Costco Wholesale — Local services in Brookside

UPDATE 02/04/24: Finally had to just cancel our membership. We hate going to this store so much that it was a waste of our money. Surprise - you cannot cancel it from the website. They force you to call them. The guy who answered was decent - probably one of the very few decent customer experiences I've with Costco or at that animal house. Funny, I couldn't wait to get back there, several years later, I couldn't wait to leave.

UPDATE 02/19/23: Google asked me to update this review. Has it changed? No, it's still the same overcrowded dump that you cannot count on to have the same items in stock, week by week. I even went earlier today (Sunday) in the hopes of avoiding the mad house). And I'm some cases, stuff appears to be higher priced here than at a regular old Aldi. In fact, I've begun doing more of my shopping at Aldi and occasionally Lidl. I just feel like these guys are jumping on the "inflation bandwagon" and simply using it as an excuse to raise prices instead of using their buying power to keep them lower. I didn't think it could be as bad, let alone worse, than BJ'S Wholesale Club, but this location absolutely is.

UPDATE 9/11/22: Google asked me if Costco has changed. No, it hasn't. It still sucks going to this overcrowded dump and then finding out that the items which were your primary reason for going there aren't currently in stock. You know, I left BJ's because I dislike that store so much. I came back to Costco after more than 15 years. I ended up getting another BJ's membership because I hate shopping at Costco even more than BJ's.

You know, at first I was happy as heck that I finally left BJ's Wholesale Club and went back to Costco. I mean who wouldn't be? Costco is considered the best of wholesale clubs. However, since I came back several months ago I've found they do a WORSE job than BJ's when it comes to stock items consistently. They don't carry Slim Jims anymore - the first Slim Jims I had outside of a regular grocery store were from Costco, admittedly many years back. They don't have the 2 packs of different chip brands like Herr's (in our area) or Frito Lay. But what really irritated the heck out of me is that two weeks ago they no longer had their own branded 12-pack of almond milk. I ended up having to purchase two higher priced smaller boxes of it. Then when I stopped in this past weekend, no almond milk at all. No Mexican imported Coca-Colas. They had Ruffles chips several trips back but haven't had them since. But the worst part of that trip since I had almond milk and a few remaining Mexican imported Coca-Colas was that I told some colleagues I'd try to get them some of the Genius Keto Bars and the Rif Van Wafels low carb snacks. They suddenly had neither. The thickness that Costco cuts their steaks at is ridiculous. I don't mind shelling out the $50 or $75 they charge for these things, though I feel sorry for the average family that's just trying to get by, but nobody at my house would eat steaks as thick as these guys slice them. Why can't they cut them to a reasonable thickness?

Now I'm sure somebody from Costco, or one of the Costco worshippers will make what they consider valid reasons for this, but the truth of the matter is that this type of nonsense makes it IMPOSSIBLE for a family to put together a list with any reasonable expectation of being able to get it. That place gets so packed that I'll be darned if I'm going to go back in there a day or two later just to find out they STILL don't have this stuff. That a dump like BJ's Wholesale Club does a better job of keeping items consistently in stock than Costco is something I never imagined. That they would have POPULAR brands that Costco doesn't stock, including on their website, is something I would have never imagined. The downside is that I don't think most workers at BJ's even know how to spell keto, let alone stock keto products. You just can't win at this idiotic game. Costco is certainly not all I imagined it would be, finally going back to them after probably a 14+...

Costco Tires - - 4.5 hours!!!! I was warned by others and I did not listen. Arrived before my 1pm appt. Eventually left about 5:30. I would give this place zero stars if I could.

When I got to the Christiana tire Center at just before 1pm, I asked how long it would take and was told 2-3 hours. I expected 1 hour maybe a little bit more. I said if over 2, then I will have to come back as I need to get back to work and cannot lose a day of work. They looked into it and then assured me it would be no more than 2 hours. The guys were all really nice.

