Costco’s legendary return policy is a major perk, but some products consistently end up back at the warehouse. From “soapy” rotisserie chickens and moldy berries to post-holiday Christmas trees, here are the top 20 items members return most—and the surprisingly specific reasons they didn’t make the cut.
1. Rotisserie Chicken — $5.66
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Description: The warehouse’s famous whole roasted bird, found in the deli.
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Reason for Return: This is currently one of the most discussed returns. Members frequently report a “chemical” or “soapy” aftertaste in the meat, while others return just the bones (carcass) after eating the majority of the bird, claiming it was undercooked or rubbery.
2. Large Screen Televisions — $2,999.97
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Description: High-end 4K and OLED TVs from brands like LG, Samsung, and Sony.
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Reason for Return: The “Super Bowl Rental.” Many members purchase these on Saturday for big games and return them the following Monday. They are also returned frequently due to “blooming” or pixels dying within the first 90 days.
3. Fresh Berries (Strawberries/Raspberries) — $10.00
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Description: Massive clamshell containers of seasonal berries.
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Reason for Return: Members report these often look perfect on top but contain mold or mushy fruit at the bottom within 24 hours of purchase. It is the most returned item in the produce department.
4. Live Christmas Trees — $59.99
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Description: Real Douglas or Noble Firs sold during the holidays.
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Reason for Return: A “legendary” return. Members famously return brown, dead trees in early January, citing that the tree “died too early,” essentially using the return policy to get their holiday decor for free.
5. Watermelons — $6.00 – $10.00
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Description: Large seedless watermelons found in the produce bins.
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Reason for Return: Discussed heavily in 2025–2026 sources for being “exploding” or rotting from the inside. Shoppers report cutting into a seemingly fresh melon only to find a fermented, foul-smelling liquid mess.
6. Bakery Muffins (8-pack) — $6.99
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Description: Large muffins sold in the bakery.
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Reason for Return: Since the recent recipe change and size adjustment (previously 6-packs, now 8-packs), members have flooded return desks claiming they are “dry,” “tasteless,” and no longer have the “cakier” texture of the originals.
7. Clothing & Jeans — $15.00 – $50.00
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Description: Kirkland Signature items, Levi’s, and name-brand athletic wear.
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Reason for Return: Because Costco does not have fitting rooms, members often buy three different sizes of the same item to try on at home, returning the two that don’t fit.
8. Mattresses — $949.99
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Description: Memory foam or inner-spring mattresses (Kirkland, Casper, Sealy).
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Reason for Return: Subjective comfort and “sagging” after a year of use. Costco’s policy allows for returns on mattresses even after they have been used for months, leading many to return them if they aren’t “perfect.”
9. Dyson Vacuum Cleaners — $300.00 – $600.00
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Description: High-tech cordless and upright vacuums.
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Reason for Return: Battery failure and clogging. Members often feel that for the premium price, the battery life on cordless models shouldn’t degrade as quickly as it does, leading to high return rates.
10. Square Milk Jugs (2-pack) — $6.00 – $9.00
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Description: The unique, flat-topped gallon jugs.
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Reason for Return: The design makes them prone to leaking and extremely difficult for children or seniors to pour without spilling. Members also report safety seals being broken upon arrival.
11. Custom Sheet Cakes — $24.99
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Description: Large cakes used for birthdays and graduations.
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Reason for Return: Typically returned for “incorrect decoration” or “dryness.” Members also frequently return them if an event is canceled, knowing Costco will accept the return even if the cake is perfectly fine.
12. Keurig Coffee Makers — $80.00 – $140.00
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Description: Single-serve pod machines.
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Reason for Return: Mechanical failure. These are a staple of the return line because they frequently suffer from pump issues or software “descale” glitches that render the machine unusable after a few months.
13. Kirkland Signature Diapers — $35.00 – $50.00
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Description: Bulk boxes of house-brand diapers.
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Reason for Return: Fit issues. If a baby has a “blowout” or develops a rash, parents return the remainder of the massive 100+ count box, claiming they don’t work for their child’s specific shape.
14. Unopened Liquor — $20.00 – $100.00+
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Description: Tequila, Vodka, and bulk wine cases.
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Reason for Return: Over-purchasing for weddings and parties. In states where it is legal, members bring back cases of unopened alcohol the day after an event to recoup the unused budget.
15. Vitamins & Supplements — $15.00 – $40.00
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Description: Giant bottles of gummies, fish oil, or multivitamins.
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Reason for Return: Taste and pill size. Many members realize they cannot swallow the large “horse pill” capsules or find the flavor of the gummy vitamins unpalatable after the first few doses.
16. Printers — $100.00 – $300.00
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Description: HP and Epson inkjet or laser printers.
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Reason for Return: “Ink Trap.” Members often return the printer when they realize the replacement ink costs more than the machine itself, or if they encounter software “subscription” blocks from the manufacturer.
17. Avocados — $6.00 – $9.00
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Description: Bulk bags of 5–6 avocados.
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Reason for Return: Members complain that they stay rock-hard for a week and then turn black and stringy overnight, making it impossible to find a “ripe window.”
18. Prepared Meals (Chicken Alfredo/Lasagna) — $15.00 – $22.00
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Description: Massive deli-prepared or frozen meals.
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Reason for Return: High sodium content. Members frequently report that the meals are “way too salty” to finish, returning the remaining portion for a full refund.
19. Tires — $400.00 – $1,000.00
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Description: Sets of 4 tires installed at the Tire Center.
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Reason for Return: Ride quality. Members will occasionally return tires after a few hundred miles if they find the road noise too loud or if the handling feels “mushy” compared to their previous brand.
20. Seasonal Items (Generators/AC Units) — $300.00 – $1,000.00
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Description: Emergency power generators or window AC units.
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Reason for Return: Use-and-return. Members buy generators before a predicted hurricane/storm or AC units for a heatwave and return them once the weather clears, claiming they “weren’t powerful enough.”
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