Some customers walk away from stores with more than just products—they carry loyalty that lasts years.

But sometimes, that loyalty is unexpectedly rewarded in ways that even the customer never imagined.

One shopper’s long-forgotten purchase sparked a return experience that’s now capturing attention for all the right reasons.

After more than a decade, what happened next was anything but ordinary.



A shopper recently shared how she was “flabbergasted” after receiving more money back than she originally paid for a kitchen item bought 13 years ago.

Elke Turner explained that her Vitamix blender—once considered a “significant investment”—stopped working after over a decade of use.

She contacted the store’s customer service, only to find that purchase records were unavailable due to a 10-year retention policy.


Despite that, the company told her that if she could find her original receipt, they would honor a full refund.

Elke, who had moved in the past year and still had unpacked boxes, wasn’t confident she’d ever find it.

But she did. And when she brought the receipt in, the refund she received was even higher than expected.

That’s because the blender had originally been purchased with a discount coupon—but the system no longer had a record of the reduced price.



Also read: Costco says “nope!”, return policy faces scrutiny after denied refund

So, she was refunded the full retail value instead of the discounted rate. “I was flabbergasted,” she wrote.

Elke added that this wasn’t her first seamless experience with the company’s return policy.

“I’ve also had to replace my coffee maker twice, since the new models seem to be designed to last only about one year. No questions asked.”

She called the store’s customer service “fantastic” and its return policy “unbeatable” for larger household purchases.



Also read: Skip the lines at Costco? A new perk lets you shop early—if you qualify

The post quickly gained attention from other shoppers who were eager to share their own return experiences.

“Similar case happened to me last week,” one commenter wrote. “Now I have a new blender, extra cash and a happy gait.”

“I had no idea how good their return policy is!” added another. “Something to keep in mind for sure.”

Other shoppers have also shared examples of generous return approvals from the same store. One parent said they were able to return a “several year old playset” that had clearly seen years of use.

Another user shared a photo of a TV from 2002 being queued at a return kiosk—evidence that some shoppers will test just how far the policy goes.


The company’s well-known return promise states, “We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell, and will refund your purchase price.”

There are some exceptions to the policy:

• Electronics must be returned within 90 days from when the member received them.
• Diamonds larger than 1.00ct must be returned with paperwork within 48 hours and undergo authenticity checks.
• Cigarettes and alcohol cannot be returned due to legal restrictions.
• Items with limited lifespans like batteries and tires are excluded.
• Custom-installed items or special orders must follow warranty guidelines.
• Gold bullion, bars, and silver coins are non-refundable.
• Airline tickets and live performance items are also excluded.
• However, memberships can be canceled and refunded anytime if the customer is unsatisfied.

The latest wave of shopper stories continues to build the retailer’s reputation—not just for products, but for standing behind them well beyond the sale.

Read next: Are you making this infuriating mistake at Costco? Members reveal their top complaint!
Have you ever gotten more money back on a return than you expected? What’s the most surprising return policy you’ve ever seen in action? Tell us your story in the comments!