Costco is reportedly offering refunds for its store-brand vodka after customers complained that the alcohol had an unpleasant taste and smell. According to a Reddit user , the members-only store sent an email to all customers who had bought the $16.99 Kirkland Signature American Vodka between June 12 and August 10, offering them their money back. ‘It has come to our attention that the taste 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, this does not meet our quality expectations,’ it added.
A Costco representative confirmed to People that the affected lot codes are no longer on the market, although the company did not say what may have caused the drink to taste different. Customers had been taking to social media to complain about the store-brand drink, with one claiming it ‘had a hue of chemical odor.’ Dissatisfied customers shared their frustration in several Reddit threads, including one titled: ‘Kirkland Vodka taste is off’. ‘It’s terrible. Couldn’t get past the first sip. I knew it smelled off, but the taste was even worse. Never again,’ one user wrote. ‘I opened a bottle last night, and the smell and taste was so bad that I poured my drink out. Very disappointed because we have enjoyed this brand for years,’ said another.
Another wrote: ‘It’s bad now. Real bad. Bought a case for a party, everyone noticed. Bought another case from a different Costco, same garbage.’ Some customers theorized that the alcohol had been transported in containers which had previously held rum – and this was the reason for the taste and smell. It comes after Costco began cracking down on customers sharing memberships earlier this year.
Shoppers are increasingly being asked to show a member ID with a photograph after the company saw an increase in people using cards that are not theirs – particularly at self check-out lanes. Costco requires all of its shoppers to be a member, with annual fees ranging from $60 to $120. ‘We don’t feel it’s right that non members receive the same benefits and pricing as our members,’ the company told Insider . ‘As we already ask for the membership card at checkout, we are now asking to see their membership card with their photo at our self-service checkout registers.’ Read the full story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/consumer/article-12454459/Costco-Refunds-Kirkland-Vodka-Customer-Complaints.html?ito=msngallery
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Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk