Costco Baby Items

janey_uk

Just want to say GRRRR! about Costco. We bought a steam steriliser and an expensive baby monitor from them in the summer. Our membership expired in September and we didn't renew, then when the monitor packed in my hubby had to have a massive row with them to be able to return it as faulty. They claimed that as he was no longer a member he wasn't entitled to return anything!

In the end he had to speak to about four staff and explain that costco's rules don't override statutory rights before they conceded then rudely insist that he leave the store as he was no longer a member (completely unnecessary as he wasn't attempting to stay!).

What's more the steriliser packed in this morning! We are binning it rather than have to face costco's ignorant staff again! :mad:

stugib

janey_uk wrote: »

In the end he had to speak to about four staff and explain that costco's rules don't override statutory rights

Hmmm, it could be that when buying from CostCo that you're not doing so as a consumer, so you may not have as many rights as you think. Have to dig out my t&cs and take a look.

vivatifosi

But don't you have two types of membership - trade and individual? Not sure about the first time, but if you are an individual member how can you not be a consumer? Wouldn't that be unfair trade terms?

stugib

vivatifosi wrote: »

But don't you have two types of membership - trade and individual? Not sure about the first time, but if you are an individual member how can you not be a consumer? Wouldn't that be unfair trade terms?

I guess because even when selling to an individual member, CostCo are still a wholesaler, not a retailer, so it's not classed as a business to consumer transaction?

This article would suggest the SoGA for example doesn't apply to wholesalers:

A wholesaler should be happy to replace faulty stock, although, legally, they are not bound to do so, unlike high street stores. Significantly, the recent regulations that amended the Sale of Goods Act did not cover wholesalers. This means that while shops are now duty-bound to give refunds or exchanges for faulty goods, wholesalers are not.

vivatifosi

Interesting point stugib. I have a Costco membership and have always been able to take things back, but have never cancelled. Will have to think twice about doing so in the future now!

stugib

vivatifosi wrote: »

Interesting point stugib. I have a Costco membership and have always been able to take things back, but have never cancelled. Will have to think twice about doing so in the future now!

Me too! We were waiting to get a new TV from there, but we'll have to weigh up the ongoing cost of membership versus a 5yr guarantee at John Lewis' prices. They are supposed to be very good when things do go wrong though, assuming you're still a member

janey_uk

We were individual members. They are generally meant to be good for returns, but the issue was as our membership expired they claimed we had no rights at all.

I know it doesn't make any difference what the item was, but given a monitor is both an electrical item and baby safety equipment you would think they would have erred on the side of caution rather than stringently trying to impose their incorrect interpretation of the law!

stugib

janey_uk wrote: »

rather than stringently trying to impose their incorrect interpretation of the law!

What law do you think they were interpreting incorrectly?

Brooker_Dave

vivatifosi wrote: »

Interesting point stugib. I have a Costco membership and have always been able to take things back, but have never cancelled. Will have to think twice about doing so in the future now!

Costco are normally really good about refunds.

The membership thing must have been the issue.

janey_uk

stugib wrote: »

What law do you think they were interpreting incorrectly?

They acknowledged that we had a statutory right to return the item as it was faulty, but said that their own rules meant that faulty items purchased could not be returned if you were no longer a member. Three or four staff gave this line until a manager was called and after arguing reluctantly agreed that we had the right to return it regardless. They wouldn't exchange for a new one meaning that we had to buy it in argos for £20 more.

janey_uk

stugib wrote: »

I guess because even when selling to an individual member, CostCo are still a wholesaler, not a retailer, so it's not classed as a business to consumer transaction?

This article would suggest the SoGA for example doesn't apply to wholesalers:

Hmmm. Purely out of interest though, if the customer pays for individual membership and pays VAT on a single item, is that still wholesale?