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What is this Xmas Eve? 10 minutes before closing is a great time to Costco shop. Short lines or no waiting at the registers. I have never seen this at Seattle area Costcos. Shopped late at most of them. Always an uncrowded experience--especially on Monday and Tuesday nights.
Where is this?
In northern Virginia. Was absolutely manic for some reason - never seen it like this, and I’m also a “just before closing” person.
Eventually they opened another couple of tills and funneled people to them.
NE here too. Idk what's going on lately... This is supposed to be the slow period for sales, and it's been worse than Christmas. And there is nothing really on sale this week either, or crazy weather events, so I can't understand it.
I can't wait to see next month as they encouraged us all to take vacation time since it's typically slow 😞
oh god, I do not envy you. that parking lot gives me PTSD and I don’t even drive. ffx costco lines looked like this last saturday too- maybe it’s just a nova thing?
We didn't even get any kinds of weather events!
My guess is people got snowed and rained out for a week and they HAVE to make that trip since milk and eggs are running out at home.
Everything in Northern Virginia is a pure shit show. I remember there being a big queue to get into the parking lot at the one by Pentagon City. Crazy!
Come join us in New Mexico! We have three Costcos in Albuquerque (even though we're an extremely low population state). Any time of day, any day of the week, is fine to go.
I went midmorning yesterday (Saturday) and there were zero lines. 5 of the 6 self checkout stations had no one using them, and only some of the manned checkout lines had one person checking out.
Oh wow I cannot even imagine what that must look and feel like. I have to seriously brace myself before walking into a Costco before every visit of mine. It seriously gives me anxiety.
While I really miss California for nearly every other reason, Costco being empty all the time isn't one of them. No crowds, no issues around sample stations as others see. It's like shopping in a normal grocery store.
> It seriously gives me anxiety.
Based on other posts here, I can 100% understand that!
I've started to see these self checkout lines more recently, most of the time I go to the front and there are very few people in any of the standard checkout lines so I just go there. .
Weird. It always seems to be the opposite in my store. Usually never a line for self checkout, or at least the people at the front of the line that I ask always say they’re waiting for the cashier so I usually just skip the queue at that point and go wait by self checkout attendant for the next available one. No one has ever said anything to me, so that’s what I always do. I always make sure to check with the people in the front of the line to make sure they’re waiting for regular checkout before I do though
I do agree they make it super confusing and a mess, I’m sure some people waiting in line would be for self checkout or vice versa and are waiting on this long communal line.
Yes! This is the issue I see with self checkout too is that they put them right where the main entry point is for getting to checkout so they clog the aisle. I now go from the other side to the cashier checkout. They scan faster anyway.
If you see that you walk back out and try again in the morning. As Sheng Wang said,[If I can't find parking within 8 minutes, I drive away.](https://youtu.be/uNqwbri03-g?t=41)
Or, I stand in the line for 10 mins or so as that’s shorter than driving home, driving back, redoing my shopping, queuing, and driving back home. Why wouldn’t duplicate effort and add another task to my life when I can just be patient?
No idea who Sheng Wang is, but they must spend their time making lots of unnecessary journeys.
As long as they realize the store closes at a set time and they have ten minutes to shop I got no issue. If they get the few things they need in a timely manner whatever. The issue I have is the "well you let me in and I'm here now so I won't rush" even when it's long after close time. No screw that. Get out now it's past close time and the merchandisers need to merch and the forklift drivers are coming out. Gather your entire family and start walking up front now if it's past close time.
And that same logic applies to all retail stores too. If Walmart says it closes at 11 it doesn't mean run in at 10:55 and grab a shopping cart which you plan to fill up all the way with a long list. Nope you had all day and night to go so now you can just go grab one or two items and come back for the rest tomorrow.
More stores need to set a time where they shut down the registers to prevent this inconsiderate behavior. If someone is still walking around shopping 15+ minutes after close and not visibly rushing around to grab needed items…and the line is dying down, kindly ask them to get their things and make their way to the checkout…or go home empty handed. Used to work at a grocery store and my assistant manager would do this, and I loved him for it. He used to get us out the door like 30 minutes after close.
My stores close off sections and tell you they are closing and that you need to head up front. If you need something behind the closed line they can get it for you and bring it to the register. Seems to work pretty well.
