Costco Wholesale — Local services in New Britain

I am so disappointed in this Cosco’s employees. Let me explain.

Yesterday I was on a mission to provide the staff, nurses & doctors at my mother’s rehab facility sandwich’s and salads. I went to the back deli area and spoke with a thin, tall brown haired woman. I did not get her name. In any event I asked her if I could order sandwiches and have them made specifically with different meats since only chicken type sandwiches were available that day. She informed me that the sandwich’s that were out and on display was all that was available. After making my decision of 4-5 w trays of chicken sandwiches I chose a Mediterranean salad as well as a Caesar salad as well. I then asked the deli employee if I could please get a few of the condiment containers as I explained my plan about lunch for the staff at rehab. Uninterested in my plan she curtly informed me I could obtain those containers up at the front pizza counter. All while standing there I am watching the deli staff make these sandwich’s which include said containers.

After paying for my items I head to the pizza counter and order 2 chicken bakes. I ask for a few of those containers and am told they have none instead offer me small plastic cups. Not exactly how I wanted to provide condiments for the staff. I asked if I could get a little mayo for my chicken wrap and the sales associate tells me they don’t have any. So I said, well if I ordered the turkey and cheese sandwich it comes with mayo. I said please could I just get some for my chicken bakes. Then he goes to the back where the incredibly rude sandwich maker girl comes up. She proceeds to tell me they don’t give out mayo. I said please could you just do me this favor. Unwilling to provide a paying customer with a little mayo I find a store manager and wouldn’t you know she then did give me some:

I have been going through a very challenging time with my mother’s sudden illness and these unpleasant interactions with Costco staff was the last thing I needed yesterday. These kids working at this location have zero understanding about respect, kindness and customer service. I wasn’t asking these associates for their first born children. I suggest this costco and management do a better at vetting their employees. These employees working with the public are definitely not who should be representing Costco. I think I will be my SAMs club...

Bad experience at Costco and I don't plan on returning. I had my AirPods in and I was doing instacart shopping for some customers. I don't shop there often so I started to walk inside and the doorman greeted me. I was trying to show him my phone and I answered and replied back to him when he asked how I was doing.I had a lot going on and so I was trying to get myself situated. I continued to walk away and he made a smart remark saying "and I'm good too thanks for asking".. Regardless if I didn't respond back to him to ask how he was doing , you're a door greeter and it's your job to greet customers whether they respond back or not. If you're gonna be sassy and rude when someone doesn't reply back or ask how you're doing, don't work as a door man. I also know if it was anyone else he would not have said this to me.This man looked hispanic with black hair slicked back . I also didn't see any supervisors around to let them know how rude this was. But hey, I guess that's what happens when you're in your 30s-40s working as a doorman getting paid minimum wage. He shouldn't be working this position if he's gonna be sensitive about customers not asking how he's doing.

Secondly, the store was also very busy and there weren't many people on the sales floor. I had maybe 6 items total and I needed help at the self check out because one item didn't have a barcode. I waited a while for help while one worker stood and stared at the computer screen while another man waited for help. I finally got help keying in the item and then the same worker who didn't acknowledge me and the gentleman before came over and told me I can't do instacart shopping at the self check out. I've done this before at other Costco locations. There was no sign stating I couldn't check out there and also the store was very busy. If I didn't need help keying in one of the items, they wouldn't have even known I was doing instacart. Overall I had a terrible experience and the workers are rude and useless. If I know how to use self check out and there's only 2-3 checkout lanes and the lines are long, why wouldn't I goto self check out?? This location was very ghetto. I don't have this problem when I shop at the South Windsor store.... Greeters are...

Costco definitely justifies having a membership. Up until the pandemic, it was where I got about 80% of my groceries. These days, I am getting lured away by more convenient options.

I have started buying some bulk items on Amazon that just show up at my house. Target lets me do all my shopping at my desk, and I just swing by and the load it in my car. Sam’s club allows you to do all of your shopping on the app, and just walk out the door. Even more importantly, they have a website that allows you to see what is in stock at their warehouse.

I try not to shop at WalMart, but credit where it is do, they are rapidly adapting to the new retail landscape, and allowing you to preorder, or have things shipped very easily.

My main issue with Costco is that they seem dead set on not adopting modern technology to improve their experience. The whole asking for photo ID, at self checkout is emblematic of their wrong headed priorities.

They need to be doing everything to speed up the lines, and get people moving through their stores with less friction. It seems like things are taking longer, and with more modern technology many people could either not even step foot into the store, or move through seamlessly like with Sam's scan, and go.

It seems like Costco doesn’t respect peoples time. You can’t even see what is in stock online. Do they not understand how frustrating it is to drive 30 minutes just to realize they have arbitrarily stopped carrying a product out of nowhere, or it is out of stock?

I understand that there is a certain degree of "treasure hunt" built into their business model, where they want you to discover a product you didn't know you needed. That is fine, but in this day and age, I want to know that the product I do need is there, and I want options on how I procure it.

For now they are still my number one source of groceries, but I can see a day where other retailers completely usurp them by making their services efficient, and convenient.

All this comes from a place of love. I support Costco, and always feel good about spending money with them, because they do right by their employees, and have treated me well as a long time customer. However in the end, convenience...