Costco
reviews and complaints

To whom it may concern,

My past few visits to my local Livonia, MI Costco have been quite disappointing. I've been a Costco member now for approximately four years. Each year I've always received a reminder that it was time to renew my membership with allowing me some time to do so. About three weeks ago when I was checking out I was told I needed to renew my executive membership right then. Needless to say I was caught off guard because I didn't know it was time to do so. I said to the cashier that I wasn't planning on doing that today and I would have to do it next time. She immediately said "well I need to get a manager then." Which she did. The manager then came over and stated repeatedly that I needed to renew, I expressed that I understood, but that I hadn't received my notice of it being time yet so I would do it next time. She continued to reiterate to me that it needed to be done, to the point I felt like I had to say "I heard you the first and second time."

Today is the first time I've been back to Costco since that last visit. I did my shopping with a friend of mine who also has a membership. Once it was my turn and all of my items were on the belt, I told my cashier, Mason, that I needed to renew my membership. I was starting to explain to Mason that I just wanted to do the basic membership and not the executive. Mason barely let me finish my sentence when he told me I needed to go to a different counter to do that.(Which also still doesn't make sense because back in August they changed my general membership over to an executive one at the checkout counter.) So I asked my friend if I could just use her card to complete my membership before I went over to the other counter because it's Sunday, lines were long, all my groceries were already out. Mason immediately interrupted us rudely again and stated "I'm not allowed to do that."

I understand without a doubt that there is probably a policy that they aren't supposed to allow that, but I have seen this done repeatedly between families at this Costco. He was not friendly, annoyed with us, unwilling to help at all, unapologetic that it was so inconvenient and overall just didn't care. Mason had a supervisor come over who basically told me the same thing Mason had just said, who wasn't as equally rude, but wasn't much better in her delivery.

The only thing they could do for me was renew my executive membership there then I had to go to the other counter for a refund for the general membership price. Or I was able to use my friend's membership card but we had to be on one transaction. I ended up doing the first option.

My concern is that my past few visits haven't been pleasant and I'm over it. My husband and I spend way too much money at your business to be treated like this.

I'm really hoping this is addressed in one way or else I really think I have to consider canceling my membership.

Thank you,

Alexi Koenig
[protected]
alexiandrus gmail.com
Costco membership: [protected]

I like to give my comment to a member of customer service of store #340 Fredericksburg:
Below is my case:
About 10:10am today (December 04 2016), I returned Zyrtec Allergy package (expiration date August 2018) with no receipt. Amy, Costco customer service, processed this return and found that I had $6.00 coupon for this package. For this discount that I forgot it, so I changed my mind and asked Amy to get back this package because I thought it would NOT have had a coupon.
Then I went shopping in Costco. My sister asked me to buy a Zyrtec Allergy package for her. And I bought another one for her on this shopping (with new receipt). So I have 2 packages on my hand.
And I decided return one package and give my sister other package with 6.00 discount.
When I returned to Costco, I picked randomly either packages
About 12:13pm I met Amy again. She looked at Zyrtec Allergy package and told me that this is old package that I had returned early morning and she did not accept it. I told her that I had receipt so it does not matter what it is as long as it was within expiration date (08/18). Then she talked with her Lead and her Lead told me not to accept returning.
Now I started upset. I told him that I picked randomly and I wanted to return it. I could go back my car to give other package but he was not right because I had the right to return any package!
I get angry because I believe his decision are wrong and along with Amy. I told him that how come I could not return while I had receipt and the package not expired.
Lastly, he let Amy return for me. This incident made a long line behind me.
I believe I am right because the reasons as follow:
- I have an official receipt
- I bring a product (no open, no expiration)
So I have right to return. Also, I remembered a Costco customer service member once told that I also could return even product opened.
For a long time with Costco, the product return would be very easy. I would return any what I do not like any time and any product; all would be accepted as long it is not expired.
I recommend Costco #340 leadership should train Amy and her Lead again to have good behavior and no being picky with customer as Amy did and follow exactly Costco return policy to satisfy customer instead of treating a discriminate against a customer.
Thank you for your reading and listening my comment so that Costco had employee deserve to salary it paid for.
Best Regards,

