Does anyone know if Costco has a limit on how many brands/models you can try within the 90 day limit? What happens if I buy a pair of hearing aids, return them to try a different brand and/or model, only to decide that I like the original aids better? Am I stuck with the second (or third?) pair, or will Costco allow you to return to the originals?
Thanks!
Glenn
You can have as many trials as you want- the policy is flexible, though I’m guessing at that point the dispenser might not be as flexible…
It is not one 90 day period. If you buy a set of hearing aids, you have 90 days to return that set. If you return them and buy another set, you have 90 days from the new purchase date to return the second set.
I don’t think there is a published policy on going back to the previous set, but it would be a new sale of new hearing aids. I don’t think the actual set of hearing aids you tried first would be resold to you.
They have some demo models you can try in the store to see which sound you like better, after that it is all about adjustments and fine tuning, so you probably will not be returning that many. It takes a few months to get used to them anyway.
Don,
Thanks for the response. It is not my intention to keep trying different aids, was just wondering “what if” I have already purchased Rexton Quintra’s and I like the sound…very natural except for my own voice, which sounds “mechanical”. I also have the feeling that the left one drops out at times…I am new to HA’s so that may be due to the fact that I haven’t adjusted to them yet. The right one has also taken to an occasional “squeal”, even in a quiet room. So I guess my confidence in them is somewhat shaky. I am thinking about trying the Resound Verso 9. I was able to test a Beltone Promise, which I gather is basically the same unit, and liked the sound better than the Rextons.
Thanks!
Here’s something to keep in mind. Costco can charge what they do based on keeping their costs down. Every time a set of aids is returned, they go back to the manufacturer and a cost is incurred. Because of the benefits afforded to members, this can potentially result in numerous trials in an effort to find the perfect (which ain’t a gonna happen) fitting. Get where this is going? There are plenty of people that gripe about the high cost of what they view as a commodity. Look at the value you can receive from a place like Costco that has decided to make a difference at a corporate level. Help keep the costs low and don’t abuse the privilege. Hey, I work for the place and after 30+ years in a whole lot of settings, I couldn’t be happier. I get to help people hear better and they get to save money. Pretty damn good.
I don’t believe there is one policy for all of corporate Costco; I think the policy on this is determined at each store separately. But if I recall correctly we have had some Costco users report here that they have been “cut off” from further Costco hearing aid services after returning two or even one pair of hearing aids. Others have returned one or two pairs of aids without that happening. As always, your mileage may vary. You can search some of the many threads on Costco to see what actual customers have reported here. But keep in mind that the policy may be different now than it was in 2011, as one thing you can count on with Costco is constant evolution of policies and products as they try to shave costs, build revenue, and remain profitable. Hearing aid returns are very expensive for every provider and manufacturer, so they do try to minimize them while keeping the customer happy, but if an audiologist thinks you are going to be a serial returner or tirekicker, they may indeed boot you out the door.
Of interest: I was told by a Costco hearing aid dispenser today that they are penalized if a customer returns a hearing aid. It goes against some kind of a bonus /spiff they earn. I was told that “they are supposed to work with the customer to make sure they get the hearing aid that is right for them”. Have no clue if that is true or if it is just a sales ploy to discourage returns.
@gasmith1958 I’m still auditioning in-store models but was essentially told in response to your question what others have posted. You are a little ahead of me as I haven’t decided on a pair to pay for and actually give it a 3 to 5 week trial, but most likely will be choosing between the Quintra and the Kirkland Sig 5 (Resound Verso). I hope that in this thread or another, you share more of your listening and use experience with Quintra and especially if you do a full test drive of the Kirkland. Good luck …
@gasmith1958 was visit was the first part of Feb…
I’m still auditioning in-store models commitment problems?