Costco Wholesale — Local services in Ankeny

I was excited for this location to open. Note the past tense there. Now, this location has really started to take a turn in a bad direction. Employees used to be friendly. That’s a rarity anymore. Even the folks they have offering samples are standoffish. The pharmacy used to offer to check out your pharmacy items, but now, basically refuses and sends you up front if any of the items you’re getting are able to be scanned out at a register at the front. Prescriptions and such are still checked out at the pharmacy. If you end up at self checkout with a behind-the-counter pharmacy item, even if it has a barcode, it won’t scan, and staff will have to enter it for you, often with a dose of bad attitude to boot. I’ve decided to avoid self checkout entirely now since my latest visit where an employee named Annika decided to get extra attitudinal with me over a pharmacy item that wouldn’t scan. She was also rude to several other self checkout customers while I finished my order. MOST of Costco’s prices aren’t that great to warrant the price of a membership any longer, and many items can be found cheaper at Walmart and/or Sam’s club. Comparison shopping is definitely a must if you’re new to Costco, as many items are priced significantly higher than competitors, especially seasonal items, dairy, and produce. The quality of higher-priced items often doesn’t beat what is available elsewhere at...

Have a membership and have to now scan your card before entering. But, I went to enter the other day and wanted to....try something different. Told the door rep...no membership but.... going to the pharmacy and I was told, no membership is needed to buy from the pharmacy. Door rep says...you need a membership card to enter however! Getting creative with words to justify otherwise.... Eventually I was allowed to enter sans membership card. As I said, I just wanted to find out if one can buy from the pharmacy sans card and I was eventually allowed to do so Not necessarily this location but across the country... something seemingly insignificant but....hotdog buns. Can't have a bun made apparently that doesn't split apart. Add whatever...relish, mustard...pick it up to eat and a bite later.. the bun is separating and the relish etc now all over the place....gesh. Why can't your bread maker...make a stronger...

New member - I’ve made 3 trips to the store in May 2024.

Trip 1 = Thurs Evening =

Optical (order glasses) = 5 Star, good service no wait.

Food Court = 4 Star, slow but ok.

Trip 2 = Saturday Afternoon =

Optical (pick up glasses & spouse order glasses) = 5 Star, good service small wait.

Electronics = 3 Star. Knowledgeable staff, meh pricing. (No financing deals ever available. Costco warranty & return policy vs other retailer’s warranties/price/financing/returns = meh.)

Groceries 3.5 Star = good selection of higher end meat, meh pricing on basics (chicken, butter, veggies, etc)

Food Court 1 Star = 15 minute wait for a hotdog?! What?!

Trip 3 = Friday Afternoon =

Optical (pick up glasses) = 4 Star. Longer wait. Good service.

Groceries = 2.5 Star. Meh value. No French, Catalina, or similar dressing to be found? No sugar free gum?

Food Court = 1 Star. 10 minutes for 1...