To Whom This may concern: I have had many issues with the store in Winchester VA 22602, 251 Front Royal Pike, store #239. This is why I am taking this route to see if things will improve. Today 12/04/2016, I encountered another bad experience concerning customer service. The cashier OP#: 30 Name: Ellen, was very rude today, this is not the first time I have complained to the management about the attitude of their cashier's. Also, the person helping her, a man didn't get his name he didn't even ask if we needed boxes or didn't even offer any help to box our items, because of this I injured myself, I have been a member since July of 2012., customer service has really gone down hill, no friendliness, (just get the hell out of my line attitude). I have had bad experiences even in the pharmacy area and complained and it has gotten better, but the cashier's in the front are really are hard to deal with, because of their crude and rude attitudes. The motivation to please the customer is non-existent at this store. If one wants their day ruined like today, my birthday just go to this Costco's and they surely will accommodate you. There was one person named Shag, that died in a car accident, he was a wonderful person, and always had kind words, I sure miss him, because at least he would add the balm to the inflicted wounds that other employee's would inflict. This is the most wonderful time of the year (Christmas and my Birthday), so the song go's but not at this Costco store.

I signed up for a membership on 12/2/16 and was treated very kind. I asked a lot of questions because I was going to add my father in law and wanted to make the process was as seamless as possible. Before completing the registration I was assured it would be no issue for my father in law to come in without me and get his card. My father in law went in the very next day and the lady that was supposed to help him was very rude and acted like he was a huge inconvenience to her day. She told him their database was too large to look me or him up by name and him bringing in my card would have made the process smoother. She than told him that she couldn't find us and was extremely unkind. Eventually she found me and said they could proceed. By the time the process was over he was ready to leave because of how he was treated and later noticed his name wasn't even correct on the card (he even had his drivers license with the correct information). He doesn't even want to go in to have it corrected in fear that he would have to deal with the same employee. Needless to say we are very unhappy with the first impression he was given and are thinking about cancelling the membership. I called the local store and spoke with a manager and she apologized and said she would take care of it but told me several times that we could cancel at any time. I almost feel like they don't care if we cancel and didn't do anything to try and keep a brand new customer. I believe the employees need more customer service training.

I went to Store 218 in Sterling today (12/3/16) at 1230pm EST to purchase the subject item. There were 3 in stock for $69.99.I requested the pricematch from Costco.com which was listed at $49.97. This item was not an exclude online item and the website even said it may be available at your local warehouse (which it was) The CSR rep wasn't able to adjust so she called over two separate supervisors, Justin and Alan, who had the ability to make the adjustment. They were completely rude and disrespectful and refused to make the adjustment due to there still being 3 on hand. They stated had there only been one left, they would have adjusted the price. They also said it was too much trouble since the store item number didn't match the online item number. They concluded the interaction by stating if I wanted the item, I would have to buy it online and then walked away without another word. Too much work for them I guess. I then requested to speak with the store manager, Madeline, who was on site. The CRS requested her twice, but she refused to address my concern. Appearently my time and issue weren't a priority to her. I've been a member since 2003 and I spend over $40, 000 in their stores and with their card every year and this is they way they treat loyal customers. This single interaction has really made me consider cancelling my membership and just shop at BJs Wholesale.

Today is 12/3/16. I went to costco at chantilly va at 12 pm and I bought 5 water and 1 haft&haft milk. When I checked out. The stuff in costco checked for me. I didn't checked my recipt again and when I came to the center to check recipt and items. A guy who checked for me is korean (I think). He looked my recipt just have 4 water on it. And he didn't tell me like I missed to check out 1 water, but he looked me like i'm cheating. And he was just call 1 person coming and looked me like i'm steal 1 water.

Date of Incident: Dec 02, 2016.
Address of costco: 28505 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA -94545
Incident: I went costco today to buy grocery. There the homogen milk is $4.99
When my turn comes. Cashier told that it's $5.59. I said, No it's $4.99. I advised him to go and check the display price. He said he sold many since morning and he knows the price and he swiped my credit card for wrong amount. After that I went again their and took picture of display price and went to counter. He told me that your card is already charged and he cannot do anything and he told me to go away from cash register and start using LIAR word. Then I went to his supervisor name " KRISTIN". I explained her the situation but thing is that no one wants to help. Cashier name was " NORM".

