Complain about a product or service

Costco

Dave of Anchorage AK (07/28/08)
This was a very positive experience. We purchased a Rhomba, I robot, vaccume. At about 11 months the machine failed to hold a battery charge and seemed to loose the ability to navigate, as it had when new. I inquired about the warranty period when I was in Costco one day. I was informed that it was one year and they generated a copy of the receipt and stated that I just needed to bring the machine and and any components back to them for a refund.

I did this and my money was returned. I was pleasantly surprised at the ease of this and appreciated the way the Costco employees assisted with all the details. They deserve the appropriate accolades for their customer service.

Jane of Kissimmee FL (07/24/08)
I purchased 4 Michilin tires at Costco and made arrangements to have them mounted in pairs at later dates. When I had the first two tires mounted I requested that the new ones be put on the front and the front ones rotated to the rear. Scott, the manager of the tire department, informed me that they always put the new ones on the rear. I didn't care for his arrogant attitude but assumed he knew what he was talking about. I made inquiries at several tire stores and they all told me the new ones should be put on the front.

Earlier this month I had the other two tires mounted and requested that they be put on the front. He again told me, in his arrogant manner with a smirk on his face, they would be put on the rear. I told him I had asked six different tire dealers if new tires should be put on the front or the rear. All six told me the front. He said they were old school from the 80's when they were told that new ones should be put on the front. I said I thought it strange that six people in the same business say one thing and he says something else and they're all wrong.

Anyhow...after the tires were mounted on the rear I decided I would write and ask YOU where the new tires should go. If you tell me the rear, I'll not question him. If you tell me the front, I will register a complaint with the local Costco manager. As a customer, I think they should be mounted where I ask them to be mounted unless there is a logical explanation why not. This is certainly not a complaint regarding the tires and I'm not looking to sue anyone. I just need to know if Scott has his information correct. I travel about 500 miles per week and want to be as safe as I can be.

Ro of Ontario OR (07/19/08)
Today, Sunday July 13, 2008 we made a purchase at your Nampa Idaho store (#734) One of the items was CloroxClean Up We placed in in the back of my new Subaru Outback station wagon to carry me because we saw there was plastic wrapping the bottles

When we got home to Oregon (about an hour away) we noticed that there were bleach stains on the carpet We examined the package further and saw that there were some tiny tears in the plastic where the Clorox had seeped through I am not sure why the bottoles would be open, as it would not be easily accessible for anyone to have opened them for what ever purpose but one of them had leaked clorox onto the carpet of my new car There are a series of about 4 small and visible stains on the carpet, which is a dark color

Since the products came from [their] warehouse, I would like to see what [their] practice is when it comes to these situation. My new car's carpet is ruined.

Thomas of Seattle WA (07/10/08)
Kawasaki 19.2v circular saw with laser, ser no 6040003570, purchased at Costco. While charging the 19.2v battery, model no. 6040003941, in the supplied battery charger the unit overheated. The battery ruptured and the two units were fused together. If I had not been present when this happend it would have started a fire in my home. When I called the distributor Alltrade I was told that because these were cheap units I could not expect them to put in overload protection. I was told that I was simply out of luck because the warranty had expired.

I have a worthless tool because I do not have acharger to charge the spare battery. I might have had a fire in my home if I did not catch it in time. I might have been injured when the battery ruptured.

Gigi of Corona CA (07/04/08)
My husband purchased a Canon camera online. The total purchase price is $917.00. He used our Mastercard debit card to pay for the purchase. The next day, I went online to check my checking acct. and found that COSTCO charged my account twice. In other words, they charged us $1,834 in total. My husband their costumer service no. and was told that the second charge was for verification only and will be credited back to my account after 3 business days.

He made the purchase on Monday the 30th, today is the 3rd and they still didn't credit my acct. What really surprised me is what the costumer service representative told my husband. She said that COSTCO charges 1st, then their bank charges the other for verification. I understand what a verification is, but to take $917.00 as a verification is SIMPLY STUPID and RUDE! She said that if we didn't have enough to cover the $1,834, we will be charged an overdraft fee. My husband told her...you mean even if I had $1,100 in my checking account and the total amount of my purchase is $917.00, COSTCO will return it as an overdraft? and she said...UNFORTUNATELY, YES.

