Would this be taking advantage of Costco return?

[branv]

We bought a 60 bottle Vinotemp front vent wine fridge from Costco 3.5 years ago. My husband went to pull a bottle of wine out of the fridge today and realized it wasn't on. Zzzzzt...dead. The manufacturer, of course, only has a 1 year warranty, and when I went onto Amazon to read reviews about the product (to see if anyone else had had problems) it appears there were tons of problems with this machine and Vinotemp is absolutely useless about doing anything about it or helping it to get repaired. We called Vinotemp and what we got was a great big

I know Costco still has a liberal return policy on this type of product. We could technically still return it. Part of me thinks that at 3.5 years out returning something is definitely taking advantage (though not like people who return something older just so they can upgrade to a newer model). The other part of me thinks that I have every right to expect a $400 wine fridge to last longer, and Costco should stand by the products they sell...especially one that has turned out to cause so many problems to consumers AND that they still sell! I'm torn.

I appreciate your opinions. What do you think?

 

[Marshay]

I'm a firm believer in "asking, you might get it". I would expect appliances to last longer than 3.5 years, too. But don't hold your breath on a positive answer!

 

[drivencrazy]

Do they still carry the same one? If so I deffently wouldn't see a problem with returning it. If they don't, I don't see them taking it back.

Like the other poster said, ask and see what happens!

Good Luck!

 

[KarenAylwood]

I agree that a $400 wine fridge should last longer than 3.5 years. If I were you, I'd try to return it. As long as they carry the same one (or incredibly similar) I'd try to get a new one.

I agree with you- Costco should stand by the products they sell. If they still sell this brand and have a liberal return policy, I'd try to return to get a new one.

Goodluck in your decision.

 

[Free4Life11]

To be honest, yes I think that does seem like taking advantage of the policy. I'd feel pretty weird about returning an item that I had used for 3.5 years. Did you research the model before you bought it? If you did and it got good reviews then I think it'd be different.

I agree with you- Costco should stand by the products they sell.

I agree, but I think consumers also ought to do a little research before dropping $400 bucks.

I actually read an article recently that Costco was tightening its policy because it was hurting their bottom line. I'll try to find a link.

 

[Hannathy]

I think 3.5 yrs is taking advantage. It is 3 times past the warranty! now if it was 6 mos past the warranty OK but 2 and 1/2 yrs past--thats taking advantage.

 

[kd5k]

Personally I would take it and talk to Costco about it. You are not hiding the fact that it is 3 1/2 years old and it did seem to have problems....I think they would stand behind it. Especially when you are being honest with them. If they tell you no, sorry it is beyond the warrenty...then fine.

they replaced a 3 year old camera for me. Knew upfront it was 3 years old and offered us a new model at the same price...even exchange.

Costco is great for their refunds!! And I would never "take advantage" of them....that is why they can keep doing this

good luck...hugs, Deb

 

[Green Tea]

They won't deny the refund, but they might cancel your membership along with the transaction.

 

[mamalle]

I think they stand by their products or so I was told when I question them about LCD TV's- you can bring them back at any point I was told..

 

[soccerchick]

They won't deny the refund, but they might cancel your membership along with the transaction.

I can't imagine that! i've heard all sorts of stories from people who have their receipts and take things back.

I doubt the OP will get a full refund. I know someone who bought a Tag Huer (sp?) watch and five years later it died. Tag Huer wouldn't service it bc Costco isn't an authorized dealer. Costco gave him $50.

 

[tuckerkeys]

i'm sorry but after 3.5 yrs i would not return it. 1.5 yrs, maybe. but this seems a bit long.

 

[branv]

Well, I see as usual my opinion straddles public opinion. Life would be alot simpler if I didn't have this pesky other voice in my ear!

Thanks everyone. Yes, we did research this fridge, but I'm thinking we must have bought it when it was a new product, because there really was no information available on it. We'd had another, smaller Vinotemp that's still kicking (in fact, we pulled it out of the garage to house at least a few of our bottles until we find a solution, and it's humming away). So, dunno? I guess with knew products you're always dealing with a little caveat emptor.

I think what we will do is just call Costco first and talk to them. No harm in just laying it all out on the table and seeing what they think about it. If they tell us we're stuck, I will accept it without pleading my case. BUT I will write a letter to Costco telling them that since they talk and talk about their reputation for customer service and their products, they really shouldn't be carrying a pricey lemon like this, and I will include all the problems I've read about on this product. I do honestly believe if they know about the fridge's problem, and still chose to continue to carry the product, they should be prepared to take it back if they really stand behind their reputation. As stated in a previous posting, one of the reasons I have a membership at Costco over Sam's is because of the excellent customer service. Without it, they lose a very important part of what gives them an edge.

