Are you making this infuriating mistake at Costco? Members reveal their top complaint!
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If you’ve ever braved the bustling aisles of Costco on a Saturday afternoon, you know it’s not for the faint of heart.
The promise of bulk bargains and that legendary $1.50 hot dog combo draws crowds from far and wide.
But lately, it’s not just the lines at the food court or the hunt for free samples that have members grumbling—it’s the behavior of fellow shoppers that’s really getting under people’s skin.
So, what’s the number one gripe among Costco regulars? According to a recent outpouring on social media, it’s the “shoulder-to-shoulder” family parade: entire extended families moving in slow-motion packs, blocking aisles and turning a quick shopping trip into an obstacle course.
The Costco Conga Line: Aisle Blockers Anonymous
Let’s set the scene. You’re on a mission—maybe you just need a rotisserie chicken and a 48-pack of toilet paper.
But suddenly, you’re trapped behind a human wall: grandma, grandpa, cousins, toddlers, and even the neighbor’s friend from bowling night, all strolling side by side, chatting, and oblivious to the growing traffic jam behind them.
One exasperated shopper vented online, “Why bring pee paw, mee maw, your brother, your cousin, your second aunt twice removed, her 8 kids and the guy you met at the ball game? And why do you insist on all walking shoulder to shoulder, creating a wall that moves at the speed of a snail fart?”
The post struck a nerve, with hundreds of Costco members chiming in to share their own tales of aisle agony.
“This is a personal hell for me. Glad I’m not alone,” one replied. Another added, “It’s like walking around Disney World, but with fewer churros and more oversized mayonnaise jars.”
Source: @Sup3rNint3nd0 / Reddit.
Other Top Costco Pet Peeves
The “family blockade” isn’t the only thing testing shoppers’ patience. Here are a few more classic Costco complaints that had Redditors nodding in agreement:
- The Entryway Standstill: “What bugs me is when people scan their card at the entrance, walk three feet, then stop to put the card back in their wallet. I’m always behind these people who are completely unaware of anyone around them.”
- The Free-Range Children: “The amount of children who’ve sprinted in front of me, only for their parents to give me a dirty look, is absurd.”
- The Cart Abandoners: Shoppers who leave their carts in the middle of the aisle while they wander off to sample cheese or debate the merits of Kirkland socks.
- The Sample Stampede: The crowd that forms around the free sample tables, blocking traffic and sometimes even elbowing their way to a second (or third) helping.
Also read: Are you missing out on these 2 secret Costco savings tricks? An insider reveals what members aren’t supposed to know
Is There a Solution?
Some seasoned Costco veterans have learned to accept the chaos as part of the experience.
“You just gotta go into Costco with the acceptance mindset that people are going to be in your way and run into you. It just is what it is. It’s a part of shopping there,” one member advised.
Others have developed strategies to minimize frustration:
- Shop at Off-Peak Hours: Early mornings or weekday afternoons tend to be less crowded.
- Speak Up (Kindly): A polite “Excuse me” can work wonders—most people don’t realize they’re blocking the way.
- Plan Your Route: Make a list and stick to it, so you’re not doubling back through the busiest aisles.
- Bring a Buddy: Two people can divide and conquer, making the trip faster and more efficient.
But suddenly, you’re trapped behind a human wall: grandma, grandpa, cousins, toddlers, and even the neighbor’s friend from bowling night, all strolling side by side, chatting, and oblivious to the growing traffic jam behind them.
One exasperated shopper vented online, “Why bring pee paw, mee maw, your brother, your cousin, your second aunt twice removed, her 8 kids and the guy you met at the ball game? And why do you insist on all walking shoulder to shoulder, creating a wall that moves at the speed of a snail fart?”
The post struck a nerve, with hundreds of Costco members chiming in to share their own tales of aisle agony.
“This is a personal hell for me. Glad I’m not alone,” one replied. Another added, “It’s like walking around Disney World, but with fewer churros and more oversized mayonnaise jars.”
