionated about this issue!
I probably would have DIED doing it, but I think it was worth the try of at least asking, right? Oh my, it makes my heart pound just thinking of it. I'm so happy that they took it back---once again, another great reason to shop at costco!
Oh, I felt your embarrassment at the counter... awful! I'm so glad you were brave. That's one of the fabulous things about costco, and why we keep going back spending more money there than we should. You should NOT feel like you're stealing or being dishonest- you were completely up front about it and you give them plenty of business, I'm sure! Good move in my opinion.
Knowing me..I would have lost a hundred bucks. Knowing my husband, he would have taken it back, got a new one, and a free pack of photo paper, and a free box of ink, and a free tank of gas...just because he always gets free things when he returns things.
Such a day!! And like most of your other posters..I too felt the embarrassment as I was reading the story. In fact..it made me remember a day back in 4th grade..sharing day..and I had forgotten my 'thing' to share..so all I did was tell them about my new, very UNCOOL, snowpants. Yeah..lost a few friends that day..
See..you're not alone. :D
i dont think i would... i HATE returning things, even when it totally deserves to be returned, but glad it worked out for you!!!
I would have taken it back for sure. One employee at mine said. I would have to take something back even if you threw it on the floor right in front of me and jumped on it. I love their return policy. So glad you didn't lose the money.
That's part of what we're paying for when we purchase from any business, they will always protect themselves & their policies are in place to protect the consumer as well. The consumer comes before the business, or there would be no business. The down side as someone mentioned earlier is we do end up paying for the policies in one way or another. I would've been devastated, but it's worth a shot asking about return policy. I think I'd have returned & repented!
Costco is great about stuff like this (I disagree with Lara but I'm not trying to start and argument here). I'm so glad you didn't lost that money and have have an external hd! Isn't it all a write off anyway?
My sil is the return queen! Costco is her favorite store for their return policy. The write it off too. Don't they need stuff like that for write offs?
I am in totaly shock and in awe that you attempted to even return it! I suppose it just goes to show you there is nothing to hurt if you TRY! That is fantastic!
i totally would have taken it back! even feeling a little embarrassed about it...still would have attempted. that's one of the reasons a lot of people only buy their technology at costco...because of their return policy. in fact, as i was reading your post i thought i was going to have to give you a call and tell you to take it back. you didn't lie about what happened. you were totally honest about what you did. they are the ones that have written the return policy. it's the same as buying a warranty on an item that covers your daughter throwing it down the stairs and busting it. that's what is already built into the price. i would have done it and i'm glad it worked out for you.
Wow! I was thinking that maybe your homeowners or car insurance might have been able to cover the loss of this? Or even your credit card company, if you used AMEX that is, since this is Costco we're talking about here. I know most cc companies cover loss or damage of things purchased with them. Just a thought.
Whew! I hate that sinking feeling... like - this is my fault!!! Ugh. (I just knocked my new 50mm lens off the table - totally broken.) I would not have returned it, though I love your speech to the employees - "lame individuals who run over their merchandise." They've been there, too, for sure!
You've seriously got to love excruciatingly painful experiences that make dang good stories in the end. This was definitely a good one. I'm shocked that they took it back. I would have never even tried, but I definitely will now. Yay!
Can't believe your luck! I wouldn't have had any faith that they would take it back. I would have gone home and cried... and listened to my husband tell me how silly it was that I left it on the car! One time I left my planner (remember those?) on top of my car and a woman actually called me and I picked it up from her house. It had credit cards, ID, everything. Thank goodness for honest people. Since then I have never put anything on the roof of my car, ever.
I wouldn't have been able to tak eit back(I hate returning things) BUT I would have sent Greg to do it for me. Glad you took the chance and didn't lose the $100!!
i would not have thought to take it back. You're a smart cookie, and that was a funny story. I can so relate to your feelings of unloading a Costco run.
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