I didn't know there was such a thing. If I were a college student I might abuse that and buy like a whole year's worth of beer and cheetos in one year!

so what did they return, exactly? *shudder*

I bought a couch at Costco Home Store in August, and it has turned out to be a bad purchase. Lovely to look at, difficult to sit on. I was at the Home Store yesterday, and asked about returning it, and low and behold, they'll take it back if I bring it in. I mean, I'm sure there will be some sort of catch, but I asked all KINDS of questions, and they said that as long as there are no wild animals living in it, they'll be happy to accept it back.

I HATE going to Costco (long lines, slow women pushing large carts full of screaming children, Disneyland-like parking lots), but I have to admit, they can save you quite a bit.

Hey, sorry I didn't properly greet you. I don't have time today to go back through the weekend's posts, so I don't always realize what changes occur here. Welcome to Wise Bread.

Relish probably does have a sell by date, but as far as I can tell, there's nothing organic contained in the jar, and thus nothing to spoil. The Costco purchase that I most regret was a huge jar or artichoke hearts (my bf's idea). I think he ate ONE artichoke, and then the jar sat at the back of the fridge for a year until I realized it was an unnatural color. I still get queazy thinking about it.

I’ve read a couple places that there’s a tendency (perhaps just for Americans) to consume more when more is available. Ever been at the end of your paper towel roll and you think twice about tearing off a new sheet because that means you had to refill it? Or you have that giant barrel of snacks (let's say, oh, Cheese Balls from Sam’s) so it doesn't matter if you grab a few handfuls each time you want a snack, which could be every couple hours. I found a book on Amazon, Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think, that mentions eating habits when we buy in bulk. It’s best to remember to treat your bulk purchases like you’re down to your last portion, whether it be tin foil or Cheesy Poofs, which I simply can’t do, so I avoid the concrete floors and yearly fees and I clip coupons like a sucker. And sometimes, like Andrea said, you won’t get to the food before it goes bad, then you’ve thrown away your money entirely. I’ll revisit the idea once I’m buying for more than two, certainly.

Hi Jess, do you have any insights regarding the whole Costco return policy? Apparently they've changed their wonderful no-questions-asked-ever! policy for computers to a six-months limit, and there is speculation that they will do the same for televisions.

I did some research and it seems that Costco will try to curb returns with their new concierge service first, and if that doesn't lower the return rate for TVs, they will change the return policy.

Any comments? (sticks microphone under Jess's chin)

hmm...i dont work there anymore but i can only assume the returns were getting out of hand...

in my opinion it is a little ridiculous to refund a fully eaten pie or a big screen tv with what looks like a hole kicked in the screen...

one thing i liked about costco is that they are pretty willing to work with the customer.

that being said the one i worked at was the most sexist environment i'd ever been in. (i've heard this is a rare case though...) 

pretty much. i still love costco as a store though....hahah

I have a friend pick me up some items when he goes to those stores.I also belong to The grocerygame,there is a small fee for joining , the first store is 10.00 and every store after is 5.00 every eight weeks. It is just my husband and myself but we save over 50% or more every time we shop. The web site is worth checking out if you have never heard of it . There is also a trial membership for 1.00 for four weeks and the list is everyweek for items at the rock bottom prices. Thegrocerygame.com

Costco/Sams always have free samples on the weekends, and since I'm a member I often stop there in between other grocery stores just to 'taste' my way through a free lunch. Of course you have to practice self control and not buy anything that isn't on your list...Also, they are really good sources of paperbacks and new release books at very cheap prices. I've gotten three paperbacks for $5 there, by popular authors like Clive Cussler, Tom Clancy, and Janet Evanovitch.