My husband said, what if I bounce checks because of what you've done, would you pay for the charges? The answer was NO. My husband was so FURIOUS and told her that what COSTCO is doing is simply CRIMINAL and STUPID. COSTCO inconveniences their members and they don't even care. Thank God I received my stimulus check that day and had money to cover the checks we paid for our bills.

One more thing. My husband said to the girl. Do you have this certain process of your online as a warning to us? She said no. She also added that she doesn't agree to their procedures too and that she doesn't blame us. I would like to file a formal complaint against COSTCO. I just don't think anyone else should suffer the way we did.

Savanna of Roseville CA (06/19/08)
I wanted to sign up to be a member. My brother was with me and wanted something from their food court. The employee at the door thought we were just there to take advantage of their cheap polish sausages. I saw her scoping me out from behind the check stand as I was getting info on how to become a member.

She then came up to me and told me (in the most condescending tone) that I had to be a member to eat at their food court and that I should hurry and sign up. Believe me, their cheap Kirkland food isn't worth being treated like that.

Sam of Argyle TX (06/19/08)
I am a pharmacist, and identified myself as such, and was curious about the working conditions, specifically the number of Rx's filled daily, as I would like to work closer to where my wife works. The pharmacist brushed me off by saying that this was confidential information then said next question. I've been a pharmacist for 20 years and prior to that, a pharmacy technician for 7 years and I have never treated a customer so rudely. Incidentally, this was my first visit to Cosco and I was in the process of having an $800 set of tires installed on my truck. No phne call rec'd from management today as promised.

Miriam of Monsey NY (06/17/08)
I was shopping at costco on 5/13/07 when they had their worker load merchandise on the floor when he toppled with his fork and knocked me down. He hurt my hand and my fingers kept locking so I called them and they told me to take an xray and theyll pay for it. it was only infamed so I called them back and faxed what I paid 235 by credit card well I did send it twice because after 2-3 months i called she told me to refax and was promised compensation but I never heard from her nor received a payment for what I paid

I'm constantly having my fingers lock on me to the extent that If I hold my baby I have to put her down to release this I also at some point felt my knees hurting

Kenneth of Pacific Palisades CA (04/29/08)
i was charged unfairly a finace fee of $37.87 and probably next month will be charged an additional finance fee because of the way they calculate finance fees over a two month period. this is an unfair finance fee because in fact i can prove that my payment was received by the deadline 4/12/08 to avoid finance charges. my amex statement shows payment posted to my account on 4/13/08. BUT MAIL IS NOT DELIVERED ON SUNDAY INCLUDING THIS SUNDAY 4/13/08.

This means that my payment was in the hands of amex before april 13 2008, namely april 12 or earlier. when amex was confronted with these facts(at first amex claimed payment was received i day late)they then said oh it may have been received earlier but it is when they POST the payment to the account which could take days(UP TO 10 DAYS). this process of using the post date instead of the receipt date seems UNFAIR and PREGNANT WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO CHEAT CONSUMERS AS i am being cheated. what can i do?

$37.87+what i will be charged next month plus having to waste close to an hour to get to this point

Margaret of Indianapolis IN (04/28/08)
Purchased water slide at Costco. Granddaughter tried slide two times. Lack of padding at bottom of short slide allowed her to land very hard on her bottom. The wind was knocked out of her and I thought we would have to call 911 when her eyes started to roll back in her head. Fortunately, She came around and started to scream.

She could have damaged her spine severely on this toy. I have never been so scared by something I thought would be a lot of fun for my grandchildren. Please, please, be careful if you have this item. We took ours back to the store on the very same day-after we were assured our granddaughter would be alright. Again there is NO padding at the bottom of these chutes!

Robert of Denver CO (03/09/08)
Costco evidently does not issue Rain Checks for all products that they carry when they run out on one of their coupon specials. They ran out of Electrosol Dishwasher tabs twice, and then at the end of the day on the last day of the special would not issue a rain check. The coupon was for buy one, get one free. I realize that stores have the right to establish their own policies, but I do think this is poor business practice when it comes to keeping the customer happy, especially when that customer is a member of their warehouse, and they expect to sell them another membership next year. What ever happened to the idea in retail of: the customer is always right? I just don't think that retailers care about the customer anymore. I am pretty sure that Costco does not care about their customers. They run these coupons to get you in the store, and then if they run out of the product that brought you into the store - oh well, too bad.

