It’s not an arbitrary rule that needs advance warning; it’s unethical hoarding, and there will be more instances of hoarding in these communities in the future.
IIRC, lots of consumer contracts contain language saying the terms are subject to change at any time with little or no notice.
Maybe so, but the "notice" probably could be something that's practically meaningless, like updating the terms on their website, or something.
Alternatively, their return policy may have language forbidding some kind of ill-defined "abuse" of the policy, which can be interpreted to forbid anything they'd want to forbid.
In any case, Costco has lawyers that unilaterally write this stuff in its favor, so I highly doubt it violated any of its own contracts.
IANAL, but that's breach of contract. To amend the contract, both parties have to assent. That's why you get those "terms of service" updates that always mention, "and if you don't like the new terms, here's how to delete your account," since your usage of the service constitutes assent to the terms.
Purchasing a good is different, it's more bilateral because both parties are still responsible after the initial exchange for delivering on their promises. So if your check bounces, you still owe them, and if the goods are junk, they still owe you.
The tricky part here is figuring out what the contract is. When you purchase goods in the US, the framework of the contract you're engaging in is laid out by the Uniform Commercial Code, if you want to look that up.
Costco has a satisfaction guarantee[1] and they will refund your money but there's an asterisk: "*Limitations apply. See the membership counter or Costco.com for details."
I couldn't find anything more on their site.
A "guarantee" has a legal meaning[2]:
> 4) a promise to make a product good if it has some defect.
So I think it means a customer would be required to explain why he's unsatisfied with the goods, in what way they're deficient.
That someone bought too much TP doesn't make it deficient.
[1]: https://customerservice.costco.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1...
[2]: https://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/guarantee
Does it only apply to return policy? Or could CostCo also, say, change the price retroactively?
Does it work the other way around? Say I order from Amazon. Then, I notice many people don’t like them. Labor safety, no paid sick leave, etc. Can I refuse to pay? I’ll tell them why and they can better themselves.
Yes, it is. Until now, absolutely nobody would care if you wanted to buy TP by the pallet, and Costco would be happy to let you return it if you wanted to.
> there will be more instances of hoarding in these communities in the future.
By all means make a new rule and communicate it for the future. I only object to retroactively punishing previously-allowed behavior.
Judging by the balance of comments, and the comment I’m replying to approaching #DDD, people are having a surprisingly hard time with it.