I have always had very good experience at Costco warehouses, be it here in Canada(including the Niscu/airport location) or the US..except April 21st, 2024, at Costco Niscu.
For the very first time in my shopping at Costco for over a decade, an associate named MARIA, who was, at the time, working at the customer service/returns area, treated me(my children with me..i have to mention, my husband was a few steps behind, and he saw everything) so rudely, singled me out, screaming at me repeatedly, until she got my attention.
After a trip of more 2 hours non-stop, we decided to fill-up for gas, have a washroom break, a late lunch, a bit of grocery shopping, washroom again, before hitting the road for another long trip home. It just so happened that while we were filling up, our youngest announced she needed to use the washroom. Thankfully, we were able to find a close spot to park soon after, we all hurried to the door, with my costco card already in hand. I showed my card to the lady at the door, motioned I am waiving for all four of us. The lady at the door acknowledged me and the rest of the family. I then hurriedly kept the card, and got hold of my children's hands, leaving my husband a few steps behind, as i started navigating with my girls through. All of a sudden, with no display or words of politeness(NO EXCUSE ME, NO NOTHING) I heard somebody screaming, "DO YOU HAVE A COSTCO CARD!?" repeatedly. I did not realize it was me she was screaming at, until I looked to my side towards the source of the screaming voice..coming from a woman with a coloured blond, long hair. I answered, "Yes, I do." let go of my children's hands, and fished yet again my executive card to show her. I also informed her, that the other lady at the door already saw my card. Well, she said thank you..yet it never occured to her to apologize for her actions. Her actions shamed/humiliate, and disrespected me in front of other people, especially in front of my children.
After I had my lunch quickly, before heading to do a little shopping, I went back to talk to her. I asked what her name was, and she told me it is MARIA. I asked what her full name was..she finally realized I was the one she screames at earlier, she just said, "we check the cards before people gets in," and turned around, pretended to talk to a tall male associate inside the box with her, and did so, until I left. - I found that very rude..and again, it never accured to her to apologize at all.
I should add, she did not ask my husband of his card. There was no way she would have seen we were with him as he was a few steps behind..that is how we can tell MARIA really singled me out.
After shopping, before leaving the warehouse, I wrote a feedback and left it at the feedback box. The following day, both my husband and I left a feedback on the Costco website online. I did not leave an e-mail, but my husband asked to be contacted. My husband also tried to send an e-mail to costco..and then another e-mail through another means for costco. - Even now, as I am writing this, we never heard from whoever is responsible in responding to feedbacks online, as well as e-mails. - It seems like they do not care how their associates act.
Anyhow, this peaked our curiousity, and we started looking at other reviews online. Reviews on YELP, REDDIT, GOOGLE, etc. - We read unhappy reviews about some people working in the Niscu warehouse..complaints/experiences similar to my story..some mentioned names, some did not. - We thought, there must be more than the number we read, only, most people would peobably just choose to keep it quiet. I know, I used to be like that. This time, I am speaking up because what MARIA did was unacceptable, especially because this expereince invovled my children.
At the same time, I want to mention that otherwise, all the other Costco Niscu associates I spoke with, or had an encounter with, in the times I had been in that warehouse, were all very good. read more