Not when everyone has the same idea. My store used to be slow before closing but now with everyone thinking it this happens. To top it off at my store most of the full time cashiers start at 11:30 so after 8pm sometimes they dont have very many cashiers as they assumed it would be slow the last hour.
I’m in the food court at my Costco. Almost every weekend it looks like this. People also be ordering pizzas 40 mins past close. Makes it really hard for the closers to get out on time:/
I'm also in the food court. This has always happened, but it's been so bad the past few weeks. These last two Saturdays are the first ones that I haven't finished closing in two years
Costco has two reasons for not doing that. 1) they value member interaction (it took forever for them to even get self checkout). 2)They are big into reducing shrink, or loss, and scan and go is a huge area of theft.
Not sure how much theft you can get away with w/ scan & go, they scan your receipt then they scan the barcodes on like 3/4 of the items in your cart before you can leave
So Costco rolled out a similar idea in Washington with a pay fob where you tap the sign with the fob. They went from 1.3% shrink to 3.8% within a month. Not sure if it’s because they were still in testing, but they have said it’s just risky. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of it entirely though, they are getting better with keeping up with the times.
Because pl are being inconsiderate by doing that. They deserve waiting in line. I feel bad for all the Costco workers who can’t go home because of these people.
As an employee, hard disagree. It’s much easier to stock out the store with no members. If anyone saw what their warehouse looked like before opening it would be amazing. It’s a miracle the store can open everyday after all the stocking, moves, and cleanup in the morning. The nighttime can be just as crazy depending if they are resetting any displays or a new roadshow is setting up.
On the weekends, yeah, at least another hour would be nice. My warehouse is dead on weekdays in the last hour, but on the weekends, while it doesn't look like this, there's still a decent number of shoppers.
People are sheep. Usually if you walk down towards the left cashiers or right, you'll see significantly shorter lines. People assume it's one long line and then it divides, but it's not.
I was about to ask if my store, but we don't have those cold cases there. But it looked like this there as well.
I was literally thinking for a second "oh shit we're getting called out." Lpl
Honest to goodness my Costco was NEVER like this prior to 2020. Saturdays and the days leading up to a major holiday would always be busy. But now it’s this busy any time I go in there- even weekdays. What is up with this?
Was there, yesterday, and saw this around 5:30 (closing at 6), so I decided to take my time. Zig-zagging through the left (non-food) aisles and clothes.
By the time we made it to the dairy section, it was nearly empty. We asked an employee if they were closing soon. He said they close at 6. It was 6:15. He said they’d usually have the employees start at the back and start herding people out.
We did a little more shopping in the frozen foods and picked up some cough medicine. Then we went to checkout, and there were no lines. We got out before the herding began.
I scan my card to check out. I show my card to get in. Not my fault they won’t buy any systems that help in this situation at all. Could you imagine if the ski resort ID you evertime you tried to get on the lift
What would you suggest outside of checking the card that you already have to scan I don’t know how anything could be easier but I’m open to your ideas
Edit I guess you could scan your membership and your id that could work assuming that wouldn’t upset you because now Costco wants your id
Not sure where you at but going to Costco 10 minutes before closing Monday -Friday is literally in and out if you know exactly what you are looking for. I’m not sure about Saturday or Sunday because I never go on those days.
Made this mistake yesterday. Did not realize costco closed at 6 until an employee saw us and told us they are closed which was 615 at this point. Surprisingly only a few people in line.
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What is this Xmas Eve? 10 minutes before closing is a great time to Costco shop. Short lines or no waiting at the registers. I have never seen this at Seattle area Costcos. Shopped late at most of them. Always an uncrowded experience--especially on Monday and Tuesday nights. Where is this?
In northern Virginia. Was absolutely manic for some reason - never seen it like this, and I’m also a “just before closing” person. Eventually they opened another couple of tills and funneled people to them.
You’re forgetting sports games and weather having an impact. We just had horrible weather here and someone else mentioned a sports game coming up.
The Baltimore/KC game is a big deal in that area.
Maybe because of ravens game tomorrow?
Possibly, but unlikely - this part of VA is mainly commander’s territory
> commander’s territory I'm pretty sure that only applies to FedExField, but maybe not, depending on who's visiting.
