Shopping Discussion

Locked: Costco: is it too onerous to be worth it?

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Banned
May 12, 2004
9756 posts
4136 upvotes
Ottawa
schmedley wrote: 1. The only reason I added the bit about my Mom having cancer treatments was to paint the picture... here is an old frail woman who barely has energy to leave the house and they are stopping her at the door to hassle her about a card that is valid according to every piece of mail I've received. If I was there, I would have lost it on them and told them to take their membership and shove it up their ass. They are lucky my Dad is much easier going than I am.

2. Wife has the same hair and everything... just in the pic she was wearing contacts, today was wearing glasses. She is asian though, so perhaps all asians look the same to this white cashier.

3. Yes, we have different surnames... but a valid costco membership holder with their card was right there (me) so what difference is it who pays?
Yeah the pity party...too frail to get a new card but fine to go gamble at a casino...and the race card make you quite credible. Plus you Tuffy McTough telling them to shove it...they woulda been shaking in them boots...
Deal Expert
Aug 22, 2006
31271 posts
17295 upvotes
medalgo wrote: so where do you shop instead? walmart? loblaws? no frills? t&t

if so...LOL
Yeah really. I'd rather put up with a little hassle at Costco and show my membership/receipt than deal with the giant hassle of pretty much every other retailer including those listed.
Newbie
Apr 3, 2009
72 posts
13 upvotes
Mississauga
medalgo wrote: so where do you shop instead? walmart? loblaws? no frills? t&t

if so...LOL
Gotta shop somewhere, but lets take Walmart as an example: Most have at least two entrances and there is no apparent design to make you traverse the store (the Ikea model), you are also not routed into more than one line up such as the door check line up, the register line up, the receipt check line up.

Walmart, as one example, is much more free flow and is much less sheep like than Costco -- and I am talking about actual sheep here, or cattle, or pigs, that are led though gated runs on farms into gated pens, and into gated trucks. Walmarts also have your choice of register line up -- one line up with multiple registers, or the traditional one line per till method. The one line up / multiple till layout is much more efficient and something Costco should consider.
Newbie
Apr 3, 2009
72 posts
13 upvotes
Mississauga
Cas77 wrote: Yeah the pity party...too frail to get a new card but fine to go gamble at a casino...and the race card make you quite credible. Plus you Tuffy McTough telling them to shove it...they woulda been shaking in them boots...
Just telling it like it happened. How you take it is up to you.
Deal Addict
Apr 6, 2008
2492 posts
390 upvotes
Toronto
schmedley wrote: Gotta shop somewhere, but lets take Walmart as an example: Most have at least two entrances and there is no apparent design to make you traverse the store (the Ikea model), you are also not routed into more than one line up such as the door check line up, the register line up, the receipt check line up.

Walmart, as one example, is much more free flow and is much less sheep like than Costco -- and I am talking about actual sheep here, or cattle, or pigs, that are led though gated runs on farms into gated pens, and into gated trucks. Walmarts also have your choice of register line up -- one line up with multiple registers, or the traditional one line per till method. The one line up / multiple till layout is much more efficient and something Costco should consider.
sometimes i'm not sure if someone's just trolling or there's something intrinsically wrong with them

and i hope no one in your family uses Apple products, or Microsoft, or Android, the only non-sheep thing is probably a flip phone and computers with Linux
Newbie
Apr 3, 2009
72 posts
13 upvotes
Mississauga
medalgo wrote: sometimes i'm not sure if someone's just trolling or there's something intrinsically wrong with them

and i hope no one in your family uses Apple products, or Microsoft, or Android, the only non-sheep thing is probably a flip phone and computers with Linux
It's fine that you don't get the point I am trying to make, but maybe the connection isn't being made due to the overuse of the term 'people', and that is not what I am referencing. In this case I have no derogatory intent, I am just describing the metaphor that sprung to my mind.

