3/5
posted Dec-04-2011
I've been executive member for 5 years. As a frequent traveler and resident of 3 different states in the last 6 years, I compare several Costco stores around the country and realize that there is a huge difference in customer service. Yes, they generally have great deals and return policy excellent.. and I don't agree with those people who complaint out of nothing--like they wanted to return something out of policy but got denied, etc.
My problem is the big difference among stores in terms of customer service and quality control on stored-controlled venues such as bakery and food court. Yes, some stores have excellent customer service, but maybe because of that some customers are almost abusing it. The problem is, that there is some "resentment" sentiment among employees (managers too) against such customer friendly policy in some other stores. So even though all stores have the same policy, the way they execute is quite different. Speaking simply, for a legitimate return you might have some unpleasant experience at one store (eventually they refund it as long as it is within the policy, but how can still give me a hard time while doing it). On the other hand, other stores make it maybe just too easy to return things....
Of course, over the years I have had good experience and also bad experience, but it seems that there are a few stores that I have bad experience repeatedly that makes me wonder if the upper management is interested in improving their store quality. My observations are that if there's only one Costco store in one geographic or metropolitan location, the chances are the store might have bad customer service. Unfortunately I currently live in such area (where there's only one Costco within 100-mile radius. I miss those days when I lived in a big city with multiple Costco stores.
Overall, I pay $100/yr for membership (myself and my wife), and frankly I don't know if the money is worth it. It's not terrible but great either.
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![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"I\u0027ve been executive member for 5 years. As a frequent traveler and resident of 3 different states in the last 6 years, I compare several Costco stores around the country and realize that there is a huge difference in customer service. Yes, they generally have great deals and return policy excellent.. and I don\u0027t agree with those people who complaint out of nothing--like they wanted to return something out of policy but got denied, etc. <br><br>My problem is the big difference among stores in terms of customer service and quality control on stored-controlled venues such as bakery and food court. Yes, some stores have excellent customer service, but maybe because of that some customers are almost abusing it. The problem is, that there is some \u0022resentment\u0022 sentiment among employees (managers too) against such customer friendly policy in some other stores. So even though all stores have the same policy, the way they execute is quite different. Speaking simply, for a legitimate return you might have some unpleasant experience at one store (eventually they refund it as long as it is within the policy, but how can still give me a hard time while doing it). On the other hand, other stores make it maybe just too easy to return things....<br><br>Of course, over the years I have had good experience and also bad experience, but it seems that there are a few stores that I have bad experience repeatedly that makes me wonder if the upper management is interested in improving their store quality. My observations are that if there\u0027s only one Costco store in one geographic or metropolitan location, the chances are the store might have bad customer service. Unfortunately I currently live in such area (where there\u0027s only one Costco within 100-mile radius. I miss those days when I lived in a big city with multiple Costco stores. <br><br>Overall, I pay $100\/yr for membership (myself and my wife), and frankly I don\u0027t know if the money is worth it. It\u0027s not terrible but great either.","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/Costco\/comment\/974641#comment974641","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/Costco.jpg","store_name":"Costco","username":"savvshopper","rating":"3"}, "single");){kind=link}