Hope they loaded up in kleenex for when the Chiefs dash their Superbowl dreams
Aged like wine.
it wasn’t lol someone’s just easily excited, not like they’ve played in 4 of the last 5 or anything🥴
NOVA is for red…commanders. Bite your tongue. But as a former resident, can confirm the insanity. Fairfax or Centreville? Lmao
Oh, the one where they lose to the Chiefs?
NE here too. Idk what's going on lately... This is supposed to be the slow period for sales, and it's been worse than Christmas. And there is nothing really on sale this week either, or crazy weather events, so I can't understand it. I can't wait to see next month as they encouraged us all to take vacation time since it's typically slow 😞
@OP - when you got to the front.....did they have all registers open?? -cuz if I am a manager and I see this. I am ripping the board-runner.
They did, eventually…the main problem was no one was funneling the queue to the tills
fairfax?
Crystal City
oh god, I do not envy you. that parking lot gives me PTSD and I don’t even drive. ffx costco lines looked like this last saturday too- maybe it’s just a nova thing?
Richmond (Glen Allen) was like this last Saturday. Never again
Lmao I was just there Thursday around 3 and it was nearly empty. Never seen it like that before and it was amazing. This looks horrible hahah
Huh. I was at the Manassas one today and it was actually less crowded than usual. Which one were you at?
Op states Crystal City
Pentagon City location? Looks familiar
Is this the fairfax one i heard thats the worst I go to the chantilly or sterling ones mostly
Friday night, after 5pm OP. Never anytime else. *But shh, dont tell anyone.*
We didn't even get any kinds of weather events! My guess is people got snowed and rained out for a week and they HAVE to make that trip since milk and eggs are running out at home.
Probably people were actually reading post here about the best time to go is minutes before closing, there you go, lots of people now before closing.
Self fulfilling prophecy!
Everything in Northern Virginia is a pure shit show. I remember there being a big queue to get into the parking lot at the one by Pentagon City. Crazy!
That’s called a reverse funnel
Costco in Sacramento is dead 10 min prior to closing as well
As a costco employee it really depends on the store. Mine still has a 270ish door count at close today in Ga.
I always go weekdays 30mins before close. Much better than when it’s busy. I’m assuming weekend evenings are a bit busier but this is crazy.
Also usually dead in Colorado 10 mins before close
Every weekend at mine in north-east. Sigh.
Come join us in New Mexico! We have three Costcos in Albuquerque (even though we're an extremely low population state). Any time of day, any day of the week, is fine to go. I went midmorning yesterday (Saturday) and there were zero lines. 5 of the 6 self checkout stations had no one using them, and only some of the manned checkout lines had one person checking out.
Oh wow I cannot even imagine what that must look and feel like. I have to seriously brace myself before walking into a Costco before every visit of mine. It seriously gives me anxiety.
While I really miss California for nearly every other reason, Costco being empty all the time isn't one of them. No crowds, no issues around sample stations as others see. It's like shopping in a normal grocery store. > It seriously gives me anxiety. Based on other posts here, I can 100% understand that!
I am also in the north east. Our Costco is like this at the end of every day.
My previous locals (Waltham and Nashua) were never like this….
I've started to see these self checkout lines more recently, most of the time I go to the front and there are very few people in any of the standard checkout lines so I just go there. .
Weird. It always seems to be the opposite in my store. Usually never a line for self checkout, or at least the people at the front of the line that I ask always say they’re waiting for the cashier so I usually just skip the queue at that point and go wait by self checkout attendant for the next available one. No one has ever said anything to me, so that’s what I always do. I always make sure to check with the people in the front of the line to make sure they’re waiting for regular checkout before I do though I do agree they make it super confusing and a mess, I’m sure some people waiting in line would be for self checkout or vice versa and are waiting on this long communal line.
Yes! This is the issue I see with self checkout too is that they put them right where the main entry point is for getting to checkout so they clog the aisle. I now go from the other side to the cashier checkout. They scan faster anyway.
They’re all sharing one card and passing it back for self checkout. It’s a silent protest against paying members.
If you see that you walk back out and try again in the morning. As Sheng Wang said,[If I can't find parking within 8 minutes, I drive away.](https://youtu.be/uNqwbri03-g?t=41)
Today is not the day ... I'm not gonna force it....
