Costco Wholesale — Local services in Palm Desert

Regarding, Ms. Amanda, your associate in the electronics department of the Palm Desert, California warehouse.

All too often we are ready and rush to criticize someone, or raise loudly a complaint, albeit deservedly so, about a poor service rendered. We do, however, forget, or don’t find it necessary, or take the time to complement a great service. We expect it to be part of the person’s job.

Well, it may be so, but a well-deserved compliment goes a long way. It makes that person’s day! It motivates and inspires repeat excellence in customer service quality. Makes that person feel their job rewarding.

To that end, I will remiss if I did not recognize the exceptional customer service and advocacy constantly exuded by Ms. Amanda, your associate in the electronics department of the Palm Desert, California warehouse. Not only, as I said, she always displayed great customer service, but Amanda is always there to proactively help us with our numerous questions about certain electronics. And on one specific occasion, Amanda went way over and beyond the call of duty.

On January 23 2020, if I recall the date correctly, and unlike a purported supervisor, Juliana (more about her in a different post), Amanda, displayed not only true customer service and advocacy, but also a great human compassion.

On that day I had forgotten my Costco card. My wife who has difficulty walking that day and was staying in our car (parked right close to the entrance gate) gave me her card to purchase an item of electronics. The cashier, rightfully, wanted to see my wife since it was her card I was using. When I showed my Costco personal information on my Costco APP, the cashier said a supervisor most likely would have no problem approving the purchase and thus, asked for one.

My misfortune was that the cashier ended up with Juliana. She would not approve the purchase even though I showed her my credentials. I understand that she was following rules, however, there are ways to help a customer. Unfortunately, Juliana flatly refused the purchase. Coldly asked for my wife to come to the store. I told her that she has a problem walking and would Juliana kindly take few steps and go to the car and verify her identity. She refused. Displayed indifference, no compassion. No customer advocacy.

Ms. Amanda happened to go by, heard our conversation and immediately offered to take a wheelchair and bring my wife into the store. Which she did.

This is what a super exceptional service by one following the core values of Costco we have been used to for the last 20 some years. My and my wife’s heartfelt thanks and gratitude go for Amanda’s exceptional customer advocacy. A kindness, a benevolence that, unfortunately, we do not see every day displayed by store associates. Nor one displayed, or offered by Juliana.

Your store is fortunate to have an associate like Amanda as part of you teams. One who displays very positive emotion and thus, being a thoughtful and decent human being. One that lives and reinforces the values of Costco.

Thanks you, again and...

I've been to well over 20 different costco locations over the past 10 years. I thought the Temecula location was the worst but this one beats it hands down. The disorganized layout is horrendous. The parking lot is amazing to me that there isn't an accident a day there. In fact, there probably is. It doesn't help that I see people in complete la la land driving through this parking area. Just today, I saw a lady pulling into the parking area from the through way and she just stopped in the middle of the path to check her phone. I was walking my cart through and she stopped right in front of me so I had to go all the way around her in the middle of the busiest part so I also had to avoid other cars coming through. Parents let their kids wander into the busiest part of the exit where customers are trampling out the narrow exit corridor like a herd of elephant. I'm surprised this kid didn't get run over but luckily this lady in front of me was watching. I mean, people are pushing their way out and swerving through other slower moving people like it's the 405 during rush hour and this lady let's her kid just run out in the path of everyone. Earlier, during my shopping, I saw a guy on a sit down scooter backing up into an aisle. There was a girl pulling a gay lord full of pallets and merchandise. Both were oblivious to each other and if it weren't for me yelling out, I could have seen a very tragic accident. It would have been very bad because she was moving very fast and the guy was backing right into her without even looking. They literally came within inches of hitting each other. It's sad but I almost expect costco to be busy like this but this one is a nightmare. If you can go to the one in la Quinta, I would highly recommend that over this. The best costco I've been to is the one in Murrieta. It is very spacious and organized. Very busy too but the ease of passage is...

It’s super rare that I leave a negative review for any retail establishments, as I work in the service industry and run a retail store. However, my experience at this Costco was awful. I’ve shopped here numerous times over the years, often buying groceries for our family, and periodically spendings thousands for my store as well. I walked in at 10 am opening, scanned my Costco card and proceed to fill up my cart. When arriving at the cashier later that morning, I handed over my Costco card. It’s under my wife’s name. They wouldn’t allow me to purchase anything that wasn’t alcohol. Despite me trying to show that I’ve done it countless times, showed them how I was logged into the Costco APP, trying to show them I’m spending my hard earned money in their establishment, they could care less. They said “they shouldn’t have let you in “ and continued to have a conversation between the two of them. No compassion, consideration, empathy. Legally they’re required to allow for the purchase of alcohol, so I went ahead and spent $1400 on alcohol for my business. Crazy part is that the prices all jumped, some nearly doubled in price. No heads up or acknowledgment of this prior to me paying? I didn’t recognize it until I was leaving. At that point, didn’t care, knew I would never come back. I’ll have my wife cancel or not renew our account, go sign up for Sam’s Club (across the street) and never look back. I’ve never wanted a business to fail so much, but I really hope enough people get tired of the terrible service, inflated prices (they have very little value purchases anymore), and chaotic setup/congestion of the store.

I’ll try to support smaller grocery stores and retail stores, who actually provide service, care about their customers, and periodically have reasonable pricing and promotional offers.

Good...