Here is a scenario that has happened to millions of Costco members: you buy a television for $1,199. You bring it home, set it up, and love it. Two weeks later, you walk past the electronics section on your next warehouse visit. The same television is stacked on a pallet for $999. You feel that specific flavor of consumer frustration that is difficult to describe but instantly recognizable. You paid $200 more for the same product. Two weeks ago. Most Costco members in this sc

Costco's return policy is the most generous, most consistently honored, and most consistently misunderstood consumer protection in American retail. Members know it is good. Many do not know exactly how good. And nearly everyone has encountered the specific situations — an electronics purchase that developed problems after 90 days, a food item that was disappointing, a piece of clothing that wore out faster than expected, a diamond ring that came with paperwork requirements —