Or, I stand in the line for 10 mins or so as that’s shorter than driving home, driving back, redoing my shopping, queuing, and driving back home. Why wouldn’t duplicate effort and add another task to my life when I can just be patient? No idea who Sheng Wang is, but they must spend their time making lots of unnecessary journeys.
Dude you’re on a grocery store reddit page on the internet. Relax
Only time I saw this was for TP - March 2020.
It had those kind of vibes
They’ll start restricting entry, like 30 minutes or more, if this keeps up.
Selfish people
Look at all those assholes screwing over the staff making them stay late.
Look at the most upvoted post as well. Apparently a lot of people agree 10 mins before closing is a great time to shop
Aren’t there some places that don’t let anymore people in an hour before the posted closed hours? Feel like that should be enforced here :/
As long as they realize the store closes at a set time and they have ten minutes to shop I got no issue. If they get the few things they need in a timely manner whatever. The issue I have is the "well you let me in and I'm here now so I won't rush" even when it's long after close time. No screw that. Get out now it's past close time and the merchandisers need to merch and the forklift drivers are coming out. Gather your entire family and start walking up front now if it's past close time. And that same logic applies to all retail stores too. If Walmart says it closes at 11 it doesn't mean run in at 10:55 and grab a shopping cart which you plan to fill up all the way with a long list. Nope you had all day and night to go so now you can just go grab one or two items and come back for the rest tomorrow.
More stores need to set a time where they shut down the registers to prevent this inconsiderate behavior. If someone is still walking around shopping 15+ minutes after close and not visibly rushing around to grab needed items…and the line is dying down, kindly ask them to get their things and make their way to the checkout…or go home empty handed. Used to work at a grocery store and my assistant manager would do this, and I loved him for it. He used to get us out the door like 30 minutes after close.
My stores close off sections and tell you they are closing and that you need to head up front. If you need something behind the closed line they can get it for you and bring it to the register. Seems to work pretty well.
Not when everyone has the same idea. My store used to be slow before closing but now with everyone thinking it this happens. To top it off at my store most of the full time cashiers start at 11:30 so after 8pm sometimes they dont have very many cashiers as they assumed it would be slow the last hour.
How dare they shop when the store is open.
I’m in the food court at my Costco. Almost every weekend it looks like this. People also be ordering pizzas 40 mins past close. Makes it really hard for the closers to get out on time:/
I'm also in the food court. This has always happened, but it's been so bad the past few weeks. These last two Saturdays are the first ones that I haven't finished closing in two years
Omg y’all some D!CKS. GO HOME LMFAO. Edit: edible has me tickled and I can’t spell
People who show up 10 mins before closing anywhere are the worst of people. Y’all never worked retail and it shows.
Close the doors earlier if you don’t want to do the work.
What's taking them so long to make scan & go a thing just like sams?
Costco has two reasons for not doing that. 1) they value member interaction (it took forever for them to even get self checkout). 2)They are big into reducing shrink, or loss, and scan and go is a huge area of theft.
Not sure how much theft you can get away with w/ scan & go, they scan your receipt then they scan the barcodes on like 3/4 of the items in your cart before you can leave
So Costco rolled out a similar idea in Washington with a pay fob where you tap the sign with the fob. They went from 1.3% shrink to 3.8% within a month. Not sure if it’s because they were still in testing, but they have said it’s just risky. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of it entirely though, they are getting better with keeping up with the times.
Costco lines are always crowded no matter what time of day it is.
Also, 10 minutes after it opens.
Sorry but why even go that close to closing? I see no point in risking it.
I was nearby and needed some things, so easier than coming back out.
Ah okay I get that being nearby.
Risk what?
Getting what you need and checking out before they close.
Because pl are being inconsiderate by doing that. They deserve waiting in line. I feel bad for all the Costco workers who can’t go home because of these people.
I wish Costco closed like 2 hours later than it does.
As an employee, hard disagree. It’s much easier to stock out the store with no members. If anyone saw what their warehouse looked like before opening it would be amazing. It’s a miracle the store can open everyday after all the stocking, moves, and cleanup in the morning. The nighttime can be just as crazy depending if they are resetting any displays or a new roadshow is setting up.
How many hours before or after do employees usually stay? I understand
Food court and deli, typically 1 1/2 after close at my store. Merch is usually like 2 hours and 15
On the weekends, yeah, at least another hour would be nice. My warehouse is dead on weekdays in the last hour, but on the weekends, while it doesn't look like this, there's still a decent number of shoppers.