I ordered a Visio suround sound online with the item #1113851. The order number is [protected] and my member number is [protected]. It was delivered yesterday, 12/01/2016 and left on my porch that faces the roadway. It was in the product box with no other box to disguise it. Also, it was a Christmas gift for my husband and he was the one who found it. I really love Costco but I am very upset with this. Expensive items such as this should come in other boxes to prevent thefts and my neighborhood had had multiple thefts recently. I really thought that by ordering with Costco I would have gotten better customer service and that my purchase would have been better taken care of such as being in another box.

I purchased some items today at the Costco in Grandville, MI. This is the store I often purchase items from. While in line to check out the cashier named Abe did not look or check the name or picture on the membership card of the two customers before me. When I handed him my membership card he looked at my name and picture twice as he looked to make sure it was mine. I felt quite offended by this as I felt this was due to me being a person of color and the two previous customers were Caucasian. I have never experienced anything, but kind and friendly staff there. I feel quite hurt and singled out by this incident. I feel that if he was going to make sure it was my membership card, he should have checked everyone else's as well. I do not believe only select members should be checked.

Hi,

I am Mariana, a very loyal Costco customer. I was raised on Costco and now that I am living away from home, continue to shop primarily at Costco. I recently transitioned to veganism and to my surprise Costco stocks many wonderful vegan items. I was thrilled to find Kirkland Signature Brand's own 5 lb bag of vegan chocolate chips at my local Costcos (Brentwood and Lake Grove, Long Island, NY). Although, to my utter dismay, Kirkland Signature Brand vegan chocolate chips were replaced with non-vegan Nestle Brand chocolate chips containing milkfat. Not only would it be in the interest of Costco to return its delicious vegan Kirkland Signature Brand chocolate chips, but it would also be in the interest of Costco's reputation for offering vegan items, and in the interest of the Costco's consumer reach to offer Kirkland Signature Brand chocolate chips. Ultimately, returning Kirkland Signature Brand chocolate chips to Costcos in Brentwood and Lake Grove in Long Island, NY is a win-win for Costco and for its consumers. Please do what is right and bring back Kirkland Signature Brand chocolate chips. With great appreciation, and sincere admiration for this reputable and respectable brand, I would also like to request the introduction of Tofu to these Costco markets. Long Island has an enormous vegan population and Costcos elsewhere (MD and VA) offer an amazing Tofu product that I dearly miss having moved to NY. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Mariana

We are a large company and use Costco on a regular basis. At Christmas time we have over the years spent a thousand pounds in just one of our visits when shopping for our clients ref gifts.

On this visit we were charged full rate for 32 bottles of whisky despite having always been given normal charges on offers. We were told on checking out that the limit was three for the offer.

There was no sign saying 'maximum of 3 bottles' or offer is for three bottles which has never happened before. On going back to the aisles there is 'small print' saying three on deals. What does that actually mean, very misleading and frustrating as well when we could have bought these cheaper elsewhere.

The purchase was at Gateshead around 3.00 - 3.30pm.

I would like a refund or voucher of around £55 as one litre of Bells was price at a saving of £2 per bottle. Very disappointed and also embarrassed at the checkout. Not the best service ever.

Regards

Eddy Binks

Hi,
My doctor ordered me prednisolone 5 mg at costco pharmacy at coleman ave, couple of weeks ago, I went and picked up the drug, didn't check it came home and it was prednisone 5mg. I called the pharmacy spoke to pharmacist and told her the error, she told me that they have given me what doctor prescribed. I called the doctor she told me that is not true and she has called in the prednisolone 5mg not prednisone 5 mg. I called the pharmacy again, the pharmacist sepi told me to bring back the medication during the weekdays that the manager is there and they will refund me, granted at this point I don't even care about the money.
My doctor gave me a written prescription this time, I took that one in and took the prednisone 5 mg back, the pharmacist, Tuhi which is very rude now tells us that they can't take the medication back and that whatever the other pharmacist has said is not true.
This is my complaint, obviously there is some kind of a glitch in the pharmacy presciption system, dispensing wrong medication is illegal and refusing to take back what you have prescribed wrongly is even worst. Also you don't need to be rude about it, she is talking to my uncle like we have made up this whole story that is just unacceptable. I don't need a refund or an apology I need you to look in to your system so this does not happen to someone else.

Store 759, repeatedly delayed the pickup of my prescription until 5:40 pm, then they refused service 3 times saying the medicine wasn't ready when it was. Then they said the prescription was not covered by insurance even though it was and they broadcast my name and address loudly for the whole store to hear. Then I repeatedly received harassment at the store checkout line. Please respond asap or I will have to file an official complaint.

