I also worked at a store (high end) that had a full refund policy. The local popular news anchor would wear her threads on the air and then return them consistently claiming she had not worn them. How stupid can you be? All I'm saying is that no matter what income level, there are people out there who openly cheat the system and eventually ruin it for everyone else. If this lady was that hard up for cash, I doubt she could or would have bought that tree in the first place.

This is why we seen all these bizarre warning labels on things. Just like that little packet inside shoe boxes that say "DO NOT EAT". Yup someone tried. Now we will start to see signs on real trees. "Tree will die in time."

I doubt she was in dire financial need since she had enough money to buy the tree, in the first place. Live Christmas trees aren't cheap, these days. Some people just have no ethics. Sad, but true.

Worked in retail. You would be surprised to find out how many people want to return big expensive TVs the day after the super bowl (usually bought 1-2 days before the bowl)

The sad truth is that the ones who pay for this are the honest customers, just like with things that get stolen. It all gets added up to the normal prices.

Percentage wise, this return is insignificant to the Costco profit margin. And the lenient return policy gives us confidence to purchase more feeling safe, which increases sales, so it really does work for a major retailer like Costco, and definitely for us as consumers. However, all returns like this are linked directly to this “customer’s” membership, and eventually she will be denied membership. Trust me, this kind of behavior has repercussions in every aspect of her sh!tty shameful life, and Costco isn’t hurt in the least by that tree. Sleep well tonight knowing that she cannot. 😁

Pathetic, greedy person/con. Costco and other dumb enabling companies are promoting this lunacy.

Long time ago I used to work for a department store. They had a very lenient return policy, but people took it to the ridiculous! We had a lady that repeatedly would come in on a Thursday, buy table linens, dishes, glasses, flatware etc. Then return it all on Monday. We all knew that she was having dinner parties, but nobody ever did anything about it. I also worked in the shoe department for awhile. Had all kinds of bizarre returns, but the best one was a lady who wanted to return a pair of shoes that were so worn, the sides were blown out and it wasn't something we had sold for years. She said that they just didn't fit right. She claimed that she had paid $50 for them and wanted that returned. Our policy was that without a receipt you got the last known price. I couldn't find them in our system at all, had to get a manager to calm the lady down and eventually gave her $2 as the refund. Some people!

maybe I read this wrong but it seems to say that we would be infuriated by the answer from Costco?

these kinds of taking advantage of costumer policies is so ugly and horrible...>:(

One of the reasons companies have such lenient return policies is that they are fear-based. Many are afraid to stand against any situation, because they might lose a customer. A customer who attempts to pay nothing, for unrealistic excuses, is not a customer, in the end. They would be defined, a thief.The corporations running these type of policies, based on fear and people-pleasing, would as a "person" be diagnosed with emotional, and mental, handicaps, requiring counseling or therapy. They would not be a healthy "person", and as we have been learning, a pattern reinforced, abused person, will seek out abusers, until helped, and regains a healthy mind, heart, and self perspective. Consumer-culture abuse of providers will continue to be nurtured in the mammonistic buy and sell cradles, until the bow breaks; in my near future mind, I can hear the lullabies turning to shrieks already!

Problem is...the rest of us pay for it in the end. Costs are always passed on to the consumer.

I worked at a Kmart ten years ago and they took back everything, no questions asked. People would steal from Walmart then bring it back to us. Needless to say, that is one of the reasons Kmart had to close so many of their stores.

They stand behind their return policy. The shame should go to the member. I don't think you are going to see a rush of members returning Christmas Trees as most people have standards that are well above hers.

And I’m over here wanting to take a CD player w/ iPhone docking back I bought in 2014 that keeps scratching my CDs... but my hubby won’t let me cause “it’s been to long” he says! *smh*

People, like that lady, are the reason prices are so high! I believe it to be no different than stealing. Sad and very stupid to expect to return a Christmas tree on Jan 4th.....I imagine Costco had to bend the rules just to shut her up.

This person should be ASHAMED of themselves.

Only in the US.... Over here (Germany) the store staff would just give you the typical withering look and kick you out of the store.

We need Costco's in The Netherlands, I see possibilities :P

Ahhh, but I am not infuriated, BP. Not over this.

Shame on all of you for JUDGING her!! ‘Tis the season or is all that good will over in January?? You yourself said you don’t know her story, so for all we know she’s Jewish and wasn’t just be wasteful with a tree for decoration but actually planting them in her yard!! Just bought it during the sale but for its real purpose. I am saddened every day at how hateful this country has become everyone ready to down someone when we should just keep our noses in our own business!! Smh

I think she and every right! You yourself said you didn’t know her story. For all we know she’s Jewish and it wasn’t a wasteful decoration like we all used them for, she might of just taken advantage of the tree sales and was actually planting them in her yard. Some people do buy trees to plant! Shame on all of you for putting your noses in someone’s business and JUDGING her without knowing the story. ‘Tis the season right?? Or is that s**t over in January?? Obviously!!

When all manner of conscience, self-respect, and dignity as a human being has vanished. This is what you do.

next year get an artificial tree lady !!!

I lived in Page, AZ. A very big tourist area, I can vouch for the food returns! People will buy tons of food for their houseboats, after they are done and food is left....back to the store it goes! Full refund on the carts no questions asked and of course they put it back on the shelf. I got sick of buying moldy food from the Safeway and seeing two week old items for sale. And yes, they even resale the green meat....

Costco is encouraging theft and fraud. I don't want that message being sent to my children. This is NOT okay Costco!

Not positive, but the base almost looks like it has roots, was this possibly a tree she bought live in a pot and didn't return it in the pot. Maybe she planted it and it died? If it was a cut tree, she is stealing from Costco.

One time I saw a lady trying to returned a half nesquik, claiming its gone bad than why the f**k did you drink half of it

I have been buying Costco trees for years and they have always been amazing - except for this year. I certainly know how to take care of a natural tree but mine started dropping a ton of needles right from the start. I filled a gallon sized Zip-Lock bag full of dropped needles two days after bringing the tree home. After calling Costco, they told me that they had received a number of complaints (at least in Illinois) and they instructed me to bring the tree back. I was being totally honest and I certainly was not trying to take advantage of their very generous return policy. They were kind enough to take it back especially after seeing the abundance of needles that fell off of the tree. Granted, I did not wait until 10 days after Christmas to return it, but I appreciated that they believed me and that customer service wanted to make things right. However, even though I was instructed to return the tree, I still received many looks of disgust as I wheeled it into the store. Oh well.