Costco Wholesale — Local services in Rockford Township

We are not members of Costco, but we wanted to take a look around the brand new store they just opened a couple of months ago. They were checking Member ID's at the door so we had to improvise and flashed our obtructed Sam's Club membership card and we were let right in. I almost felt we were crashing a party or something. The store was well lit and CLEAN. We went on a Saturday afternoon, so I noticed the checkout lanes and they were crowded and long just like most stores are on the weekends. There was an Optical and Hearing Department. Their pharmacy is very professionally set up with privacy glass for the protection and security of medications and the pharmacy staff. Costco appears to appreciate their staff and customer confidentiality and medical needs. The grocery department was well stocked and have a great selection of foods we like to shop for. I noticed a much better selection of coffees and teas at Costco as oppose to our neighborhood Sam's Club. The Electronics Department was cool. You can never really go wrong with electronics in my book. They have a few computer desk and laptop computers. There is a wonderful 5 thousand dollar television set if you have the budget. If not, they have a great selection of other more affordable and nice TV's to choose from. The only negative I can say regarding staff was the fact my wife had questions for a team member at the Membership Desk. Instead of answering a simple question, the girl told my wife she had to go wait in the lines of people filling out forms and applying for membership. We only wanted a brochure. Good Lord. Otherwise, I like the store. I think it's a much nicer place and environment than Sam's by a mile. Will we become members? Well, we'll see. I'm in no particular rush. Annual membership is $60 dollars. You can get the Gold Star Membership for $120 which provides you with extra fluff like a 2% reward up to $1000.00. Yes, they do have a CITI Credit card by Visa if you want to go that route too. Finally, they also have a Costco App for your cellular...

I’ve seen many pop up tents at events and attempted to sign up but I’m not able to stand and wait in line. I’ve now visited this store TWICE this week in attempts to renew my membership. On the first store visit I waited for the store to open for 25 minutes, I then proceeded into the store when it opened. There was no direction to stay in line & you will be taken in order, not direction to fill completed forms and your application will be taken after it’s complete nothing. Approximately 10 minutes later someone came out and directed everyone to stand in a single file line and you will be taken in order. Initially I was the only one to not need a form and approximately the 3rd person for new applications, there were now @25 people in front of me. Again, I’m not able to stand for long periods and I was unable to wait this long time & left. I contacted customer service and expressed my views. I was informed someone would be calling me back, I still have yet to received call. I attempted to renew my membership again yesterday, I walked in & was the only person ready to move forward with my application, 2 people were filling out their applications. Because there’s still no direction, they both made sure to stand next to people that were getting up to ensure they were the next to be helped. Try some better organization for the front of the store and you may not frustrate potential customers. I’m sure you have some ropes that can assist you during this busy time of a newly...

It's sad to see how far they've fallen and how much better Aldis and Sam's club are from price to selection to friendliness of the employees. And that's coming from someone who has been a Costco member since the early 90s when I lived in our west.

Costco's return policy is abysmal compared to Aldi's, and a close runner-up to Sam's club. The food court just seems to get cheaper quality food for higher prices every year, and I think the last time I waited in lines as long as an average weekday afternoon at Costco was probably Black Friday pre-COVID.

But that still beats using their "new" self checkouts that both fail to have enough room for an average cartfull at Costco while also employing the nostalgia of the "please place the item in the bagging area. Unexpected item in bagging area." Weight sensors that I have not seen for probably a solid decade. You've really got a question The competency of a CEO who pays extra for those when you still have yet another person slowly count the things in your car before you're actually allowed to leave.

Most of the employees are friendly, but I definitely get a sense of frustration from them that I don't feel when I shop at Sam's or Aldi's.

None of this is a statement specifically about this Costco either. I've experienced the same disappointing quality and service at once in Chicago and Madison too.

It didn't used to be like this.

I just hope corporate gets their acts together before everyone else turns them into...