Costco Wholesale — Local services in Bradenton

They always have the cheapest gas for miles. Usually they are very busy. This time, when we went for gas, the lines were short. That is unusual, but they go through long lines quickly .

The store is always clean and well stocked. It is easy to navigate, even though it often has lots of people in it. The parking for the store is quite large and the parking places are very wide, which helps when unloading your stuff from their extra large carts or pallet movers for large goods.

The staff are efficient and helpful. Even though there can be a lot of shoppers, the checkout lines move quickly.

They have good prices on most of their items and when items go on a special sale at Costco, the discounts tend to be large and you do not need a coupon, but you do need their membership. Their executive membership is over $100, but they credit back a percentage of what you buy, so you can end up ahead if you buy a lot. They also offer a VISA card that builds up credits. They pay out these credits and renew the membership once a year, but the credits and membership fees for me are at different times of the year.

They have a wide but limited variety of items in the store, and each Costco store I have visited has been somewhat different. Sometimes, they stock out of a particular item I get or discontinue it. For example, dog treats tend to stock out quickly at the Fairfax store for some reason. The online store has a better selection than the physical stores, but there are a very limited number of items compared to most online stores.

They offer discount cards for local theaters and eateries.

Costco offers a lot of seasonal merchandise much earlier than most stores because many small businesses buy from Costco, I guess. You might see some Christmas themed stuff in August or September. The electronics are always very current, like computers, phones, TVs, and WiFi routers.

Food items aren't as variable, though they do change or have stock outs. Their bakery and butcher are very good and inexpensive. Their seasonal 12-inch pumpkin pie is delicious, huge, and cheaper than what I would pay for the ingredients. I am also a fan of their muffins and croissants. Their cooked chickens are huge and great for a family dinner. They have quite a few items I see nowhere else that are of high quality like Bibigo chicken dumplings, taquitos, Kirkland and other brand pizzas, salmon, pet food and treats, computers and printers, etcetera. Their store brand Kirkland items are always of good quality and priced well.

Costco stores always have smaller stores inside. Their pharmacy is well stocked, and they have an enormous offering of vitamins and supplements. They also carry allergy supplies, sunscreen, soaps, toothpaste and brushes, diapers, smoking cessation, and other products at excellent prices. Their Kirkland branded products are an even better value in most cases. The pharmacy fills pet prescriptions as well.

They have optometry, hearing, cell phone, and home upgrade offerings in the store as well. The Fairfax tire store is their top selling store in the country. Make an appointment to get your tires installed and shop while it happens. They also sell batteries. We have used them a number of times. They offer free rotations of you buy tires from them. They are expert and fast.

Their marketing is useful and somewhat minimal. They do not overload your e mail or physical mailboxes. Their magazine has useful articles.

Return policies are better than I have seen anywhere else, and they enhance the warranty of electronics. If you need more assurances, they offer inexpensive add-on plans.

Costco is my favorite brick and mortar store to shop in because they have such a range of interesting things. There is a reason I have had an executive membership...

Costco is filled with a multitude of surprises, even with how frequently my husband and I go, about every 2 weeks we always find something new to enjoy. It's a place to find stuff you didn't have on your shopping list, but it looks so enticing because it's new for you and at a low price you just have to get it. My customer satisfaction always is very high with every visit, but my most recent visit exceeded that level because of the variety of ethnic items I found, especially considering that this area doesn't have a high concentration of different people groups.

The best finds are the MOON CAKES in a decorative box to celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival (second most important holiday in Asian culture.) In the past, I've also seen Costco offering large pots of chrysanthemums with the lai see red envelopes for celebrating the Lunar New Year (first important holiday.) We found pineapple cakes at some point not around a holiday too. The other surprise item in stock are the big blocks of PANEER, a kind of cheese very popular in Indian cuisine, particularly for vegetarians. I had been looking for it for several months, but finally they have it! Consistently stocking plant based meat also is a huge draw. So pleased that their cultural and dietary restriction awareness shows in their stock. When I told the cashier about how pleased I am with everything I love being in stock that day, she told me that Costco has comment cards where you can tell them what you want to keep seeing in stock. Suggestions can also be made in the Costco app. I didn't know this and was very glad the cashier told us!

Sometimes business representatives will come inside the warehouse and sell their products too, like Cariloha just sold us some awesome feeling bed sheets made from bamboo. I have solar panels for my home now because of the friendly rep from SunRun - and if you purchase their service through Costco, you get a LARGE shop card for Costco as a big bonus.

All in all, there's absolutely nothing that I can complain about Costco. Every customer service interaction I've had has been very smooth and not a hassle. The gigantic slices of cheese pizza are so good and melty. Basically everything in the food court is a good deal. I've ordered photo prints online and had them mailed to me, and the whole process is a breeze. Physically large purchases are also no problem with their free delivery. It can be busy if you don't go right at opening, but that's a testimony to how well-loved Costco is by...

My experience at gas station today 10/8/24

Pulled up to gas station with 4 (5gallon) containers to get gas, my car was full of gas so I did not need any gas for my car. I started filling up my containers when I was approached by hispanic male.( this person did not instroduce themself ) Came up to me and said only two containers and pointed at a hand written sign that was taped to station. I went on to tell him that I am not getting gas for my car and just getting my containers filled, to which he again responded that two containers only... mind me, everyone around me getting their cars filled and two containers... makes no sense. So I have tried to explain to him multiple times that it does not make sense and he started getting very argumentative and got kind of close to me, at which point I told him to back off because I did not feel safe and asked him for his name to which he responded " I am not going to tell you my name" He has also threated to shut off the pump to prevent me from filling up two other two containers. This was all happening in front of my wife and my three little kids. What an animal... is this the kind of excellent service that Costco provides ? So then bunch of other employees showed up and this bold headed white male ( sorry, dont remember his name ) showed up tried to explain as to why only two containers are allowed and not 4, but its okay to fill up your car and only fill up two containers... Made no sense whats so ever. I ended up asking him what the others guy name was and he responded " Javier " , well guess what, I come to find out that this Javier is the one who manages the store, crazy, right ?

I am shocked with my experience today, the kind of hostile attitude and terrible experience I and my family had to go through.

As soon as we left I ended up calling Costco Corporate and made a verbal complaint to regional manager.

Regional manager tried to tell me that these are the hard times now since we are facing the hurricane currently. It does not matter if we are facing hurricane or not, act professional and let people get gas. We pay $130 for annual membership, so I say get out of the way and let us get gas, line was not bad at all and there is gas at almost every gas station. The only reson I came to Costco was because I have a membership and want to get my moneys worth.

I hope this review is read by many and make you aware of what Costco...