Customers Test Limits of Costco’s Satisfaction Guarantee

Costco is known for many things: its low-priced and delicious rotisserie chicken, its adherence to its membership policy, and its legendary return policy. Costco offers a full refund on almost all products (even your membership) if you are unsatisfied with the product. There are some limitations on items such as electronics, diamonds, and products with a limited life expectancy such as tires, but it’s overall incredibly comprehensive. One product that generally falls outside that policy is alcohol. Costco says alcohol returns are determined by your store depending on state laws and regulations. 

Recently, though, Costco customers have complained about the taste and quality of the Kirkland brand vodka. There have been multiple Reddit threads calling out the Kirkland brand American Vodka. One commenter said, “I’ve been purchasing Kirkland vodka for years. I got a new bottle this week and it tasted and smelled like Flinstone vitamins. I returned the bottle thinking something was wrong with it and got a new one. Same thing! They must have changed the producer or filtration process.”

Costco Accepts Returns of Off-Tasting Kirkland Vodka

As it turns out, Costco agrees. The brand issued an email recalling the vodka, saying, “It has come to our attention that the taste profile of units marked with certain lot codes may not have met the expected profile normally consistent with this product. While not a food safety issue, this does not meet our quality expectations.” 

A Costco employee replied on one Reddit thread, stating a possible reason for the off-taste. “Apparently it has hints of rum due to a container not being completely cleaned before it was used for vodka during transport. It has no health risks or implications, but it gave the vodka notes of rum!” 

Consumers who purchased the vodka between June 12 and August 10 should have received an email from the brand informing them they could return the vodka for a full refund. If you’re one of the folks who needs to return the product, it may be a good time to pick up Costco’s new $20 grazing board while you’re there.