purchase items from Costco due tot heir generous approach to returns. I would not return a used item, but this had never even been used or had any fuel put into it. With the exception of the battery (which of course lost its charge) I would expect it to remain in good enough condition that it should start. I spend a lot of money at Costco every year. I don’t believe I’ve ever returned anything. But if I had taken this generator back I would have been completely up front with them about exactly what the situation was and what had happened. And I believe they would have refunded my money or given me a credit toward purchasing a new one from Costco.