A COSTCO member has sparked an online debate about whether or not free in-store samples are worth taking.
A members-only wholesaler, like many grocery stores, sometimes offers small samples of products for free.
1
While some defended the practice, others said they did not care about the samples.
Shoppers shared their thoughts on Reddit.
Reddit Roaming
The conversation started when a member posted a question on the r/Costco subreddit.
“Is there anyone else here who never eats free samples?” they asked on January 14th.
“I don't think I've touched any of them in 20 years,” they added.
Shoppers came out of the woodwork to comment.
“If it's prepped and ready, there's no line or crowd, and it looks halfway decent — I'll get it,” one commenter said.
“Otherwise I would barely look at the samples and just wish they would go away.”
Others agreed that they wouldn't bother waiting in line.
“Waiting in line to get a sample is wild,” another wrote.
This comment received over 600 upvotes in two days.
Others said they would wait if that was something they wanted.
“There are some items I've been wanting to try but I'm afraid to commit to a 20-piece set, in case I don't like them, I'll gladly wait in line for something like that,” one Redditor wrote.
Some felt strongly that the wait was not worth it.
Another said: “I literally don't care enough about anything to wait.”
Costco Membership Sharing Guidelines
Costco has strict membership usage rules that shoppers must follow, and they have been cracking down on violators in recent years.
- Use basic members: Only the primary cardholder can use this Costco membership card. It is not allowed to be shared in purchases as the image on the card must match the person using it.
- Home card: Each Basic Member can add one free Home Cardholder who lives at the same address. This person will receive their own membership card and can shop at Costco independently.
- Guest policy: Members can bring up to two guests per visit to Costco. However, only a member can make purchases. Guests must be accompanied by the member.
- Authorized card holder: For an additional fee, you can add an authorized cardholder, such as a family member or friend, who does not reside at your address. They will get their own card and can shop independently.
Credit: Costco
Organ madness
Costco members are often upset by the problems they see at the store, where shoppers have to pay a subscription fee just to buy groceries there.
Some talked about the chain's self-checkout machines, and some said they “despise” the technology.
Others objected to the company's crackdowns on shoppers who enter the store without a membership.
A store card can help you get around the membership rule, but some staff are said to act 'weird' about it.
Changes to the dining hall are often controversial.
