Woman returns Christmas tree to Costco 'because it's dead'

Costco's magnanimous return policy was severely tested last week in Santa Clarita, Calif., when a woman returned her Christmas tree to the big-box store and asked for a full refund "because it was dead."

And even though Yule fir trees are pretty much dead once you chop them down a month or so before Christmas, she got her refund, according to another customer.

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Scott Bentley was so outraged the woman's chutzpah, he posted a photo he took of her along with his commentary on Facebook.

Used Christmas trees are often left on curbs for waste collectors after the holidays, but a woman in Santa Clarita, Calif., brought hers back to Costco for a refund, "because it was dead." Used Christmas trees are often left on curbs for waste collectors after the holidays, but a woman in Santa Clarita, Calif., brought hers back to Costco for a refund, "because it was dead." Photo: Cuate Santos, Laredo Morning Times Photo: Cuate Santos, Laredo Morning Times Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Woman returns Christmas tree to Costco 'because it's dead' 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

I can't make this stuff up," Bentley wrote. "Woman in line at Costco, totally nonchalant, to return her Christmas tree 'because it is dead' on January 4.

"If I didn't see it, I wouldn't believe that someone had so little morel [sic] values or lack of conscience."

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While he did note that the woman did get shamed by store personnel and other customers — "to a small degree," he was also angry at Costco for allowing the "ridiculous" return.

A picture accompanying the post showed a woman with a red "X" over her face standing with a dead Christmas tree at the Costco customer service counter.