Some People...Raise Prices for the Rest of Us

"Some people!" It's usually an expression of frustration or exasperation with a certain segment of society. "Some people" don't fit what we think of as kind, mature, thoughtful, or some other criteria. The Seattle PI has a nearly unbelieveable article about some people.

It seems some people

would buy big-screen TVs and then return them months later, when newer, and less expensive models went on sale. [CFO Richard Galanti] said the practice had become so prevalent one member recently wrote the company saying she was disappointed because she had heard Costco was going to stop its "free TV upgrade policy." Galanti said Costco never had such a policy.

So, let me get this straight: "some people" would buy a TV (probably a flat screen), use it for several months, and then bring it back expecting, and apparently getting, a full refund. Boy, some people.

In response to this, and the losses it has caused (in the "tens of millions"), Costco is limiting returns on electronics to 90 days. I think I would say less than that if I were in their place. In "exchange" for this new policy, Costco will cover all electronics with a two year warranty. This is inclusive of any existing warranties on a product, not in addition to.

So, the end story is you'll be able to return your product if something truly goes wrong, but "some people" won't be able to abuse the system any more, which was just raising costs for the rest of us.

Today's lesson: don't be a "some person."