A word of caution Costco shoppers...

[MichiganVote]

Attached please find a letter I wrote to my local Costco today....pay attention to your memebership folks.

Mr. ---------------
Costco Inc. Manager
Michigan

1-20-07

Dear Mr. --------,

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I hope it is as helpful to you as it has been to me.

As you will note by the enclosed receipt I visited your store today. Generally, my shopping experiences have been very positive at your store and your employees are polite and helpful. Today was an exception. I am hoping that my review of that circumstance will prove useful to you and your staff.

As usual I shopped for a number of items. When I arrived at check out and gave the cashier my card, he informed me it had expired and asked me if I wanted to renew it. I indicated that, yes, I wanted to renew the membership. Following the scan of all my items your cashier told me that the cost of my membership had been included in my bill as I expected. He then informed me that my membership would only run until 12-31-07, my prior membership expiration date. I pointed that this was like taking 20 days off my purchase and that I didn’t think that was fair. I was told that Costco had sent me a letter telling me my card was due for expiration. I believe the commentary was, “It’s really not our problem Mary”, and “You get a letter in the mail telling you when to renew”.

Now perhaps you suppose that I was one of those irate or irrational customers. Not so. I admit to feeling much consternation even as the “bagger”, a female, tried to help me feel less stupid by pointing out that the expiration date is on the bottom of my card. How kind of her to point to the obvious. Too bad the card didn’t also include the information that late renewal means a member spanking.

Unfortunately, neither of your worker’s remark’s, helped me to understand why I was purchasing a full year’s worth of membership for something that I would essentially have to forego for 20 full days.

So as I drove home, Mr. -------, I tried to recall the last time I had purchased a garment from a retail shop that required me to put it aside for 20 days out of a year for any reason. Or the last time my health insurance was effectively stopped for 20 days out of a year. I thought hard about the oil change I had last week, did they tell me not to drive on my new oil for 20 days? I even tried to recall the last time I had received any mail from Costco and where my husband or I may have mislaid it. And the only thing that I could recall were your clerk’s stating that basically the fault and problem was mine and mine alone. How interesting.

It’s possible that when your workers indicated that I had lost 20 days of my year long membership for being Costco tardy I could have allowed him to scan all my items and then declined the sale. The store was busy, the lines were full and even if it were a headache, I could have just said, ‘I’m sorry, but it’s really not our problem’. Surely they would have appreciated that don’t you think?

I’m wondering if this is some new kind of business model that I am completely inexperienced in. For example, I make my living as both a therapist and as a school social worker. I am skilled in recognizing, teaching and rewarding civilized behavior. I contemplate what might happen if from now on I use Costco etiquette. Could I tell the parent’s of children who enroll their child on the “wrong” date that they should expect to keep them home for 20 days of the year? Should I just tell them that they can’t expect their children to progress or improve for 20 days of the year? Maybe I should just come right out and tell them, “It’s really not our problem”.

As a therapist I am skilled in helping people solve their problems. Imagine how much business I could lose in a week by simply telling my clients, ‘Sorry, it’s really not my problem so & so, you didn’t read your contract. However here’s your bill for the whole session.’

Gosh, no wonder you don’t print the real deal on your Costco cards Mr. -------.

I want you to rest assured that I have solved my problem with Costco. Although this “Gold Star” membership tends to look more like something made from a tin can, I will maintain it until my expiration date of 12-31-07. You see, I use my time and energy and even my money to purchase items FOR the schoolchildren and some of my clients who lack some very basic things. I see no reason to punish them for the cheap practices of a major multimillion dollar warehouse establishment that fails to invest its staff with some basic customer interpersonal communication.

I happen to like good business Mr. -------. However, since it is Costco’s reasoning that I be taught a lesson for being so naughty, I’ll do my penance and for the next 20 days I’ll purchase what I need elsewhere. After 12-31-07, I won’t be back at all.


With heartfelt sincerity.......




















3

[BlueJazz]

1. Ouch!....Well said and played. That little "spanking" you got will...

...probably cost them $30,000 in profit over the span of your lifetime....

I hope it was worth it to them....

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. What if we looked at this way - if you had renewed early, say on 12-01-06,

would you have accepted it if they ran your membership just to 12-01-07? That's precisely the one year you are looking for.

I do see your point, though - and I'm sure it's maddening - but I don't think the company is in the wrong in this case. It's a tough decision, and I could be convinced to go either way.

But, your membership expired 12-31. So, if you renew, then it MUST start on Jan 1, no matter how late you come in to renew your membership. Just because you decided not to use those first 20 days is not the fault of the company.

Otherwise, why not just wait until Feb. or March or Apr. to "renew", and effectively get more time for your money? If a person shopped wisely and cleverly, and loaded up at the end of the term, one could consitently get yearly memberships that last 14 or 15 months.

However, it all comes down to this, though - does a renewal cost less than a new membership? If it does, then the game is played the way the store played it. If the cost is the same, then you might as well go in, get a refund for this year's renewal, and then open a new account.

All said and done, though - you wrote a beautiful letter - to the point, good grammar, well constructed, literate, you got your point across and socked it to 'em at the end! :applause: I'll be curious to hear how they respond to your letter. If I were the manager, I'd run your account to next January.

[MichiganVote]

8. Yes, I could do all the things you suggested and I thought about it

but it just irks me that somehow this joint thinks it is doing me and any other customer a favor. Sorry, I like my way better.

[Gormy Cuss]

18. The only way to get their attention would have been to walk away.

I do it all the time. It's surprising how frequently companies change their tune when you call their bluff.

It would be different if they had honored your membership in the first 20 days of the year, but you derived no benefit.