I grabbled lunch, wandered the Mall and Costco, etc. Pushing over 3 hours now and the car still isn't done. I kept my cool the entire time being unreasonably pleasant as my work day is quickly wasted away. Finally after 3.5 hours I get the call that the car is finally done.

Now for what may be the worst, most disrespectful part- I bought tires a couple weeks ago with the rebate offered. A week later another advertisement comes out with free installation in addition to that same rebate. I figured the typical great response from Costco would be they would just adjust it for me. Not so! After the car is finally done, I had to wait and then talk to a supervisor who (long story short) said they could not/would not adjust it for me. He then got me a general manager (another long wait) who gave me the same response. Eventually I said just throw me a coupon or something, so I do not feel like a chump for being here for over 4 hours in addition to thinking you guys would do the right thing and refund me the additional rebate, even if not the whole thing. The guy said he would check something out. I never say him again and after 20-25 mins I finally get my keys from the front desk gentleman. He asked if I wanted to wait any longer for the manager, and I told him the manager must have forgotten about me and I had to leave. I was almost expecting a follow up call either about the extreme delay or the additional rebate. But of course I did not get any call.

The shame of it is, I could have easily just cancelled my order and placed a new one, but I thought I was doing the right thing as I knew the tires were already delivered there after I ordered them. I wanted to get my other 2 cars done there in the upcoming months, but maybe Costco is only good for bulk food and I should stick to the local tire places.

Side note- It is a very open space in the tire area waiting room. I overheard a conversation of a supervisor/manager saying they had to get more appointments in each day. The other guys were later complaining in the background that there were not enough guys working. It struck me later- they want more appointments for more revenue per day, obviously. Which makes sense. But it does not mean get more cars done faster with more employees. I guess they are trying to hit some specific corporate targets and...

Good Evening Google Family. I finally purchased a membership card here at Costco at the Christiana location in Delaware. I am familiar with Costco since I used to be an Instacart shopper and my shops would sometimes be here. I always enjoyed going to Costco. I have never visited this location in Delaware. But I have patronized the one in King of Prussia and also the one in Glen Mills. I really enjoy the sampling of food items. Everything always tastes so good!!! The parking lot is a MadHouse!!! I had to drive around for about 10 minutes before I found a parking space. One of the associates told me the best time to shop there is Monday thru Wednesday. Thank Goodness I only wanted two items today; bananas and Body Wash. I had shopped previously on Friday and Saturday at Walmart and Giant supermarkets. Hector, an Costco associate, assisted me with my membership purchase. I elected to get the Executive plan which was $120.00. I really did not want to pay that, but I did, simply to get the rewards back, like 2% every time I purchase something. They send you a check in the mail. It was a long process for the membership application, but Hector was very efficient, and very polite. He showed me on my phone, the Costco app and how it worked. I forgot that I had to take a photo for the membership. I hated that part! I hate all of my closeup pictures. That photo taking, waiting for the photo to come out of the machine, took forever!!! Thank goodness, I can take the photo again, just not today. I walked around the store and bought my items. I visited the restroom just to see if it was clean and it was, surprisingly!!! I decided to purchase a Caesar Salad and some caesar dressing and a fruit smoothie. It tasted like raspberry pomegranate. I must say that the procedure to acquire your food is very efficient. I don't think I will ever buy food from there to eat anymore because it can get Chaotic!! You order from the kiosk and you pay at the kiosk. They give you a receipt with your number and then you wait for your number to be called. You can pay using cash or credit/debit card. I really enjoyed my CostCo experience today. I look forward to more rewarding experiences at CostCo Wholesale. Don't forget to work out!!!! Hello Google Family. I visited the Gas Station this time at Costco. It was my first time getting gas there. Beth helped me out, she was an associate who worked there. Beth was so friendly and helpful!! She told me that I had to insert my membership card first. She said it doesn't recognize anything unless you insert your membership card. I did that and then I inserted my method of payment. I was able to pump my gas and then I left. I said goodbye to Beth and thanks so much for your help!!! Good night...