Costco Wholesale — Local services in Frederick

The store itself is just fine, this is a complaint about the parking lot. (Posted on behalf of my wife, as well.)

tl;dr version: The only two times in our 6.5 years in Frederick we have needed to call 911 for our personal safety have been due to incidents in this Costco's parking lot.

On Sunday afternoon at 4:45 my husband and I pulled into the Costco parking lot. We have been members for years and enjoy Costco’s line of products.

As we were driving through the parking lot, a woman tried to flag us down. We ignored her thinking that if she noticed a problem with our car she’d tell the store management or she’d just go on about her day, our problems after all aren’t her problems. After we pulled into our parking spot we noticed she was headed our way. We had our young son with us and didn’t feel it was safe to leave our vehicle, not until we knew what was going on.

She approached our car and my husband rolled down the window slightly so we could hear each other. This woman began demanding money, screaming at us that she needed money and her kids were starving and why couldn’t we give her money. She was angry and aggressive. My husband told her no and closed the window. She continued to literally scream and curse at us. I told my husband to call 911 which he did. The woman only walked away when she saw him pick up his phone.

We reported the incident to the 911 dispatcher as well to Costco management.

Costco management told us that they do have a problem with homeless people from the nearby hotel.

Back in 2016, we had what we and the police believe to have been an attempted kidnapping. I had my then 2-year-old daughter in the shopping cart when two men began to pull the cart from my hands. When I yelled at them to stop that my kid was in the front seat of the cart, they said “oh we didn’t see her”. When I reported the incident to Costco management, they refused to take me seriously thinking that it was a custody dispute. Why they wouldn’t have scoped it out first is beyond me.

This has us up to 2 incidents in the Costco parking lot that have resulted in official police reports as well as complaints to Costco management. The police have been wonderful, Costco management not so much (the first they were awful, the second they were okay). They seem to be very aware of the bad behavior in the parking lot yet do nothing about it.

My husband’s comment to me after the incident on Sunday was “This is the least safe place for us in Frederick”. He’s right. And we shop along the Golden Mile frequently.

The Costco chain has done some very innovative work in terms of customer safely, specifically the lockdown mode when a child goes missing. Why they are so cavalier about their customers being harassed in the parking lot is beyond my comprehension.

Their lack of concern is putting their customers at risk. They are also putting street people at risk, someone might decide it is a great place to harm a street person.

Costco is responsible for maintaining good behavior in their parking lot, just as all business owners are. If they weren’t, anybody could say “Let’s settle this in the parking lot”.

We are extremely frightened and disappointed by our experience with Costco. We want to publicly document our experiences so that everybody going to that store knows what to expect. Two incidents where Costco really doesn’t seem to care is two to many. Two incidents involving the police is two to many - and in our 6.5 years in Frederick, these are the only times we have called 911 out of fear for our safety. We have never had similar experiences at other Costco stores.

Be alert and stay safe if you choose to shop at this...

Came in on Friday January 31st to do two return. While during the return Seth refunded me the incorrect amount. I pointed out to him that I paid more for my Charisma quilted blanket. During the second return I presented my receipt and Seth once again refunded me less than what I paid for the items. After looking at my receipt I realized that I didn’t get the correct amount for my items. I went to customer service so the matter could be corrected. Laura, was counting her drawer and told me she would be right with me. It took her 10 mins or so to stop what she were doing. Eventually Laura asked another sales associate to help me. Laura had a nonchalant demeanor while assisting me. I pointed out to her that her demeanor was awful. Laura acted inappropriately with a loud tone placing her hands on the counter as if she were praying saying what more do I want her to do to help me? I had to insist for her to process my return. Laura’s attitude towards me was weird and left me feeling singled out. Seth, as a manager should have processed my return with accuracy instead he processed my return in-correctly. As a valued customer my return should have been hassle free. This matter needs to be addressed to upper management as further coaching is needed. Costco in Frederick have the worse customer service. Laura, the cashier is rude and present a nonchalant demeanor. Lacey is a poor excuse for a manager. she was not attentive to my needs which led to an un-pleasant experience. I came in on Wednesday, October 21st to do a refund on a recall item Cal-organic farms carrots as I approached the counter no one greeted me or extent warmth. My return was refused I had receipts with valid dates pertaining to the recall. These individuals at customer service needs further coaching to better assist customers. I felt singled out. This encounter has left me with a bitter taste in my mouth I'm considering withdrawing my membership with Costco. I've spoken to Karim, Regional director as well as sent numerous email in regards to the treatment that I continuously to received from staff members while doing returns yet still their behavior persists which leads me to believe that no one is addressing the issue of customers being harassed while dong returns that is within their rights. this matter needs to be addressed to upper management appropriate action should be taken to avoid additional instances like this from recurring. I also called the office to speak to Karim Monica, Karim's assistant was not empathetic towards for situation her tone was rude and brushed. After I informed her of the poor experience that I had with Laura, and Lacey in regards to the recall Monica stated "I have not bought carrots so she isn't aware of the recall" this behavior is unacceptable and should...

I visited this location after I was done with a meeting I had in Freddie MD. This is the worst exp6o have ever had in a Costco store. This experience upset me so much I was ready to cancel my membership. I know Costco is not what it used to be, but I have been a loyal customer even with all the many changes I have seen throughout the years. I approach the self checkout line with things in my hands. The cashier asked to see my membership. I told her when I pit the things down I will show it to you, she insisted, I asked her do you want me to reach in my bag to get my card out when I have things in my hand, she said we are supposed to see it before you get to the register. I told her she could follow me to the register, and when I free my hands, you can see my card. She kept making a scene. I said Jesus, what is wrong with you? She said yes, Jesus can hear you, I told her, "Don't you mock me or God, I walked away from her and went to an actual cashier to check out. While checking out, she told the cashier to check my membership. I told the cashier that my membership is on my citi credit card, so do you think I will give my credit to someone else just to shop in Costco. I told both of them that it was very embarrassing the way they treated me like a common criminal. I told them I don't live in Frederick, so do you think I drove from another county over an hour to shop at Costco. Does that make sense. I understand that Costco is trying to crack down on membership, but to treat your customers the way I was treated is sickening. There is nothing in Costco that I want or need that I can't get somewhere else that I will be treated that way. My friends and family teased me all the time about Costco being my favorite store, but after this experience, I will only shop at Costco out of necessity or convenience. I know I am only one person, but keep treating your customers this way, and you will find out the power numbers. There's a better way to crack down on your membership without being ruled to customers and not being selective on who you ask while other members can just walk by without being asked for their membership. This was a very horrible experience. I will be taking this matter all the way up the chain. I have never felt this way in my life. I usually just let things go, but the way that lady may me feel was horrible. I took me a week to write this review because I don't like making decisions when I'm upset, but a week later, I was still upset about the way I...