[MichiganVote]

27. Its the fact that I receive no value after 12-31-07 that concerns me

so long as they promote a year long membership.

[IntravenousDemilo]

3. If the expiration date was 12-31-2007, why did he say your card had expired?

That's almost a year from now.

[MichiganVote]

9. Sorry, the exp. was 12-31-06---the new exp. date is 12-31-07 as of today

Guess I wasn't clear on that.

[ima_sinnic]

4. ?? your membership expired 12/31/06 but they kept you on anyway

and you paid for a new year that started 1/1/07, just as if you'd paid on time. It is not their fault that you didn't use your membership between 1/1/07 and 1/20/07. You are making a big thing out of 3 weeks when you think they should have "cancelled" your membership and then started it up again on 1/20.

[MichiganVote]

11. I think the a year long membership should be from the date of payment only

If I had not renewed today, they would have rejected my items today. As I understand it, everyone has a different exp. date based on initial membership and that date continues regardless of when you pay for a renewal.

[kitkat65]

75. Do you have to show your card to enter the store?

If that's the case you did get the benefit of those first few weeks whether you shopped there or not - you were still considered a member.

[MichiganVote]

79. Yes you have to show a card, if anyone is there to look at it

and no, I did not receive any benefit as they do not check to see if you are a member in good standing at the door. They only do that at the check out. If I had not reupped today, they would not have allowed me to conduct my business. I have liked Costco and I still do. I just think that the membership should run for a year from the date of purchase.

[kitkat65]

102. But you did receive a benefit. You showed your card, they saw you as

a member and let you in. They would have done this January 1st, January 2nd, January 3rd, etc. and on any of those days you would have had to renew at the checkout.

The fact that Costco doesn't uber-police the expiration dates at the door indicates, to me, that as long as you have a card, you are a member.

In effect, they carried you for those 20 days until you could come in to pay for the next year. Now a fair question might be, how long after expiration are you no longer considered a member?

The person that mentioned the license plate tags has a good point. You are paying for a whole year regardless of when you pay them, be it a month early or a month late. In fact, when you drive with expired tags, you risk being fined. Then even after being fined and finally updating your tags, they're not going to reward you by retroactively crediting you for however late you were.

[MichiganVote]

106. Anyone can walk in with a card like mine. it doesn't have a photo

Look I don't mean to be peevish but they did not carry me anywhere. When I arrived at check out and I was putting my stuff on the conveyor belt the cashier informed me the membership had expired. Had I chosen not to renew they would not have permitted me to purchase the items.

License plates or tags are a legal requirement that you purchase for a year and receive a year's worth of value. If anything, I think Costco should do the same. A year membership, a year's worth of value. I don't think that's too much to ask.

[kitkat65]

111. Then should they fine you if you walk in the door with an expired card?

Or charge you some kind of lapse fee when you renew after the expiration date?

[MichiganVote]

113. Beats me.

[proud2BlibKansan]

53. I agree

I also think if this is the worst thing that happens in someone's day, they are probably living a charmed life.

[sendero]

120. Not only that..

... but we are talking about $4 here. I'm sorry, I just can't get worked up over something so blatantly trivial.

I like Costco and I'll continue to shop there.

[MichiganVote]

128. Its not about $4 or $6 or $ 2. Its about fair value.

If you read my letter, you'd know that I willingly paid the renewal and will continue to shop there through this year, minus 20 days that I choose to shop elsewhere. They denied me a purchase date renewal of a full year. That is what I think is wrong to do.

I don't think you read through the whole letter. Grant you, its long, but it worked for me.

[Spinzonner]

5. Sorry, I'm not on your side

They really just allowed you to RENEW your membership late.

With your reasoning they should have issued and charged you for a new membership as your previous one had expired.

Also, extending your logic. I should only have to pays for the days that I actually use the membership, not the ones that I am eligible to do so. Probably not a viable business model.

[TahitiNut]

7. Agreed. Maybe they should charge interest on late renewals?

:evilgrin:

On the other hand, why not apply for a new membership after a year's membership expires and one waits for a week before going to buy something? Oops! Gee ... I guess that's not convenient.
:eyes:

[MichiganVote]

15. I'm not sure an interest charge is enuf'. First born child maybe?

[HughMoran]

71. That's over the top

It seems that this sub-thread says it all and your cynical remark seems to prove this out.

You didn't show up in the first 20 days of Jan. anyway.

[MichiganVote]

74. So if I am cynical and I don't "show up" to be a consumer for 20 days

that makes me what exactly?

[HughMoran]

135. Just wrong in your assesment IMHO

No big deal - I've been in your shoes before with other companies. Sometimes I realize that my expectations were too high, other times I have stopped doing business with a company forever. In this case, it would be the former for me. Obviously if you don't go back to Costco for 20 more days (since their large qty's last a long time), you will have to think about what difference the time between visits means in a yearly membership fee structure.

[MichiganVote]

13. Its ok that you don't agree with me. Just be aware that when you purchase a membership

the date of your initial membership continues regardless of when you purchase a succeeding membership.

The company promotes it as a year long membership, not me.

[TahitiNut]

51. So, let's say you renewed your membership two weeks before it expired.

Would you then claim TWO memberships for that 2-week period and accept the earlier expiration a year later?

I really don't understaqnd the complaint. Why not walk in and buy a new membership, beginning on the later date, rather than renew? It's $50/year, new or renewal. Let's see ... 20 days at $50/year ... that's $2.74. Tell you what - meet me at Costco (13 and I-75) and I'll buy you a hot dog and soda and you'll be ahead of the game.

