Costco Clerk Left Speechless After This Guy’s Shocking Return Request!

Costco, widely known for offering great deals on a broad range of products, is also famous for its notably generous return policy. This policy, which has allowed customers to return items years after purchase, has become the subject of viral stories over the years. One such story recently caught the internet’s attention, involving a customer who returned a $1,400 playground set, not because it was defective, but simply because his children had outgrown it.

“Borrowing” a Playground Set for Over a Decade

In a viral TikTok video that racked up over 2.3 million views, user @psychoz28, a Costco employee, recounts an unforgettable experience from his five years of working at the store. As someone who has worked in various departments, he was no stranger to the quirks of the company’s return policy. But this particular incident stood out.

He explains how he once worked in the “Membership” section, which is essentially Costco’s customer service area. Here, customers can find clear signs outlining the return policy, which allows for most items to be returned at any time—except for specific products like electronics, which must be returned within 90 days.

The worker recalls being called to assist with a return involving a playground set. “I see a guy standing there with one of those orange flatbed carts. It has a whole bunch of pieces to a playground set,” he says. After locating the receipt in the system, the employee was shocked to find that the playset had been purchased in 2008 for $1,399.

When asked for the reason behind the return, the customer simply said, “My kids grew up.” Standing beside the cart was a teenager, likely one of the now-grown children for whom the playset was originally purchased.

Costco’s Customer-First Policy in Action

To the surprise of many, the return was accepted without issue. “It’s allowed to go through because it’s customer satisfaction first at Costco,” explains @psychoz28. Although the employee did mention that he checked whether the customer had a history of abusing the policy to make money, he found no such record. The return was approved, and the customer walked away with a refund.

“This guy essentially borrowed a $1,400 play set for his kid. It’s crazy how much Costco cares about their members,” the worker remarked in his video, highlighting how dedicated the company is to keeping customers satisfied, even if it means refunding a product after more than a decade of use.

@psychoz28 Costco return story#greenscreen #costco #customerservice #retail #fyp #membership ♬ original sound – PsychoZ28

Costco’s Infamous Return Policy

This isn’t the first time Costco’s return policy has been put to the test. Another viral story involved a woman who returned a couch after using it for over two years. TikTok creator Jackie Nguyen documented her return experience, explaining that she no longer liked the color of the couch. Despite not having a receipt, Costco accepted the return, and she received a full refund.

@readingwithjacks Returning my couch to costco ✨ #costcoreturns #costcotiktok #costco ♬ original sound – readingwithjacks

While Costco’s return policy is famously lenient, it does come with certain limitations. According to a report from The Motley Fool, customers who attempt to exploit the system by making frequent returns with weak justifications can be flagged by employees. Those who repeatedly abuse the policy might not only have their returns denied, but they could also risk losing their Costco membership altogether.

A Policy That Sparks Debate

Stories like these tend to spark debates online. Some applaud Costco for its commitment to customer satisfaction, while others argue that customers are taking advantage of a policy that is too forgiving. Either way, it’s clear that Costco’s return policy plays a major role in building customer loyalty, even if it occasionally leads to eyebrow-raising scenarios.

As viral stories about generous returns continue to circulate, it raises the question: How far is too far when it comes to returns? Costco may have the answer, and for now, it seems their approach is to err on the side of keeping members happy—even if it means accepting returns from more than a decade ago.