Rebate Checks from COSTCO

[geist1223]

I always knew that Customer Service at Costco would cash the CITI Refund. They have a cutoff. If it "X or less" they will normally give you Cash. If it is more than "X" they cut you a Check that can be deposited into your Bank Account. This can vary depending how how much Cash they have on hand. There was a line of us bringing in our CITI Refunds today. Joy would gather up the information from 3 or 4 of us and go into the Back Office to cut us Checks. As I was getting my Check from Joy I asked her if she would cash my small Refund from Costco. She said sure. So I did not even have to shop to buy a small item to get the cash from my Costco Check. Joy apologized for all the hassle. I told her it was more of a hassle for her than me. I asked why didn't they change the Refund Documents so they could be deposited into our Bank Accounts. She said this was being discussed at the Corporate Level.

 

[DaveNV]

The amount of the refund is the limiting factor. They only have so much cash in those cash drawers. Getting more cash requires using the MIMO (Money In Money Out) machine, which takes time and trouble to use. In our local warehouse, on an average day, they can cash Refund Checks up to (I think) $500. More than that, and they need to cut the Member a check. In a busier warehouse the limit may be lower. As you say, it's "on the day."

I like the idea of the refund checks being something you can deposit. Both the Executive Rebate checks and the Citi Refund checks should be directly deposit-able.

Dave

 

[geekette]

From a business standpoint, you kind of want people to use their rebate from your store in your store. It makes sense to have you enter the store to do something with your rebate.

But, Costco is certainly known for outstanding customer service, so it wouldn't surprise me if they went the depositable check route.

Since I generally do use my rebates in-store to stock up (I consider it my Loyalty Spree!) I hadn't known about the cash out limits.

 

[jehb2]

I use to always save my refund check for grocery shopping at Costco Hawaii. It always felt like such a big savings on my vacation. But now combined with the cash back from my Costco Visa I put it all towards plane tickets.

 

[IngridN]

I never use my checks, either the Costco rebate or the Citibank rebate to shop. If I do, I don't get the cash back on that purchase . I charge my purchases then request the cash back for my rebates.

Ingrid

 

[tompalm]

From a business standpoint, you kind of want people to use their rebate from your store in your store. It makes sense to have you enter the store to do something with your rebate.

But, Costco is certainly known for outstanding customer service, so it wouldn't surprise me if they went the depositable check route.

Since I generally do use my rebates in-store to stock up (I consider it my Loyalty Spree!) I hadn't known about the cash out limits.

I had a Costco employee tell me to cash my check and keep using my credit card to rack up more points. He is the guy pushing the Costco Citi card, so it make sense for him to tell people that. My check is usually around $200 and it is not a huge loss of points to use my check on groceries. But it makes sense to cash it at customer service and use the charge card when I check out. Also, the more people do this, the more Costco will think about changing their policy and allow people to deposit it at a local bank.

 

[joestein]

Here is what I was told when I bought my check to Costco; If I cash the check at the register, the amount counts towards my next Citibank rewards check. My check was around $1200 and they didn't mind doing it.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

When do the Costco rebates (not the Citi which we received) come out?

 

[davidvel]

A local store had a dedicated register to hand out the cash last week. Ours was almost $1000 and they gave it in cash. I never buy with the cash.

I used my card to buy a computer and accrue more rebate, as well as get the extra 2 year warranty.

 

[dayooper]

When do the Costco rebates (not the Citi which we received) come out?

Usually a month or two before your membership is up.