If you don't like the "renewal" terms, then why not just get a new membership?
Seems like a non-issue to me.

:shrug:

Compared to over 3,000 dead troops and over 27,000 injured in Iraq, it's really hard for me to work up much empathy for this. Hell, I'm happy I have enough health to walk into a Costco and some money in my pocket to buy toilet paper.

[proud2BlibKansan]

54. Good point

Anyone feeling like they have been cheated in any way should go to this website:

http://www.icasualties.org/oif/

[MichiganVote]

58. That is not purpose of this post. Please refrain from this proud.

[proud2BlibKansan]

66. Sorry but in the grand scheme of things,

you must admit this is a fairly minor problem.

[MichiganVote]

69. And surely as an educator you know...

even minor problems deserve our attention now and then. ;)

[proud2BlibKansan]

124. From our students, yes

But we educators are tough enough stand a few minor setbacks.

[MichiganVote]

127. That's fine for you. But I can make the choice on what to do with an irritant as can you

In view of how often this and similar business practices occur, I think its worth posting for people who are interested. Since you're not, forget about it.

[MichiganVote]

57. I don't recall asking you for empathy Tahiti...or sarcasm for that matter

The point of my post is to alert people to the membership rules, violations, whatever...and the fact that I feel its deceptive for Costco or any place to market a year's membership based on their date of choice as opposed to the date of renewal.

Since you don't feel this is something that merits your attention, far be from me to keep you from all those other issues you cite.

[TahitiNut]

63. You seem to have a problem dealing with disagreement.

How many people does that make in this thread who've disagreed only to have you suggest they go away?

Hell, I even offered to buy you a hotdog and soda. Your hostile response is ridiculous.

[MichiganVote]

65. Ah Tahiti, the usual defense of innocence....No thanks, I don't need your soda

[geomon666]

82. I'll take the hot dog and soda.

And I don't even have a Costco membership.

[TahitiNut]

119. OK. You're on. Let me know when you'll be there. In the meantime ....

:popcorn:

:rofl:

[geomon666]

138. Yay!

Do they sell Nathan's there. I love Nathan's. :9

[The Straight Story]

87. "Tell ya what

We come back and they are all dead, I'll buy you coke." (From a Simpson's tree house of horror episode, Mr. Burns said that to Smithers about whether or not they would come back to the hotel and find the Simpson's dead after cutting off TV and beer supplies).

[QMPMom]

95. Not here. If you renew late, they change your renewal date.

Did you ask to speak to the Manager while in the store? We renewed a couple of months late once and they moved our renewal date.

[MichiganVote]

97. And that is what I think they should do.

I called to talk to the manager but he was 'unavailable'. Its a good suggestion tho' so I will try again tomorrow and see what happens.

[Kutjara]

6. It's certainly irritating, but...

...is also a fairly common practice. Playing devil's advocate for a minute, CostCo's position is probably that you are "renewing" your membership and that, therefore, the membership runs in an unbroken chain from year to year. They could say that they are being nice by allowing you to reactivate the same membership after you allowed yours to expire. If you want a membership that runs for 365 days, you would have to take out a new membership and leave your old one expired.

They could also argue that you have not really lost anything since, had you gone into the store at any time during that 20 days, you would have had the opportunity to renew your membership then. In a sense, they could argue, you're looking for credit for days that you don't visit the store. By that logic, if you visit CostCo only once per week, that should only be considered 52 days of your 365 day membership, so your membership shouldn't expire for seven years.

While I agree that, from a customer service perspective, it's less than ideal, CostCo's attitude is fairly typical of such membership schemes.

[MichiganVote]

17. But they sell a year long membership. Whether or when I visit is left to me.

[Kutjara]

29. True, and you decided not to shop there...

...during the first 20 days of January. Entirely up to you. Your continuous membership, however, runs from the date of the expiry of the old one. They were merely accomodating you by allowing you to renew your membership 20 days late.

[MichiganVote]

32. They renew memberships in the check out all the time. I did the same thing

last year but it must have been prior to the renew date as I had no issue then.

[Straight Shooter]

10. IMHO, one reason Costco has good prices is because they streamline their operations.

There is personnel labor involved in restarting new memberships if there is a lapse. To treat every renewal as a new membership upon the customer's chosen date of renewal would be more labor-intensive and could likely drive up the cost of membership.

Your letter is also too wordy for a business practices complaint letter. It took a while to get to the point that, since you disagree with their renewal policy in your personal situation, you will shop elsewhere.

[MichiganVote]

21. So its like a major overhaul of a computer system to place in the date of member purchase on a year

by year basis? Come on, even I know that's silly in todays world. This is about promoting a privileged club mentality by denying people what they purchase, a year long membership. As to the time it took,...um about two shakes of a lambs tail in the check out lane. Hardly a hemmorrage of personnel dollars.

[Straight Shooter]

98. No one said anything about computer overhaul.

I said personnel labor, such as inputting data, reworking forms, et cetera.

Two shakes of a lamb's tail multiplied by thousands of customers who demand to the nth degree that their cards be adjusted to accommodate their shopping schedule, uhm .... I don't think that's going to fly.

Count your blessings you have a Costco at which to shop. It's a good solid blue company, fair prices, decent selection, and not available everywhere.

[MichiganVote]

101. If it's so labor intensive, then why do they do it at check out with one employee?

[Straight Shooter]

107. Okay, one more time.

One checkout, one employee, one disgrunted customer times tens of thousands who want accommodation for their own shopping schedule. If they do it for you, they should do it for everyone. That's a database nightmare, if in fact everyone demanded adjustments.

