Costco Wholesale — Local services in Nampa

On Saturday, July 26th, my husband and I arrived at the Nampa, Idaho Costco around 9:25am to return a bag of frozen vegetables that were sold over two years past their best-by date, which made both of us sick — and I am currently pregnant. We entered through the main doors into the returns line, where there was only one person ahead of us.

As we waited, an employee named Wink, who was stationed by the exit doors checking receipts, suddenly began yelling across the room at us — not approaching or speaking to us like customers, but shouting from a distance. She asked if we were executive members, which caught us off guard. We were confused and unsure how to respond. She then told us we needed to leave because the warehouse wasn't open to us yet (it was 9:25am), and that the warehouse was only open executive members could enter before 9:30am.

We looked around and saw no signage on the doors stating this policy. Nothing indicated we weren’t allowed in yet based on membership type. At the entrance to the warehouse where the scanners are, another employee named Edu began yelling at other customers to go back outside — again, with no signage outside or anyone politely explaining the situation.

We complied and went back outside. When people began being let in just minutes later, we rejoined the line. Wink then yelled over to us again, in what sounded like a sarcastic tone, asking if they were letting people in. When we said yes, she checked her watch as if to accuse us of lying, saying, “It’s not 9:30 yet,” instead of simply turning around to observe what her own coworkers were doing — they had already brought out an additional scanner and started moving people in. For what it’s worth, my phone clearly said 9:30.

Meanwhile, the man who was originally in front of us (and also not an executive member) was never questioned or spoken to directly, although he did step outside as well — likely based on how she yelled at us. The inconsistency in how we were treated compared to others made the situation feel targeted and deliberate.

We completed our return — and Ross at the returns counter was excellent and professional. But when we walked back in to shop, Wink took the opportunity to make another sarcastic comment: “Oh, so you were able to get in?” — which was unnecessary and extremely upsetting. As someone who was already sick from a Costco product and pregnant, being treated like that was demeaning and uncalled for.

I understand if there’s a new policy about early entry for executive members, but you need to post signs and communicate it respectfully. There is no excuse for yelling at customers, especially when they’re unknowingly violating an unmarked policy.

To top it off, our second online furniture order from Costco arrived broken this week. The associate helping us failed to schedule the replacement delivery and return pickup for the same day, so instead of taking one day off work, we now need to be available four separate days just to fix their mistake.

We’ve been loyal Costco customers for years, but this week has been a huge disappointment — expired products, unprofessional treatment, poor communication, and failed logistics. You can and...

We got there about an hour before closing time on Saturday 09.28.24. We went to the member service desk to re enroll in our membership as we had not been a member since we moved to Idaho. Ryan is the one who helped us with setting our membership back up, and he was great, let us know about the premium membership and some of its benefits. We did some shopping and we were trying to hurry because the store was closing soon. When we got in line to check out, it was about 6:05 (5 minutes after closing). When we got to the point where we could put our items on the belt for the cashier to scan, I heard her (her name is Gabby) complaining to another team member that someone (I didn’t catch the name) was “freaking letting people in after 6:00” she was upset cause she was supposed to be off in 6 minutes (at least that’s what she told the other team member) She was very cold and rude and just smashed our groceries into each other after scanning them. Then when I was just looking at her she said with an attitude “how’s your day”. She knew I was upset at the crappy service she was providing. When we left, my son and I went to use the restroom outside (the ones inside were being worked on) and I encountered another team member, I did not get her name, but she was very pleasant, and I thanked her for being so pleasant because we had just had a crappy experience with someone named Gabby inside, when I proceeded to tell her about our experience, she told me that she is always like that. I just think that if you’re working in the customer service field (I also work in customer service) then you should have a better attitude and be polite to...

I would have given them five stars, but their customer service left a lot to be desired. A supervisor actually raised his voice at us when my mom and I tried to pass through a corded-off check stand to get from the exit side to the grocery section. I know that might sound odd, but all the other registers had carts blocking the way, making it impossible to get through. We removed the cord and then immediately put it back.

The only reason I was trying to go that way was to help my 73 year-old mother reach the grocery side of the store more easily. Instead of understanding the situation ( we had been at customer service for a return), the supervisor rudely raised his voice at me stared at me with a snarky look, insisting that I go all the way around out the exit and back through the front entrance. He was extremely arrogant and dismissive, even when I tried to explain.

Not wanting to cause trouble, my mother— with not being in great health was trying to be respectful—ended up walking all the way out through the exit and then back through the front entrance, which was quite a lot for her. We ultimately got her a motorized cart to make things easier.

Just a heads-up: If you ever have a return at Costco, don’t expect to be able to continue shopping inside. You’ll need to complete your return, exit the store, and then re-enter through the main entrance.

That being said, we still love Costco! Their bulk deals are fantastic, and the main reason we go is for the water—it’s under four dollars for a 40- or 42-pack. I’m sure most of the employees are great; I just had an unfortunate experience with one. Overall, I would still...