Why Doesn’t Costco Have an Express Lane? (and other Costco Questions)
Hi Everyone!
Costco is closed across Canada tomorrow for Labour Day (checkout their holiday closures here) so I hope everybody has enjoyed their summer (despite the fire situation here in BC). Since Costco is closed tomorrow, I’ll be posting pictures Tuesday evening instead!
I have been following Costco Canada’s Facebook page for a while now, and I have been taking note of some of the responses they have provided to specific comments. If I noticed something an interesting question and answer, I saved it for a post like this! The nice thing about these answers are that they are official answers from Costco as opposed to other “answers” you hear from on the Internet.
Q: Why doesn’t Costco have express lanes?
A: In regards to express lanes, our goal is to make every line an express line and our current technology enables us to see many members per hour. We have studied this possibility many times and found that the longest part of the transaction is unrelated to the number of items. In our warehouse environment, express lanes are therefore of little benefit to members. Cheers! ~James
Q: When will Costco be bringing back Kirkland Signature Protein Bars?
A: Thank you for following-up on the availability of our KS Protein Bars. We were previously unable to provide more detailed information as we were awaiting the outcome of a discussion between the Federal Government and the manufacturer of the bars. As a result of those discussions, the manufacturer has decided to reformulate the bars. We are pleased that you enjoy our KS Protein bars and are sure you will enjoy the new reformulated ones as well. We look forward to having our bars back in our Canadian locations soon. -Cathy
Q: Why don’t you advertise all your sales items?
A: Thank you for stopping by. Please note that our warehouses may offer products that are placed on Temporary Price Discounts or at a reduced price which are not advertised in our Weekly Savings flyers. This is part of the Treasure Hunt atmosphere our members can enjoy while shopping at our stores. Have a great day! -Stephanie
Q: Why doesn’t Costco carry more ‘Made in Canada’ products?
A: We appreciate that you have taken the time to bring your concerns to our attention. Costco maintains a neutral position when making buying decisions. It is our goal to provide members with the best value for the products we sell. In order to do this, we believe it best to maintain our policy of neutral purchasing practices. Thank you -Cathy
Q: Why is Costco open on some statutory holidays?
A: Costco’s holiday closures are based on provincial laws. For more information on our hours of operation and holiday closures, please visit http://bit.ly/2KLOWme. Thank you. -Cathy
Q: Can you tell me if a new Costco Warehouse be built in my town?
A: Thanks for stopping by our Facebook page. As location assessments are very strategic, in Canada, we do not provide information regarding plans to open, relocate or expand any Costco warehouses. We encourage you to visit Costco.ca for updates on locations: http://bit.ly/2KALYUT. Thank you and we hope you have a great Canada Day. -Cristina
Q: Why don’t you carry a larger variety of products?
A: Thanks for reaching out to us. One way Costco keeps our prices at their absolute best is to keep limited inventory on hand. We have to make sure that each and every one provides exceptional value. With such few items, the inventory is constantly changing! – Have a great day – Lynn
Q: What are my options if I decided I don’t like a product you have sold, but I have already opened the package?
A: For your consideration, Costco has a satisfaction guarantee on our merchandise, so if you are ever dissatisfied with a product please bring the remaining item/packaging back to your local warehouse to request a refund. Thank you! ~James
A: We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on merchandise (with the exception of major appliances and electronics). Please feel free to bring the item to your local warehouse for assistance. Our returns policy is available on Costco.ca: http://bit.ly/2J69hBc Thanks -Cathy
Q: I would like to work for Costco. How can I apply?
A: Thank you for your interest in joining the Costco team. All available job positions are listed on Costco.ca, please visit and log in to our Employment Opportunities site where you can see which jobs are available, and submit your application for any opportunities you may be interested in. Please refer to the following link: http://bit.ly/2sMvG1g . Thanks! -Cathy
Q: You packaging to product ratio is high? Can you please use less packaging in your products?
A: We continue to review our sustainability programs and will keep this in consideration. We work on sustainable packaging initiatives, waste and energy reduction on an ongoing basis. Your comments have been shared with the appropriate departments for review. -Cathy
They’ve been so sketchy about the damn Kirkland protein bars. I wonder what the real story is!
I bought some 1L bottles of Shampoo and Conditioner a month ago and have tried it out for awhile and don’t like the quality. It’s not that I have a problem with returning them, I have a problem with it all going in the trash. 🙁
Rule is if you are in a really big hurry, take a chance at Costco or go to another store, go through the self check out line, pay higher prices and by using self check out give the store more profit as they can cut down on staff. Your choice.
