| rev:text
| - Produce ****
Return policy *****
Employee attitude *
Convenience *
Facility *** (odor problem)
Costco has strong drawbacks that have made me seriously consider resigning my membership. Among them:
- Uncaring, surly employees. Even WalMart workers are friendlier and more helpful. Reverse psychology is at work. A paying member feels an attachment. They're more likely to take abuse than the typical anonymous shopper at Albertsons. Costco workers have no incentive to deliver customer delight.
4/8/10: I'm ready to take back what I said about uncaring employees after my delightful experience with Vanessa G. She's cheerful, friendly, and helpful. She's been with Costco since 1991. They need more like her. There has been a noticeable improvement in employee attitude lately.
- Lack of variety. Coffee creamer only comes in vanilla. Always has, always will. An exception: Barbecue sauce. Costco has several varieties because one of their prime demographics is the corporate striver who handles the grilling chores when the boss comes over to the house.
Costco is big on "variety" paks. Beer, for example. They'll have 4 or 5 kinds of beer in a pak when you only like one or two. They have variety paks for drinks, snacks, soups, you name it. People will buy crap they don't want just because it's a "bargain." If enough idiots keep buying them they'll keep offering them.
It helps to understand that Costco is primarily a store for the business class. They are people who host or attend several dinner/cocktail parties a week. They have meetings for their employees. That's why Costco carries several kinds of finger foods, choice meats, cold cuts, party trays and snacks. It explains the bulk wines and liquors. Strolling around Costco is something like browsing at Neiman Marcus. It affords a glimpse of a way of life that I for one will never become familiar with.
- Whimsical selection. For no apparent reason, they will abruptly discontinue a product you have enjoyed for years.
- Whimsical shuffling of inventory. Every visit is an exercise in guessing the new zany location of your favorite items. For example:
"Where can I find the Canadian bacon?"
"We've don't carry Canadian bacon."
"I just bought it here last week."
"Are you sure?"
- Indifferent and incompetent customer service from the corporate office. My experience with them only led to additional confusion and frustration. Customer comment cards: Don't bother. They go straight in the trash. Costco only has them to create the impression of caring management.
- Unless you are a marooned resident of the planet Remulak, Costco groceries may not be practical for singles or couples. Produce portions are so big you have to binge to finish them before they spoil. How are you going to finish that huge bag of "baby" carrots before they go bad?
- Environmental issues. They discontinued dishwasher detergent in paper boxes. Now they only sell it in industrial-strength plastic heavy enough to withstand armor-piercing rounds. Many of their items come in heavy plastic unlikely to biodegrade in a million years. They don't allow you to bring back recyclables.
- Costco shoppers aren't the finest example of humanity at its best. They'll ram you with their cart, block the aisle, cut you off, crowd in front of you. In the parking lot, they waltz down the middle of the driving aisle heedless that you need to get by. They and the Costco workers deserve each other.
- The Summerlin branch has a nauseating odor as you enter.
Some things get you spoiled, however.
-Their gas stations are exceptionally clean and well-maintained. The pumps probably don't leak pollutants. They're probably set to deliver an honest measure, not cheat you like other gas stations.
- Costco doesn't have a public address system, so you aren't bombarded with blaring announcements or stun tunes.
- You can return items without a receipt, no questions. The only exception was the time I got hassled when I returned some spoiled Feta.
- I used their tire service when I had a blowout on the freeway. They had me on my way again without much delay or hassle.
I have been a Costco shopper for several years. They offer high-quality products for mostly fair prices. There seems to be just enough good things to keep me coming back. Just barely.
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