What Costco Employees Wish You Knew

[@MashedFood]

What tips or advice would you give to other Costco shoppers?

[@knuclear200x]

Call ahead for a whole pizza, or you'll have to wait

[@centrevezgaming4862]

In order to qualify for a card you have to work or know someone in employment otherwise they will reject your application.

[@jill8573]

Go an 1 hr before closing. Less crowded.

[@javidmirza4584]

I’m relatively new to Costco as a workplace but one thing I must absolutely add. If you find yourself in the parking lot and there’s a lot of machines pushing lines of carts for the love of god don’t get in front of them. They don’t stop on a dime and if they hit you. Bones will be broken. It hits like a car, even though it’s smaller than a Smart car.

[@donnapollock]

I love Costco. I'm there every week. They always have what I want....They all try so very hard to make everyone happy too. God Bless all Costco employees you are all hard workers.

[@MrProTechHD]

is Costco God?

[@odesangel]

I avoid the crowd by never shopping at Costco on weekends and holidays. It really is a different shopping experience.

[@scottadkin541]

True tip right here

[@joete3324]

Retail is HARD because of a bunch of THOUGHTLESS and RUDE people!

[@frozedokkanbattle]

I had a customer try to get me in trouble by lying to my boss by saying I told him I didn’t want to help him

[@carobella6058]

I love Costco and its employees. Costco employees are always helpful and courteous, this is my experience. And I find their Kirkland signature items to be very good quality / products.

[@frozedokkanbattle]

We are like that because if we aren’t polite to all customers even the Karen’s we’d get a verbal warning or a write up for not being polite. I had a member lie and try get me in trouble by saying I told him I wouldn’t help him.

[@rcwilliams4959]

The folk that park their carts while standing next to them while staring blankly trying to find something, thus blocking the aisle irritate me the most. Plus the screaming kids. Beyond that, I love the place.

[@wyzemann]

😂 I am so self-conscious about that to a fault. I can't tell you how many times, in a crowded store, I've parked my cart in some inconspicuous corner only to haul a few items back to it. My reason is solely to keep out of everyone else’s way🤫. Never have I caught others doing it.

[@Patriot_Lady1776]

Hate the constant moving around of products! Maddening!

[@kitanacee2169]

feel like everyone should Listen to this whole video because its true be nice to other people Treat everyone ow you want them to treat you that's a good Tip. Rganks for making this video

[@heavenlyboy34]

FYI-The samples are done by CDS, a sister company of Costco-not Costco itself. I had that gig myself for a while. If you want to know something about it, just ask.

[@teemusid]

The times I can't find an item in a reasonable amount of time because they have shuffled the store, I am not in the mood to consider buying something that isn't on my list.

[@Tpearson2002]

Treasure hunting is what makes me shop at other place more often now. Same with getting rid of items that are still available at another Costco a couple cities over 25mins away. I've also noticed the bulk purchasing deals are slowly starting to be no longer cheaper in many cases. I keep track of the regular items I purchase and I because of all these issues I may soon cancel my membership. I know many others who already have.

[@paulthescorpio]

Proper cart etiquette is out the door these days and times! And I hate when people gather around the free food in crowds! Can't even get by with your cart to SHOP!

[@yvonneboyd3690]

That part! Or when people leave the cart in the middle of the aisle and walk like zombies to the sample cart. Really people!? Everyone knows how Dinty Moore taste.

[@sleepyguy144]

@@yvonneboyd3690 How about when they put their cart on one side and browse on the other side. Now they have both sides blocked and don't have a clue you are trying to get by. I have moved many carts after about 5 seconds of waiting. I have gotten everything from oh I'm sorry to don't touch my cart and the best one is I'm shopping you will have to wait. That's when I just push their cart with mine until I'm by them.

[@marshapelo9830]

What Costco employees dislike the most is when customers talk to them.

[@BageTalks]

Tbf. Customers suck

[@drizzyuzumaki8753]

@@BageTalksdon’t ever start a business

[@popstarweasel1]

One time, while a cashier at Costco, a customer had a 3 pack box of clorox balancing diagonally on the top of the cart. She pushed her cart to my side of the register, which is normal, but then stopped it abruptly. The big box of clorox fell off the cart and broke open and splashed all over one of my best pairs of jeans. I was so mad at the stupidity of the customer, as well as the customers comment. Instead of apologizing for totally ruining my jeans, she was like, "Can someone get me some more bleach?"

[@patriciayohn6136]

Maybe the customer was in a hurry to clean up a murder scene? LOL

[@jerrywest7068]

I used to go every week but now I cut back to once every month or two because of the stupid constant rearrangement of items. It wastes my time and sometimes prevents my getting what I came for.

[@simoninanotherdimension]

I've been with Costco for 33 years. Working for. Love Me Costco.

[@bitburg40]

So Costco doesn’t like it when we move stuff around? Pay back.🤪😂

[@jennyv385]

You're making my day longer because you are to lazy to put it back. Just don't grab it 🙄 we have to move things it's not like it's are favorite thing to do.

