If you’re a frequent Costco-goer like me, you’ve probably noticed something. As amazing as Costco is, other shoppers can sometimes spoil the experience. Yes, I’m talking about their irksome behaviors that make you roll your eyes or grip your shopping cart just a little tighter. While I’m usually there to snag certain deals, like the rare Costco LEGO Sets deal I recently wrote about—I find a few shoppers doing things that, frankly, make me cringe; here are five of them.
Creating Chaos in the Parking Lot
Let’s start before you even walk into the store. The Costco parking lot is like a battleground. I get it; everyone wants the closest spot, but some shoppers take it way too far. You know the type. They sit there, waiting for someone to pull out of a spot, holding up traffic for a full two minutes.
Meanwhile, there’s a perfect spot just a few feet away! Or worse, they cut you off, swooping into a spot you were clearly waiting for. It’s frustrating, and it doesn’t need to be. Just park a little further back and walk those extra steps. We’re all going to the same place!
They Abandon Carts in the Aisles
This one drives me crazy. I’ll be cruising down the cereal aisle when suddenly—bam—a cart left smack in the middle of the lane. It’s like someone just stopped, wandered off, and forgot that other people might want to shop. It clogs up the already tight aisles and forces you to do some awkward maneuvering to get around.
Please, if you’re browsing or grabbing something, just park your cart off to the side. We all want to keep moving; leaving your cart blocking the way is not helping anyone.
Hovering Around and Hogging All the Samples
Look, we all love Costco samples. They’re one of the best perks of shopping there. But some shoppers take it to the extreme. You know, those who hover like vultures around the sample stations, waiting for the next batch to come out.
They’ll grab three or four samples at once while the rest of us are just trying to get a taste. And don’t even get me started on those who ask a million questions or strike up long conversations with the sample workers. It’s great to be curious, but come on! There’s a line!
Unpacking Items at the Checkout
The checkout at Costco can already be a bit of a wait, especially on the weekends. So when someone starts unpacking their items onto the conveyor belt one item at a time, the line crawls. Seriously, Costco sells in bulk! Grab a couple of items at once, unload them efficiently, and keep the line moving.
And for those who dig through their carts to find specific items at checkout—stop! You had the whole time in line to get organized!
They Eat in the Aisles and Make a Mess
I understand the food court is irresistible. The fall bakery section is a legend. But there are some people who think it’s totally fine to grab a slice of pizza and start eating it while wandering through the store. I’ve seen people munching on food while pushing their carts, dripping sauce and crumbs all over the place.
It’s not a huge deal, but it’s annoying, especially when you’re trying to avoid someone’s pizza grease while grabbing a 12-pack of socks. The food court is there for a reason, folks. Let’s keep the eating part where it belongs.
I’m not saying I’m a perfect Costco shopper, but there are some basic things we can all do to make the experience smoother for everyone. Park considerately, move your cart when needed, and don’t be that person who treats the store like their personal buffet. A little courtesy goes a long way, and Costco shopping can be a lot more pleasant when everyone does their part.
