Costco Wholesale — Local services in Independence

To the Costco Pharmacy Management and Corporate Review Board:

I am writing to detail an unacceptable violation of patient privacy and a profound failure of professional discretion I experienced at your pharmacy on Saturday 27th September

I presented two prescriptions for pickup following a radical prostatectomy. While I was at the counter, and in full earshot of a line of waiting customers, the attending pharmacist loudly inquired, "May I ask you what this prescription is for?"

This public demand for my private medical information was a shocking and humiliating breach of conduct. Before I could even respond, my companion, flustered by the public nature of the inquiry, felt compelled to answer, stating it was for pain related to prostate cancer.

The pharmacist's subsequent attempt at damage control was as insulting as the initial violation. She disingenuously claimed it is "Costco’s custom to ask people to be discreet," a transparent and pathetic attempt to shift blame for her own unprofessionalism onto me. This individual was identified as the Pharmacy Manager, the very person responsible for upholding the highest standards of patient confidentiality.

When I later confronted her directly about the incident, her response was a cowardly and implausible, "I don't recall." I can assure you that any medical professional with a shred of integrity would recall publicly outing a patient's cancer diagnosis. Her feigned amnesia is a deliberate evasion of accountability.

The entire episode demonstrates a catastrophic failure of judgment and a fundamental disregard for the sanctity of patient-provider confidentiality. The experience of a prostate cancer diagnosis and major surgery is harrowing enough without being subjected to public shaming and the reckless dissemination of one's private medical information by a trusted healthcare provider.

This was not a minor oversight. It was a brutalizing lack of discretion that compounded the trauma of my medical condition. I expect a formal investigation into this incident and a detailed account of the corrective measures that will be implemented to ensure no other patient is subjected to such an egregious and...

Costco sold me a used MacBook as new — and won’t respond after promising escalation.

I purchased a MacBook Air from this Costco in February 2025. The product came in a sealed Apple box and was presented as brand new. However, when I contacted Apple Support about a technical issue, I was informed that the device had already been activated on August 2, 2024 in Canada, and only had 40 days of warranty remaining—proof it was previously used.

I contacted Costco support and provided:

The serial number (JN0H7PYH40)

Item number (1814338)

Apple case number (1026282904630)

Purchase details under my partner’s membership (Taron Masters)

Full confirmation from Apple Support that this device was turned on and registered months before I bought it

Costco acknowledged the issue, opened a case (Ref #25062-004562), and said I’d receive a call within 2–3 business days. It’s now been over 5 days, and no one has contacted me.

Apple confirmed on the record:

“That's the day that it was first initiated and turned on… someone else had bought it at that time.” — Apple Senior Advisor, MAC Team (Full transcript linked below)

I trusted Costco to uphold its policy that used/returned electronics are not resold. That clearly didn’t happen. They sold me a used MacBook without disclosure and have now gone completely silent on fixing it.

🔗 Listen to the full Costco support call: https://turboscribe.ai/transcript/share/2837267765279372921/WvjFFvL31QssMGhp42nXQ1_K0QTc89m2qWW65HsM9tE/call-with-costco-macbook-issue-6-22-2025

🔗 Listen to the full Apple support call transcript: https://turboscribe.ai/transcript/share/8727976077881803458/vC6yZOUDhyw55NOO_GxCSX1az2retAk00wDSzX8mH5M/call-with-apple-support-costco-macbook-issue-6-22-2025

This is unacceptable. I’m sharing this so others know what to look out for when buying electronics from this location.

—...

They sell tires; however, they do not offer maintenance services. In an emergency, they will not assist if you are not there to buy tires. The man explicitly said, "We focus on selling and installing tires, not servicing them.” I needed a quick patch, and he said we could get in at 7 the next morning. I responded, "7am," but he replied, "NO, p.m." I have tires filled with nitrogen; how am I supposed to get home now? He told me that wasn't his concern. 💀🤣 This kind of behavior seems common here. I find it hard to believe, but the woman ahead of me was there to buy a battery, and the staff member said, “VW batteries are peculiar; I need to make sure I get the right one for your model.” She looked confused at her phone and kindly asked how she could give the necessary info. Why did he tell her to go outside and take a picture of the battery? She had a child with her, and I wanted to suggest she just give her VIN, which is on her insurance card, so he could find the right battery for her car. Why is this person working here? Why isn’t he fixing cars if he doesn't like helping customers? Costco, why is the culture at this location so poor? Why do your employees lack integrity and show no regard for the community? Do you truly care about providing a great experience? If so, consider taking the time to share your organization's values and purpose with your staff so they can build a company culture that reflects those principles.

With love...