Zhixiong of Los Angeles CA (02/24/08)
I regret that I need to complain to you of Costco's delay of response. An e-mail was sent on November 8, 2007 to Costco reporting an accident that happened. But I am feeling that Costco has performed its duty in a perfunctory manner, not having sincerity to resolve the matter nor showing its solicitude for the customers' health. I did not hear from their center until November 24, 2007.

Now, let me describe what has happened to my wife. On the morning of November 4, she drank some milk (Kirkland Signature Reduced Fat Milk) sold in the store located in Alhambra. My wife felt something was wrong with her stomach and began to vomit hardly two hours later. She vomited twice in the morning and she went to the bathroom frequently after one o'clock that afternoon. She kept suffering from diarrhea for hours. But we placed the milk in the refrigerator at adequate temperatures. And the best date on the bottle was November 13, 2007. My wife took some medicine and rested in bed. She was too weak to stand, nor go to work for three days, having to stay at home to make a thorough recovery. What an awful experience we have had! My wife and I do request that Costco should settle this matter as soon as possible. We reserve the right to demand compensation for losses because of the polluted milk. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

My wife lost three days for working. Costco has not had any sincerity to solve the incident caused by the problem milk sold at its store.

Judy of Peyton CO (02/20/08)
I just want to warn people out there, that if you go to a home show, see a vendor there, and you apply for their credit card, that you might never see the credit card, and your information just might be taken and never given to the store. In Jan. 2007, my husband and I went to a home show at the Phil Long Ford Expo in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Costco Warehouse was there, taking memberships and credit card applications. We filled one out, got our cash cards and paid the $100.00 membership. We received our membership cards in an envelope, that looked like a 5-year-old filled out our address. My city was not only wrong, but the city they put on it was spelled wrong. There was no letter welcoming us or thanking us for the membership--nothing but the cards. It was a miracle we even got the cards.

Then, here it is, Feb. 20, 2007 and we have not heard a word about the credit card. I called the membership dept., and they said they had not received our application for the credit card. I was in shock. Not recorded-- then what happened to my application? They had no idea and told me to reapply. I am in fear that the person who took my application, kept my credit card application to use it in fraud. I have contacted the membership and asked them what happen to it, but I am sure, I will be told everything is fine. I just want you all to be very careful at these home shows. You are not dealing with the store, just people working for them. There is no computer to log your information in, just paper; and anyone can take what they want from it. I guess I will have to keep a fraud alert on my credit for a while longer. I wonder, if anyone else has had this problem or if I am the only one. I will never ever trust another home show with my information, no matter what the store is. I hope others will learn from my mistake. Let alone, we paid the membership with our credit card, so they have that information too. 

Jack of San Jose CA (02/18/08)
I ordered carpet from Costco (pay in advance required) for dining/living room combination. It's a large room with heavy furniture and lots of glassware. The rest of house is filled with items. Installers come, tear up old carpet and pad. They begin to install carpet, and it's the wrong carpet. I was having party in two days. I can't move back furniture, etc., so have to deal with the mess with guests for over a week until correct carpet is ordered and received. I asked for some compensation from Custom Decorators and am flatly told my their manager that they make no compensations. They'll install the correct carpet when it comes in, and that's it.

No physical damage yet, unless they have to install in the rain and put our furniture outside during installation. Point being and message to other consumers: I would never use any of Costco's services again. Not only are they obviously unreliable but they offer no customer service representation whatsoever.

Bruce of Lovettsville VA (02/05/08)
Friday, Feb. 1, my son replaced a fuse in his 1993 mustang. The fuse was blown caused by a coin dropped in the cigarette lighter socket. He did not find the coin until after the center console started smoking and caught on fire. The installed fuse did not protect the circuit and created a high resistance in wiring, causing the harness to melt and catch fire. The damage was extensive to the vehicle. I found out after that, that there is a safety recall of Chinese made fuses sold by Harbor Freight Tools. This fuse was not purchased by Harbor Freight Tools. It was purchased through Costco, Inc and sold as a 4-drawer cabinet work gear set made by Olympia Group Inc. These cabinets were manufactured in china and direct shipped to and sold exclusively by Costco.