You saw only part of the picture. You don't think there's follow-up to what was done at the counter? There's always follow-up in someone's office, somewhere down the line.

This horse has been beaten to dust.

[MichiganVote]

110. I didn't demand an adjustment at the check out. And its their business

practice to do the memberships of any kind, they have several different types, at the check out. As to follow up...how does that become a customer's problem? They set up the system, not me.

[CBGLuthier]

12. Can you please explain this

as the “bagger”, a female


Not sure what you are getting at here but you kind of lost any sympathy from me because of it. So please illuminate us as to why the sex of your "bagger" should matter.

[Fierce]

19. I second that.

nt

[MichiganVote]

24. Nothing personal in the female or in the term bagger.

[Fierce]

37. So why bring it up?

nt

[MichiganVote]

39. I was trying to distinguish between the male cashier and the female bagger

as a point of reference. Please stop reading more into it than that. Its not helpful.

[Fierce]

47. You do see why it raises flags, right?

I mean, "bagger" and "cashier" pretty much differentiate themselves, without having to point sex out, right?

[MichiganVote]

48. Not really. But ok.

[Lex]

14. My Costco membership runs all the time and is dependent on

when I first got my membership, not from what day in the year I renew it.

I don't have a problem witht that in the least.

[MichiganVote]

25. And that's fine. But if you renew late or past your renew date,

you will not receive a full year membership's worth of value. If you don't mind that, that's fine. I think it is deceptive.

[Lex]

46. No, I'll receive a full year membership.

It runs continuously, rather than when I use it.

I was a member in those 20 days and could've been shopping then, I just needed to pay my (late) membership fee.

No problem.

[MichiganVote]

49. They define it as "expired" actually, not late. Sort of like dead, but able to come alive

in a two minute cashier exchange. Your post suggests that you compare this to something like a "late" gas bill. Not the same thing at all.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

16. You're right.

If you were to go to Sam's Club 20 days after your membership expired, you'd get exactly what you want. Costco should realize that. They are their major competition.
Duckie

[proud2BlibKansan]

55. Sam's Club charges an extra fee

when your membership expires.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

56. I've let ours go several times, and never had to pay an extra fee.

:shrug:
We don't have one anymore because they don't take our visa check cards, freaking stone aged freaks!

[proud2BlibKansan]

67. My mom had to pay an upcharge on her purchases at Sam's

when she let her membership expire. But that was a few years ago. Maybe the competition from Costco inspired them to cancel that practice.

[FormerOstrich]

I think Costco is right....

look at it this way. The tags on your car expired on 12/31/06. However, you didn't renew them before the end of the year.

Darn, you were pulled over and ticketed. When you renew the license they won't reset the date. It matters not if you renewed in January or May. You will still pay the annual amount (plus penalties). Your next expiration will still be 12/31/07.

It's a very common practice. It's an annual cost no matter when you pay.

[MichiganVote]

22. Its an annual cost that is voluntary, not a legal necessity.

Also, in this state, if you buy the tags in August, they are due next August. A full year. Nor are persons who receive a ticket penalized with 20 less days of driving---tho' who knows they may do that someday too! You know, that way people will purchase less gas...like that makes sense.

[FormerOstrich]

140. Not in any state I have ever lived in.

If my tags are due to expire on August 31st it does not matter when they were renewed they will still be due to expire on August 31st. If I really drag my feet and renew them in December I will pay the same amount for the renewal as I would have way back in August. Plus, my tags would still expire on August 31st.

Actually for that matter if you blew it off for over a full year they would still charge you for the year you did not show.

Frankly, your missing 20 day logic doesn't hold up (particularly for renewals) but I know I can't convince you.

[havocmom]

20. So, your membership expired. They allowed you to shopped anyway,

adding the renewal along with everything else instead of telling you to park your cart and go do the paperwork for a NEW membership... and you get snippy about it?

:eyes: Sorry, but maybe Wal-mart deserves your business more. No fees to grumble about and the employee attrition is such that you will probably never get a chance to be annoyed at any one person for following their company policies.

COSTCO rocks. The treat workers well and their CEO doesn't have his head in the clouds. They contribute Blue. I can give them a bit on timing, especially if I'm the one who is LATE renewing my membership.

[MichiganVote]

28. No, I did not get snippy about this exchange in the store.

As to allowing me to shop in the store, you walk in, show your card to the person standing by the door if they bother to look at it and shop.

As for the being late for a renewal, why should anyone pay for what is marketed as a year long renewal only to be docked 20 days? Isn't that business counterintuitive?

[proud2BlibKansan]

23. If your card said 12-31-06,

I don't understand your problem. You could have renewed it before it expired. And when you came in today, they could have said sorry you don't have a current membership so we are charging you extra for your purchases today.

So in reality you got 20 days free membership. :)

[MichiganVote]

31. No, I did not receive 20 days free membership. I have liked the store

and had no problem renewing. Last year I renewed in the store as well but I can't recall whether it was before or after the date. It wasn't a problem. But no where on the card does it spell out that if you renew after the exp. date you will lose X amount of days for what is supposed to be a year long membership.

[uppityperson]

34. You didn't lose them, you just didn't use them

How about I complain because I only shop there 15 days a yr and have to pay for 365 days? That isn't fair because that is 350 days I pay for that I lose.

[MichiganVote]

38. But you have been sold and paid for a year long membership

So why shouldn't you be allowed to use it as you see fit for a year?

[uppityperson]

40. You could have. You would have had to renew if you'd gone in sooner

I see your point, but reality is that you would've had to renew the day after it expired IF you'd gone shopping, but you didn't shop. If you don't like this practice, let your membership lapse, then re-apply when you are ready to shop.