[@dalenewberry4610]

Yeah the treasure hunt tactic has totally worked on me 😂 granted I still got stuff I needed/used but also did get way more and spent way more than initially planned. Gotta say that’s a smart business tactic even though it can be a pain in the ass at times.

[@TripReviews]

“Treasure hunt strategy” loved that term. I worked for Home Depot, same b.s, they didn’t name it that but same idea. Where the hell did $&#@ go? It was right there yesterday! Yes it even fools the employees. Especially what they call “stack outs”, you know those pain in the butt always in your way displays at a corner or in the middle of an aisle. On one side of the store yesterday, today who knows where it went? A computer location search for those items almost always never gives up the secret as to where some night sift employee or crazed manager moved it to!

[@MichaelRei99]

Costco getting you to try a new item which your religiously buy then they decide to discontinue really sucks! Obviously I wouldn’t take it out on the employees but it’s a real bummer!

[@wyzemann]

@Mike R I'm convinced many of those discontinued items are secretly and purposely “for a limited time ONLY.” Otherwise, they'd be as ubiquitous as a case of bottled water.

[@PookieWaters]

People/ customers can be ridiculous. I like Costco, employees are great, so is the company. Only issue I have with Costco is the over use of plastic. There are better materials out there.

[@megabyteme4488]

Costco employee here Kids, bring them! But you'll probably have a better shopping experience if you don't, I say that as a parent myself. Also with kids try to avoid peak hours. I've worked retail a lot in my life and by far kids get lost more in a Costco than anywhere else. More often than not, if an item is out of it's regular aisle and is on a random aisle cap or on a free standing pallet, it's because the manufacturer paid for that item to be 'advertised' by being in a 'prime' spot. A good part of Costco inventory gets rotated in and out, as in we have Nutella this month, but next we won't, so something else will be in it's spot. Those flat orange cats really hurt even if it barely taps your ankle. Be careful if you're using one and be careful around them. If you see an employee with a floor scrubber, please let them through. Those things can be hard to move around. We try not to bring them out during open hours, if it's out there's a reason. As far as recipes on how to prepare certain foods, some employees know, some don't. We don't actually get trained on how to prepare the foods that we sell. You're better off googling it and picking a method/recipe that fits your taste. However, CDS employees (the sample clerks) can always answer preparation questions about the item they are displaying. There are a minimum of 40 trash cans in every store, please use them. Don't stop in the middle of the aisle with your your cart because you saw your high school bestie and catch up right there on the past 20 years. Be kind to all our members, be aware of your surroundings, be kind to staff. If you have questions, ask!! We'll help, even if it's to find a person that knows what you're talking about if we don't know. We have to do that sometimes because not every employee even sees the sales floor on a daily basis. Please be kind and be patient. Also, everything in Costco is done to save on operating cost even if it feels outdated or inconvenient, it's ways we can keep prices lower. Enjoy Costco!

[@markthompson7503]

cart blockers and trash left in carts are my biggest pet peeve. People are so blind and lazy.

[@drizzyWRLD4]

As a cart pusher my god Costco customers are rude for no reason.

[@user-cc5od3zk4p]

Worked there while in school. Costco treated me like absolute shit. The managers had barely a high school education and, it was evident how the warehouse was run.

[@tete9407]

Never had any issues with my Costco experience.

[@pdxwatcher]

Three words: cell phone jammer. The usual yak-yak is bad enough, but the ones that get me are pointing their phones at displays/items and yammering "IS THIS THE ONE WE BUY?" (or some variation thereof).

[@comynei]

Most Costco sample tables are not run by their employees. Second and third party people are usually there for 4-6 hours, and only have a limited supply to give out. They generally do not use the items you see behind them to give out. If their supply runs out, it's out. If they are still on the clock, they will tell you about the product and answer questions though

[@frozedokkanbattle]

My Costco that I work for the sample people work 9-5

[@tete9407]

I ❤Costco

[@catreinert818]

If I don't want a fridge or freezer item. I'll put them back where I find them or if I can't find the correct freezer. put it back in a different freezer at least.

[@thetodd45]

As a customer it seems that I have the same dislikes as the employees, especially the lane blockers and the screaming bratty kids.

[@SansNeural]

So Mashed YT has become just another "read Reddit threads" channel.

[@csvscs]

Pretty much

[@firstlast1732]

Why did prices go up I’m canceling

[@qualicumwilson5168]

So American, so many of these "problems". In Canada, there was a deodorant that my wife preferred. When we could not find any, I believe I asked "Is (fill in the blank) deodorant out of stock"? (Just in case they moved it). I still remember his reply: - I have not seem it since I picked up some last week on mark down. Mark down is a key word for "no longer to be stocked" which he could not directly say. wink wink.