Let me simplify it for you though... have you ever been in an Ikea? Do you recognize that they have laid out the store to make you follow a certain path? Well farmers do that for their livestock, they lay out gates to make their animals follow a certain path.

Now, every Costco I've ever been in has a similar layout. Enter on the right through the card check lane, walk past the TVs, follow the path past the clothes to the bread, meat, frozen goods and around past the pharmacy. Head into the register line, pass the food window, have your receipt checked at the exit and you are out.

Walmarts are nothing like that... enter from the entrance on the left or the right, it doesn't matter, everything is in a grid, cashiers are on the wall you came in at. Nothing is apparently routing you anywhere except that you have to go through the registers to get out.

I don't see how any bit of this analogy has to do with microsoft, apple, android or whatever... maybe you are reading into it way too much. I used a metaphor of the routing of livestock with the routing of shoppers in various stores -- that is it, and that is all.
Deal Fanatic
Sep 16, 2004
9779 posts
2050 upvotes
Toronto
I used my AMEX card with my pic on it to both enter and pay for my goods yesterday.

Only wrong move I made was going to the Scarborough location for the first time.

It'l be my last time too for this location.

No problems except for the crowd behaving as though they never saw material stuff in their life and so hungry for it.

Sad sight but I guess it is part of the Costco expereince wherever you go these days.

Lot's of price increases tooo at Costco for example nuts prices keep climbing.

Passed by No Frills after and noticed the same sized jars(1.13KG) of President's Choice mixed nuts was $3 cheaper and the cashews $2 cheaper. Even if Costco's quality may be better I'm not sure it's better by much really.
Deal Expert
May 30, 2005
49009 posts
10302 upvotes
Richmond Hill
schmedley wrote: Gotta shop somewhere, but lets take Walmart as an example: Most have at least two entrances and there is no apparent design to make you traverse the store (the Ikea model), you are also not routed into more than one line up such as the door check line up, the register line up, the receipt check line up.

Walmart, as one example, is much more free flow and is much less sheep like than Costco -- and I am talking about actual sheep here, or cattle, or pigs, that are led though gated runs on farms into gated pens, and into gated trucks. Walmarts also have your choice of register line up -- one line up with multiple registers, or the traditional one line per till method. The one line up / multiple till layout is much more efficient and something Costco should consider.
I choose which register to line up at Costco as well, and there's usually two receipt checkers, so I also get to choose who to line up to.
Tons of things for sale!
Silver Coins and Numismatics | Heatware
Deal Expert
May 30, 2005
49009 posts
10302 upvotes
Richmond Hill
schmedley wrote: It's fine that you don't get the point I am trying to make, but maybe the connection isn't being made due to the overuse of the term 'people', and that is not what I am referencing. In this case I have no derogatory intent, I am just describing the metaphor that sprung to my mind.

Let me simplify it for you though... have you ever been in an Ikea? Do you recognize that they have laid out the store to make you follow a certain path? Well farmers do that for their livestock, they lay out gates to make their animals follow a certain path.

Now, every Costco I've ever been in has a similar layout. Enter on the right through the card check lane, walk past the TVs, follow the path past the clothes to the bread, meat, frozen goods and around past the pharmacy. Head into the register line, pass the food window, have your receipt checked at the exit and you are out.

Walmarts are nothing like that... enter from the entrance on the left or the right, it doesn't matter, everything is in a grid, cashiers are on the wall you came in at. Nothing is apparently routing you anywhere except that you have to go through the registers to get out.

I don't see how any bit of this analogy has to do with microsoft, apple, android or whatever... maybe you are reading into it way too much. I used a metaphor of the routing of livestock with the routing of shoppers in various stores -- that is it, and that is all.
I don't understand the comparison between Costco and Wal-Mart. Just like how all Costcos have a similar layout, all Wal-Marts also have a similar layout! In the typical Super Center layout (the ones they built from the ground up, not the stores they just threw in groceries to an old store and called it a Super Center), groceries are always on the right, and everything else on the left, electronics is always at the back, produce at the front, bread at the back, etc...