 

[jennwdw]

They will take it back...I know at our store we would w/no problem....I wouldn't feel funny about it because the current return policy is take returns at any time for any reason.....Some reasons I think are rather goofy but I didn't make the policy. (2yr old TV nothing wrong with it just want to upgrade technology, no kidding I did this return yesterday or Diet supplement for weight loss, empty bottle returned, 32oz 1oz per day, cust said it didn't work, I guess she couldn't figure it out on day 10?????) Some reasons are just goofy to me but like I said it's not my policy...That being said I think your logic is very valid and I wouldn't worry about doing the return.....The return policy is what it is for a reason.....and under the current one your return is acceptable...

That being said the return policy is changing and tightening up. mostly affecting electronics (i.e. computers, tvs etc) they will be limited to 90 days. but they will double the manufacture warranty and offer some type of service...Not sure of all details yet but watch for it as it's coming in the next couple weeks.

 

[MaeDisney]

Here in California, Costco implemented a new return policy for Electronics:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17350641/

People were taking advantage of the price drops on TVs and were using the liberal Costco policy to do a "free upgrade".

 

[hopemax]

Call your Costco and ask.

Yes, they are changing the return policy to put a stop to the the "free TV upgrade plan." However, Costco still wants its customers to be satisfied with the products it sells which is why they are extending the warranties on the elecronics with the 90 day policy to 2 years.

The new return policy is:

"We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell, with a full refund. Exceptions: Televisions, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPod/MP3 players and cellular phones must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund."

This is an example of one of the ways Costco runs its business differently from everyone else. They are "putting their money where their mouth is." There is a difference between returning working items for the newer model, and something dieing before a reasonable lifespan. Costco knows this, and in return they get something that is just as rare as a liberal return policy.... customer loyalty.

 

[DianeV]

I personally wouldnt even think of returning something 3.5 years later..that would be like trying to return a car 3.5years after purchase that ended up with alot of problems (and many of us have had that happen) to me anyway

 

[kaytieeldr]

BUT I will write a letter to Costco telling them that since they talk and talk about their reputation for customer service and their products, they really shouldn't be carrying a pricey lemon like this, and I will include all the problems I've read about on this product.

Welllll.... okayyyy... but three and a half years ago, there was NO evidence the product was a lemon. Now, if Costco still carries VinoTemp products, that might be a different story.

 

[LisaNJ25]

They would take it back but I wouldn't have the "balls" to do it lol I have a vacuum I purchased there 2 years ago that is acting up and the canister crackef.. I wont return it.

I have been a vendor at costco for years and have seen so many crazy things come back. Swing sets 5 years later because a slide cracks, gas grills in the winter years later, snow blowers in the summer.. half eaten cakes because they didnt like it

 

[luvdzne]

More than likely costco will take it back, no questions asked. I often buy high ticket items from Costco just because if something does go wrong they will stand behind their products.

That being said, after 3 1/3 years morally I would not be able to do it. I think that would be taking advantage of their generous return policy. I think Costco is about the only company left that cares about their customers and gives them longer than 90 days.

After that big outage a few years ago, Costco had people returning their freezer and refrigerator full worth of food because it had gone bad.

 

[WillCAD]

Where would we draw the line? 3.5 years? 4 years? 6 years?

The product had a manufacturers warranty; it broke, after lasting more than 3 times the length of the warranty. It's not guaranteed forever, it's only guaranteed for 1 year. Taking it back to Costco at this point, IMHO, would be wrong. I disagree that a mini-fridge should last more than 3.5 years; it should last as long as the manufacturer's warranty, and that's it. If the warranty is not long enough for your taste, then buy another product.

Costco's liberal return policy is something they put into place to be better than other stores, and because they are not just a store but a membership club which you pay to join. The money you pay in membership dues gets you certain advantages, primarily lower prices, but also the liberal return policy (plus travel discounts, etc). But the more people abuse that policy, the less profitable Costco becomes, and the higher their prices and dues will have to be to compensate - then everybody loses.

I don't think it's right to return anything to a store after more than 90 days - that's what the manufacturers warranty is for.

Once the warranty is up, you're on your own.

After all, standing by the products you sell is one thing, but why should Costco be expected to stand behind a product 3 times longer than the manufacturer does? That's unfair to Costco, and unfair to all the other members who pay their dues every year.