Why is Costco fish returned so often?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

High-volume seafood returns at warehouse clubs like Costco are rarely due to inherent product inferiority; rather, they are typically driven by the extremely perishable nature of fresh fish combined with bulk packaging sizes. Because consumers purchase large quantities of fresh seafood, any unexpected schedule changes, improper refrigeration during the drive home, or failure to consume or freeze the item within its narrow multi-day freshness window can cause spoilage, prompting shoppers to utilize Costco's generous return policy.

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