Working at Costco
2.7
Reviews: 46
Score Stats:
5 5 stars
5
4 4 stars
5
3 3 stars
15
2 2 stars
11
1 1 star
10
Costco Overview Table
Headquarters: Minneapolis Minnesota
Industry: Retail & Wholesale
Size: 10000+ Employees
Type: Company - Public (WMT)
Revenue: $10+ billion (USD)
CEO: Brian Cornell
Website: costco.com

Costco Employee Reviews

Filter reviews:
3.0
star

Seasonal Employee (Former Employee)

13.11.2023, Job Location: Strongsville, OH
Costco really does a good job of giving the illusion that they are a good place to work, but I had an awful experience. Legitimately, the place felt like a prison. The level of intensity/strict rules, and the way that management just does not care about you at all.

For a place that only hires for temporary seasonal positions, you think they would be a little more understanding about their staff having second jobs. They will not work around *any* of your needs. If they tell you otherwise prior to being hired, they are lying. If I had been made more aware of what the job entailed and the hours they would expect me to work, I never would have accepted the job in the first place.

The amount of negative reviews complaining about their lack of training is insane, and I experienced the exact same thing. You are thrown in blindly with a target on your back, and somehow you have to make sure you’re 100% perfect and don’t even *almost* slip up or else you’re out. If you’re cool with letting this place take away every ounce of your free time and energy, then it’s for you I guess.

Personally, it sucked the life out of me and I have zero regrets about leaving. No amount of hourly is worth it in my opinion.
2.0
star

Front End Associate (Former Employee)

24.9.2023, Job Location: Marysville, WA
Costco has been long known for being a great place to work and overall happy employees.

My experience led me to believe those employees only say that because they don't know anything different. The" we do it this way" because I did it, and it was done before me mentality shows lack of growth and resistance to process improvements. Advertising that you are hiring for a position but expecting every employee to come in and do everything, but the job they applied for is ridiculous.

I heard multiple stories of new hires dropping like flies. Ask yourself why Costco. Pay is not as good as other local warehouses and you have to wait for benefits, and full time. Modern employee programs are giving more upfront and making all employee's feel valued, not just silver badges.

I guess my expectations were higher. I will say I encountered some kind and caring people. May their energy be that which has the greater impact there, but the toxic bitter ones are very vocal. I highly suggest investing in an updated work culture and please get the cart wranglers some electronic cart retrieval machines!!!
2.0
star

Supervisor (Former Employee)

23.7.2023, Job Location: Monrovia, MD
Costco has great benefits and seems to encourage some form of nepotism as whole families will come to work at the depots and warehouses. Upper-level management almost completely got there from inner promotion which is both good and bad. Good, in that it allows a cart-pusher to become a GM. Bad, in that it allows a cart-pusher to become a GM.

When stock prices reached over $500, it was time to pivot to management that was capable of handling the added pressure and expectations but what we got was a GM that would spend half the year on vacation and then come back and have the nerve to work us with mandatory overtime and sixth days (during the whole of coronavirus and every busy season).

When people were not interested in the extra hours, they were threatened with their jobs. Other times, people with no right to keep their job were given complete freedom to goof off and let everyone else work for them as they did minimal work but had the tenure and the cart-pushing GM's approval.
3.0
star

Merchandiser (Current Employee)

4.6.2023, Job Location: Tacoma, WA
Lots of people that are willing to help you learn new tricks. And that offer the benefits that I have been looking for. But I think Im so burnt out from my previous jobs that I can’t keep up unfortunately….
1.0
star

AM Merchandise Stocker (Former Employee)

5.5.2023, Job Location: East Lyme, CT
What is the best part of working at the company?
the time and a half pay on sundays was about the only good thing. rest of my experience was quite horrible. unfriendly management and not a welcoming work environment

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
everything. constantly seems like management is looking for a reason to reprimand you.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
diverse, coworkers were friendly but once again, management had a very “holier than thou” attitude.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
stressful. i stocked the freezer department starting around 2-3 AM. my section of the store was the only area that was required to be fully stocked before opening. was difficult to do my job, because the forklift drivers bringing me the product were often busy in other areas of the store, that could continue to be stocked after opening
3.0
star

Forklift Operator (Current Employee)

26.4.2023, Job Location: Ogden, UT
Unless you plan on staying there permanently, don't apply. Yes, they have amazing benefits, good starting pay of about $17/ hr, and "top out" pay is good at the moment roughly $30/ hr. Management is not good at my location. I have heard management is better at other locations. Seniority is EVERYTHING!