[MichiganVote]

43. As I understood it, my exp. date would still be 12-31-07

[proud2BlibKansan]

52. Maybe it is in the fine print in the contract you signed.

[MichiganVote]

60. I don't recall signing a contract. I recall paying the money however.

[scubadude]

26. Gee, last time I renewed they gave me a large discount....

The salespeople were extremely friendly. Both my wife and I were blown away with the generosity. I don't remember exactly how the extension of the date worked though. At any rate I'll of course shop at Costco, and encourage others to as well. The pharmacy prices are great. The best I have found.

I'm sorry for your experience though and don't blame you for your feelings,

Scuba

[msongs]

30. how did your membership CONTRACT read when you signed it?

does it specify what happens before, at, and after renewal or FAILURE to renew?

did costco correctly apply the contract?

did you follow its terms?

msongs
www.msongs.com

[MichiganVote]

36. I have been happy with Costco since I joined. And I still think its a good place.

But I think its deceptive offer year long memberships yet lop off so much for overdue renewals. I'd rather they cancel the old one and begin a new one. Guess that wasn't in the offing. Anyway, there is no contract but there are membership privileges.

But I promise you, I didn't abuse their employees, spit in their store or rob their establishment. I just think that if they are going to off a year long membership, they should honor it on the basis of when people pay for the service.

[uppityperson]

33. You could have shopped and renewed it the day after it expired, but didn't.

It's your fault for not shopping more and sooner. If you don't like this, just let it expire and then re-apply next time you go in.

[MichiganVote]

42. You're right, I'm a bad, naught y shopper.

In point of fact I did renew it when I went in today. Its just that I paid for a year long membership but was docked 20 days over the next year b/c I did not renew it by their date.

[uppityperson]

45. Exactly, if you shopped there everyday, you would've caught it sooner.

can you cancel and reapply as of that date? Question to ask next time. I can see it rankling to pay for time you could've used but didn't. Bad shopper. You need fresh portabellas and avocados every day.

[MichiganVote]

50. :) Yes, i would have purchased it in the store at the time I realized it was

expired, date on the back of the card or no date. Its the fact that they proffer the memberships for a year and then budget the date on an annual basis rather than on the date people purchase. It could just as easily be any other store for that matter.

Yes, I am a bad, bad, shopper....naughty, naughty, naughty

[blockhead]

80. sorry,

you didn't pay for a year long membership. you paid for a year long renewal.

so your logic is that a person should start a new account every year the first time you decide to come back after expiration?

[MichiganVote]

83. Its called a membership whether its an initial membership or renewal

The value is for a year...or so they say.

[blockhead]

88. no,

a renewal renews your initial membership. you want a new membership.

[MichiganVote]

91. I wasn't offered a new membership, I was offered a renewal

Either way, the value of the membership is for a year.

[Dr.Phool]

35. I just renewed my membership the other day.

And I haven't been there in over a year. It's a long drive to my nearest Costco. I have no idea when it expires. When they tell me it's expired, I'll renew it.

For the deal I got last week on a LCD HDTV, it,s worth it.

[kath]

41. AAA does the same thing. However, if you wait long enough to "renew",

they start sending you special offers in the mail trying to woo you back. My membership lapsed for a few months last year, then they sent an offer for me to re-up (maybe at a slight discount, I'm not sure) and get 13 months (from the *late* renewal date) for the price of 12.

[MichiganVote]

44. Yes, I expect something of the same to happen.

[proud2BlibKansan]

59. So THAT"S WHY you wrote that letter

Now I get it.

[MichiganVote]

61. Not sure what you get but judging from your earlier posts on this string

I seriously doubt you understand the purpose of my post. Whatever.

[Oilwellian]

78. Exactly

I would LOVE to have a Costco near me. Any company that pays their employees livable wages, includes health insurance, and donates heavily to the Democratic party, has my TOTAL support. I would also be grateful if they were willing to renew my membership (without penalty) even though I allowed it to lapse 20 days PAST the renewal date.

[MichiganVote]

81. Glad you like them. I like them too. But this is not a gas bill or car payment

Its a fee I voluntarily pay and did today. I think that the value of a year membership should start on the date of purchase. Obviously others don't care.

[prolesunited]

68. Basically, you're mad that they didn't let you CHEAT them

out of 3 weeks of membership.

[MichiganVote]

70. Huh?

I think that if the value of the membership is for a year, it should be from the date of purchase of that membership. I'm sure they've heard similar complaints. I doubt I'm something new.

[prolesunited]

94. What you think it should be and what it is aren't the same

The company is fully within its rights to set the terms of membership. Just because you didn't understand it, weren't aware of it or don't agree with it makes absolutely no difference.

If you don't agree, you're free not to be a member, and knowing the money we save there, it's certainly more your loss than theirs.

I'm sure it is stated somewhere in their policies that the annual membership fee is assessed from the day you received your card, NOT the day you decide to renew.

Costco generates most of its income (i.e., the money it uses to pay its employees decent wages and benefits) from its membership fees. The reason prices are so low is that the fees cover overhead costs.

If you belonged to a gym and paid an annual fee, would you be outraged if you didn't go work out for 20 days?

I think lots of people have presented logical reasons and comparisons for this situation. It seems you are so busy trying to prove that you are right that you are unable to see another point of view.

[MichiganVote]

100. On the contrary I understand the differing points of view.

I disagree with them. Is there some reason why a person cannot rebutt what one disagrees with on this board?

As to the terms of membership, I can't say I read through all of that. Before you persecute me, recall how many 'terms of agreement' you have read through.

