A Seattle woman has become an internet sensation after claiming to test Costco’s lenient return policy by bringing back a couch she owned for two and a half years. The viral TikTok video, posted by Jackie Nguyen on January 23, has garnered nearly 3 million views.
In the video, Nguyen candidly shares her experience, stating, “I just didn’t like it anymore. We just don’t like the color anymore.” She expresses nervousness about returning the couch without a receipt, emphasizing the intimidation of walking into the store with a “giant purchase.”
However, Nguyen praises the accommodating nature of the sales clerk, who, despite the lack of paperwork, processed the return seamlessly. Since Nguyen remembered the day she bought the couch, the Costco employee was able to retrieve the purchase information and issue a full refund, originally amounting to $900, as reported by the Daily Dot. It’s worth noting that the same couch now retails for $1,500.
When questioned about the reason for the return, Nguyen informed the Costco employee that she simply didn’t like the piece anymore. The store promptly issued a full refund to her card.
In a now-deleted post, Nguyen shared additional details, revealing that Costco informed her returned items like furniture might be donated, resold, returned to the manufacturer for a tax credit, or refurbished.
Towards the end of the video, Nguyen humorously advises, “Buy your furniture from Costco, girl. You can return it when you don’t like it anymore.”
The video has sparked discussions online about the boundaries and ethics of return policies, especially for large retailers like Costco known for their customer-friendly approaches. Many viewers found amusement in Nguyen’s unconventional use of the return policy, while others debated the ethical considerations of returning a used item after such an extended period.
Costco is renowned for its generous return policy, allowing customers to return most items at any time for a full refund. While the policy contributes to the retailer’s positive reputation for customer satisfaction, instances like Nguyen’s raise questions about the potential for misuse and the impact on the company’s bottom line.
Nguyen’s viral video highlights the broader conversation around consumer behavior, return policies, and the ethical considerations involved in taking advantage of such lenient practices. It remains to be seen how this trend may influence retailers and their approach to return policies in the future.