The Unusual Costco Rule That Allows Refunds On Partially Eaten Food

Costco gets major brownie points for its committed customer service approach. The store runs a 100% satisfaction guarantee policy, meaning even if you decide the membership isn't for you, it's simple to cancel for a full refund. And according to customers, that guarantee extends to returning partially eaten food. If any portion of the purchase has spoiled before its advertised sell-by date, you can walk away with a total reimbursement. No further questions asked. This is handy, as oftentimes, you might not notice a food has expired until after you've opened it or — sometimes — actually tried it.

It's an unusual rule but a generous approach. The last thing you want to worry about is fighting for your money back while Googling "What happens if you accidentally eat mold?" The one necessity is that the food you're returning must have gone bad earlier than advertised; this won't work with an item that's clearly two weeks over its use-by date. As you're raising a quality issue, just head to the cashiers, who can process an on-the-spot repayment. Costco even offered refunds on Kirkland vodka after numerous customer complaints. The business is receptive to feedback and regularly demonstrates a flexible approach to resolutions, so don't be shy.

This rule is one of those Costco shopping hacks you wish you'd known sooner. It's a slick process that doesn't involve any aggro or escalation, just a trip to the cashier or designated refund desk. As with all compensation requests, bringing the card you used to buy the product and, preferably, a receipt is wise. Without a receipt, you'll need another form of proof of purchase, like a bank statement. Don't worry if you bought something online, either; Costco refunds the additional shipping fees.

Of course, the best way to avoid requesting money back is to be careful when shopping. A word of advice: don't splurge on huge bulk purchases of items you've not tried before. If you don't like them and they sit open too long, you're more likely to waste money on early spoilages. Similarly, always research optimal storage options, especially when buying in bulk. While it's easy to process Costco refunds, it still means an extra trip to run a frustrating errand. Nobody really wants to spend their Sunday afternoons returning twenty identical items that have gone off.