Costco Selling Used/Returned Items as New -- Is this normal?

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May 26th, 2020 9:02 pm

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May 22nd, 2020 11:28 am

FreakyStories [OP]: Newbie; Jun 23, 2016; 36 posts; 13 upvotes; GTA

May 22nd, 2020 11:28 am

Costco Selling Used/Returned Items as New -- Is this normal?

I bought a Danby dehumidifer online from costco at full price, new about a month ago, but due to mild weather in southwestern Ontario I've only been using it for the past week.

The thing dumps out a lot of hot air (common with dehumidifiers but this thing is like a hair dryer) and it seems to me like a rattling noise has become louder.

This actually seems normal for a danby dehumidifer according to some of the (negative) reviews I've seen.

However, I decided to take a look at the dehumidifier closely. The frame has light scratches and the metal grill in front of the coils at the back which suck in air are dented.

Is it normal procedure for Costco to sell refurbished/returns as new?

Especially given its a dehumidifier, which are notorious for breaking within 1-2 seasons, it's more concerning to me that it's used.

24 replies

May 22nd, 2020 11:50 am

Redfisher: Deal Addict; Feb 10, 2011; 1144 posts; 305 upvotes

May 22nd, 2020 11:50 am

No their policy is very strict, they don’t sell returns, damaged, or even display models.. they all get sold to auction house who In turn resale said items with no warranty or returns.that being said I’d be more inclined to think that is manufacturing damage and just poor inspection at factory. Costco will replace no problems.

No One Goes to Palmerston Ontario

+6

May 22nd, 2020 6:58 pm

Ottomaddox: Deal Fanatic; Oct 22, 2007; 8960 posts; 2471 upvotes; London

May 22nd, 2020 6:58 pm

Redfisher wrote: ↑ No their policy is very strict, they don’t sell returns, damaged, or even display models.. they all get sold to auction house who In turn resale said items with no warranty or returns.that being said I’d be more inclined to think that is manufacturing damage and just poor inspection at factory. Costco will replace no problems.

Some display models get sold at my local Costco at a steep discount.

+1

May 22nd, 2020 7:15 pm

jcha7420: Newbie; Jul 30, 2019; 22 posts; 13 upvotes; Vancouver

May 22nd, 2020 7:15 pm

Ottomaddox wrote: ↑ Some display models get sold at my local Costco at a steep discount.

I'll echo this, there are multiple discounted display televisions sitting on orange flatbeds for sale every time I visit.

+2

May 22nd, 2020 7:26 pm

CaptainCrash: Deal Addict; Apr 10, 2009; 1827 posts; 1013 upvotes; Hamilton

May 22nd, 2020 7:26 pm

Definitely sell display models

+2

May 22nd, 2020 8:32 pm

ALLCAPS: Deal Addict; Jan 3, 2014; 2659 posts; 1792 upvotes; Vancouver(ish)

May 22nd, 2020 8:32 pm

Redfisher wrote: ↑ No their policy is very strict, they don’t sell returns, damaged, or even display models..

They definitely sell display models. I have bought a couple including a TV when I wasn't planning on buying a TV, and had no car in which to carry it. Had to phone someone "quick...get the car...the store closes in 5 minutes..."

Proud RFD member since January 31, 2007. Feel free to add 3,034 to my post count.

May 22nd, 2020 8:34 pm

carmaster: Deal Expert; Jun 30, 2006; 17691 posts; 5611 upvotes; Toronto

May 22nd, 2020 8:34 pm

Well I won't be surprised if they shipped you a used unit. When people ordered the Conair Even cut online they received damaged boxes and opened items.

May 22nd, 2020 8:37 pm

chimaican: Deal Guru; Oct 23, 2008; 10109 posts; 6522 upvotes; GTA, ON

May 22nd, 2020 8:37 pm

If it's a return then it's probably the customer who returned it repackaged so well and then lied to the Costco associate about it's status (as being used), so the associate slapped a resellable sticker on it and it went back onto the shelf. Why a customer would do that makes no sense though as Costco has an amazing no questions asked return policy.

Anyways, same thing happened to me with a tower fan. The box was perfectly taped but when I opened it, the blades were caked with dust from previous use, and it squeaked. After close examination of the sealing tape, I saw they had taped over the original tape perfectly. I was able to return back to the warehouse no problem. Told the associate and they slapped a non-resellable sticker on it.

**edit**

Just saw you bought it online. Yeah, that is strange, but probably the same reason as above except the guy at the depot didn't check over the merchandise.

Tis banana is IRIE

10% off is cold, 50% off is warm, 75% off is hot, but FREE IS RFD!

+2

May 22nd, 2020 8:44 pm

smartie: Deal Fanatic; Dec 5, 2006; 6755 posts; 2453 upvotes; Markham

May 22nd, 2020 8:44 pm

chimaican wrote: ↑ If it's a return then it's probably the customer who returned it repackaged so well and then lied to the Costco associate about it's status (as being used), so the associate slapped a resellable sticker on it and it went back onto the shelf. Why a customer would do that makes no sense though as Costco has an amazing no questions asked return policy.

Anyways, same thing happened to me with a tower fan. The box was perfectly taped but when I opened it, the blades were caked with dust from previous use, and it squeaked. After close examination of the sealing tape, I saw they had taped over the original tape perfectly. I was able to return back to the warehouse no problem. Told the associate and they slapped a non-resellable sticker on it.

**edit**

Just saw you bought it online. Yeah, that is strange, but probably the same reason as above except the guy at the depot didn't check over the merchandise.

You mean they resell returned but never used in store?

May 22nd, 2020 10:19 pm

HghSsociety: Sr. Member; Feb 16, 2018; 948 posts; 906 upvotes

May 22nd, 2020 10:19 pm

chimaican wrote: ↑ If it's a return then it's probably the customer who returned it repackaged so well and then lied to the Costco associate about it's status (as being used), so the associate slapped a resellable sticker on it and it went back onto the shelf. Why a customer would do that makes no sense though as Costco has an amazing no questions asked return policy.

This, I just spent $800 on a battery operated lawn mower from Home Depot and when I opened the box it had lawn clippings in the leaf bag.

+2

May 22nd, 2020 10:36 pm

Engi-Nir: Deal Addict; Nov 27, 2007; 3565 posts; 688 upvotes

May 22nd, 2020 10:36 pm

Costco used to sell our products online which we manufactured. Basically, you order on costco website, ships directly from the manufacturer, the manufacturer sent you a damaged product.

+7

May 22nd, 2020 10:47 pm

smartie: Deal Fanatic; Dec 5, 2006; 6755 posts; 2453 upvotes; Markham

May 22nd, 2020 10:47 pm

Engi-Nir wrote: ↑ Costco used to sell our products online which we manufactured. Basically, you order on costco website, ships directly from the manufacturer, the manufacturer sent you a damaged product.

Finally Make sense

+3

May 23rd, 2020 10:57 am

fremmy: Sr. Member; Jun 5, 2016; 574 posts; 626 upvotes

May 23rd, 2020 10:57 am

HghSsociety wrote: ↑ This, I just spent $800 on a battery operated lawn mower from Home Depot and when I opened the box it had lawn clippings in the leaf bag.

You've just discovered the secret free Home Depot rental program!