The fact that Cosco generates jobs or income from fees is not in dispute. And that's fine with me, I like good business. But I don't think its good business for people to pay for a year's membership and then be denied the full value, whether its used or not.

[prolesunited]

104. Whatever

I have nothing vested in this.

BTW, point out where I said you couldn't disagree?

And, really, don't waste your energy replying. I'm done "persecuting" you. :eyes:

[Mz Pip]

62. Wow

If this is the worst thing that has happened to you this month, consider yourself lucky. :eyes:

So the membership goes from year to year. What's the issue? Just because you didn't use it during the first 20 days of January doesn't mean you are entitled to an extra 20 days. Lots of places do this. There's an annual fee whether you use it or not.

Hardly seems worth stressing over.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[MichiganVote]

64. Not trying to compare this to any other issues I may have, yours or anyone else's

But think about what it means when places charge a fee to shop in an area, pledge all kinds of good things and generally deliver yet, they choose when and for how long and for what fee you belong. They decide what the penalty is if you don't renew according to a schedule that is profitable for them. True, they're not a 'family', tho' it wouldn't surprise me to see them market their service in that manner.

What could happen if all our food was provided in this way?

[Mz Pip]

93. Huge leap here

"What could happen if all food was provided in this way?" It's not. Never will be. Costco is a voluntary membership. YOu don't have to be a member. You can shop at Albertson's or Safeway. No one is forcing you to join Costco.

My driver's license is renewed on my birthday. I can't go in 3 weeks later and ask to have it extended because I didn't use my car for 3 weeks.

This is voluntary. You don't have to shop at Costco. Ever again. So don't. But don't make this out to be some huge conspiracy. Their policies aren't over the top and if you don't agree you don't have to shop there.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[MichiganVote]

96. Food is to co-op's as co-op's are to food. Every aspect of the food

industry is related to big business. And much of it is not voluntary in terms of consumers. Do you know what farm your beef or chicken came from? The corn in your soup, the bread on your table? There are many examples of different levels of the food chain that we participate in about which we know next to nothing. That may not spell conspiracy, but it is curious how much 'trust us' is involved. In any case, the sale of food or anything for that matter still depends on customer satisfaction.

As I said, a year's value should begin on the date of purchase of that membership. Or so I think.

[Mz Pip]

134. This is where we live

Of course "trust us" is involved. Unless we grow our own food, farm our own animals, sew our own clothes there is an element of trust involved. Every time I go to a restaurant I "trust" that they will not poison me.

But this is irrelevent to your issue. This isn't about where the corn products that are sold at Costco come from.

If you are not satisfied with their service or their membership criteria then you can CHOOSE to not participate. You've made your choice. So don't shop there anymore. It's really pretty simple.

But, I repeat, that in the grand scheme of things, in business and commerce in general, this is minor.

I've been a member of Costco for over 20 years. I don't keep track of when I renew my membership, but 20 days here or there isn't worth going on about. SHop there. Don't shop there. No one is forcing Costco on you.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[blue neen]

72. I got the credit card that Costco was offering when I joined.

When my membership is due, they just charge the credit card. It's pretty convenient that way. Maybe you could set up something like that.

[MichiganVote]

76. Its a thought but I neither need or want another credit card

[JerseygirlCT]

73. HP pulled a similar one on me.

Realized I'd had the machine for a year, and that the original warranty was coming up to the expiration. Since I'd already had trouble with it (had to argue and fight to have the MB replaced, with much time lost and headaches), I went online to purchase a 2 year extended warranty.

After the purchase, I was surprised to see that my two year warranty would expire in 1 year. Interesting math. Apparently, THEY count it from the date of your original purchase. Don't say that on their sales site -- not in any clear language -- but that's the case. So I just got one year for the price of two.

So much for great customer service.

Does that even exist any more?

[MichiganVote]

77. Thank you. That is precisely my point.

I have an HP too. Hard drive was a goner in a year. I had the extended warranty so it was covered. The next time it was up for renewal I contacted them. They sure didn't try to contact me.

[JerseygirlCT]

84. The guy I talked to just kept saying: the language is perfectly

clear to me.

Yeah, I'm sure it is, that's the obfuscatory language you guys came up with to lure people like me into spending more money that I need to for coverage that I didn't get last year...

[MichiganVote]

86. Yeah that was pretty much my experience today. The cashier looked at me

like I was just stupid or something. Guess I've missed the boat on the new way to legally con people but appear perfectly sane at the same time.

[napi21]

85. Many businesses operate similar to Costco. I recall questioning an insurance co.

about why I was billed for a little over two weeks auto ins. because I had simply NOT paid the bill because I already got auto ins. from another Company. They said they continue coverage as a courtesy to their customers, and since I didn't notify them that I didn't want the coverage any longer, it was just TS and I owed the $$. It only involved $20, and they were threatening to listit as an unpaid bill on my credit report. I have GREAT credit, and although I probably could have fought them, it just wasn't worth the damn$20 in aggrivation alone!

I guess my point is, you didn't use your membership in that 1st 20 days of January, and I didn't use my insurance either! Both companies had a service in effect though. The difference, as I see it, is thatif I had cause to file a claim on my auto ins during that period, you can bet your lifeI wouldn't have been paidby both insurers though!

BTW, I just checked MY Costco card, and all IT says is 5/2006! I assume that means I can renew it any time during the month of May this year. Interesting that yours had a specific day of the month.

