Costco Wholesale — Local services in Lehi

Generally, I like Costco (and maintain a membership). This particular Costco is rather crowded most of the time. The store serves a very large area until the Sararoga Springs location opens in August. Overall, we save quite a bit of money shopping here. Here's why only 4 stars:

No idea if they are still sanitizing carts, but we went yesterday and I used a wipe and the cart was really dirty. My suggestion is they do a better job encouraging customers to wipe down the carts. I used my own wipes because I didn't see an option from Costco and the employees at the entrance were too busy talking to each other to be of any help.

Despite an alleged policy that everyone needs to wear masks, there were several employees without masks (not to mention that close to 50% of everyone cannot seem to wear the mask correctly). As a severe asthmatic, I put myself in an asthma attack every time I go here because the mask restricts my breathing. If I go through all of my effort, I would expect the employees to make an effort. If they have a reason to not wear the mask, maybe put them somewhere out of site of customers.

I get annoyed that "standard" items frequently sell out and there is no way to find out if/when the items will be back (for example, they had Pantene Pro V Shampoo but no Conditioner). I shop at Costco in 3 different states, and this is pretty consistent at all Costco locations.

Considering the current state of events, I still have 4 stars because masks are not normal and I do appreciate the store requiring them. Additionally, I do not normally care about the carts and would wipe it down on my own anyway, I just feel like there should be better communication and the store actually follow through with what communication is provided.

If you are new to Costco, you buy BULK for many items. It is ideal if you plan ahead, have room for food storage, and don't mind having plenty on hand. The prices are excellent for brand names and Costco tends to carry higher quality for the price. For example, the Charmin toilet paper is wider than what you buy at Walmart and the price is cheaper for the quantity. The fruits and vegetables here are quite good, but you need to plan on eating them (or they ripen and then rot). When they have Minute Rice in stock, it is an amazing value for the big box. If you have staple items you use regularly (like Minute Rice), the bulk options make life easier than running to the local grocery store every couple of days.

Overall, shopping here is still a great option. I do wish they would implement the ability to order online and pick up. Costco does partner with a 3rd party for delivery, but some items are unavailable. Additionally, that requires an additional person to go shopping (or so the 3rd party app claims). I don't mind the increase in price, but I feel like there should be a better system for purchasing items and still social distancing. A system where the customer can order online and pickup items at a designated location and time (similar to Walmart's system, but better) could help with social...

This is for the vision department at the Lehi Utah Costco. It was a busy day that the vision department and I could see they were training someone new. Bottom line: They do not have the customer service that you would expect They have some false advertising going on. They say that their stuff with their glasses comes "free" but it DOES NOT! Need to train their employees better so as not to frustrate customers.

I waited in line behind a lady after she left the two people helping her walked away leaving me at the counter. I just stood there thinking they would return. They didn't they just kept on talking. Finally, another employee pointed out that I was waiting. The woman walked up and asked "can I help you" in an annoyed-sounding voice. I told her I needed these glasses and handed her my prescription. She asked for my insurance I told her I was in the system. She spent 10 min looking for me, asking for my phone number about 5 times. Finally found me, but couldn't find my insurance. I called my hubby who called his HR to try to find it which we've always just been in the system. Finally the lady found my insurance. (should not have been that hard). I was so frustrated. She should have just asked their co-worker and saved us both time. She was not trained enough.

I told her I was going from readers to all-day glasses so I didn't need a fancy pair just a basic set. My insurance covers $150 worth of glasses. The pair I picked was $56 for the frames and an extra $30 for the bifocal. So I suspect I should not have had to pay anything. But because Costco has mandatory "upgrades" like UV light and scratch protection that they "do not" charge you for but your insurance does, then you have to pay more because your insurance values it for more and charges you more. When I asked who gets the money the insurance or Costco they said Costco. If I don't PAY for something, is it REALLY valued at that price? And if Costco gets the money for it then is it really free? NO! FALSE ADVERTISING PEOPLE. They said my glasses are 100% guaranteed. When I told the woman I didn't want transitional (turn into sunglasses) she responded "there is a 90-day return if you don't like it you can return it and she added it anyways. I was so upset by the whole situation I just about cried. So I paid $100 for BASIC glasses that Should have been Free. I spent way too much time. I just feel so frustrated. When I asked them to explain why I was paying so much the woman couldn't because she didn't understand the insurance. The man explained that the insurance charges us for the higher value glasses but then Costco gets the money so is it the insurance or Costco...

If you’re thinking about getting a membership, read this experience first as they will require every individual to have their own. I would never pay for multiple memberships just so my wife and I could shop somewhere. Here’s my recent, and last, Costco experience:

My wife and I got a Costco Membership as a wedding gift almost 3 years ago. We have had no issues, and loved it here. Two weeks ago I went shopping there and had no issues. Just a week ago I went in and they have you scan the membership card. I do and someone stops me. “Sir, that’s not you on the car.” They say. I explain that it’s my wife, she was actually with me but is pregnant and nauseous. She didn’t want to go in which was fine by me. They told me they couldn’t let me in. I explained that she was my wife, I could FaceTime her if it would help. They sent me over to the membership center. The lady actually asked me what my purpose was for being there. How about to shop and buy stuff!

So, I explain the same situation and she can’t seem to help me. At this point, I’m really rushed because my wife is feeling sick and craving some yogurt. They get another manager and she comes up and tells me I need my own card. I say “after getting married, we share everything. Even a bank account. All the money that she would spend here is coming from the same bank account I would spend here.” She didn’t seem to care and replied “It’s like a VASA membership. You can’t go workout with your wife’s membership.” Wtf?! Since when did buying bulk groceries qualify as a fitness program! I told her it was NOT like a gym membership, and I’m just here to buy groceries. I said “I don’t care who’s on the card! Put my face on there if it will help I just need to buy groceries.”

She said they couldn’t do that and offered no solution. There are so many other grocery options that I’m not going to buy two memberships just to shop somewhere. It was a ridiculous experience overall. I ended up leaving the store and going somewhere else. I will never go back to Costco.

It makes me sad to see companies start treating people so poorly, and being so incompetent. Why would my wife and I get two membership cards to shop somewhere? Sam’s Club has no such prejudice and we go there now. The employees are friendly, welcoming, and helpful. Not liars telling you you’re at the gym not a grocery store. No incompetent corporate policies. Just friendly people and a pleasant shopping experience. Save yourself the wasted time and money and go to Sam’s instead. Sad to see Costco decline so quickly, not my problem...