I'm so glad this topic showed up again. We just had an outstanding Costco experience!
My son and DIL gave me a Costco gift membership for my birthday in Feb. We didn't upgrade to the Executive membership. Our Costco just opened last summer and I didn't want to get too deep into all this without knowing what was offered in the store and how often we would shop.
We made a few trips, stocked up on meat and fish, LOVED the sampling and of course the rotisserie chicken! Every time I went, I'd try to explore a new area. Bought a TV, bought some very good towels.
In May we saw that Costco sells Sunsetter Awnings through their site. We had a Sunsetter awning since 1991. It was an original manual type, still holding up very well and operating just fine. But it involved some lifting to open it. We were 36 years old when we bought it and we are now 62. The last few years the lifting has become an issue. We would open and close it together if we were both home. I could do it all myself if needed but it was just about at the edge of what I was comfortable doing. And as far as I can tell we are not expecting to get younger.....
Buying the new REMOTE OPERATED, MOTORIZED (no lifting) awning through Costco was a very good deal. The Costco price was a few hundred less than buying through Sunsetter even with a previous owners discount we were offered. Also Costco's price included the add-on wind sensor and a winter cover.
We were ready to order this through Coscto in late May. I was in Costco for something else and at the checkout they reminded me that I could benefit from the Executive upgrade and that they could offer me a prorated cost of $40 instead of the full year at $60. Well, we were just about to order a $2000+ awning and the Executive member 2% rebate would be at least $40, so YES, I paid for the Executive member upgrade.
Then we got the monthly Costco ad in the mail and Costco had 10% off for the month of June! So we waited a few weeks and ordered in June, saving $221!
The awning was delivered, we installed it and LOVE IT! Very happy with the entire experience.
When the August Costco savings ad came in the mail, there was another discount offer on the awning we had just purchased. In June it was 10% off, now for August it's 15% off! We were not angry at all, we got a great item at a very good price and were enjoying it all summer.
But I was curious about Costco's price matching. Online the policy was clear, price matches are honored within 30 days of purchase. Aww, so close! I figured it can't hurt to call and ask, so I did and while the response was that it's outside their policy, the man I talked to said he would refer it to their resolution department and get back to me.
The next day I got a call back and yes, they would honor the new 15% offer and refund me the difference! WOW, that's another $110.50 off of our cost.
And this week the refund ($110.50 plus sales tax) was applied to the credit card used for the original purchase in June. We are very happy to be Costco members.
