This brings to mind a half-joke half-truth I heard recently about Home Depot:

"I'd like to return this"

"Fine, what was your problem?"

"I'm done with it, of course!"

I had this very experience, except that the supposedly high quality made-in-the-Far-East components to help me install a new lockset in an old door tended to deform and disintegrate rather than guide and mortise.

As for Costco, CH's comments have given me hope, because I have purchased not one, but TWO GO-Video DVD with VCR decks, and they are pieces of trash. I don't feel that I'll be allowed to return them, however, but I may now at least try to.