It does not matter how hard you work seniority is priority number one when it comes to moving up in the company. You are constantly understaffed and required to execute your job perfectly within unrealistic timeframes. If you do need the good benefits in the short term I recommend ONLY working there part-time until you find a job you actually want to do.
4.0
star

Seasonal Customer Service( Food Court) (Former Employee)

9.4.2023, Job Location: Eastvale, CA
I had the honor of being able to help open a new store as a seasonal employee. By far one of the most amazing companies I have had the pleasuyre to work with.

The interviewing to hiring process is a bit lengthy you should expect around two weeks for everything to be said and done and a month to actually begin working (IF YOU ARE OPENING A NEW STORE) You will be given the best training available and located to a store at random for training.

Once you are at your home store its all smooth sailing from there. Just make sure to do your job and work hard you will be rewarded. Professionalism is like nothing I have seen before here. Truly Costco is a shining beacon of what professionalism is, So if you are coming from the restaurant industry please keep that in mind there is no leniency you can and will be replaced like nothing.

Other than that costco was a wonderful place to work/
3.0
star

Supervisor (Current Employee)

2.4.2023, Job Location: Yonkers, NY
It is a constant grind, You are adequately compensated and if you manage to get a full time position and work there long enough you get to benefit from their profit sharing that occurs twice a year. (you must work full time for at least five years)

The workplace culture is just as toxic as any I have ever experienced. There is a lot of whispering and management use scheduling to punish people who speak up. Members practice card sharing which Costco doesn't allow, and when told they can't they will write a review and flat out lie about what was said to them.

Management always take their side because they are afraid the members will call corporate. Expect to be on your feet all day and the work is not easy. If you are full time you get an hour break a day (2 15 mins and 1, 30 min meal break). Benefits are excellent however people who have worked there long enough take advantage of things such as FMLA and stay out for over a year without losing their current job.

There is a lot of clout about working at Costco and while some things are excellent, if you are not willing to literally kiss up to management and bend over backwards for the members you will not ever be looked at for advancement, regardless whether you do a great job and however qualified you are.

Management will always take the side of the member, keep that in mind before venturing into a Costco warehouse to work.
1.0
star

Certified Pharmacy Technician (Former Employee)

25.3.2023, Job Location: North Carolina
Costco is a great company to work for but it is highly dependent on location and management. Most new employees are hired on a part-time basis and employees with more seniority and full time status get first choice when it comes to shifts/days off.

So be prepared to work the less desirable shifts (evenings, weekends) and do the work that no one else wants to do. You will be expected to have full-time availability but only get part-time hours, but will get asked all the time to cover for call-outs. I moved on pretty quickly to another job with a full-time schedule with stable hours because I was tired of my hours constantly changing without notice.
2.0
star

Cashier/Stocker (Former Employee)

13.3.2023, Job Location: Appleton, W
I worked here for entirely too long, but the pay was good for the minimal work I was doing.

That being said, it's not worth the hype. It's a typical retail environment, toxic management and one sided conversations. The customer is ALWAYS right, no matter what. The employees get treated like garbage everyday by the members and management ignores it/brushes it off. If you say anything to the member about it, or try to mediate the situation, YOU get written up.

They will change your schedule constantly, and usually "forget" to tell you so you get in trouble for it. The wrong people are always promoted because it's all based on favoritism, or if you know someone higher up you have an automatic in even if you're terrible at your job.

It's a mentally exhausting place to work, that's really all there is to it.
2.0
star

Stock Associate (Former Employee)

1.3.2023, Job Location: Silverdale, WA
I didn't fit into their little bro click. I busted my butt and sweat everyday stocking as fast as I could and they chose someone younger, slower, and quite frankly, less intelligent.

I believe this choice was made because I was a threat to managements own career. And they didn't want someone who worked hard, and who's main focus was on their details of work, but that fit into their social club, or an even better example, into their sorority.

I was very much looking to make a career at Costco and found myself severely disappointed in the way fellow employees and those employees friends (management) treated me while I was there. I am hoping it is just the Silverdale,WA branch and maybe there is another Costco that can recognize when a dedicated employee wants to work and grow with a team.
3.0
star

Stocker (Former Employee)

23.2.2023, Job Location: Florida
Was an employee for 15 years. My hard work never paid off, as unless you are friends of management you will never move up in the company.

Injured my back while trying to meet store opening deadlines in an under staffed department. They worked with me for about 12 weeks and then was told they had no more light duty work, and could only return to work when better.

Years later my back still has not recovered. Had to find another job. Not worth it for me in the end. Would give anything to be able to turn back time and work elsewhere instead.
3.0
star

Staff Manager (Current Employee)

18.2.2023, Job Location: Morris, IL
Costco is a great company to work for, great pay, great benefits, and great coworkers.

