You can maximize your shopping deals and maximize your credit card rewards by taking a trip to your local Costco to buy in bulk.
This warehouse retailer has so many things besides groceries to indulge in. From luggage for an upcoming trip or new tires for your car, you can save money shopping for all kinds of items. So, yes, people love Costco…but some people also partake in some unsavory activities while wandering the aisles.
Whatever you do, don't display these bad behaviors that employees and shoppers have reported seeing at the store.
Earn 2% cash rewards at grocery stores and Costco
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) is a powerful rewards card that allows you to earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — including on groceries, even at warehouse stores like Costco.
New cardholders can also earn a one-time cash rewards bonus — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months!
If you’re looking for a powerful rewards card that offers an extended intro APR period, look no further, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card checks that box too!
This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Click here to apply for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card now.
Making a meal out of samples
Costco is known for its amazing samples, which is great if you’re shopping and want to try one or two different things.
But Costco employees also say there are some people who abuse the offerings, with one employee admitting that he had customers tell him they only had a Costco membership to eat the free samples.
While we do admire the money-saving Costco hacks that people come up with, maybe making meals out of samples shouldn't be one of them.
Leaving a mess behind
Some of us have picked up a heavy mayonnaise jar only to have it slip and crash onto the unforgiving concrete Costco floor.
Having to contact a store employee because of the mess made can be embarrassing. However, employees report that more than a few customers have dropped, broken, and spilled things only to flee the scene without alerting anyone.
Smearing sticky fingerprints all over the store
The Costco food court is known for its delicious foods, especially sweets.
Yes, we love those sugary treats, but beware of the fallout if you eat one before you shop. It’s been reported that chocolate fingerprints have been spotted all over electronic displays.
Stop overpaying when you shop online at Costco
Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.
Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.
Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!1
Abandoning ice cream in the cracker aisle
We all might decide in the middle of shopping that we may not want something in our cart after all. But one Costco employee wishes customers wouldn’t leave frozen aisle items like ice cream on a shelf next to crackers.
Using crackers as a seat
Costco is a big store with many aisles and deals, and sometimes shoppers need a break. Taking a rest in one of the sample chairs in the furniture section is a good idea. Sitting on top of boxes of crackers, which at least one customer has done, is probably not.
Trending Stories
Thinking Costco is a race track
Their warehouses are huge, their aisles are long, and shopping can sometimes get tedious. Perhaps in an effort to combat the boredom, some customers enjoy racing their carts through the rows at potentially dangerous speeds. This should only be done when no one else is in the store, which seems to be never.
Not putting your cart away
One of the excellent things about the Costco parking lot is that some may have more cart areas than your local grocery store. Despite this, there are customers who insist on abandoning their carts in the middle of the lot instead of wheeling it to the cart return.
Hovering over employees for the freshest muffins
Everyone loves the freshest muffins at Costco, but apparently some customers really want to make sure they get the latest and greatest. One employee shared that customers would hover over him when he was stocking the baked goods, and then they’d snatch the newest packages from his cart.
Stealing the condiments
Hot dogs are delicious with all the extras, and Costco certainly has plenty of add-ons like pickles, onions, and relish in the food court. One customer was observed at the free condiments area filling up a bag with all of the onions offered and walking away.
Get a protection plan on all your appliances
Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.
Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.
For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.
Returning a tree after Christmas
Costco has a very generous return policy, and in most cases, you don’t even need a receipt. But one customer may have taken it too far when they returned a Christmas tree the day after Christmas, complete with dried branches and missing needles.
And yes, Costco stocks Christmas trees, which may surprise some people. A holiday tree is fairly typical compared to some of the bizarre Costco products on the shelf.
Bottom line
Costco is a wonderful place to shop and eat — and people-watch. Perhaps you've spotted some jaw-dropping moments while shopping, or maybe had your own slip when your behavior wasn't the best (we've all been there).
Sure, we all want to beat inflation costs, and there are plenty of ways to do that. But being a jerk shouldn't be one of them.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.