Other Top Costco Pet Peeves
The “family blockade” isn’t the only thing testing shoppers’ patience. Here are a few more classic Costco complaints that had Redditors nodding in agreement:
- The Entryway Standstill: “What bugs me is when people scan their card at the entrance, walk three feet, then stop to put the card back in their wallet. I’m always behind these people who are completely unaware of anyone around them.”
- The Free-Range Children: “The amount of children who’ve sprinted in front of me, only for their parents to give me a dirty look, is absurd.”
- The Cart Abandoners: Shoppers who leave their carts in the middle of the aisle while they wander off to sample cheese or debate the merits of Kirkland socks.
- The Sample Stampede: The crowd that forms around the free sample tables, blocking traffic and sometimes even elbowing their way to a second (or third) helping.
Is There a Solution?
Some seasoned Costco veterans have learned to accept the chaos as part of the experience.
“You just gotta go into Costco with the acceptance mindset that people are going to be in your way and run into you. It just is what it is. It’s a part of shopping there,” one member advised.
Others have developed strategies to minimize frustration:
- Shop at Off-Peak Hours: Early mornings or weekday afternoons tend to be less crowded.
- Speak Up (Kindly): A polite “Excuse me” can work wonders—most people don’t realize they’re blocking the way.
- Plan Your Route: Make a list and stick to it, so you’re not doubling back through the busiest aisles.
- Bring a Buddy: Two people can divide and conquer, making the trip faster and more efficient.
Costco’s Year of Controversy
It’s not just in-store behavior that’s ruffling feathers. Costco has faced its share of social media backlash this year, from rumors of food court price hikes (don’t worry, the $1.50 hot dog and soda combo is safe—for now!) to changes in membership perks and return policies.
Read next: Costco insiders expose a hidden policy that's driving shoppers mad–See why!
What’s your biggest pet peeve at the warehouse club? Do you have a secret strategy for surviving the crowds? Share your stories, tips, and gripes in the comments below!
What’s your biggest pet peeve at the warehouse club? Do you have a secret strategy for surviving the crowds? Share your stories, tips, and gripes in the comments below!
The promise of bulk bargains and that legendary $1.50 hot dog combo draws crowds from far and wide.
But lately, it’s not just the lines at the food court or the hunt for free samples that have members grumbling—it’s the behavior of fellow shoppers that’s really getting under people’s skin.
So, what’s the number one gripe among Costco regulars? According to a recent outpouring on social media, it’s the “shoulder-to-shoulder” family parade: entire extended families moving in slow-motion packs, blocking aisles and turning a quick shopping trip into an obstacle course.
The Costco Conga Line: Aisle Blockers Anonymous
Let’s set the scene. You’re on a mission—maybe you just need a rotisserie chicken and a 48-pack of toilet paper.
Many Costco members are frustrated with large families who shop together and walk “shoulder to shoulder”, blocking aisles and slowing down other shoppers. Image source: Costco’s Latest / Youtube.
But suddenly, you’re trapped behind a human wall: grandma, grandpa, cousins, toddlers, and even the neighbor’s friend from bowling night, all strolling side by side, chatting, and oblivious to the growing traffic jam behind them.
One exasperated shopper vented online, “Why bring pee paw, mee maw, your brother, your cousin, your second aunt twice removed, her 8 kids and the guy you met at the ball game? And why do you insist on all walking shoulder to shoulder, creating a wall that moves at the speed of a snail fart?”
The post struck a nerve, with hundreds of Costco members chiming in to share their own tales of aisle agony.
“This is a personal hell for me. Glad I’m not alone,” one replied. Another added, “It’s like walking around Disney World, but with fewer churros and more oversized mayonnaise jars.”
Source: @Sup3rNint3nd0 / Reddit.
Other Top Costco Pet Peeves
The “family blockade” isn’t the only thing testing shoppers’ patience. Here are a few more classic Costco complaints that had Redditors nodding in agreement:
- The Entryway Standstill: “What bugs me is when people scan their card at the entrance, walk three feet, then stop to put the card back in their wallet. I’m always behind these people who are completely unaware of anyone around them.”
