Caution Customer: When Costco Might Terminate Your Membership

The Gold Star membership at Costco has recently increased to $65 per year as of September 1st, while the Executive membership costs $130 annually. For some people, these fees may not seem justified. However, if you regularly shop at Costco, the investment could indeed pay off: the savings throughout the year could more than offset the membership fees. However, certain actions may lead Costco to terminate your membership. Costco allows its members to return almost any item at any time. There are some exceptions, such as electronics with a 90-day return period or gift cards, which cannot be returned at all. If you abuse the return policies, Costco might decide to end your membership. There is no set number of returns that would result in this outcome. Instead, it largely depends on Costco's discretion. Therefore, it is crucial that your returns are reasonable. For instance, Costco does not appreciate it if you return a used and stained carpet after 12 months. Or if you bring back a quarter of a bakery order citing "bad taste," you could not only be denied a refund but also have your account blacklisted. Hence, it is advisable to act sensibly when making returns. Costco guarantees satisfaction with its memberships and allows cancellation at any time of the year with a full refund. However, if you wait 364 days and cancel right before the anniversary, you might face difficulties renewing your membership. A serious violation is poor behavior towards employees. Verbal or physical abuse almost inevitably leads to the termination of your membership. Costco places great emphasis on excellent customer service. Therefore, if you are dissatisfied, it is advisable to remain calm initially and seek a conversation with an employee later. Although Costco does not revoke memberships lightly, the company relies on its fees for profitability and to offer excellent deals. However, if you abuse the return or cancellation policies or mistreat the employees, it could lead to a temporary or even a lifetime ban.