[MichiganVote]

89. Sorry you had that problem. I recall once changing ins. and altho'

the new insurance co. said they would contact my old company they didn't do it. I know b/c I called to be sure they had. In any case, there was effectively no "coverage" under Costco for the 20 days in January as I had neither paid the membership fee or shopped in the store. If I had shopped and it was brought to my attention, I would have paid. I refuse to feel guilty for not renewing a voluntary membership. But once its bought and paid for, I think it is deceptive not to run it from the date of purchase.

BTW- our cards say 12/06 also. It was the clerk who informed me the card had expired on 12-31-06. And that a letter had been sent which, since my husband and I receive so much mail from Costco and other places, we probably did set aside somewhere.

[napi21]

137. Your prolem then huh? If you are telling me that your membership

and mine run on a month basis, it doesn't sound like you have any problem. You renewed within the month, and it expires within the month it was set to expire.

Sorry, but I think in this case, you're being misunderstanding.

I don't recall exactly what day of the month I enrolled with Costco, but I doubt it was the first day or the last day of the month. I accept it was sometime during the month of May, and I expect it to expire sometime during the month of May in 2007. I also accept that after the first year, my membership will be from June 1 thru May 31. Why this doesn't make sense to you, I have no idea.

[Warren DeMontague]

90. Eh. Big Deal.

I used to work for an indie chain of video stores, and I'd get all kinds of tortured rationales from people as to why they shouldn't have to pay, say, a late fee on a movie dropped off after 10 pm, because "no one could rent it anyway".

Sorry. Thems the rules. That's the way it goes. That's the way it works. I'm sorry you put that much intellectual energy into trying to save two bucks, and came away empty handed.

Or, well, lets see- in the case of a $40/year Costco membership, I suppose 3 weeks would work out to about $2.30. Yeah, I know. It's the principle of the thing. Just like it was the 'principle' of the people who were pissed they had to have their movies back before 10 pm. :eyes:

I think Costco is a great company, they do right by their employees, their pharmacy dept. was one of the first ones to state unequivocally that they would fill birth control prescriptions regardless of the philosophical positions of individual pharmacists, etc. etc. And they have great deals. I save hundreds of dollars a year by being a member.

I can live with this little "injustice". Really.

[MichiganVote]

92. I think I'll live through the intellectual energy thing

People used to think it was wrong to criticize the catholic church once up on a time too. Afterall, you pays your dues, dress up the church, good value if heaven is your aim. What's to complain about?

[TahitiNut]

99. So, you're comparing your letter to CostCo to Martin Luther's 95 Theses??

:wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow:

(I needed 95 of them for that.)

:rofl:

[QMPMom]

103. That is a really assinine comparison.

And you need to get over yourself and your entitlement issues.

[Warren DeMontague]

105. Holy ridiculous comparison, Batman!

That should get a prize.

Actually, what Costco should do, if for no other reason than to put an end to this kind of idiocy by people (cough.) who have nothing better to do with their time than try to "game" the system, is charge something like twice as much for an "initial" membership than they charge for the renewal. That way, the first time you sign up, it's like 80 bucks- then half that when you renew. If you don't want to renew, and want to sign up all over again and get that "free" time, cool. Pay for the initial signup again.

[MichiganVote]

108. Ok. Have your opinion.

[WindRavenX]

114. LOL

DU on sat night is sometimes worth staying in :rofl:

[Rabrrrrrr]

132. Don't mail that crybaby screed then - nail it to the fuckin' door! Bring in the press.

While you're nailing your protest on the door, you can look in the camera and say "In days of old, critique of the Catholic Church was forbidden - bringing excommunication, torture, and far too many times, death by burning at the stake or other means. In 1517, Martin Luther couldn't take the injustices and apostasies of the Catholic Church, and nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg in protest. Well, today, an equal injustice is happening right here in (town), Michigan - I have been screwed out of almost two-and-a-half-bucks' worth of shopping days - but I have come to begin a reformation by nailing my one self-centered thesis to this Costco door!" Then you can finish your pounding, shake your fist at the Costco building, and scream in righteous indignity "Your walls of steel do not a fortress make, O Costco! The Will of the People - of the Person: me - will not be controlled or ignored!" and then you can look around asking people, "You're with me, right?" and as they stare at you blankly, while the cameras are rolling on live TV, you can echo Jesus' words that a prophet is welcome everywhere but in his hometown, and you can walk slowly out of the camera's range, carrying your cross on your back, while the studio editors patch in the sad music from the The Hulk.

[Name removed]

133. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[high density]

109. So a "Gold Star" membership is $100, right?

So basically you're complaining about $6? I understand the principle but I let stuff ride these days if it's under $10-20. It's just not worth getting my blood pressure up to deal with it. My time is usually worth more than that as well.

[MichiganVote]

112. $50. And you're free to do what you like with your time, as am I

Like...I don't know...bother to post on this to me at all. And since you don't appear to shop there, what do you care?

[high density]

126. You're free to spend your time as you'd like

You posted your "warning" on here, but I don't think what Costco did is that outrageous. Especially when considering the monetary value of what you're all upset about is about $3.

As to why I care... I didn't know I needed permission to post here but I am a Costco shareholder so I wondered what evil they were up to. Otherwise I wouldn't have even looked at this thread.

[MichiganVote]

129. And I am a shareholder also....

[asthmaticeog]

115. So you "lost" 20 days. 20 days that you didn't shop there anyway.

If those 20 days were so all-consumingly important to you, why did three weeks go by during which you didn't go to Costco?

[MichiganVote]

121. For the last time, the 20 days that I lose would come next year, not this year

[asthmaticeog]

139. This is truly a worthwhile crusade.

:patriot:

[Synnical]

116. Norton Anti-Virus tried a similar game on me

They were going to automatically renew my subscription 3 weeks before it was due. I turned off the automatic renewal immediately. I'll renew it manually when it's due.

