I’ve had more trouble returning tca bottles to good wine stores than to costco (in WA). One store argued with me until multiple employees tasted it. Costco just handed me cash.
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I think I posted about it upthread, but yeah, I returned a corked bottle to Costco and not only did they happily refund me immediately, the customer service rep even apologized for the wine being bad.
In recent years, I’ve successfully returned a corked bottle or two to the Costco here in SLO. No hassle.
This was in reference to the CA comment above. Agreed in WA, but in CA returning an open bottle, flawed or not, is technically illegal, hence the open vs. unopened reference.
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There is actually a state law saying you can’t return a flawed bottle of wine?
Or is it some kind of administrative regulation?
Seeing the 2020 Kirkland “Single Vineyard” Suscol Cabernet, like $18.
This wine has been a QPR winner in past vintages. However, wondering about the 2020 from the standpoint of potential smoke issues. Anyone tried this?
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I thought the 2021 was current? I bought one, drank it, and liked it but cannot remember if it was 2020 or 21
Yes. You cannot return open alcohol in CA. I had a corked bottle I tried to return to TJs and they said it’s not legal in CA to do so, but we will exchange it for you. Good service trumps State law.
Huh, that’s weird. I worked retail in CA in the early 00s and we took back corked bottles routinely.
I once took a corked bottle back to Premier Cru’s brick and mortar in Emeryville. Mr Fox took it back but he made it clear to me that he thought it was lame I was returning it because “corked bottles are just part of the wine world”. What a dick that guy was.
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This is semi-true. If the product is defective, of course they can refund it. There is no reg that says that can’t. They just can’t resell alcohol that has been opened and thus won’t take it back if it’s not clear cut.
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Correct. The protection exists on the retailer side vs. consumer.
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Yeah, it’s weird how easily this kind of situation gets spun into an extreme view of the law. There is no law preventing a California store from giving you credit for a bad bottle.
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^This^
I’ve returned many flawed bottles over the years including to Trader Joe’s (never Costco) with no problem. My understanding in CA a retailer must refund a faulty product, including wine, as a consumer protection law.
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from a friend who worked wine retail, I think I remember him saying that technically it is illegal to return wine. but every retailer (should) will give you an exchange for the same bottle if its corked. its so people dont try a wine, or bourbon or whatever, drinking half, and then preventing them from returning it because they dont like it. just think if Nordstrom’s sold wine!
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I haven’t had an experience of returning a corked bottle to a retailer and them denying replacement or something similar in price. Costco included (2016 BV GdL $84.99). Been lucky!
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I’ve tried a glass, no hint of smoke taint, great value. I ended up going back to Costco and getting a case.
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2018 Dunn Howell Mountain at Park Meadows and the one on Santa Fe, both at $145
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UK Costco to visit family in London. $54.32 USD for the 2016 Batailley! Cleaned out the Batailley. Been to Banfi in person so grabbed one of those and the Barolo to try out.
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Bought a bottle of the Kirkland St. Julien for $17.99 in Virginia. Nothing spectacular, but a solid bottle of everyday Bordeaux with good balance of fruit and acidity. Not sure I could place it as a St. Julien, but would be happy to drink it as an everyday red.
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Posted on this upthread somewhere…the high Merlot % makes this a bit innocuous where I’d rsther just get a Fronsac or Lillian Ladouys/Lanessan for $2 more.