It gets a bit difficult and stressful once you step into a leadership role. They are supposed to guide you in the right direction and help you progress in your career. But the support is hit or miss. All of the decisions are ultimately decided by one person and even when that person looks for input to help make a decision, it’s pretty obvious that they already had their mind made up and was just looking for reassurance. As a manager, rarely is your opinion or idea heard.
5.0
star

Hearing Aid Specialist (Current Employee)

7.2.2023, Job Location: Warminster, PA
Costco lives up to its reputation as a caring company. Aside from the pay and paid holidays and paid personal time, there is room to grow if you work smart. There are many departments that you can apply for but if all things being equal the employee with the most senior time will get the job.

If you are at a warehouse that has many old timers then people will flock to a new warehouse to establish seniority over the new hires.
4.0
star

Night Merchandiser (Former Employee)

4.2.2023, Job Location: Melbourne, FL
Great pay and benefits only down side is what it takes to become full time it’s all based off seniority and some times whatever is more convenient for them . They will keep you part-time & work you right under full time hours
4.0
star

Front End Associate (Former Employee)

27.1.2023, Job Location: Puyallup, WA
Both management and the full time employees definitely treated the seasonal employees like they were less. Always thrown around to do the petty, grunt type work and never felt like there was any good that came with working there during that time. they also made sure in every task you did, you needed to act like your life depended on it
4.0
star

Bakery Assistant (Current Employee)

20.1.2023, Job Location: North Brunswick, NJ
I love my coworkers here, they're very nice; they help me whenever I have a question and give me advice so I could improve my speed of working.

As a bakery assistant you will be taught to wrap the products, set up frozen bakery goods and clean up the bakery workplace. At first it was stressful for me because you are required to do a lot of wrapping/ setting up/ cleaning within a time frame, but you learn to be quicker.

When starting, it helps if you move fast and ask lots of questions to learn how things operate. You will be required to lift heavy stuff and it is physically exhausting. Beware of hurting your fingers when moving racks and trays!!

Manager is also nice but could work on their communication a bit because schedules are changed without notice sometimes.
3.0
star

Front End Associate (Current Employee)

15.1.2023, Job Location: Sarasota, FL
Everyone around me seems to love it here and I’m not sure why. I came in as a cart pusher and help out as a gas station attendant whenever needed. I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard in my life and I WAS military!!! After a long day of pushing carts, you go in an help close. New workers always close.

They give 6 month raises and pay supervisors handsomely ($33/hr). But they def work the heck out of new workers cause they know they pay “competitively”.
3.0
star

Front End Associate (Former Employee)

8.1.2023, Job Location: Tucson, AZ
As a older woman it was very difficult to continue the pace at the front end having to do five hour carts outside also having to does constantly bag and heavy items pick them up put them back in the car rearrange it’s very difficult for older people in general .

I do not like the fact that you have to start from the very bottom to work your way up to the top for older people that have already have experience let’s say for example in the front end I would have to start at the bottom to work my way all the way back up to the top when I’ve already done that from other companies so the portion of trying to get promoted is I think a bit Ridiculous for us older people that Have already put in our time at other companies to have to start at the bottom to work our way up again.

I think you are losing out on very skilled people that could help run your Company smother.

I believe Costco should change their policy on moving up people hiring managers for what they actually can do and where already doing somewhere else.
3.0
star

Cashier's Assistant (Former Employee)

1.1.2023, Job Location: Burbank
When l worked for this company, l had high hopes, because l thought it would be a great chance for me as someone starting over. I loved shopping at this store. The employees were polite and very accommodating to all their customers.

But that was that. You have to be a customer to be treated somewhat properly. Mind you, though, a few workers there make some patrons feel like they’re invading these personal space, the so-called supervisors just abscond these occurrences.

Regular senior employees acting like “analysts” or “inspectors” who are entitled to say whatever they deem is “true” (subjective view, of course), regarding a new worker, are always believed as if their word is the law. Power hungry supervisors who often take 3-4 people to handle one customer’s issue, don’t even look like they qualify for their positions, and yet bark orders like they have an assembly line of some sort.

Thankfully, l was transferred for a little while to a department whose management personnel are true leaders. Basically, they’re normal humans. Benefits or not, a worker, especially those who obviously work above and beyond their job description, in my opinion, should not feel cornered in an already busy environment. No wonder a lot pf new people who couldn’t or didn’t wanna deal with this kind of toxic atmosphere, just got up and left.

I would not recommend anyone to work here. I’m not asking to be catered to, not by all means, but the power hungry people who behest their orders with crude and smug intonation, just is too much to tolerate. I didn’t get paid enough to deal with their unsurmountable expectations, when they themselves are unqualified and lack proper decorum.
1.0
star

Call Center Representative (Former Employee)

27.12.2022, Job Location: Oklahoma City, O
They knew how to make it seem like a great and "team environment," but when you are out of the training period, it is all about numbers and micro-managing.

