4 ms·

> the great parking lot of dreams I don't know what Costco parking lots in the PNW are like but in the NE, they're a nightmare. People racing around, lining up

> the great parking lot of dreams I don't know what Costco parking lots in the PNW are like but in the NE, they're a nightmare. People racing around, lining up and jockeying for spots, enormous carts careening around and being left ... wherever because people can't be bothered to put them back. My family has a membership but I permanently opted out after one trip to the Danbury, CT location. > otherwise you are rarely confronted by the staff here, and I like that. That is, until they try to stop you from leaving the store with your property until you show them a receipt.

jjulius 6mo ago
> ... I don't know what Costco parking lots in the PNW are like but in the NE... I live near, and commute by, one of the PNW Costcos in the PDX area the author explicitly references. I can confirm that just the mere sight of the parking lot, at all hours, has been the primary factor in my refusing to get a membership. Plenty of friends and family I trust love Costco, and I'm sure they're right and that I'd find lots to appreciate, but that damn parking lot madness is such a hump for me to get over. FWIW, I'm referring to the Beaverton Costco right next to Nike.
wbxp99 6mo ago
That Danbury one is aggressive for sure. I've found the ones in the South Bay to be more crowded but less angry customers.
Isthatablackgsd 6mo ago
> That is, until they try to stop you from leaving the store with your property until you show them a receipt. The accountholder is required to show it, It is in Costco's terms and conditions.
- ethagnawl 6mo ago
  Sure. That doesn't make it any less confrontational and obnoxious for me. It's one of the primary factors in my decision not to shop there.
asdff 6mo ago
My secret is just parking immediately on the edge of the lot and walking the 100 yards on in. People will play this stupid game for 10 minutes getting steaming red waiting for a spot near the front and I'm already shopping.
- ethagnawl 6mo ago
  This is a good option if there are any spots available. At my local Costcos (Danbury and Orange, CT) the lots are often completely full and there's a queue just to enter the lot.
  - asdff 5mo ago
    In my experience no one bothers checking the spots in the rear of the store by the workers smoking section.
slumberlust 6mo ago
Nashua NH Costco is crowded most days, but not near what you're describing. I also don't like the door check 'game.' Additionally, being hounded at checkout to upgrade your plan while juggling a 5 year old, dealing with payment, and a line full of people behind you is not enjoyable.

jjulius 6mo ago

> ... I don't know what Costco parking lots in the PNW are like but in the NE... I live near, and commute by, one of the PNW Costcos in the PDX area the author explicitly references. I can confirm that just the mere sight of the parking lot, at all hours, has been the primary factor in my refusing to get a membership. Plenty of friends and family I trust love Costco, and I'm sure they're right and that I'd find lots to appreciate, but that damn parking lot madness is such a hump for me to get over. FWIW, I'm referring to the Beaverton Costco right next to Nike.

wbxp99 6mo ago

That Danbury one is aggressive for sure. I've found the ones in the South Bay to be more crowded but less angry customers.

Isthatablackgsd 6mo ago

> That is, until they try to stop you from leaving the store with your property until you show them a receipt. The accountholder is required to show it, It is in Costco's terms and conditions.

ethagnawl 6mo ago
Sure. That doesn't make it any less confrontational and obnoxious for me. It's one of the primary factors in my decision not to shop there.

asdff 6mo ago

My secret is just parking immediately on the edge of the lot and walking the 100 yards on in. People will play this stupid game for 10 minutes getting steaming red waiting for a spot near the front and I'm already shopping.

ethagnawl 6mo ago
This is a good option if there are any spots available. At my local Costcos (Danbury and Orange, CT) the lots are often completely full and there's a queue just to enter the lot.
- asdff 5mo ago
  In my experience no one bothers checking the spots in the rear of the store by the workers smoking section.

slumberlust 6mo ago

Nashua NH Costco is crowded most days, but not near what you're describing. I also don't like the door check 'game.' Additionally, being hounded at checkout to upgrade your plan while juggling a 5 year old, dealing with payment, and a line full of people behind you is not enjoyable.