Comments on: When not to buy wine at Costco

By: Bev Davenport

Bev Davenport — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:10:33 +0000

Costco is the most helpful place ever for returning items. If you had put the wine back in the bottle and returned it 6 months later they would have refunded you.
I took a kettle back once that failed. I thought I had it less than a year but it turned out it had been nearly two. The assistant said that things are guaranteed for life, so i got a refund and bought a new one. I also really rate their opticians. High tech eye tests and really helpful in choosing glasses and if you pop in and ask to have your glasses tightened or something they do it and give them a clean too. I could go on…. I love costco!

By: Golly

Golly — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:35:33 +0000

I only ever visit Costco in the US and tend to wander around in wide eyed wonderment like I just stepped off the boat. However, at the Royal Oak store in Michigan there’s always a ‘wine guy’ around who’s happy to chat to anyone who isn’t looking at 3 litre jugs for $3. If you can manouver him next to the fish guy you can usually wash down free samples of shrimp and lobster with free wine - Homer Simpson style.

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:24:43 +0000

I think you have to take it back. £20 is a lot of money on a bottle of wine. You’re right that it’s not Costco’s fault that a wine is corked (in the same way that it’s not a small, independent wine merchant’s fault) but at the same time you’ve been sold something which isn’t fit for purpose.

I suspect a lot of large retailers are quite happy for their image to be daunting, while the small guys absorb have to absorb the cost in the name of customer service. As consumers, we need to keep alll the vendors (but particularly the big ones!) on their toes!

By: Peter May

Peter May — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:25:33 +0000

I have been with friends who have taken stuff back to Costco and there has been absolutely no problem about returning goods.

I think it unfair to complain here if you did not even attempt to complain to Costco. As for your comment about returining wine to supermarkets, I am amazed that you haven’t done so. There is no problem, refund or replacement without question is standard.

As for your statement that the blame for the corked wine cannot be laid at the door of the wine-maker — are you so certain?

The winery had the choice of which and whose corks to purchase. They had the option of testing them themselves for TCA. They had the option of which quality level of corks to buy. They had the option of avoiding having a corked wine altogether by choosing to close their wines with a screwcap.

But the only thing that got screwed here was ……. you!

For shame. Don’t let them get away with it. Put the cork back in the bottle and take it back.

By: dhonig

dhonig — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:06:04 +0000

Interesting. Here in Indiana, at least the north Indianapolis location, Costco has a “wine guy” at the wine display every Saturday. I have never had to return a wine to Costco, but if I did, I have no doubt he would handle it for me. He has always proven himself knowledgeable and helpful.