Returning TV i bought at Costco, used Visa credit card to get it, do i get money back [Archive]

Unicron

Feb 16th, 2009, 02:49 PM

I've only owned a credit card for a short time

I paid the bill on my credit card already for this TV and I'm wondering if I return the TV do I just get credited the amount...

So I'll have say $700 credited which I can use again? or do they give me Cash?

number84

Feb 16th, 2009, 02:51 PM

credit back on your visa.

spf1971

Feb 16th, 2009, 03:02 PM

Considering that Costco doesn't accept Visa, how did you pay for it with a Visa?

Unicron

Feb 16th, 2009, 03:04 PM

Considering that Costco doesn't accept Visa, how did you pay for it with a Visa?

Online

Unicron

Feb 16th, 2009, 03:05 PM

credit back on your visa.

ok thanks

number84

Feb 16th, 2009, 03:28 PM

Considering that Costco doesn't accept Visa, how did you pay for it with a Visa?

Online

hmm...that complicates things. If they don't take Visa in store, not sure how they could give you a credit. Maybe a store credit in the form of a gift card.

Unicron

Feb 16th, 2009, 03:38 PM

hmm...that complicates things. If they don't take Visa in store, not sure how they could give you a credit. Maybe a store credit in the form of a gift card.

that would work, i like shopping there anyway but tv didn't turn out how i wanted it to

Kamloops

Feb 16th, 2009, 06:15 PM

spf1971

Feb 16th, 2009, 06:23 PM

peroxide8888

Feb 16th, 2009, 06:39 PM

Yes they can, and they do! I'm not sure why you think they can't.Costco? They don't have the facilities to accept Visa/MC in store; so why would they have the facilities to accomodate a return on Visa/MC? As mentioned, costco.ca returns to a B&M store would be given as cash/debit back.

nutttbar

Feb 16th, 2009, 07:19 PM

Costco? They don't have the facilities to accept Visa/MC in store; so why would they have the facilities to accomodate a return?

I've done this before a few times. They will only accept the return in store and since they don't take Visa in store, they will either give you the cash or put the $$, via Interac, into your account. As mentioned earlier, the bonus is that you get to keep any points racked up on the Visa.

user01

Feb 16th, 2009, 07:47 PM

if you buy something online with visa/mastercard and take it back to a store they give you cash or will put it on your debit card. they cant put it back on Visa or mastercard,

This is bonus as you get to keep and airmiles or reward points!

Whatever credit card you used to pay it with, they can put the funds back in as long you have a receipt with the credit card # under it. I don't see why you can't unless if there is an apparent reason... :|:|:|

peroxide8888

Feb 16th, 2009, 07:49 PM

I've done this before a few times. They will only accept the return in store and since they don't take Visa in store, they will either give you the cash or put the $$, via Interac, into your account. As mentioned earlier, the bonus is that you get to keep any points racked up on the Visa.I edited my post to clarify, I wasn't disagreeing with what was said. I just wanted to reiterate that Costco cannot process a return to Visa/MC in store. :)

peroxide8888

Feb 16th, 2009, 07:59 PM

Yes they can, and they do! I'm not sure why you think they can't.

Whatever credit card you used to pay it with, they can put the funds back in as long you have a receipt with the credit card # under it. I don't see why you can't unless if there is an apparent reason... :|:|:|You're reading the post out of context. Costco cannot credit a Visa/MC in store. This thread is about a Visa purchase on costco.ca, and subsequent return to a Costco B&M store.

spf1971

Feb 16th, 2009, 08:09 PM

You're reading the post out of context. Costco cannot credit a Visa/MC in store. This thread is about a Visa purchase on costco.ca, and subsequent return to a Costco B&M store.

If you're talking about Costco specifically, then the store cannot refund to a Visa or Mastercard. The post I was responding to simply said that credit card transactions were refunded in cash/gift card which is incorrect. Read in the context of Costco, it's correct but read in the context of stores in general it isn't.

peroxide8888

Feb 16th, 2009, 09:17 PM

CNeufeld

Feb 16th, 2009, 09:59 PM

Scratch that... Bad karma for even posting...
Clint

brunes

Feb 17th, 2009, 08:32 AM

I've done this before a few times. They will only accept the return in store and since they don't take Visa in store, they will either give you the cash or put the $$, via Interac, into your account. As mentioned earlier, the bonus is that you get to keep any points racked up on the Visa.

This sounds like a huge loophole to rack up thousands of reward points....

Buy $2000 furniture set from Costco.ca, return in store next day, get cash back, keep 2000 points. Repeat next month (until banned).

CNeufeld

Feb 17th, 2009, 09:03 AM

This sounds like a huge loophole to rack up thousands of reward points....

Buy $2000 furniture set from Costco.ca, return in store next day, get cash back, keep 2000 points. Repeat next month (until banned).

That's pretty much what I didn't post. :) Except I limited it to being short a thousand or two points for your next free flight.

Clint

Jon Lai

Feb 17th, 2009, 09:45 AM

Wow, never thought of this loophole... I'm sure many people have already been taking advantage of this already though :P

slowtyper

Feb 17th, 2009, 09:56 AM

This sounds like a huge loophole to rack up thousands of reward points....

Buy $2000 furniture set from Costco.ca, return in store next day, get cash back, keep 2000 points. Repeat next month (until banned).

Yeah I thought of this years ago but never did it. Why buy furniture when you can buy a $10000 diamond ring though.

