Costco shoppers share their 16 biggest complaints — What are yours?

Shopping at Costco can be a lifesaver for bulk buys, but it isn’t always a great experience. While many people appreciate the savings, there are plenty of frustrations that Costco members experience.

Costco shoppers on Reddit are sharing their biggest complaints, and if you’ve ever felt annoyed while shopping, you’ll probably relate to at least a few of these gripes.

We want your opinion too. What are your biggest annoyances about shopping at Costco?

1. Chaotic Parking Lots

Many members said the parking lots at various locations feel chaotic and stressful to navigate. They pointed to constant traffic congestion and bad layouts, which make even simple trips more frustrating than they should be.

2. Inconsistent Product Selection

Costco shoppers were frustrated that items might be available one week, then mysteriously vanish from shelves for months at a time. Your favorite products can disappear without warning, making it impossible to count on finding what you need consistently.

3. Leaky Chicken Packages

One Costco member’s biggest complaint was leaky chicken packages. They said leaky packages are messy and sticky to handle, with a high chance of dripping in the fridge and creating what feels like a risk of salmonella contamination.

4. Long Gas Station Waits

Those fuel savings come with a time cost that many members find frustrating. Gas lines can stretch your Costco trip well beyond what you planned, especially during peak hours.

5. Unmarked Aisles

Unlike traditional grocery stores, Costco doesn’t label what’s in each aisle, making navigation difficult for some people.

The lack of clear signage forces shoppers to wander around searching for specific items, which is most likely by design, but something that some Costco shoppers don’t appreciate.

6. Poor Website

Multiple shoppers expressed serious frustrations with Costco’s website, with some feeling it was outdated. The online experience falls short of what members expect from a major retailer.

7. Inconsistent Produce Quality

Members cite that the quality of produce varies significantly from visit to visit. The hit-or-miss freshness makes it risky to buy large quantities of fruits and vegetables.

8. Unaware and Rude Shoppers

People often cited frustration with other shoppers who lacked common courtesy, as well as spatial awareness. They were frustrated by other people blocking aisles with their carts.

9. Excessive Single-Use Plastic Packaging

Some Costco members expressed genuine concern about the overwhelming amount of plastic packaging throughout the store. The waste feels excessive for shoppers trying to make more sustainable choices.

10. Redundant Membership Card Checks

One person was bothered that they had to show their Costco card at the entrance. They pointed out that it will be needed again at checkout, so the first step felt unnecessary.

11. “Healthy” Food Labels

One Costco shopper was disappointed with products labeled as “healthy”. Once they checked the label, they often found unhealthy oils or ingredients they did not consider healthy at all.

12. Tire Department Issues

The tire department has been the source of many complaints from Costco members. Shoppers often feel that the service there could use significant improvement.

13. Crowded Stores

The sheer volume of shoppers can turn a quick Costco run into a patience-testing marathon. Navigating through packed aisles with oversized carts becomes a real challenge during busy times.

14. Sunday Pharmacy Closures

Members at certain locations find Sunday pharmacy closures genuinely inconvenient for their schedules. While some Costco pharmacies remain open seven days a week, the inconsistency across locations creates problems for members who require weekend access.

15. Mobile App

The Costco app receives its share of member complaints about functionality and user experience. Many found that it doesn’t deliver the convenience they expect from a modern retail app.

16. Rotisserie Chicken in Plastic Bags

Costco’s switch from containers to plastic bags for rotisserie chickens has drawn a lot of criticism. Shoppers say the greasy bags leak and make a mess once they get home.

These complaints come from this Reddit thread, where Costco members shared their experiences.

What about you? Let us know if you agree or disagree with the complaints on this list in the comments.