I was miserable everyday before and after my work shift. They treat you like just another sheep in the herd once you reach your first 90 day mark. Tons of written violations and suspensions for being 3 minutes late more than 3 times in 90 days and then they never will fully terminate you. I had a manager say once in a one-on-one meeting that Costco will never terminate you if your willing to come back from suspension's and "try."

They do not make it fun once your found as being too empathetic within the company peers and/or the customers. This was my call center experience.
2.0
star

front end, carts, stocking (Former Employee)

23.12.2022, Job Location: Marysville, WA
Working part-time no one is allowed to work less than 5 days a week. often split days off, as far as retail goes Costco is among the tougher for entry-level in terms of workload. boxing up customers often involves being criticized for not running to some corner of the store to get an item with a proper barcode, pushing carts is really code for loading up countless TVs, safes, and couches into people's rigs. it's a meat grinder for sure.

As a man, I got more of the heavy lifting task. Stocking is also labor intensive, especially soda and other heavy bulk items. If you can get into a red vest quickly and don't mind dealing with grumpy customers its not a terrible place to work, but for most new hires its a solid 2/5 experience, 1/5 during a pandemic. I came in mid-Covid and hazard pay was already gone, due to the crazy amount of customers and coworkers covid was very prevalent.

We even had an older cashier die from covid during my time with Costco (1 year total).
2.0
star

Front end, carts, stocking (Former Employee)

23.12.2022, Job Location: Marysville, WA
Working part-time no one is allowed to work less than 5 days a week. often split days off, as far as retail goes Costco is among the tougher for entry-level in terms of workload.

boxing up customers often involves being criticized for not running to some corner of the store to get an item with a proper barcode, pushing carts is really code for loading up countless TVs, safes, and couches into people's rigs. it's a meat grinder for sure.

As a man, I got more of the heavy lifting task. Stocking is also labor intensive, especially soda and other heavy bulk items. If you can get into a red vest quickly and don't mind dealing with grumpy customers its not a terrible place to work, but for most new hires its a solid 2/5 experience, 1/5 during a pandemic.

I came in mid-Covid and hazard pay was already gone, due to the crazy amount of customers and coworkers covid was very prevalent. We even had an older cashier die from covid during my time with Costco (1 year tota
1.0
star

Customer Service Assistant (Former Employee)

21.12.2022, Job Location: Dunwoody, GA
What is the best part of working at the company?
The pay and you always get times in a half on Sundays.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The company does everything by seniority. Cannot work here and try to have two jobs. They will not give you a set schedule nor do they accept schedules. Covid goes around here rapidly! Beware.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Very stressful. Especially being new managers do not train they throw you in and you have to figure everything out yourself unless it’s food safety or some paperwork the AGMs are asking for.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Short staffed always closing with only 2 people and wants extra work done. Walk in to dirty store have to clean up before working because managers do not. The managers are their down falls the AGMs are okay it’s the managers underneath them.
3.0
star

Operations Manager (Current Employee)

14.12.2022, Job Location: Marina del Rey, CA
The people at the warehouses are pretty great, the benefits amazing, the only downside is career potential. Working at the warehouses is super busy all the time and it's very hard to move into a HQ position.
12
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About Costco

Costco is a membership-based retail warehouse club that offers a wide range of products and services to its members. Founded in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the largest retailers in the world, with over 500 locations in the United States and abroad. Costco is known for its low prices, bulk products, and high-quality customer service.

Working at Costco

Working at Costco is an opportunity to be a part of a company that values its employees and customers. The company offers a variety of positions, including cashiers, stockers, managers, and more. Costco is known for its competitive wages and benefits, including health insurance and 401(k) plans.

Pros

  • Good pay and benefits
  • Positive work-life balance
  • Good team culture
  • Opportunities for advancement

Cons

  • High-stress environment
  • Long hours during busy seasons
  • High customer traffic

Training and Support

Costco provides comprehensive training and support for its employees. New hires receive training on company policies, procedures, and customer service. The company also provides ongoing training and development opportunities to help employees advance in their careers.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of Costco employees vary depending on the position. However, some of the common responsibilities include:

  • Assisting customers
  • Operating cash registers
  • Stocking and organizing merchandise
  • Maintaining a clean and organized store
  • Following safety procedures

Overall, Costco is a great company to work for if you're looking for a fast-paced, challenging work environment with good pay and benefits. The company values its employees and provides opportunities for growth and development. However, it's important to note that the job can be stressful and demanding, particularly during busy seasons. If you're interested in working at Costco, be prepared to work hard and deliver excellent customer service.