Costco Wholesale — Attraction in Oak Brook

Review Title: Inconsistent Procedures and Rude Staff at Membership Desk

08/29/2025 — I’ve been a loyal Costco shopper for over 11 years, but today was one of the most frustrating experiences I’ve ever had. I arrived at 8:53 AM needing a temporary membership card because I’d accidentally left my wallet at home after dropping my husband off at work. I had Apple Pay but don’t have access to the digital membership card since I’m listed under my mother’s executive account. I only needed a temporary card to get gas before a 9:30 AM appointment.

When I walked in, I was stopped by an employee named Mhonia at the membership desk, who was unnecessarily rude and dismissive. Instead of simply directing me to the membership desk like what happened during a similar situation on 08/15/2025, she insisted I first “check in” with a person standing in the middle of the exit holding an iPad. Her tone and attitude were condescending, and it was clear from her smirk and demeanor that she was making assumptions about me based on my appearance. It felt humiliating and completely unnecessary.

After “checking in,” the iPad employee just sent me back to Muky at the membership desk anyway — the same place I should have gone in the first place. Muky, by contrast, was professional, empathetic, and efficient. She provided me with a temporary card immediately and validated my frustration.

I then spoke with Raul, the manager, to clarify the proper procedure moving forward. Shockingly, he couldn’t confirm whether the process Mhonia insisted on was correct. He even admitted that the iPad employee could have printed the temporary card but didn’t know how.

This lack of consistency creates unnecessary stress for customers and allows certain employees to exercise power in a way that feels degrading. If there is a new procedure, Costco should clearly communicate it to both customers and staff.

Because of this confusion, I wasn’t able to finish pumping gas until 9:22 AM — nearly 30 minutes after I arrived. I want to recognize Muky at the membership desk and James at the fueling station for their kindness and professionalism. They salvaged what was otherwise a very upsetting experience.

Costco needs to train staff better, ensure procedures are uniform, and hold employees accountable when they treat customers with disrespect. Muky demonstrated better customer service skills than the manager and deserves...

We have had Sam's club for a long time and we decided to take up Costco membership also today as a lot of our friends have been singing praise of it. I signed up for the membership online and paid using Sam's club credit Mastercard and it was accepted. It was funny because I mentioned it to the member's services gentleman Mr. Gumer while getting the cards. However at the club, the same card was declined a few minutes later.

The first impression of the club in Oakbrook is great. Everything is neatly kept in the aisles however none of them are labeled with what's in each row. Only way around is to walk up and down each aisle.

They do have a lot of stuff not found in a Sam's club. They carry a lot more variety of electronics like big televisions and stuff though I didn't actually go over and look. But the area allocated to it, is certainly bigger.

They do not carry lamb meat and certainly not any Halal meats in club like Sam's does. Their cakes were reputed to be Halal but the baker I asked said he is not aware.

Comparing prices between the two, stuffed salmon is a whole $3 more expensive per lb than Sam's. Honeycrisp apples are $2 more per bag/carton of 4 lbs and if I had spent more time walking around each item, I would have found a lot more items to list. On the other hand, boxed spinach is $1 cheaper than Sam's.

I guess I have an additional headache of comparing prices between the two before heading out to buy. Also the number of Sam's clubs far outnumber Costcos.

May 27th 2022 update: Stopped by Oakbrook warehouse. The bakery items did not have barcode for self checkout. Had to request help from an associate. When I pointed out that fact and that Costco does not have a scan and go like Sam's club, she quipped that I should stick with Sam's. Definitely an attitude you don't find at Sam's. However the men were very helpful. While looking for mini brie in the deli section, I asked Mike for help. He found another associate Oliver who checked in the back and came back to let me know that they stopped selling them.

Downgraded rating to 3 stars. I will be taking my business to Sam's club where I have a...

A year ago

This is the corporate location for the Midwest region. This also gets a lot of traffic, right off of I-88, this location is not hard to miss. Parking may seem plenty, but on busy days expect to park either by the gas station or even Macy's if you're lucky enough. It is cheaper to shop here since the sales tax is lower than anywhere else, and even gas. Because of Covid-19, they have updated their business hours, opening their doors to senior citizens at 9am Monday to Friday. Then doors open to the general members at 10am. Saturdays are the usual 9:30am, and Sundays at 10am. Closing hours remain the same.

2/28/2020

Opening hours have gone back to the standard 10am. Senior days have been updated to Tuesdays and Thursdays, opening at 9am, then doors will open to all members at 10am. The Macy's building has been completely torn down, with the property closed and fenced for ongoing construction. This limits the original extended parking. We still encourage everyone to properly wear a mask, covering your nose and mouth, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Doors close at 8:30pm, Monday through Friday, then 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Nobody will be allowed inside once the entrance door has been closed. Gas station remains open until 9:30pm, Monday through Friday, then 8pm on Saturdays and 7pm on Sundays.

9/24/2022

Business hours has been back to normal to the standard 10am-8:30pm Monday to Friday, 9:30am-6pm Saturdays, and 10am-6pm Sundays.

10/25/2022

The construction next to the gas station is "expanding" onto 22nd st where they have at least the right lane closed. This isn't throughout the day, but in spots of the day. When the overall work is complete, and stores there begin to open, expect a little...