The One Costco 'Perk' Fans Would Love to Get Rid Of
Costco exterior
Costco is beloved for its food-court staples and its bulk items that last decades (we see you, Kirkland plastic wrap).
However, even the biggest Costco fans have a bone to pick with their local warehouse. You don't need to sit down for this one—it's the food samples. Sure, sampling an item before purchasing is a way to avoid buyer's remorse, particularly if you have a picky partner (or kids) at home. However, the congestion caused by the sample stations rivals Los Angeles and NYC gridlock.
One Redditor took to the platform to air their grievances about the free food stations at Costco. "Hot take: Get rid of samples," wrote u/Successful-Pie-7686 in the Costco subreddit. The person tagged the post with "unpopular opinion" but they didn't stop there.
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"Look, I like snacking on samples as much as the next guy, but samples have people not knowing how to act," the original poster (OP) continued. "Blockading aisles, causing congestion, and taking unreasonable routes. My shopping experience would actually be superior if they got rid of these bite-sized roadblocks."
We see what you did there, u/Successful-Pie-7686, but this take honestly isn't all that hot or unpopular. Another recent Reddit thread gave explicit instructions on politely taking a food sample. Several commenters also agreed that this poster's opinion was a rather common one.
"Not a hot take," replied one. "This definitely needs to happen. Dealing with the feeding frenzy...is annoying."
But the conversation didn't stop there (of course). Reddit had thoughts. Lots of them. And they were more than willing to share. Here's the Internet's best advice to Costco regarding food-sample gridlock.
Related: The 'Must-Try' Fridge Staple Costco Shoppers Are Stocking Up On
How to Fix Costco's Food Sample Chaos, According to Reddit
1. Keep the samples. Remove the outside sales pitches.
Some Costco shoppers want to try new products before adding them to their carts. However, they don't head to their local warehouse to get non-grocery-related pitches.
"Keep samples and get rid of the solar system salesman and the AT&T hawker," wrote one.
"And Direct TV. And water softeners. And water filters. And air conditioning refits. And cabinets. And so on...Get rid of all of them," rattled off another.
"If I wanted to deal with pushy salesmen, I wouldn't be shopping in a warehouse," lamented a Redditor. "I have no doubt Costco makes money allowing them in the store, but it's a definite negative to the shopping experience."
Remember, these people are just doing their jobs. However, perhaps the powers that be at Costco and these companies can come up with a traffic-jam-reducing solution to improve the shopping experience.
Since that likely won't happen by tomorrow, here's a common-sense life hack from a seasoned Costco shopper: "I just say 'not interested' and don’t even give them eye contact," advised a member "[I] just look like a grumpy person on a mission, and they don’t bother me."
2. Have a dedicated area for samples
Some Redditors wouldn't mind the sample frenzy if it were contained to one area.
"How about an area where all the samples are located together, so those that want samples can gather and enjoy, and those of us that despise the congestion and traffic jam can avoid [it]?" suggested one person.
"Sample food court — I love it," applauded someone.
Where to move the sample area? Oh, there were plenty of ideas there.
"Suggestion: the parking lot," wrote a shopper.
"Or Sam’s Club?" quipped someone else.
Better yet: "A whole warehouse right next to each Costco, but it's only samples," responded a creative member.
Another shopper offered more practical solutions.
"I don't really care either way but agree completely about the roadblocks," the person said. "I go on weekday evenings specifically because of lighter traffic and no samples slowing things down. How about keeping the samples but putting them all against one wall and widening that aisle?"
3. The old-fashioned way
There were a decent amount of requests just to get rid of customers that got a bit mean and an idea for turning a meme on self-awareness into a sign (or its own sample?).
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Call me naive, but the truth is that many samplers do not intend to block their fellow customers. One Redditor suggested we all make like it's 1990 and use our words.
"I have a better solution: Talk," the person said. "[If] someone [is] blocking you, say, 'Excuse me, need to get by.' [If] someone leaves their cart in the way, say, 'Moving this cart, need to get by.' Just say excuse me. [It[ works for me 95% of the time. Don't ask about the 5% because it leads to stores of pettiness."
In the digital and Facebook-rage age, this poster may have delivered the hottest take of all.
