Could a simple Costco service leave your family in financial ruin? Here’s what happened to one family
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Imagine this: You’re preparing for the holidays, the tree is up, presents are wrapped, and you’re feeling on top of the world.
You’ve just splurged on a brand-new refrigerator from Costco—$3,500 well spent, you think, especially since installation is included.
But within hours, your dream kitchen turns into a nightmare, and your home is left looking more like a construction zone than a cozy family haven.
That’s exactly what happened to Bradley Byrd and his family in Florida.
What should have been a routine appliance delivery ended up costing them nearly $700,000 and upending their lives. If you’ve ever trusted a big-box store’s “free” installation service, this cautionary tale is a must-read.
A Routine Delivery Gone Disastrously Wrong
Bradley Byrd’s story began like so many others: a simple online purchase from Costco, complete with the promise of hassle-free installation.
But the devil, as they say, is in the details. The refrigerator was delivered and installed by a third-party contractor—one that, crucially, was uninsured.
Six hours after the fridge was installed, Byrd’s daughter called in a panic.
“Dad, the house is underwater,” she said, calling using Facetime to show him the devastation.
The culprit? A water supply line that had been installed incorrectly.
Instead of being safely coiled and taped behind the fridge, the line was left to snake underneath, where the refrigerator’s wheels sat directly on top of it.
Also read: That label said "fresh"—but what a Costco shopper found tells a different story
Over time, the pressure caused the line to crack, unleashing a torrent of water throughout the house.
The Aftermath: A Home—and a Family—Turned Upside Down
The damage was immediate and catastrophic. Water seeped into every corner, destroying furniture, electronics, and even the very structure of the home.
The Byrds were forced to evacuate, and air quality tests soon revealed high moisture and mold throughout the first floor. What was once a festive, bustling home was now a shell, stripped down to studs and subflooring.
“We got the tree up, Christmas presents wrapped. Everything was great. And then all of a sudden, a couple of days later, we had to leave,” Byrd recalled. Months later, the family returned to a house that still lacked a fully functional kitchen or bathroom.
Also read: Innocent family’s home raided by the FBI—What’s their next step?
The Financial Toll: When “Free” Costs a Fortune
The numbers are staggering. Byrd estimates the total repair costs at $700,000. So far, he’s spent $300,000 out of pocket on repairs, mitigation, and moving expenses.
The breakdown is sobering: $360,000 in structural damage, $76,000 in personal property loss, $78,000 for alternative housing, $117,000 in litigation and storage, and $72,000 in professional services to try to recover damages.
Costco initially offered a $38,000 payment, which Byrd accepted, but their subsequent $175,000 settlement offer fell far short of the actual costs.
“They drop the ball and are hoping that I foot the bill with my life savings for their bottom line,” Byrd said. He’s since launched a website to document the ordeal and the mounting expenses.
Source: News4JAX The Local Station / Youtube.
Who’s Responsible? The Hidden Risks of Third-Party Contractors
One of the most alarming aspects of this story is the use of uninsured third-party contractors.
Many big retailers, including Costco, outsource delivery and installation to outside companies. While this can be convenient, it can also leave homeowners vulnerable if something goes wrong—especially if the contractor lacks proper insurance.
In Byrd’s case, the lack of insurance meant that neither Costco nor the delivery company stepped up to cover the full extent of the damages. The family was left to navigate a maze of claims, legal battles, and mounting bills, all while trying to rebuild their lives.
Read next: Lowe’s, Home Depot, or Costco: Which retailer is king when it comes to budget-friendly appliances? We have the answer.
Have you ever had a home service go awry? Do you have tips for vetting contractors or dealing with insurance claims? Share your stories, advice, or questions in the comments below!
You’ve just splurged on a brand-new refrigerator from Costco—$3,500 well spent, you think, especially since installation is included.
But within hours, your dream kitchen turns into a nightmare, and your home is left looking more like a construction zone than a cozy family haven.
That’s exactly what happened to Bradley Byrd and his family in Florida.
What should have been a routine appliance delivery ended up costing them nearly $700,000 and upending their lives. If you’ve ever trusted a big-box store’s “free” installation service, this cautionary tale is a must-read.
A Routine Delivery Gone Disastrously Wrong
Bradley Byrd’s story began like so many others: a simple online purchase from Costco, complete with the promise of hassle-free installation.
But the devil, as they say, is in the details. The refrigerator was delivered and installed by a third-party contractor—one that, crucially, was uninsured.
A Florida family suffered around $700,000 in damages after a Costco fridge delivery went disastrously wrong due to a faulty water line installation by an uninsured third-party contractor. Image source: News4JAX The Local Station / Youtube.
Six hours after the fridge was installed, Byrd’s daughter called in a panic.
“Dad, the house is underwater,” she said, calling using Facetime to show him the devastation.
The culprit? A water supply line that had been installed incorrectly.
Instead of being safely coiled and taped behind the fridge, the line was left to snake underneath, where the refrigerator’s wheels sat directly on top of it.
Also read: That label said "fresh"—but what a Costco shopper found tells a different story
Over time, the pressure caused the line to crack, unleashing a torrent of water throughout the house.
The Aftermath: A Home—and a Family—Turned Upside Down
The damage was immediate and catastrophic. Water seeped into every corner, destroying furniture, electronics, and even the very structure of the home.
The improper installation caused severe flooding throughout the home, damaging furniture, electronics, and the building itself, and forcing the family to move out. Image source: News4JAX The Local Station / Youtube.
The Byrds were forced to evacuate, and air quality tests soon revealed high moisture and mold throughout the first floor. What was once a festive, bustling home was now a shell, stripped down to studs and subflooring.
“We got the tree up, Christmas presents wrapped. Everything was great. And then all of a sudden, a couple of days later, we had to leave,” Byrd recalled. Months later, the family returned to a house that still lacked a fully functional kitchen or bathroom.
Also read: Innocent family’s home raided by the FBI—What’s their next step?
The Financial Toll: When “Free” Costs a Fortune
The numbers are staggering. Byrd estimates the total repair costs at $700,000. So far, he’s spent $300,000 out of pocket on repairs, mitigation, and moving expenses.
The breakdown is sobering: $360,000 in structural damage, $76,000 in personal property loss, $78,000 for alternative housing, $117,000 in litigation and storage, and $72,000 in professional services to try to recover damages.
Costco initially offered a $38,000 payment, which Byrd accepted, but their subsequent $175,000 settlement offer fell far short of the actual costs.
“They drop the ball and are hoping that I foot the bill with my life savings for their bottom line,” Byrd said. He’s since launched a website to document the ordeal and the mounting expenses.
Source: News4JAX The Local Station / Youtube.
Who’s Responsible? The Hidden Risks of Third-Party Contractors
One of the most alarming aspects of this story is the use of uninsured third-party contractors.
Many big retailers, including Costco, outsource delivery and installation to outside companies. While this can be convenient, it can also leave homeowners vulnerable if something goes wrong—especially if the contractor lacks proper insurance.
In Byrd’s case, the lack of insurance meant that neither Costco nor the delivery company stepped up to cover the full extent of the damages. The family was left to navigate a maze of claims, legal battles, and mounting bills, all while trying to rebuild their lives.
Read next: Lowe’s, Home Depot, or Costco: Which retailer is king when it comes to budget-friendly appliances? We have the answer.
Have you ever had a home service go awry? Do you have tips for vetting contractors or dealing with insurance claims? Share your stories, advice, or questions in the comments below!