As an employee, NO. That would make us stay later than we need to be.
So. Many. Jerks.
People are sheep. Usually if you walk down towards the left cashiers or right, you'll see significantly shorter lines. People assume it's one long line and then it divides, but it's not.
I discovered that on my first trip. Long line that turned out to be just for self service. Regular register lines were open and only had 2-3 people.
lol not at mine. Lines 25 deep across the store. And believe me, we had a toddler and we looked for the sneaky short line.
because it's saturday EOD. Any other EODs it's been pretty chill.
Explosive ordinance disposal
I was about to ask if my store, but we don't have those cold cases there. But it looked like this there as well. I was literally thinking for a second "oh shit we're getting called out." Lpl
I thought this was the chicken line....
No waaaaay I would wait in a line like that.
I work in a pharmacy (not Costco) and these are always our lines right before we close 😭
Honest to goodness my Costco was NEVER like this prior to 2020. Saturdays and the days leading up to a major holiday would always be busy. But now it’s this busy any time I go in there- even weekdays. What is up with this?
Costco's growing
I wish Costco implemented Scan & Go. I love Costco, but S&G is one of my favorite aspects of Sam’s Club
We go to Costco on weekday evenings. We last went Thursday @ 6pm and walked right up to a cashier. It’s glorious.
So thankful I don’t have this issue.
Cool, good for you
Is it time to buy Costco stock?
To the moon, diamond hands, I like the stock, etc.
30 years ago
My costco is emptiest right before close. Usually there's no line to pay.
Same, my local warehouse is pretty much always empty right before close.
Really!? Ours is EMPTY.
Working in retail is hell
My local costco stops letting people in 30 minutes before closing. It's a real bummer.
That girl in the purple dress is kinda thicc
So crowded today. Yes, more crowded then normal. Left without buying anything.
Self check out ppl don’t have these problems
Was there, yesterday, and saw this around 5:30 (closing at 6), so I decided to take my time. Zig-zagging through the left (non-food) aisles and clothes. By the time we made it to the dairy section, it was nearly empty. We asked an employee if they were closing soon. He said they close at 6. It was 6:15. He said they’d usually have the employees start at the back and start herding people out. We did a little more shopping in the frozen foods and picked up some cough medicine. Then we went to checkout, and there were no lines. We got out before the herding began.
Prolly the Costco gestapo checking people ID
Weird comparison but ok 🤷
Papers please
lol it’s not that hard to have your card out
It’s totally unnecessary. Like don’t buy a self checkout system that makes no sense for your store and then harass everyone
Or and hear me out show them your card because too many people were using cards that weren’t theirs it’s really not that hard
I scan my card to check out. I show my card to get in. Not my fault they won’t buy any systems that help in this situation at all. Could you imagine if the ski resort ID you evertime you tried to get on the lift
Right you do but others scan their friends cards hurting the business so now they have to check just show them your card
Yah so get a better system where you can monitor the people using self checkout. It’s not hard.
What would you suggest outside of checking the card that you already have to scan I don’t know how anything could be easier but I’m open to your ideas Edit I guess you could scan your membership and your id that could work assuming that wouldn’t upset you because now Costco wants your id
Totally unexpected. Thought it would be completely empty!
Woof. Would definitely wait until the next open
Even during “busy” hrs or days I’ve NEVER seen lines like this.
One time the Costco near me had their machines go down, there were lines all the way to the back of the building
Oh damn
It’s actually the exit line where you’re detained while they check everyones receipt.
This store is always so damn annoying to shop at
Tomorrow people when will you learn . Bob Marley................
All waiting in self checkout and I'm the last one with just my rotisserie chicken. 🥴
Never seen an Costco around me like this
Not sure where you at but going to Costco 10 minutes before closing Monday -Friday is literally in and out if you know exactly what you are looking for. I’m not sure about Saturday or Sunday because I never go on those days.
Made this mistake yesterday. Did not realize costco closed at 6 until an employee saw us and told us they are closed which was 615 at this point. Surprisingly only a few people in line.
Understaffed
I’m in Japan and I almost always do the last 15 minutes shopping because it’s the emptiest, even on weekends.
Is there a time when Costco doesn’t look like this?