[@mikesmicroshop4385]

Just an FYI, both Costco and Sam's sell Alcohol and Tobacco products! These Items have FEDERAL taxes on them and neither company can prevent someone from buying them whether they have a membership or not! The Federal Government wants its money and does not allow restrictions like memberships to attenuate that flow into their coffers.

[@starmc26]

Not every state, only a few.

[@mikesmicroshop4385]

@@starmc26 Ya tell that to the ATF and IRS. I asked them and it is not legal in any state despite the a state law as it is a federal TAX law. All it will take is for someone to file a complaint about it with the Feds.

[@dboutier5636]

I wish they would define heavy. One person heavy might be another person’s lite. I have been corrected several times when I put something on the belt and one of the workers said I should’ve left in the cart. For example toilet paper. I don’t consider that heavy. I want to be correct and don’t like to be wrong. It is very upsetting to be corrected when it hasn’t been defined.

[@dboutier5636]

But how much is heavy. And I was corrected about the toilet paper I don’t think toilet paper is heavy. I don’t think it’s that large I can carry it and I’m old. It would be very helpful if pounds/kilograms was displayed to identify heavy I don’t like to be told I’m wrong when I’m trying my best to do what is right

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Walmart Super Centre Has Lower Prices . Many Kirkland food products are disgustingly terrible .

[@joyce_zhong]

It always makes me laugh when someone thinks that losing their business would actually hurt the business? Even if they were actually that powerful, the chances of them actually giving that much of a shit is like little to none 😂

[@Waterhead]

Ice cream being left on shelves to melt, putting bread in a freezer and screaming children who's parents don't give a fuck. All things retail employees are forced to put up with. It sucks!

[@lazynow1]

This is why I hate Costco....and do not shop there.....

[@PseudonymAliase]

costco workers don't want you to know that they don't know where anything is. just don't ask.

[@jgalt5002]

People that shop with their extended families 2 sets of grandparents kids and parents in tow

[@kellyseldeen7164]

Why not have a smaller cart choice at Costco?

[@Bigromeo43]

OK. Please, what movie are these skits from? Thank you!

[@xochitlcuevas96]

I think some skits are from a TV show called Fresh off the Boat.

[@wolfman8288]

UNLOAD YOUR BASKET! JEEEESSSUS PLEASE THANK YOU

[@defresurrection]

Maybe every employee on the floor should be trained in de-esclation. I don't violate any of these pet peeves. The one thing I can't stand is the free samples. I've seen a variety of these clowns... from yelling to singing to try to force customers into a verbal engagement. I'm there to shop, not to eat and talk.

[@MisterMooster]

Then you don't have to - a lot of people like this and where I shop they don't try to engage you unless you talk to them first.

[@defresurrection]

@@MisterMooster Every store is different... that goes without saying.... which is why I didn't say it.

[@MisterMooster]

@@defresurrection Well in theory they are supposed to be consistent so that you get the same experience across the brand.

[@defresurrection]

@@MisterMooster True.

[@ahanna4396]

It sounds like they don't like their customers

[@wyzemann]

The main reason I won't shop at Costco is their lack of “scan & go.” Sams Club allows this feature which permits members to scan, pay, and leave the premises without confronting dreadfully long queues. Occasionally, the receipt checker can get bogged down by other shoppers exiting ahead of you🤷🏾‍♂️. All in all, it's an excellent feature for efficiency-oriented people. By the way, I prefer no hassle shopping more than the “thanks, come again style of customer service.”

[@marianaaleman1814]

3 costco near me. All have self checkouts.

[@wyzemann]

@@marianaaleman1814 Does Costco have scan & go? This is a feature that allows the use of the SamsClub app to scan the barcode of your chosen product and afterward, pay via the app. No need to bother with a self-checkout kiosk or a cashier. I believe the owners of Costco prefer customers to “interact” with their staff instead of the convenience of scanning with their mobile phones, paying, and leaving without waiting in long lines.

[@aaronlowinger4465]

Ooo looks like Costco channel has fresh advertorial material - I wonder how much Costco pays or do they own the channel?

[@coffeecat086]

Seems to me that the parent lady need to figure out how to parent their kids if they’re jumping in carts and shouting and such. Kids up to like 2 I get, but wow

[@frozedokkanbattle]

HOLY SHIT THE PART ABOUT NOT GIVING YOUR OWN MEMBERSHIP TO SOMEONE ELSE THATS NOT YOU, IS SOMETHING EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW AND NOT BITCH TO ME SAYING “I have done this for years no one has said anything to me before” TRUST ME WE HAVE YOU JUST DONT LISTEN AND THINK WE WONT PREVENT YOU FROM BUYING YOUR CART FULL OF STUFF.

[@michellewei7349]

It's not "customers".. it's "members". Get it right!

[@knuclear200x]

Call ahead for a whole pizza, or you'll have to wait

[@darquequeen]

@Neo Anderson Rude? The original commenter is right.

[@knuclear200x]

@Neo Anderson why? What I say?

[@yongseokghymn2930]

03:38

[@aqutron]

Haha, the kid part, thats white folks.