4 Biggest Complaints Shoppers Have About Costco Right Now
Retail giant Costco may be America's favorite place to shop, but the beloved chain isn't without fault. From growing prices of once reasonably priced items to its climate change policy, here are some of the biggest complaints Costco's shoppers have recently aired on social media.
For more, check out Costco Members Refuse to Buy These 6 Items at the Warehouse.
Growing prices
We've recently written about a Reddit thread where shoppers have shared items that have shot up in price at their local Costco. Everything from water to garbage bags and diapers was on the list.
More recently, additional complaints have gone up on Twitter about several more items that have been affected by inflation at Costco. Meat and seafood, in particular, are among the items most commonly complained about.
Hey @Costco – for reasons beyond me, my mother has been tracking the cost of your precooked bacon since May 2020…
Care to explain this tomfoolery??? pic.twitter.com/hvwOnP99kb
— shelby lacy (@slacy_) October 14, 2021
@costco 3-pack of ground beef went from 4.5lbs to 4 lbs, same price. #transitory #inflation #shrinkage $COST
— Matt Kaune (@swamisez) October 14, 2021
The biggest price increase that I noticed over the last couple of months: @PhillipsSeafood crab cakes at @costco – up from $16 to $27. That is huge! https://t.co/iLBWynf6HW
— Parag (@parags) October 13, 2021
I remember 2 years ago. Average price of beef is $4 – 5.99/lbs, now its $10.99/lbs at @Costco
— Reikoku (@RuthlessReikoku) August 19, 2021
Some other things that have gotten more expensive at Costco are toilet paper and cleaning supplies.
After 2 months in a row having it on sale, increasing the price AGAIN & reducing sheets (3 times total the past 2 years) & setting limits of 1 per membership even before last month's sale ended, this is what's happening at my local @Costco with @Bounty Prints & Bounty Advanced pic.twitter.com/mUsb2a7owY
— Israel Lopez (@ilopez2021) September 10, 2021
Typical, @Costco have changed the manufacturer of their Kirkland microfiber cloths. Not only have they gone up in price, but they're down in quality. Utter crap.
— Dave Scott (@Tank2521) September 3, 2021
@costco I was at Costco in CT today. Bought a box of Kirkland Nitrile gloves for $29.99. Same item was $19.99 3 months ago. That's 50% increase. PRICE GOUGING!
— Minny Mouse (@MinnyMouse13) July 17, 2021
Long lines and traffic jams
Long lines, both in stores and at the Costco gas stations, have always been the chain's Achilles' heel, especially during the pandemic. But from the sounds of it, things have been getting even worse lately.
I never knew @Costco had lines on Friday morning? It's like Xmas!!
— Sean Rogers (@Calicomikaze) October 15, 2021
Totally convinced @Costco sells in bulk so you can eat in line and still have enough to bring home. #convinceme #notahurricance #costcoline pic.twitter.com/xbtPkGx1uN
— Dawn Saucier (@STEM_Queen) October 15, 2021
@Costco long checkout lines at north Brunswick NJ Costco, very unusual of Costco
— Ankur Saxena (@AnkurSaxena32) October 3, 2021
This is what a @Costco gas station in Bayonne, New Jersey, looks like two hours before closing. Costco offers one of the lowest gas prices in northern NJ at $2.99/gallon for regular grade. NJ is the only state in the US where customers are prohibited from pumping their own gas. pic.twitter.com/OyeaZK3w7G
— aya elamroussi (@aya_elamroussi) September 27, 2021
Snoozing on climate change efforts
While Costco has said it wants to reduce its impact on climate change, the company has been used as an example of a major business that hasn't set forth clear steps toward accomplishing that goal. According to a report by The New York Times, Costco is among companies that haven't provided their carbon emission reduction targets.
Even shoppers are noticing that Costco has been dragging its feet when it comes to climate change policies. Recently, many have chimed in with a laundry list of steps the chain should be taking to join the fight for our planet.
.@Costco I'm a shopper in Bethesda, Maryland. Climate change is here, and it's time to up your game. It's time to switch to HFC-free refrigerants in all your stores now. Our planet is counting on you!
— Frances Stewart, M.D. (@drfrances) October 3, 2021
.@Costco I'm a shopper in Aurora, Illinois. Climate change is here, and it's time to go carbon neutral now! As one of the biggest supermarket chains in America, our planet is counting on you!
— Peter Marinelli (@pmarinelli04) October 7, 2021
.@Costco I'm a shopper in Mountain View, California. Climate change is here, and it's time to up your game. It's time to stock more planet-saving products, like bamboo toilet paper and Impossible Meat. Our planet is counting on you!#climateactionnow
— Bill Murphy (@BillMur03934169) September 23, 2021
Food court woes
While extremely popular, Costco's food court doesn't come without issues of its own. Customers took to Twitter recently to blast Costco for everything from understaffing at the food kiosks to the recently discontinued Combo Pizza they sorely miss.
@costco FYI! One person tending to two windows and the food court is a terrible idea. Actually it's BS! Get it together!
— Ruben Zarate (@DesertDog250R) October 9, 2021
@Costco your moving to kiosks for the food court actually lowered service levels. Workers won't even look at you as they determine what to do besides getting your order
— PDXnonHipster (@davevisse) September 7, 2021
@Costco please for the love of God bring back the Combo Pizza
— Danny (@DannyEley) October 2, 2021
Others have taken issue with the fact that they needed to show proof of membership to simply enter the food court.
@Costco when did it become a requirement to show a Costco membership to go to the food court?
— Jeff "Let's Go Brandon" Caldwell, II (@JSCaldwell2) July 14, 2021
Why in the world do I need my membership card at the @costco food court?
— Mark Scelfo (@markscelfo) September 27, 2021
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