Costco on a Saturday

I generally try to avoid Costco on the weekends because it’s just a madhouse.  However, yesterday I just needed to go, so I braved the crowds at 1PM.  Here are few observations:

• Cutting people off in the parking lot is not a good idea; chances are that you will run into the person you cut off many times during your shopping experience.
• If you have one of the very large flatbed carts and you have loaded it up to the handle with cases of soda, it’s probably not the best idea to let your 10 year old son push the thing around, especially if your son cannot see over the handlebars.  It is an even worse idea to walk in front of your son so that you cannot see him and then scream at him when he runs it into your ankles.
• Speaking of screaming at people in Costco: try not to scream at your kids or spouse in the aisles as someone might say something.
• Having your child hang on to the front of the shopping cart and using your child as a battering ram is probably a good way to get your child hurt and have someone call child protective services about you.
• Sample carts are for samples.  Take your sample and move along — do not hang out in front of the sample cart and block everyone else while waiting for the next batch of samples when you are the person that ate the entire last tray of samples.  The hot dog and soda at the concession stand are only $1.50.
• I have never been to a Costco that has enough room by the entrance for you to walk in 5 feet and stop.  Please realize that all the people that you were competing with for a parking spot are also trying to get into the store.
• You can get into Costco without a Costco card fairly easily (I accidentally used my Safeway card yesterday), but you will need it when you go to check out.  Have your card available when you check out.
• Costco only takes American Express or Costco cards, so don’t get upset when you can’t use your Visa.
• Costco has a nifty little device that will print all of the information on your check, so if you’re paying by check, sign it and hand it to the cashier and let the technology do the work for you.
• When buying raw meat at Costco, use the bags that they provide to drop the meat in.  I know that the meat is already wrapped in plastic, but the bags are there for a reason and it will keep you from getting meat juice all over your 400 pound box of Tide and your bag of beef jerky.

Most of all, if you go to Costco during a busy time, simply acknowledge to yourself that it’s going to be busy and try to slow down and relax.