In recent years, the American warehouse chain store Costco has gained a reputation for its extremely generous return policy, which is one of the main reasons why consumers love Costco. However, there have been doubts among some members regarding the return policy for perishable goods. One common question that arises is whether Costco accepts returns for eggs.
Although eggs are not explicitly listed as non-returnable items by Costco, it seems that returns are not guaranteed.
According to some Costco employees on Reddit, the management teams of certain stores have stopped processing egg returns, especially for customers who buy in bulk. While this may not be a company-wide policy, it indicates that there have been changes in the way some stores handle returns for perishable goods.
The Irish Star previously shared a post originally posted on Reddit about Costco’s specific product – eggs. A user claiming to be a relative of a Costco employee recounted an incident that occurred recently at a store, stating, “My sister (sister-in-law) called this morning and said that yesterday, a few people tried to return (eggs)… She rejected all return requests.”
During the period of egg shortages caused by avian flu, some shoppers hoard eggs. Once they find cheaper eggs elsewhere, they attempt to return the more expensive ones.
In February of this year, there was a shortage of eggs in the United States, leading to skyrocketing prices. A video of someone trying to return eggs to Costco was posted on social media, sparking anger among netizens. The video showed hundreds of eggs piled up in a shopping cart, with the title stating, “People trying to return over a thousand eggs one day later because they found cheaper eggs elsewhere, haha. Meanwhile, we are facing a nationwide egg shortage.”
Another user expressed anger, saying, “Do not accept returns, cancel their memberships, this is despicable, absurd, and unhealthy.” Another user added, “There should be a no-return policy for eggs! I remember during the pandemic, goods couldn’t be returned, so this should also apply to eggs!”
Previously, Costco had refused returns for items purchased out of panic during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several stores posted notices stating that items such as toilet paper or antibacterial wipes are not eligible for returns. This measure was taken to prevent people from buying more than necessary and then attempting to return them.
Costco claims on its website to provide a “risk-free 100% satisfaction guarantee” for returns. While there are some special return regulations for electronics and bulk items like diamonds, items such as gift cards are non-refundable, and almost all unsatisfactory items purchased at Costco can be returned for a full refund.
Costco’s extremely lenient return policy is well-known, but it is not an isolated case. Other grocery stores have similar policies that allow customers to request refunds for almost all items. However, it seems that no store explicitly states in their policies whether eggs can be returned. While Costco does not explicitly state this, most stores seem to accept returns for eggs.
Furthermore, accepting returns for eggs may not only inconvenience Costco but also pose logistical and financial challenges. Returned perishable items (including dairy products and eggs) are often discarded, meaning that issuing refunds to customers directly translates to losses for the company. Some Costco employees on Reddit have mentioned that once these items leave the store, they are automatically deemed unsalvageable, making returns a futile act of food waste.
In any case, the question of whether eggs can be returned at Costco still seems to be in doubt. Whether a consumer’s local store accepts egg returns may depend on the store’s policy or the extent to which the consumer is willing to argue at the customer service counter.