It's a retailer strategy to always have a similar layout. This way customers know exactly where to go to look for what they want, making it a much better shopping experience.

Also, certain Wal-Marts also have Express check outs, where it's one single line for 6+ cashiers when you have 12 items or less. I guess you'd hate going to these Wal-Marts.
Tons of things for sale!
Silver Coins and Numismatics | Heatware
Deal Addict
Jun 23, 2010
1848 posts
277 upvotes
Markham
medalgo wrote: so just cancel and let's end the story

or do you want me to email CBC for you?
With an obnoxious response like that, you'd definitely be the last person I would allow to represent my interests.
Deal Expert
Aug 22, 2011
41802 posts
30057 upvotes
Center of Universe
I've had my share of over zealous employees trying to earn their employee of the month status, by acting like arses; but not going to make a big deal considering I have the option to not renew and stop going there.
Deal Addict
Apr 6, 2008
2492 posts
390 upvotes
Toronto
PCUSER wrote: With an obnoxious response like that, you'd definitely be the last person I would allow to represent my interests.
i'm devastated

look if this was a legitimate claim the OP fails to recognize the simple concept that certain employees single action does not always embody the policy of the store, instead he threatens to cancel, doesn't, and resorts to calling everyone sheep

and from what's he's posting in this thread, i think he lacks credibility and attracts the type of misfortunes he faces, notwithstanding these isolated incidents
Member
Jun 3, 2013
381 posts
93 upvotes
1. Were they actually mean to your mother when they told her to go and get a new card? Did they refuse to let her in? If they simply asked Her to get a new card - knowing in a few weeks it would be expired. I'm not sure what the reason is to be so upset and shoving cards up people's asses. Lol.

2. Probably just a dumb cashier. I doubt she is racist. But I'd probably be annoyed if this happened as well.

3. Store policy clearly states that purchaser must hold a membership card. It's very clear on there website. So whether you think it's a dumb policy it doesn't really matter - only the card holder can purchase items. So given that you have different last names probably made things worse based on membership name and credit card name. Also don't you and your wife each have a membership card?

Sometimes retail stores are unreasonable. Sometimes people are. You haven't convinced me yet that Costco is to blame for all the negative experiences you had with them. Except for scenario 2. That's just a dumb cashier. But also following policy.

schmedley wrote: 1. The only reason I added the bit about my Mom having cancer treatments was to paint the picture... here is an old frail woman who barely has energy to leave the house and they are stopping her at the door to hassle her about a card that is valid according to every piece of mail I've received. If I was there, I would have lost it on them and told them to take their membership and shove it up their ass. They are lucky my Dad is much easier going than I am.

2. Wife has the same hair and everything... just in the pic she was wearing contacts, today was wearing glasses. She is asian though, so perhaps all asians look the same to this white cashier.

3. Yes, we have different surnames... but a valid costco membership holder with their card was right there (me) so what difference is it who pays?
Moderator
May 28, 2012
12485 posts
5278 upvotes
Saskatoon
I shopped at Walmart last Saturday (for four items!) and it took over 20 minutes to get out of the parking lot...after waiting at the checkout line for what felt like an eternity. Quite frankly, I'll take the shopping experience of Costco over that of Walmart any day.
Deal Guru
User avatar
Aug 20, 2005
11320 posts
3870 upvotes
Nowhere
schmedley wrote: 1. The only reason I added the bit about my Mom having cancer treatments was to paint the picture... here is an old frail woman who barely has energy to leave the house and they are stopping her at the door to hassle her about a card that is valid according to every piece of mail I've received. If I was there, I would have lost it on them and told them to take their membership and shove it up their ass. They are lucky my Dad is much easier going than I am.

2. Wife has the same hair and everything... just in the pic she was wearing contacts, today was wearing glasses. She is asian though, so perhaps all asians look the same to this white cashier.