My son's car may be a total loss. He could have been killed or injured in the fire that was a direct result of replacing a simple fuse. The car was purchased last year for $3,500, and we have restored it to the value of $6,500.

Howard of Brinnon WA (02/01/08)
After about 18 months I am getting a notice on my TV to replace the lamp, which I am told will cost about $300.00 and is only good for 12 months. I was not told when I purchased the TV that I would need to replace the lamp on a yearly basis. This is expensive for a retired person; we should be reimbursed for cost of the lamp. The lamp I need to replace is PT-52LCX15.

Ms of Bayamon\ OTHER (01/30/08)
BAD BAD Customer Service--the poorest I've ever experienced in any service industry. No matter what day of the week, they only have 3 cashiers open. The lines go up to the store shelve areas, and people with their carts waiting in line make difficult your shopping experience. You see a lot of employees wandering around, but we need people in the cashiers area to make more efficient the operation. I think is a problem of a poor management decision.

I will cancel my membership forever, and tell other people not to shop in this store.

Mark of Santa Monica CA (01/30/08)
No real news here. Costco treats its customers like cattle. My last trip to Costco, Marina Del Rey, CA (which has a D rating by the local Better Business Bureau by the way) started with an unannounced change in hours for their more expendable cattle, causing me to wait outside for 20 minutes before being allowed to enter the palace. Once inside, I did my shopping and got in line to pay. There were 2 cashier clerks, and one of them accidentally dumped my 1 gallon bottle of car wash soap on the floor, causing a major spill and bringing the cattle-drive to a standstill. While she spent a couple of minutes mopping up the mess, rather than walk over and fetch a replacement bottle, the second clerk just stood there. After the mess was cleaned up, I asked why they had not taken a minute to get another bottle, and they said they would--then started to take the customer behind me. I insisted on not being passed over and said I would not pay until they took 60 seconds to get another bottle.

After several minutes, a manager comes by. Now we have 3 employees standing around doing nothing, when all they had to do was get another bottle, and I would be on my merry way. Not good enough for the cattle-drivers - the manager rudely voided my sale and took the next customer. Yep, must keep the herd moving at all costs even if we lose one cow. So rather than spend 60 seconds to correct the problem, they chose to spend 15 minutes re-stocking my groceries and anger a customer. Nice.

Wasted an hour of my time.

Mark of Richmond CA (01/23/08)
I brought in my car due to a flat tire. I went to the register to ask them to fix the flat. "No problem," the Costco tire service attendant said, and he also suggested to rotate the tires. I told him that would be fine. Anyway, I walked back to work and came back 2 hours later; the tire service people then informed me that the tire could not be fixed, and they couldn't replace it because they didn't have the tire in stock. They suggested I drive to another location which had the tires in stock, and have them replace it. I was fine with this. So, they pull my car out of the garage, I get in and drive away, slowly. I drive onto the street and start noticing a knocking sound in the front, so I was going to turn around and go back to the Costco garage. I drove approx. 40-50 yards from the garage, and all of the sudden my left front tire falls off, and my car hits the ground. I get out and look at the tire and notice that there were no lug nuts on the rim. I look back at a trail of scattered lug nuts all over the street. I yelled back to the tire service people and asked "You guys didn't tighten up the lug nuts?"

They bring a floor jack out and attach the tire, bring it back to garage. By this time the shop manager, assistant general manager and general manager were involved. They checked the tire, bolts, rotors, etc. took pictures and sent me on my way. They didn't offer advice, like call your insurance, bring it back to the dealer or offer to pay for any damage caused--nothing of the sort. Luckily, this happened only a few yards from the Costco shop. What if the tire were to fall off on the freeway and put others and myself in harms way? What am I to do?

This incident just happened a few hours ago, so I'm not sure of the extent of the economic or physical damage.

Robert of Lancaster CA (01/18/08)
I took my car to Costco for tires. When I got my car back, it had two blown air suspension bags. When I filled a complaint, I was told Costco was not going to make to make any repairs. My car was damaged by Costco and they refused to take responsibility for the damage. The suspension bags were in good working order when I went to Costco.