[MichiganVote]

125. Yeah I had that happen too.

[earth mom]

117. You got ripped off-no doubt about it.

First off, I really can't believe the hostile replies you've had to your OP because they are stealing from you as plain as day. Also, I would expect this kind of deception of Sams club, but Costco?! :wtf:

[MichiganVote]

123. :) Well I'm not THAT upset about it. I just think its wrong is all. Thanks

[Magrittes Pipe]

148. There was no ripping off.

The contract was adhered to.

[youthere]

151. I also wonder if the replies would be as hostile..

if the OP had this problem at a Sam's Club rather than a COSTCO.

[qanda]

118. My question for those upthread who disagree with you is this

What if it were November of this year and you had not renewed before then, would you just have a month left in your membership?

[MichiganVote]

122. Seems so. And that is one of the reasons I posted.

[high density]

130. Is that just a hypothetical or do you know somebody in that situation?

The membership was less than one month lapsed here...

[qanda]

149. Just a hypothetical situation

I'm just wondering how far the policy goes.

[Deja Q]

131. Just read the expiration date responses above

Oops. Everybody does it like that. I asked upfront if I could pay later on and they (not costco...) said 'yes'. I didn't shop those 2 weeks inbetween, but it technically does count.

[Hamlette]

136. this is the best you've got?

you're pissed at one of the best retailers in the business for this?

Now I've seen it all.

[G Hawes]

141. Isn't Costco on the current boycott list anyway?

Oh, maybe not, it's hard to keep up. But if it's not, it should be. Any store that sells anything at prices that undercut WalMart must deserve to be boycotted.

Edit to add: you get what you pay for.

[ima_sinnic]

143. just the opposite. Costco is pure blue. (n/t)

[Kerrytravelers]

142. My mom always give Mr. kt and me Disneyland passes each year.

One year, we were dealing with a family issue and missed our deadline. We went a couple of weeks later and stopped by member services. Instead of going through the initial pass paperwork for a brand new card to receive the full year's pass, we renewed late, and with our renewal did get to save $10 on each card (whoopee) and lost the couple of weeks. But, in those couple of weeks, we hadn't gone to Disneyland anyway, and we normally would have renewed on time, as we had every year previous.

If you went to Costco in those 20 days, then you lucked out and were able to go about your business there with an expired membership. If you didn't go shopping there, what difference does it make? If you have gone into Costco three days after your membership was up, would you have been upset over only three days. If you hadn't gone anyway, what difference does it make? Personally, we like keeping the same renewal dates on our memberships. It's easier to remember that way.

[ima_sinnic]

144. the amount of time & energy you put into this trivial matter might have

made a difference for some issues that are important, such as children being orphaned and then blown apart by U.S. invaders, gay people being treated like outcasts and criminals here at home, ongoing coup by evil imperialistic greed-head merchants of death and destruction, castrated and complicit media, ever increasing global pollution and melting of ice caps, etc. etc. etc. ad nauseum.

Somehow I just can't work up the necessary outrage over the "loss" of your $2 and change that you incurred yourself by not renewing on time. You are lucky to have a Costco anywhere near you. I don't know where the nearest one to my part of Florida is, but it's certainly not within handy driving distance.

whatever.

[AtomicKitten]

145. It's similar to the DMV.

Even though your renewal is late, you still have to pay fees for the calendar year. In other words, your membership renewal date stays the same even though you may not have shopped at Costco in the interim. I think you were expecting to get a calendar year from the time you renewed, but they considered you still a member just paying your annual membership fee late.

I hope my explanation makes sense.

[eyesroll]

146. From the Costco membership brochure (i.e. YOUR CONTRACT):

(Yes, it is YOUR CONTRACT. When you sign up for a membership, you agree to this set of terms and conditions, even if it doesn't explicitly say CONTRACT, even if you didn't actually sign a document -- which I'm sure you did, even if it was an electronic "signature" online.)

On membership: "We will refund your membership fee in full at any time if you are dissatisfied."

"Membership fee is for one twelve (twelve) month period from the date of enrollment of the primary cardholder."

And, on renewal:
"You will receive a renewal notice by mail each year. Renewal fees are due no later than the last day of the month your membership expires. ... We will automatically extend your membership for an additional 12 months from your expiration date upon receiving your renewal fees."

(Download the thing here: http://www.costco.com/Images/Content/Misc/PDF/WelcomeBrochure05.pdf)


This is not even written in legalese.
You agreed to these terms when you signed up, whether it was in 2005 or 1982.

It seems you had three options when you renewed:
1. Renew according to the terms and conditions you agreed to.
2. Get a brand new membership, which Costco (again, according to their brochure) can flat out deny you (or any other customer, for any reason, except those prohibited by law, e.g. they didn't like your race or sex).
3. Cancel. Actually, you can do that now, and get your membership fee refunded IN FULL.

It sounds like you are pissed because you didn't read the damn thing.

[dansolo]

147. Read their terms of service

I have no sympathy for someone who doesn't bother to read the terms of a membership, and then complains afterwards. Their terms are clearly spelled out, and by signing up, you agreed to them. They are not at all unreasonable:

"We will automatically extend your membership for an additional 12 months from your expiration date upon receiving your renewal fees."

I recently bought a decal that covers tolls on a toll bridge near me. I bought the decal at the end of the month, and it expires on the same day as if I bought in at the beginning of the month, so technically I'm not getting a full years value. Big deal.

[Snotcicles]

150. Is a renewal cheaper then a new membership?