Costco refunds customers who bought store-branded vodka after customers complained it tasted like ‘WASTE’
- Customers had complained about the taste and smell of the branded drink via social media
- The company sent an email to customers who recently purchased the vodka and offered a full refund
- Costco confirmed it was not a food safety issue, but certain lot codes did not meet quality expectations
Costco is reportedly offering refunds for its store-brand vodka after customers complained that the alcohol had an unpleasant taste and odor.
According to a Reddit userthe member-only store sent an email to all customers who purchased the $16.99 Kirkland Signature American Vodka between June 12 and August 10, requesting a refund.
“It has come to our attention that the flavor profile of units marked with certain lot codes may not have met the expected profile normally consistent with this product,” the email read.
“While not a food safety issue, it does not meet our quality expectations,” it added.
A Costco representative confirmed this People that the affected lot codes are no longer on the market, though the company did not say what might have caused the drink to taste different.
The members-only store sent a refund email to all customers who purchased the $16.99 Kirkland Signature American Vodka between June 12 and August 10
Costco is offering refunds for its store-brand vodka after customers complained that the alcohol had an unpleasant taste and odor
Customers had been complaining about the store-branded drink via social media, with one claiming it “had a chemical smell.”
Dissatisfied customers shared their frustration in several Reddit threads, including one titled, “Kirkland Vodka flavor has been turned off.”
‘It’s terrible. I couldn’t get past the first sip. I knew it didn’t smell good, but the taste was even worse. Never again,” one user wrote.
“I opened a bottle last night and the smell and taste were so bad I poured my drink out. Very disappointed as we have been enjoying this brand for years,” said another.
Another wrote: ‘It’s bad now. Really bad. I bought a case for a party, everyone noticed it. I bought another suitcase at another Costco, same crap.”
Some customers theorized that the alcohol had been transported in containers that previously held rum – and this was the reason for the taste and smell.
It comes after Costco began cracking down on customers who shared memberships earlier this year.
Costco requires all its customers to be members, with annual fees ranging from $60 to $120
Shoppers are increasingly being asked to show a photo member ID after the company saw an increase in people using cards that don’t belong to them, especially at self-checkout jobs.
Costco requires all its customers to be members, with annual fees ranging from $60 to $120.
“We don’t think it’s right that non-members get the same benefits and prices as our members,” the company said Insider.
“Because we ask for the membership card at checkout, we now ask to see their membership card with photo at our self-service checkouts.”