The suspension had to be replaced with new ones at a cost of $730.89 plus $60.00 in taxi fares and a great deal of frustration. I am a senior citizen and this was a great financial burden for me.

Bruce of Dana Point CA (01/08/08)
Bought an auto battery on 05/06 that said 36 month FREE replacement Warranty. It failed on 12/07, well within the FREE replacement warranty. But Costco would not replace it; they refunded the original price of $39.99 and sold me a new Battery for $59.99. Sorry but that is not a Free Replacement. I went to several other auto parts stores and inquired on their FREE replacement battery warranties, and they all said the same: If your battery fails within the stated warranty period, you get a FREE replacement no matter if the cost of the new battery is $500.00.

So I complained, but Costco said that's the ways it is--they don't honor the warranty for paying members/customers. I returned the battery and bought a much better one at Walmart for $10.00 more but with a warranty that will be honored.

Donald of Canonsburg PA (12/15/07)
I purchased a pair of eyeglasses at Costco in Pittsburgh, (Robinson Township.) I have several complaints. I was told there is a warranty on the eyeglasses. I returned them at 14 days because a screw kept falling out, and the lens fell out and became scratched. They said their policy is to fix them first, and then they will refund or replace. They replaced the screw and added glue to the screw. This worked for a week. I returned several more times with the same problem. I demanded new glasses or a refund. They said Costco does not warranty eyeglasses.

But they said when I purchased them that they do. I tried phoning Costco HQ and was placed on hold every time. I called and hung up several times after being put on hold over 45 minutes. I am out over $400.

A.r. of Tracy CA (12/09/07)
I have ordered a trademill on 11/24/07 via Costco.com. There is no sign of coming. I got email that it was shipped on 11/27, but yet it has to arrive. Today is almost 15 days. When I call customer service, their hold time is 35 minutes. When I discussed this delay to a local store, they said they could not help. I have a bad experience first time purchasing one with Costco. I wonder how can they survive online, whereas other companies deliever within 3-4 business days even the item shipped from across the country.

Donna of Lower Salem OH (12/03/07)
I have a Cosco Juvenile playpen and have been looking to see if it is recalled because it keeps collapsing from the bottom. The bottom pieces will not stay up, and the bolts or device that holds it together keeps popping out. The model number is 05009 and the MFD is 042304. I cannot find out any information on this and would think that the recall list or websites would have an area where a consumer could type in the model number and date and find out if it is recalled. I cannot put a baby in this playpen for fear it will collapse.

Denise of Lake Bluff IL (11/12/07)
On 11/1/07 purchased over $500 of various items from Costco-Niles, Illinois. We have had an Executive Corporate Membership with Costco for many years. When we went to pay for the purchases, we were informed we can no longer purchase any liquor items with a corporate check. All the 16 liquor items had to be voided from the purchase and put back through the checkout. A personal check had to be issued much to the dismay of many disgruntled customers standing in line behind us. We were told the State of Illinois will no longer accept corporate checks or corporate credit cards to purchase any liquor items at Costco. Neither the Store Manager or the Regional Manager who happen to be present knew anything further.

I cannot find any information regarding this new State of Illinois law on Costco's website or the State of Illinois liquor commission website. Costco's customer service dept. was no help over the phone. It has cost our business much time to pursue this issue. Also because of the use of a personal check, our checking account was charged $165 in overdraft fees.

Lisa of Bakersfield CA (10/29/07)
I went into the local Costco pharmacy in bakersfield to pick-up a prescription and the employee was extremely rude. I have never experienced anything like that at a place of business in my life. I WILL NEVER JOIN COSTCO. The clerk was so unprofessional that I walked out without the prescription.

Kyu of Nokesville VA (10/26/06)
Ordered furniture online on 11 Aug 06 through Costco.com and paid $3,727.48. Was promised for delivery in six weeks and waited six weeks. No word on my furniture other than the initial email stating that the furniture was shipped on 23 Aug 06. There was no option to track the shipment. Called Costco.com several times and finally found out that the furniture was being held to be repaired. Did not want to receive repaired furniture when I paid a full price.

