Costco Gateshead — Attraction in Gateshead

I’ve been going here since it first opened. Could not understand that last year of horrendous queues at the petrol station and inside and car park crammed, even first thing in the morning, which was never ever the case. Was told by a member of staff that ANYONE that has been on someone’s card as an ‘extra’ after one year, they can just join themselves without being vetted or self employed! So much for being an exclusive member and paying extra! No wonder all the prices have increased. Anything like buffalo mozzarella that was always a permanent line with them, gone as have a lot of other things and replaced with cheaper products. Change the petrol station rules, by only allowing people to purchase fuel, to show their receipts AFTER a purchase. As I see many people just coming to get fuel and driving off. Those prices should be exclusive to self employed people, how Costco used to work. Their veg don’t last very long now as well and quite a few times now I have to tell them they have very rotting veg in the large fridge. The rules of times your allowed to shop have gone as well. Many people who I know who’ve been members for decades, have stopped going, as you can tell they are not vetting people and it’s just far too busy and quality has gone down. Come on Costco! Get this new arrangement gone and get it back to how it used to be! We would rather pay for quality then not! And exclusivity! That was the whole point of your warehouse! When people travel 60 miles to shop and get fuel and end up rushing around and not getting fuel as it’s just far too busy, I don’t believe your not loosing customers this way. I’m about to stop being a member as well. I’m not a snob, but you are making me feel like I’m walking around a low cost supermarket when this shouldn’t be the case, when I’m paying to be an exclusive member. Just get back to how it used to be please!

P.S. after I ordered a lot online recently, as didn’t think I would make a trip to the store for a while, everything I bought online, was £10.00 cheaper EACH in store! As a paying member, I expect the price to be exactly the same either way. I was shocked! I’ve checked a few other things now since and see they do it with most of everything! I would rather pay a delivery charge than you trying justify a reason for doing that. I won’t ever buy anything online anymore now and I have done since they started doing that as well. So shocked. Very very unfair. I’m literally...

Subject: Formal Complaint Against Costco Gateshead – Discrimination Incident

Dear Costco Customer Service,

I am writing to formally file a complaint against Costco in Gateshead, UK, regarding an incident that occurred when my husband and I visited your store around 12 noon yesterday, the 27th of February. I believe I was treated unfairly and subjected to public discrimination.

Upon entering the store, my husband presented his Costco membership card as required. Immediately after, a staff member informed me that my bag would need to be checked after we completed our shopping. At the time, we did not fully understand what he said, but I was certain he was referring specifically to me. I felt humiliated, as I noticed that other customers, including women carrying bags, were not subjected to the same treatment.

Initially, we thought it might have been a misunderstanding. However, upon exiting, after our purchases were reviewed as per normal procedure, another staff member specifically asked to check my bag. I complied without question, but I was left feeling deeply embarrassed and singled out.

I can not help but ask: why was I the only one subjected to this bag check? Why were other customers with bags not checked? I strongly suspect that this treatment was based on racial bias, as I am Asian. This experience left me feeling humiliated, unwelcome, and unfairly targeted.

I request that Costco take this matter seriously, as this incident reflects unfair, biased, and discriminatory behaviour. I demand a full explanation of why I was singled out and treated differently from other customers.

I look forward to your prompt response and a resolution to...

In case people don't know Costco is a wholesale warehouse from America, most people are eligible to join but I'd check their website to make sure. They also have different types of memberships. The branch in Gateshead is pretty big and also has an on-site petrol station, which is normally much cheaper than mainstream stations; for example, today when I went, it was 120 (rounded up) for premium diesel.

The products at Costco are normally cheaper that at mainstream supermarkets and online, normally by a pound or two. It doesn't sound like much of a savings, although if you go and buy a large amount of products, you will most likely save a large amount

They have a variety of different products, which you would probably find in a mainstream supermarket, although as expected, the Costco products are sold in bulk.

There is a bakery in store as well as a little food outlet, which is very much American is layout and design. There is also a fresh produce section for fruit and veg, etc. The bakery is pretty cheap and the quality of produce is spot on, if recommended the cakes.

Costco have their own range of products known as Kirkland, which seem to be cheaper than a mainstream brand and as good in quality or better.

Costco probably is not worth going to if you'd only go once or twice a year. However, if you're likely to go monthly and/or buy a large quantity or items, I would definitely recommend. I'd also recommend joining if you do a lot of commuting and use a lot of fuel as you'll save a lot on running costs. They also have a tyre section, which I have never used but it seems...