3. Yes, we have different surnames... but a valid costco membership holder with their card was right there (me) so what difference is it who pays?
Your frail old mother barely has the energy to get out of the house but can go to Niagara to gamble. I bet she had to show her ID to get into the casino which apparently wasn't too onerous for her but it is for you. Hmm. As for her card, perhaps they only suggested that she get a new card now rather than wait for January.

Of course, you'd pull the race card. Let me guess in addition to being too onerous, Costco is racist. It is a member only store, so there is nothing wrong with the cashier verifying that the customer is the person on the card.

Apparently you have issues following the Terms of the membership that you agreed to when you became a Costco member. It does make a difference who pays as only a member can make purchases at Costco. By your own admission, your wife didn't have her card with her. But then I bet you'd be complaining if they just assumed she was your wife. BTW That doesn't give her the right to purchase at Costco.

Since you prefer Walmart, go shop there. Costco isn't hurting for members. BTW smart shoppers know when to shop in a store. I never have an issue with crowds at Costco because I know when to shop.
April 28th is a National Day of Mourning for those killed or injured on the job. Mourn for the dead, fight for the living. We all deserve to return home safely at night.
Member
Feb 18, 2013
272 posts
137 upvotes
Calgary
schmedley wrote: It's fine that you don't get the point I am trying to make, but maybe the connection isn't being made due to the overuse of the term 'people', and that is not what I am referencing. In this case I have no derogatory intent, I am just describing the metaphor that sprung to my mind.

Let me simplify it for you though... have you ever been in an Ikea? Do you recognize that they have laid out the store to make you follow a certain path? Well farmers do that for their livestock, they lay out gates to make their animals follow a certain path.

Now, every Costco I've ever been in has a similar layout. Enter on the right through the card check lane, walk past the TVs, follow the path past the clothes to the bread, meat, frozen goods and around past the pharmacy. Head into the register line, pass the food window, have your receipt checked at the exit and you are out.

Walmarts are nothing like that... enter from the entrance on the left or the right, it doesn't matter, everything is in a grid, cashiers are on the wall you came in at. Nothing is apparently routing you anywhere except that you have to go through the registers to get out.

I don't see how any bit of this analogy has to do with microsoft, apple, android or whatever... maybe you are reading into it way too much. I used a metaphor of the routing of livestock with the routing of shoppers in various stores -- that is it, and that is all.
Not sure what you are talking about where Costco "routes" you through the store. Like any other retail store Costco had aisles of products and a similar layout to each other Costco so it is familiar to shoppers.

What is preventing you from walking your own path in the store to whatever you want to buy? You don't have to follow the "herd".
Deal Expert
User avatar
Aug 18, 2005
21223 posts
5939 upvotes
Burlington-Hamilton
ilove wrote: I do absolutely hate receipt checking at the door as you leave. Costco PR likes to sugar coat the practice saying "it's for the members' benefit" blah blah blah but I directly overheard the manager at my local store saying the practice is primarily a measure to prevent theft.
Of course it's for loss prevention, which ends up benefiting the customer by keeping prices low.

It's still pretty annoying IMO and part of the timesink that is shopping at Costco.
- casual gastronomist -
Newbie
Apr 3, 2009
72 posts
13 upvotes
Mississauga
I'm sorry everyone, I finally got around to watching the Costco Customer Training video last night:



It has now become abundantly clear to me that if I desire a superior product, I must learn the protocol first and accept it without question. No soup for me. I'll move on now.
Deal Addict
Apr 6, 2008
2492 posts
390 upvotes
Toronto
schmedley wrote: I'm sorry everyone, I finally got around to watching the Costco Customer Training video last night:



It has now become abundantly clear to me that if I desire a superior product, I must learn the protocol first and accept it without question. No soup for me. I'll move on now.
nope, all that is necessary is to have common sense and have basic respect for those with a different opinion than yours
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User avatar
Jul 5, 2004
27438 posts
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This is just borderline trolling now

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