I have been a Costco member for 11 years. Most staff members are consistently friendly, helpful, professional and provide excellent service. A few are not as pleasant, and I usually avoid interacting with them. However, I need to report a repeated issue with one employee, Claunie P, which escalated during my visit on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
From the start of the interaction, she displayed no greeting, no smile, and no basic courtesy. Her attitude was openly irritated and hostile throughout the entire return process. I returned a box of matcha latte drinks that I had taped closed to prevent the items from falling out. When she asked if it was opened, I said yes. She immediately became angry and said, "You shouldn't close it." I explained why I taped it, and she snapped back, "No, you should just leave it open, don't do it next time."
For comparison, when I returned other boxed items in the past, staff simply asked whether the item was opened. When I said yes, they opened the box themselves, checked it, and completed the return without any issue. Her reaction was unnecessary and inconsistent with the service I normally receive at Costco.
When I redeemed my Costco Visa reward and showed her my email, she said, "Zoom it," in a rude, commanding tone. A simple "Please zoom it" would have been appropriate. Her tone was disrespectful and unprofessional.
This is not the first time she has spoken to me this way. She behaved the same way when she used to work at the register -- never friendly, always mean, and consistently lacking basic customer service skills. I have ignored it in the past, but this pattern of behavior is unacceptable. I usually avoid her, but on this particular day I was in a rush and did not have that option. No member should have to brace themselves for disrespect when approaching a customer service counter.
I expect Costco employees to treat members with professionalism and basic courtesy. If she is unable or unwilling to do so, she should not be in a customer-facing role. Whether she was having a bad day or not, it does not excuse repeated unprofessional behavior. I do not deserve to be treated with hostility and her poor service.
At the end of the transaction, I did not thank her because there was nothing to thank her for- and the service she provided did not warrant it. She then responded with a sarcastic "Have a nice day and thank you." Despite her attitude, I still responded politely with "Have a nice day and thank you" because I refuse to mirror disrespect. Her comment, however, felt insincere and mocking.
I value Costco and expect consistent, respectful service. I am asking that this matter be addressed seriously so that no other member has to experience this type of treatment.
To be clear: for Claunie, she does not deserve any stars -- she deserves zero. My rating reflects the overall store, not her behavior. This repeated behavior from one employee has made my visits unnecessarily stressful, despite 11 years of positive experiences with the rest of the staff."
I hope she receives additional training, because this is not the first time she has treated me this way. Her attitude doesn't represent the standard service of Costco's staff. read more