- The Free-Range Children: “The amount of children who’ve sprinted in front of me, only for their parents to give me a dirty look, is absurd.”
- The Cart Abandoners: Shoppers who leave their carts in the middle of the aisle while they wander off to sample cheese or debate the merits of Kirkland socks.
- The Sample Stampede: The crowd that forms around the free sample tables, blocking traffic and sometimes even elbowing their way to a second (or third) helping.
Also read: Are you missing out on these 2 secret Costco savings tricks? An insider reveals what members aren’t supposed to know
Is There a Solution?
Some seasoned Costco veterans have learned to accept the chaos as part of the experience.
“You just gotta go into Costco with the acceptance mindset that people are going to be in your way and run into you. It just is what it is. It’s a part of shopping there,” one member advised.
Others have developed strategies to minimize frustration:
- Shop at Off-Peak Hours: Early mornings or weekday afternoons tend to be less crowded.
- Speak Up (Kindly): A polite “Excuse me” can work wonders—most people don’t realize they’re blocking the way.
- Plan Your Route: Make a list and stick to it, so you’re not doubling back through the busiest aisles.
- Bring a Buddy: Two people can divide and conquer, making the trip faster and more efficient.
But suddenly, you’re trapped behind a human wall: grandma, grandpa, cousins, toddlers, and even the neighbor’s friend from bowling night, all strolling side by side, chatting, and oblivious to the growing traffic jam behind them.
One exasperated shopper vented online, “Why bring pee paw, mee maw, your brother, your cousin, your second aunt twice removed, her 8 kids and the guy you met at the ball game? And why do you insist on all walking shoulder to shoulder, creating a wall that moves at the speed of a snail fart?”
The post struck a nerve, with hundreds of Costco members chiming in to share their own tales of aisle agony.
“This is a personal hell for me. Glad I’m not alone,” one replied. Another added, “It’s like walking around Disney World, but with fewer churros and more oversized mayonnaise jars.”
Other Top Costco Pet Peeves
The “family blockade” isn’t the only thing testing shoppers’ patience. Here are a few more classic Costco complaints that had Redditors nodding in agreement:
- The Entryway Standstill: “What bugs me is when people scan their card at the entrance, walk three feet, then stop to put the card back in their wallet. I’m always behind these people who are completely unaware of anyone around them.”
- The Free-Range Children: “The amount of children who’ve sprinted in front of me, only for their parents to give me a dirty look, is absurd.”
- The Cart Abandoners: Shoppers who leave their carts in the middle of the aisle while they wander off to sample cheese or debate the merits of Kirkland socks.
- The Sample Stampede: The crowd that forms around the free sample tables, blocking traffic and sometimes even elbowing their way to a second (or third) helping.
Is There a Solution?
Some seasoned Costco veterans have learned to accept the chaos as part of the experience.
“You just gotta go into Costco with the acceptance mindset that people are going to be in your way and run into you. It just is what it is. It’s a part of shopping there,” one member advised.
Others have developed strategies to minimize frustration:
- Shop at Off-Peak Hours: Early mornings or weekday afternoons tend to be less crowded.
- Speak Up (Kindly): A polite “Excuse me” can work wonders—most people don’t realize they’re blocking the way.
- Plan Your Route: Make a list and stick to it, so you’re not doubling back through the busiest aisles.
- Bring a Buddy: Two people can divide and conquer, making the trip faster and more efficient.
Costco’s Year of Controversy
It’s not just in-store behavior that’s ruffling feathers. Costco has faced its share of social media backlash this year, from rumors of food court price hikes (don’t worry, the $1.50 hot dog and soda combo is safe—for now!) to changes in membership perks and return policies.
Read next: Costco insiders expose a hidden policy that's driving shoppers mad–See why!
What’s your biggest pet peeve at the warehouse club? Do you have a secret strategy for surviving the crowds? Share your stories, tips, and gripes in the comments below!
What’s your biggest pet peeve at the warehouse club? Do you have a secret strategy for surviving the crowds? Share your stories, tips, and gripes in the comments below!