Better yet. Only by local and Canadian made if one has extremest thinking.
When will you be bringing back Kirkland frozen 5 cheese ravioli? This is a fabulous product and I know lots of people who would be happy to have it in our Winnipeg kenaston store..
They don’t take everything back without question. We tried to take back a pair of sunglasses that we bought that were defective and they wouldn’t let us. We didn’t have a receipt but did buy them at a Costco.
I wonder if the Kirkland original (the non-organic) maple syrup will be back to stock again. I tried the organic one, but the maple taste is less rich and too sweet compare with the old one. Tried other brands from different shop, but still the Kirkland original (non-organic) one is the best!
Our Costco used to prescan our items and that seemed to speed up the check out. I wonder why they stopped.
Too efficient….after all, it seems according to Costco, shoppers love to wait in line because of the “Costco experience”. The shorter hours make their customers appreciate Costco even more /s.
I’d like to know why Costco’s hours are so terrible compared to a regular grocery store? 8pm close on a weeknight does not for me. I feel they’re leaving tons of profits on the table, lost to those who are not willing to endure the “Costco experience” each time they shop
If express lanes don’t make a difference in wait times (as Costco says)
one can only wonder why most other stores use them…
Like any retailer Costco is less than honest when answering some questions. In my opinion the reason they don’t have an express line is because they don’t want people leaving with a small number of items. They want everyone walking out with a full shopping cart. It’s to their advantage that this should happen.
Similarly you don’t find the hand carry baskets which other stores have because again they want everyone walking out with a full shopping cart – but of course if the question is ever asked they are never going to give this answer.
To me, if you look at a typical Costco line, they are right that the actually scanning of the products takes very little time. Even for those with a larger number of items the number of items is small compared to a typical grocery store (where you buy a large number of very small items). It literally takes seconds to scan each item and there are 20-30 items to scan in a packed cart.
An”express line” for 12 items or less would save a very small amount of time for a very small amount of customers, but would cost a larger number of customers more time (as the two people manning the express lane would only serve a smaller number of customers).
Why would you have two people manning an express lane? You only need one. You don’t need to take the items out of the cart. 12 items – if that – can be easily spread out in the cart by the customer and quickly and easily scanned by the one cashier. It can be very efficient and the single cashier easily offsets the disadvantages.
I do have some other sheets which I hate another sheet set which shrunk and the microfiber set which is to hot in the summer and had too much sparks in the winter….. I just feel bad to return it after so long time. Though I know I can
I bought those Kirkland sheets and looked the softness a lot but within 2 months of using washing a few times it started tearing, I felt terrible as I had waited long time and bought them finally on the yearly sale. I had no hope but after 3 or 4 months I bitterly tweeted to Costco about it and they immediately replied requesting me to return it for a refund. No box, no bag, no receipt, I had nothing – they just asked me to make sure all the pieces of the set were there regardless and they took the items without a word back. I am definitely Impressed!!
Why don’t we have the chicken bake or fruit smoothies at the food court in Canada? Thanks!
I dont come in for 2 items anymore, too bad as your prices are so good. Carts full are good and and lines are too long. Prescription pickup first thing jn a,m, is fine.
Hi
When is your cachemire sweaters sale ?
Thanks for the reply
M
Wel we will have to agree to disagree on a express lane. I come in the majority of times for only 1 or 2 items & the line ups are up to the shelving with overflowing carts.
I purchased memory foam pillows, that we ended up having and now they are just sitting in a pile. I threw hmout the boxes they came in and I’m not sure I have e the receipt. Can I still return them you think?
If you purchased it on a Costco card you an return them still. They will scan you card and verify that you purchased them and that’s all they need.
Boxes are not required for returns and neither is the receipt, as long as the item was purchased on your Costco card.
You don’t need your receipt. If you bought it on your account they will have it on the computer. I have returned items without packaging before.
You should be able to return them without a receipt or packaging. Costco keeps a record of your purchases on your card account. They know what you bought, when and for how much. They are very good about returns. I have even returned clothes I bought and washed, (Because they shrunk a ton.) and items after several months, that were past season and no longer on the shelves, without a receipt. (Christmas gift I found out the family already had.)
As stated, if you bought with Your membership card, it can be looked up. Those long lines at the Return Counter are usually because you don’t have a receipt and they have to look up an item number and look through your shopping history. Think about it. Do everyone a favour and KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS!