Anybody know return period for Costco hearing aid "accessories"

Picked up a Smart Connect (bluetooth) and Speech Connect (combo microphone and TV transmitter) from Costco yesterday. Nobody seems to know what the return period is. One person said 30 days after thinking a bit. Another said it was the same as electronics–90 days she thought, but encouraged me to check. I called Concierge. They said it was unlimited, but really didn’t seem to know. I emailed but haven’t gotten an answer yet. Figure it would be nice to have something in writing if I do decide to return them

I’ve generally found costco to be pretty liberal with the return policy even without something explicitly stating it.

I think a trip to Costco might be needed to get the answer from either the people working in the HA center or the store manager. Costco’s return policy is pretty liberal but no need to push the envelope on it if you are still within the 30, 90 or 180 day window.

Neither Hearing Aid Specialist (there are only two in the department) seemed to know the answer. One came up with 30 days, but seemed to make it up on the spot. The store manager is a good idea. 30 days should be enough for me to sort things out. Just find it kind of odd that nobody seems to know.

If purchased with the aids or in the trial, they can be returned during the full trial period. That’s 180 days at my Costco. I believe that can vary by country/state rules. I think the site says 90 days for other items except where noted.

From the site;
On Merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell, and will refund your purchase price, with the following exceptions:

  • Electronics: Costco will accept returns within 90 days (from the date the member received the merchandise) for Televisions, Tuner-Free Displays, Projectors, [Major Appliances](http://costco.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/c/10/a_id/1213) (refrigerators above 10 cu. ft., freezers, ranges, cooktops, over-the-range microwaves, dishwashers, washers and dryers), Computers, Touchscreen Tablets, Cameras, Aerial Cameras (drones), Camcorders, MP3 players and Cellular Phones (return details will vary by carrier service contract).
  • Diamonds: 1.00ct or larger: Members returning a diamond over 1.00ct must also present all original paperwork (IGI and/or GIA certificates) at which time they will receive a Jewelry Credit Memo. Within 48 hours, our Costco Graduate Gemologist will inspect for authenticity.
  • Cigarettes and alcohol: Costco does not accept returns on cigarettes or alcohol where prohibited by law.
  • Products with a limited useful life expectancy, such as tires and batteries, may be sold with a product-specific limited warranty.
  • Special Order Kiosk and Custom Installed Programs: Custom product(s) manufactured to our member’s personal and unique specifications cannot be returned or refunded, except for warranty repair/replacement due to failure to meet specifications.

In fact, that’s even discretionary if there are exceptional circumstances.

They were not purchased with the hearing aids. (Hearing aids were purchased about 9 months ago. ) Concierge guy said 90 days did not apply because the item was not among those listed under electronics, and he therefore concluded that there was unlimited return period. I suspect that the reason it’s not spelled out is because it doesn’t happen very often and if I did want to return them and could make a reasonable case, they’d accomodate.

You aren’t going to want to return them!

The Costco’s near me now have 180 day returns on HA’s. IMO you need at least three months to get the HA’s tweeked to what is needed, but that’s my opinion others may vary.

Yes, for hearing aids, it’s 180 days. Question related to hearing aid accessories: Smart Connect Bluetooth Pendant and SpeechConnect microphone/transmitter.

Got an answer back from Costco. Initially I was told via email that there was no return limit for hearing aids or accessories. I told them that I was sure hearing aids had a 180 day limit. They had a manager call me and they apparently ended up calling Rexton. The return period for accessories is 180 days (sort of) The items need to be back to the manufacturer within 180 days of date of pickup. Manager suggested at least a week before the 180 days.

Over a year and a half, I have returned 3 sets of Costco hearing aids (two of the same model- long story) I was trialing. Does anyone know at what point management will not allow more purchases? These HA’s were bought in good faith, it has been quite a learning curve to figure out what is right for me.

I don’t think there’s any hard and fast rule. No harm in giving it a shot.

1 Like

I’m scared. I can’t go to a private audi, who costs 2x’s as much.

I don’t know anything about how this came about, but no sense worrying about it. Just schedule an appointment and see what happens.

1 Like

On a related HA accessory issue at Costco, when I got a ReSound Multi-Mic by special order, the specialist there helpfully charged it in full before I picked it up. Since all I saw was an “open box” item, relative to the generous return policy being discussed above, I was worried that I was getting someone else’s return. So I asked the Costco folks about that: “Are returns ever sold as new items?!” They said absolutely not. So that still leaves me wondering whatever happens to perfectly good returns that customers are just dissatisfied with and is that the stuff that ends up on eBay or elsewhere online?

When folks complain “Are We The Source of Big Money?,” it could be that a certain amount of the expensive cost of acquiring HA’s is paying for other people’s returns of both HA’s and accessories!

1 Like

I just don’t want to be banned from buying Costco HA’s. I have a pair that I should return in 5 days, or I have to keep them. I was told the returned HA’s are destroyed. This seems like an awful HA company policy, not Costco’s, considering there are millions in the world that would do anything for some HA’s but can’t afford them.

1 Like

I’ve heard that they are returned to the manufacturer. Not sure what they do with them. If they can’t be sold, donating to a charity seems like a good idea, but mere speculation. From personal experience, when I returned an accessory item, I got the feeling that the store was going to keep it and use it as a demo to show customers what it was like. Again mere speculation.

2 Likes

Costco has a pretty liberal policy - not so much for altruistic reasons but that we tend to buy a lot more once we know there’s a liberal return policy. So its not as if Costco’s going to blacklist you. Are you in regular touch with the HA dispensers at Costco? If they are convinced of your good faith, then you really dont have anything to worry about. I have had some very good HA dispensers at Costco and for the life of me, I cant imagine then saying no to me.

1 Like

Hi. Everything is OK. I called up corporate Costco and was told just as long as I return them within the trial period, everything is fine w/them. My reputation will be OK.