Dodie of Portland OR (07/03/06)
In April, 2005, in response to an ad in our Costco store which read Purchase any Whirlpool appliance at Costco and receive 1) One free additional year of warranty coverage and 2) free full-sized Kirkland Signature cleaning product, we purchased both a Duet Washing Machine and a Duet Dryer from Costco.com. The offer goes on to say that within 14-21 days of our purchase we would receive via mail our extended warranty card and a coupon(s) for one or more of the Kirkland products listed.

After more that 21 days, I called customer service on 6/13/05 and whoever I spoke with assured me the warranty and coupons were forthcoming shortly. I called again on 6/29/05 and spoke with Veronica who gave me the same assurance. I called again on 8/1/05 and spoke with Margo. She apologized for the delay, but again assured me the items would be sent.

The first part of September I stopped by customer service at my store and they said there was nothing they could do because Costo.com is totally separate from the Costco store and suggested I write. So, I emailed them explaining the whole story on 9/7/05. On 9/9/05 I received a reply from Taylor S. in customer service, along with a tracking number with a message that read I have sent an email to our Buying Office, who is sending these out to you and find out why you have not received yours. They should be contacting you. On 9/27/05 I wrote back to Taylor to say I had not received anything yet, nor had I heard from anyone and that I was extremely frustrated with their lack of service, etc. I have not pursued this any further out of frustration, since I've never received any response from anyone.

Nancy of Apopka FL (01/30/06)
I ordered flowers for a funeral on Wednesday, December 21 to be delivered the following Thursday, December 29 for use on December 30. That is the Costco scheduled time required to order flowers, eight days.I received a confirmation of my order indicating they would be delivered on the 29th. I received no FEDEX delivery the morning of the 29th so I tried tracking online. FEDEX showed a pickup order with no tracking information. I called them and they told me they tried to pickup the order but for some reason, they were not sent.

I called COSTCO customer service and they said they showed them shipped and that I should wait until afternoon to see if they came. Luckily, I found the flowers locally, but told the people in my office to refuse delivery if they came on Friday since I was to be off for the funeral. They did refuse delivery since there isn't much you can do with funeral flowers a day later.

I contacted COSTCO for a credit to my account and they said they would have to investigate. When I finally got a response, it was that no credit could be issued because I ordered the flowers too late, THURSDAY, December 21. My calendar indicates December 21 to be a WEDNESDAY, and I am certain that is when they were ordered.

I am being charged $74.00 for someone elses error. A death in the family is difficult enough without having to look for last minute flowers! COSTCO does a great job with customer service in their stores but I will never consider ordering from them online again.

Catharine of Bakersfield CA (09/09/04)
First I must say, I do truly enjoy shopping at our local Costco store. My probelm was trying to order (9-3-04) something online.I was already registered but, could not remember my password. I followed all proceedures as instructed trying to obtain a temporary password. The password I finally received on 9-8-04 after many many e-mails. Most of the responses I received from c/s were generic making it sound as if all the difficulties I was having were my fault. I put Costco on my contact list so their e-mails would not be rejected, I emptied the cookies and temporary folders. I could receive their responses with all the proceedures to follow but it took 3 working days to get the password. But the final straw was then I go into order and the item is GONE!!

I was so totally p---ed I could not believe this had happened. I had been watching a superior quality refurbished HP Computer w/a one year warranty. I truly wanted this machine and now it is gone. I had even printed the spec sheet for this computer so I would know everything about it. Truly a HUGE disappointment. I had thought for the last 15 years that shopping with Costco was actually the closest thing you could to a perfect shopping experience. I am not happy.

Deirdre of Flemington NJ (01/14/04)
On 1/11/04 I was doing comparative shopping for a pair of diamond, (.25) earring for my daughters birthday. I took out a membership to Costco sometime in early Dec.'04. A woman manager came over to help me. I compared the dia. studs I was wearing to the Costco ones; Costco's were a better quality, the manager agreed. She asked me what kind of membership card I had and I replied the $50. card. She said she wanted to look at my card to see if I would be eligible for the Executive Card. I said I was OK with the one I had, but she insisted several times and I gave her my card. I waited, well over 5 mins and had to take the student I had been working with back home.

