Costco Wholesale — Attraction in New York

The place is clean and has a good selection, including the more Asian stuff which some other costcos don't have. In general my shopping experience is just fine. But, I'm leaving a bad review because of an incident I had today with customer service.

I had enquired a few days earlier about applying for a tax exempt membership for my non-profit organization. The worker at the time told me it was simple, that I would just need to bring in our documents including our tax exempt certificate, letter from IRS stating that I’m a 501c3, letter stating that I am authorized to open the account.

When I came to apply with my documents on May 30, 2024 at 7:30pm, I was immediately addressed in a very rude and condescending manner by the man working at the membership counter. Not even looking up, when I was standing in front of him, he shouted, “next in line!” Seeing there was only one other gentleman next to me but a very long queue of customers adjacent over (presumably at the merchandise return queue), I didn’t want to cut anyone else in line, so I asked him “I just want to make sure, are these two different lines, one for….” Before I could finish he cut me off and shouted “are you on line? whose next.” There was one other gentleman who arrived just after me, so I said “I guess I am.”

Him: how can I help you? Me: I want to apply for a membership…(cuts me off) Him: did you apply online? Me: well, it’s for a non profit…(trying to explain what the previous employee told me) Him: Business membership then Me: Um, I guess. Him: You need this… (points to the pink/salmon color paper on the wall).

When I tried to show him my copy of an exempt organization certification (ST119) and other IRS letters, without even bothering to look at what I wanted to show him he immediately said “nah, we can’t take that, you need this” and points again.

Not really being able to see all that clearly what the pink paper was, I tried to ask him if it is indeed a copy of what I had. Again he tries to dismiss me, before he actually looks and for a second says, well this does have the info, hold on. So he goes to ask a colleague who says actually, no, what I have won’t work.

I try to ask him: 1) is the pink form the same paper I already have; and 2) why not? because all other vendors which I have worked with have always taken a blank photocopy that I provided, including the Costco in New Rochelle when I opened one for another non-profit.

When he sees I have more questions, he just points to the pink paper and says “what?! is it you can’t see or you don’t understand?” So he takes it down and puts it in front of me. The paper looks slightly different from mine, so I wanted to take a photo or write down the name of the exact certificate. He says, nah nah nah that’s my copy.

Very frustrated already with his attitude and disrespectful tone, I ask what is your name? (conveniently his name badge was flipped around). He says, “do you want to speak with my manager?” That was not my intent, but I took him up on that offer. He walks away and mutters “so you want to be all dramatic about it.”

The manager came to apologize multiple times recognizing my frustration that I had come to the membership counter twice and was not told the proper information the first time; but he never apologized or even acknowledged the employee’s rude attitude and disrespectful demeanor.

During my interaction with this employee, I never raised my voice or was rude. I just wanted clarification exactly what the pink paper was because the previous employee never said anything about it. The manager later tells me it’s an ST-119 form…that’s much more helpful than just pointing to a pink piece of paper on a wall). In hindsight, I think the manager thought I was upset that Costco was not going to accept my photocopy of the tax exempt certificate. But I was actually upset with the rude employee's dismissive and disrespectful attitude.

Does Rego Park’s Costco want new customers’ first interaction to be with a rude and...

I’ve been a Costco member for many years and usually enjoy my shopping experience, but today I had a very disappointing and unacceptable interaction with one of the sales representatives at the store. The saleswoman was promoting a body and face wash product. My mom showed some interest, so we stopped to learn more. While I was explaining the product to my mom in Mandarin, the saleswoman repeatedly interrupted by speaking in Cantonese. When I told her that we don’t speak Cantonese, she apologized, which I appreciated. However, she continued to talk over me while I tried to explain things to my mom, which I found frustrating and disrespectful. She then pointed out the skin on my shoulder and commented that she used to have the same issue but “cured” it using the product she was selling. I found this remark very unprofessional and inappropriate, especially since it felt like she was using a personal comment to pressure me into a purchase. Later, when my mom asked if it was possible to buy just one bottle instead of the full set, I politely asked on her behalf. Instead of simply answering, the saleswoman dismissed the request and repeatedly told me I “didn’t understand” the deal. She even showed me the single-bottle price on her phone and asked, “Do you understand?” in a condescending tone that made me feel belittled. She continued to insist the set was a better deal and implied I was foolish for not buying it. When I explained to my mom that the bottles could not be purchased individually and that she would need to buy the set if she wanted it, the saleswoman once again spoke over me. At that point, I declined the purchase and said, “No thank you, we won’t get it.” As I walked away, she tried to hand me a sample. I declined, but she continued saying, “If you want to cure it, you should buy it, I don’t understand,” again referring to my shoulder. By that point, I felt extremely uncomfortable and just walked away. Overall, I left Costco feeling disrespected and insulted by this interaction. I sincerely hope Costco provides better training for its sales representatives so that customers are treated with professionalism, respect, and without inappropriate...

I recently had an incredibly disappointing experience at a Costco store that compelled me to share my negative feedback. The poor customer service, lack of shopping carts, disorganized parking lot, and the unpleasant smell of dead rats near the water bottles were just a few of the issues I encountered during my visit.

First and foremost, the customer service at this particular Costco store was abysmal. The staff seemed disinterested and unhelpful, displaying a lack of professionalism and courtesy. When I approached them with questions or concerns, they appeared to be more focused on their own conversations rather than assisting customers. This level of indifference is unacceptable and does not align with the reputation that Costco has built over the years.

Furthermore, the scarcity of shopping carts was highly frustrating. As a customer, it is expected that basic amenities such as shopping carts should be readily available. However, during my visit, there were only a handful of carts scattered throughout the store. This made it incredibly inconvenient to navigate through the aisles and carry my purchases. It is essential for a store like Costco to ensure an adequate supply of shopping carts to enhance the overall shopping experience.

The disorganized parking lot added another layer of inconvenience to my visit. The lack of clear signage and designated parking spaces made it difficult to find an available spot. Additionally, the congestion in certain areas created unnecessary traffic jams and delays. A well-organized parking lot is crucial for ensuring smooth traffic flow and providing convenience to customers. Unfortunately, this particular Costco store failed in this aspect.

Lastly, the presence of a foul smell near the water bottle section was absolutely appalling. The odor resembled that of dead rats or decaying matter, which is highly unsanitary and unacceptable in any retail environment. This not only raises concerns about hygiene but also reflects poorly on the store's maintenance practices. Customers should feel confident in the quality and cleanliness of the products they purchase, and encountering such a repulsive smell...