This concerns the HEARING AID CENTER in COSTCO (WILMINGTON, NC) I normally do not write reviews. I am a reasonable person who understands there are rules and guidelines. I also know on occasions, some guidelines can be adjusted to fit a particular need, especially if the end results would occur regardless. There are times when common sense and decency should dictate in all opportunities that benefit others provided the outcome doesn't reflect negatively on the other party. My mother is 91 years old. She has a hearing problem. She also has mobility issues and is in extreme pain most of the time. We made arrangements to have a hearing test at Costco. The lady that administered the test was very nice and professional. Based on her evaluation, she stated their hearing aids could help improve my mother's hearing ability. So about 2 weeks later, we went to get the hearing aids that were programmed to address my mother's needs. After wearing the hearing aids as instructed for a while, my mother found the ringing in her ears, which she had experienced for years, and the canal in her right ear seemingly being closed, made the hearing aids not only uncomfortable but they did not improve her quality of hearing. There is a return policy of a 'FULL REFUND FOR ANY REASON WITHIN 180 DAYS" listed on the back of the paperwork. Now to be completely transparent, there is also a small strip of paper inserted into your paperwork envelope that states, "ALL SERVICES REQUIRE AN APPOINTMENT." I read this and KNEW it. HOWEVER, what I did not know and still find odd, is that a return is considered a "SERVICE." I thought SERVICE meant service to the hearing aid. My MISTAKE. So last Saturday, we drove the 60 miles (one way) to return the hearing aids. We waited for two customers to (first customer) get the ear wax cleaned off their hearing aids, no appointment required and (second customer) had to get batteries replaced (also, not appointment required. ) No one was behind me in line, when I told the assistant I needed to return the hearing aids. She asked me did I have an appointment. Of course, I said no, I didn't know I needed one to make a return. VERY forcefully, she stated, "YES you do, all services require an appointment, per the little strip of paper inside your paperwork." I explained that we'd driven an hour to return them, and that I didn't realize returning the hearing aids, was considered a service. I kindly asked could she please make an exception. "No, you have to schedule an appointment to return them." I appealed to her to please reconsider, considering the cost of gas now, the age of my mother, but NO! I could tell she wasn't going to budge. She enjoyed having the upper hand, being in control. She looked on her computer and told me the FIRST available appointment would be JULY 29th (over 6 weeks away). I was floored. I asked her if I wanted to be tested for hearing aids, when could I get an appointment. She told me (with a smirk) next week. 1 week to get an appointment that takes over an hour. Yet, six weeks to do a return! So then I told her, I had a follow up appointment the next Wednesday which was already scheduled and asked could I return them at that appointment. "No, that's a different block of appointments," she firmly stated. Not even a kind word, not even, Ma'am, I'm sorry. Just plain, out and out, I'm in charge, like it or not attitude. SO, when I realized I was not going to get anywhere with this assistant, I accepted the July 29th appointment. Then, today, the day of my scheduled "follow-up" I hoped the actual lady that administered the hearing test would be there, so I called and asked for her. The lady answering my call sounded very familiar. I would dare say, she was the same lady that refused to bend any on my first attempt to return. When I told her I had an appointment for this afternoon for a follow-up, she told me that I did not have an appointment. Seems they automatically cancelled my appointment. I was told the lady I wanted to speak to was tied up all day with appointments but that she would give her my message. Surprisingly, the lady DID return my call. But she was just as adamant that July 29th was the first appointment for returns. I asked her about the time required for each type of appointment. A "Follow-up" appointment requires 20 minutes, a "Return" appointment requires 30 minutes. And the original testing took almost an hour. I can get a hearing test in 1 week. I had a follow-up appointment BUT I CAN NOT RETURN THE HEARING AIDS FOR 6 WEEKS! Does anyone else feel like they just want to make it difficult to return them? Well, they have the control and by gosh, they are exercising it. But, if the Good Lord is willing, come July 29th I will return these hearing aids and I will try my best to inform everyone of my experience. The hear aids may be helpful for many, and I truly hope so. But, for me, it has been a Blood Pressure Raising Experience. NEVER AGAIN!