The store has not mailed my card back to me. I want to cancel my membership. I don't get over there very often, it is out of the way for me. I felt I was being pressured, even if she felt that she was trying to help.

Iris of Glendale CA (3/17/03):
On February 24, 2003, I purchased 6 cans of Enfamil Formula at Costco Wholesale on Los Feliz in Los Angeles. Enfamil sends me manufacturer's checks to use towards my purchase whenever I go to this store. Because I was in a rush, I forgot to present these checks upon check out. This was the second time. The first time it happened, I was referred to the customer service by the cashier and the representative helped me by crediting the amount of the checks to me.

For some reason, this time, I was not only refused but lied to by the representative named "Derick" who had even told me that they do not accept those checks. I asked for the manager "Kevin Green" and while I was talking to the manager, to my surprise, the representative even made humiliating comments that made me feel so little. To make things worse the manager just let this attitude slide in front of me and told me that he has never seen those checks and acted as if he never knew it existed.

I was humiliated in front of several people. Like I was put on the spot. They insinuated that I was trying to kind of like trick them or something in front of other customers and employees and all for $6.00.

The manager Kevin Green actually told me to go to Toys r Us and use the Enfamil Checks with them, effectively telling me to leave the store without directly saying it. I respect that companies have their own in-house policies, but it is not right to pick and choose depending on ethnicity or whether you can fluently speak English.

Susan of San Jacinto CA (9/29/03):
I purchased 2 Sprint Cell Phones with the promise that Costco would refund the Activation Fees for the two phones with the new service I signed up for. That was in January of 2003. There has NOT YET been a credit of $70 to my account from Costco despite 3 separate contacts regarding the issue. I've been told, "My manager will call you. . ."

Damage Resulting: I have paid the $70.00 in good faith, but have not been refunded this amount as promised.

Joanne of North Vancouver BC (12/11/01):
I cancelled my Costco membership in 1996 but their finance company (the Associates) continued to bill my membership card for annual fees without my knowledge. I never received a bill or a phone call advising me that Costco considered there to be an outstanding amount on my 'closed' account. As a result, the Associates were reporting an overdue amount on the account for 3 years which, naturally, destroyed my credit rating.

The first I knew of this was when I was denied credit in 1999 and subsequently obtained a copy of me credit report showing the entries by the Associates. It took almost 6 months to resolve the matter with the end result being, letters of apology from both Costco and Associates, admitting their error. At this time, Costco offered me a complimentary membership in apology for this fiasco which I firmly stated I DID NOT WANT!!! and indeed, never used.

However, when this complimentary membership expired in June, 2000, my non-existant membership was once again billed to my non-existant costco account and my credit report once again reads, 3 months in arrears and I have once again been denied credit because of it. This time I have consulted a lawyer, the Canadian Ministry of Consumer Affairs and am in the process of setting up an interview with a local journalist.

Marylou of Topeka KS (8/27/01):
I purchased a camping chair at the Costco store. When we were loading it into the trunk we noticed a tear in the fabric. We took it back to the customer service department. Instead of just getting us another chair, they refunded our money then we had to go out the out door (even though we were already half way in the store), get another chair, carry it all the way around thru the checkers and stand in line to be checked out again.

My son had also bought a first-aid kit - he checked the flashlite in it and it was broken. We were a few blocks away but turned around to drive back. I have fibromyalgia and was getting pretty exhausted. I gave him my card to go on in since I was certain they would make him repeat the process as we had done before. I waited and waited. I had my eyes closed.

All of a sudden there was a loud rapping on my window. It was a Costco clerk informing me that in the future I would be required to send a note if my son was to use my Costco card. Since the staff had seen us together at the desk when we returned the chair it seemed illogical to me that they would behave in this manner. They are able to walk out into the parking lot and bang on windows but they can't take care of a defective item return in a timely manner that is helpful to the consumer.

I was forced to walk more after I had already reached my fatigue level. I was told they provided no sort of help for persons with disabilities. They were rude and discourteous. I was greatly startled by the clerk's loud banging on my window - which raised my stress level and made me feel like I had done something wrong. Also when we took the chair back I walked halfway to the checkers and they were all yelling at me that I couldn't go that way causing mne to feel shame and humilation in public.

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