My father in law went to Costco on Monday 11/28 to buy a Vizio soundbar that was on coupon for $119. I grabbed a box that was under the sign marked $119 and we didn't realize it was the one marked for $279 until aftee we got home. My son got sick and I wasnt able to call until today 11/30 to see if I could return the one we bought for $279 and buy the soundbar that was on coupon for $119 at the $119 price. When I called I was immediately transferred 4 times before the BAKERY manager got on the phone and had no idea what to do. Then he asks a woman and I heard every word he asked "member is on the phone saying she bought that vizio soundbar at $240 or whatever it was is she SOL?" and the lady that responded said " well we can't help her bc there is nothing we can do"...really? This is completely outrageous. I'm out $160 because whoever stocked the soundbar didn't look where they were putting the $279 soundbars and it's MY FAULT. I shop regularly at Costco and for this to happen and there is no effort what so ever to help resolve the issue that was caused by a mismarked product that an employee stocked it ridiculous. I wouldn't make such a big deal out of it if I didn't receive such HORRIBLE customer service. $160 is A LOT of money to not want to help the member.

Mangoes are always got spoiled when we bought home. I like mangoes so much in fruits but most of the time when I bought to home the condition of mangoes are same like this what shows in photos which I uploaded with this complaint so I request your good self that provide us fresh Mangoes so we will buy them. Please provide money for my purchase and my bill is included in photos.

Thanks
With Regards

I have been charged a late fee on my statements from Citibank even though I pay my account on time every month. I called their customer service who was very nice but they said even though I am sending it electronically through my bank I should send the payment several days before it is due. That is ridiculous since I never had problems with American Express. Ever since the decision to change credit cards from A&E to Citi I have encountered a myriad of problems. So, I decided to write a formal complaint to you. Hopefully, I am one of hundreds of thousands of customers who are taking the time to write their total frustration with this change to Citibank. I am also hopeful you will find a way to cancel the contract with Citibank and return to American Express.

A loyal customer who thinks you have made a BIG mistake,

Pam

2 employees
8 pumping lines means 2 pumps in one line
10 cars minimum in each line
This happens daily at costco gas station. And today i got fed up and complaining to hire more employees. I waited for 25 minutes to get to the pump because only 2 employees were so worked up that they did not know what to do? This is not pop up gas station, Its costco. You are going to loose business if people are un happy. Sometimes i see lines at your gas station and i say that i would get it from somewhere else. I did it at least 5 times in last month and imagine how many people would be doing same thing as me.
HIRE MORE PEOPLE.

I tried to find an elevator to the exit without steps. Your staff were not helpful. I had to ask someone to lift my shopping cart up the 3 steps. I have ambulation issues and l am unable to pull carts upstairs. Do you have an exit at the Rego Park store that people with ambulation issues can use? I just assumed your store would. If you do not have a ramp or level way to get to the elevators l will not be able to renew my membership and go back to B.J.'s where l am able to assess flat surfaces.

Bought two pair of prescription eyeglasses in June 2015. Sunglasses kept losing screws to frames - 6-7 times. Went back to my old sunglasses. Worse, regular glasses with premium frames had one frame arm separate from main frame. It was glued on rather than screwed on by manufacturer; something new to me! Took both pairs back to Boca Raton FL store. Clerk (Maria) said "out of warranty, " plus no identical frames in stock or at any stores. And I thought Costco buyers only brought in high quality merchandise...I am VERY disappointed and now think far less of Costco "quality"

I joined the Queen's Costco in August 2016. So this was my first visit to the store. I had difficulty trying to find the correct exit with elevators. Exit sign said to Galleria. That exit had steps. I do not ambulate well, especially up stairs and trying to lift a wagon. I went back to the entrance to asked if there was way to get to the elevators without going up steps. There were 2 gentleman standing there. I tried to get their attention for help. They clearly ignored me. So l got closer and a man in white sweater talking a Costco worker raised up his hand. So l went to the exit staff and they told me l had to go back the same way came. I saw a man dressed in black and asked him if he worked here. He said he works on the elevators. I asked if there was a way to get to the elevators without using steps. Apparently their was not. He was kind enough to pull my wagon up the 3 steps so l could use the elevator. Is there a way from the Rego Park store to exit without using steps?