EDIT: Diamond probably wouldn't work since they have to verify the diamond before approving the return so they would probably send it somewhere else and you'd be refunded on your card. Plenty of other high priced items that are easier to lug around than furniture though.

bubble.tea

Feb 17th, 2009, 10:00 AM

If you're talking about Costco specifically, then the store cannot refund to a Visa or Mastercard. The post I was responding to simply said that credit card transactions were refunded in cash/gift card which is incorrect. Read in the context of Costco, it's correct but read in the context of stores in general it isn't.
sigh....
Kamloops' post is a response to the OP, therefore the context is in regards to a Costco purchase. I wouldn't think that would need to be clarified. :|
Exactly.
Wow, never thought of this loophole... I'm sure many people have already been taking advantage of this already though :P
I've always wondered how lenient the profiles (till banning) are at Costco.

I know someone who's been returning things after 3-6months use ever since Costco came out....and STILL account in good standing. I just can't believe it.

You'd think after a half dozen repeats they'd say something...but I guess it's a dangerous PR tight-rope they'd be walking if they instituted some soft-cap on returns, be they new in box 1 week post-purchase or the 3-12months down the road variety.

Any insiders know about any official rules about this?

Woohoo for TJ'ing!

slowtyper

Feb 17th, 2009, 10:03 AM

I've never actually heard (or read) of anyone being banned from Costco.

Unicron

Feb 17th, 2009, 11:09 AM

i emailed the Costco support

In following up with your inquiry, your local Costco warehouse will either give you cash or put in on your debit card for you.

Please reply to this email if you have any other inquiries.

and going to ask now about receipt since I just have a printed out version, hope thats good enough

molala

Feb 17th, 2009, 11:16 AM

I just returned something at a Costco warehouse which I purchased online.

If you have a receipt, then they would credit your debit (don't know why not just give me the cash). The could not credit your Visa because they don't have a visa terminal in store.

If you don't have a receipt, then you'll get gift card instead. Last time I gave them a print out of the email order confirmation and they take it as receipt!

ride365

Feb 17th, 2009, 04:22 PM

Would the tv not working out have anything to do with the fact that the superbowl has now passed ;) ?

rob187jj

Feb 17th, 2009, 11:18 PM

it goes back to you on your amex, debit card, cash or gift card.

i work at the returns counter and theyre somewhat watching out for people abusing return policies (loopholes)

alanbrenton

Mar 5th, 2009, 12:43 AM

This is good news that I can have the amount refunded to my debit card.

I'm eyeing an expensive HP notebook and would rather purchase it at Costco/Costco.ca just in case I find within 90 days that I have no need for it or if there are compatibility issues with the applications I most often use.

slowtyper

Mar 5th, 2009, 08:53 AM

i work at the returns counter and theyre somewhat watching out for people abusing return policies (loopholes)

What does this mean? What are you authorized to do?

user01

Mar 5th, 2009, 09:51 AM

What does this mean? What are you authorized to do?

It means they are able to gain access to your account when you return stuff, for instance, if you make a lot of returns. They are able to check what you have returned during the particular or prior month(s) and if they caught you abusing like buy and return for no reason, they have the right to label your account status as precautions (i.e. black name, etc)... :|:|:|

So when you return stuff next time, they can see your status and will know your an abuser which they have to take safety precautions. That's all I know so far since I had a friend that works at Costco and he told me about this... :o:o:o

Triad

Mar 5th, 2009, 09:58 AM

AFAIK they have to put it back on your credit card. Reason being is that once you swipe the card, ~3% is taken and given to the credit company. Costco is losing ~3%.

alanbrenton

Mar 5th, 2009, 11:30 AM

AFAIK they have to put it back on your credit card. Reason being is that once you swipe the card, ~3% is taken and given to the credit company. Costco is losing ~3%.

But isn't it only through credit card payments that we can purchase items online at costco.ca? I'm not sure if they have the same notebook on display in-store as I haven't been to costco for at least a few months.

slowtyper

Mar 5th, 2009, 11:33 AM

It means they are able to gain access to your account when you return stuff, for instance, if you make a lot of returns. They are able to check what you have returned during the particular or prior month(s) and if they caught you abusing like buy and return for no reason, they have the right to label your account status as precautions (i.e. black name, etc)... :|:|:|

So when you return stuff next time, they can see your status and will know your an abuser which they have to take safety precautions. That's all I know so far since I had a friend that works at Costco and he told me about this... :o:o:o

I know they can see your account, that is obvious. I'm wonder what exactly they are allowed to do and how they issue warnings. I think Costco should be able to take a return and then call their online office to issue the refund and receipt via email to avoid this whole mess.

slowtyper

Mar 5th, 2009, 11:34 AM

AFAIK they have to put it back on your credit card.

If you read the thread it has been established that this is not true.

emmafb

Mar 5th, 2009, 11:53 AM

it goes back to you on your amex, debit card, cash or gift card.

i work at the returns counter and theyre somewhat watching out for people abusing return policies (loopholes)

I was wondering what they can really be done about it! I knew someone has bought a portable dvd player and and exchanging them for a newer model (claim not working, still under warrantly). Then after a whopping 4 years later, returned it for store credit - I still can't believe it!

The only thing I saw what costco did was change the 5 years warrantly (1 by manufacturer + 4 by costco itself) to 2 years warrantly (1 by manufacturer + 1 by costco) which won't stop those people taking advantage of their policy.