Costco

Glad to see so many people had positive feedback but lately this place is going to the dogs. There seems to be a rash of nasty employees and green management. Used to be a top notch executive management team. After talking with one tonight, I will be throwing out my 8 years of executive membership and cancelling the accounts for my employees as well.
Guess one disrespectful e. ployee is worth losing my business for. While I never cared for the stock at Sam’s club, at least the employees didn’t speak with this much disrespect and their membership is a lot cheaper as well.

Family and I have shopped here regularly for years and we have never had an issue with the store or its employees. Everyone here is friendly and helpful, and we have never had a problem finding what we’re looking for (or things that we didn’t know we needed). The savings in food and gas easily make up for the membership cost. Aside from the occasional person butting in line or driver who can’t work the gas pumps, I have absolutely no complaints and, dare I say, enjoy shopping here!

First and last time buying ground beef (88% lean) at Costco. Outside of all meat looked nice and red and fresh — ¹⁄₈^th of an inch in — it’s all brown and old. They colored the outside of the meat. AT $ 3.49 a pound it was a good price — but not to be ripped off… in bulk.

I normally wouldn’t rate a retail/​consumer goods store but I am happy that they are hiring minorities now! The cashiers are diverse fun, happy, and joke around with the customers and each other. Hurray, a lot less fakeness (MN nice) and repressed unhappiness. I never thought it would change my shopping experience that much or how much I missed people acting normally towards customers. I almost felt like I was in the checkout line in a So Cal Costco last night. They were all joking around about how diverse their own shift group was and celebrating that. That was nice to see in a closet rascist state like this.
This is most people I’ve met: Most people will be nice to you here, but at a long arm’s length. Liberal politics because they want their state to be perceived as nice and welcoming, but conservative as individuals. They expect you to accept the rascist/​ignorant comments and not act too «ethnic,» you might scare them. Don’t talk about other states or other countries, they’ll get jealous, while in the same breath, they’ll ask you why you would even want to move here. It’s a weird contradiction…

I truly felt I had arrived as an adult when I took that grainy picture for my own Costco Membership card! I have even started buying things I use frequently (toilette paper, toothpaste, detergent) in bulk and not at the last possible second or just AFTER I ran out. The many samples provide a much needed energy burst after maneuvering the parking lot and cart fiasco at the front door. I even steal a quick glance at the crystal clear picture on a tv I will never and should never own. The prices are fair, the employees are quick and efficient, and I can generally find what I need and a lot of what I don’t. I admittedly love Costco but apparently so does everyone else in Minnesota. Go on a weeknight for the least hectic shopping experience.

Costco is great. Costco is awesome. We’ve been members for years now, with our main savings coming from the dog food (basically pays for the membership).
We love their meat dept, and frequently buy things like pork chops and steaks which we vacuum pack at home ourselves and freeze. The $$ we save doing this boggles the mind! Even the frozen fish is a good deal. A decent selection of produce, but be careful what you buy! Since it’s bulk, we’ve had stuff go bad before we can use it all.
They have everything else you would need at a general grocery store, just more of it. We buy our staples here like canned veggies, tuna, stuff we use frequently that will last awhile.
We used to go to the St Louis Park location until we moved to Brooklyn Park, so now we visit this one. I honestly don’t see a difference in the crowds, they both tend to be packed all the time. The parking scene isn’t any better, especially with the yahoos who stop abruptly in front of the store to let a passenger out or sit and ponder their next move.
I do like that this location has self check out — they might all have those now but a couple years ago the SLP location lacked this.
They really deserve a 5 star review but I only gave 4 because I’m usually dodging families who thought it was a good idea to haul their 4 small children through the store, people who abandon their carts in the middle of the aisles for food samples, and the amount of cursing I do towards people in line for the ultra-​cheap gas.

This review is for the tire service. Three stars for best prices on Michelin to balance out a dicey service experience. Staff friendliness/​service delivery is hit or miss– very good or indifferent. I think these guys are rushed/​understaffed. Service is first come first served so get there early. Avoid crowded days as the tire store line moves slowly. No appointments accepted-​unless there are appointments-​still not clear on that one. All the tires on site are apparently for demo purposes only ‘cos they never have my tire in stock, so your first step is to order tires online and have them delivered to the store for installation. My first attempt to order tires didn’t turn out right– when tires were found they were no longer on sale. Watch for frequent $ 70 off on Michelin and Bridgestone– still cost a bundle but $ 70 is $ 70. Here’s a funny one: I gave the counter guy my lug nut key to ‘unlock’ my lug nuts, he told me the install would be done in about an hour. Forty five minutes later I got a phone message telling me they had searched my car for the key but couldn’t find it and would not be able to install my tires without it.

Costco Tire Center in Maple Grove is amazing! We brought our car in because a tire kept losing air — we figured we’d just buy 2 new tires. We made the purchase and left the guys to put them on the car. After about 20 mins, we got a call saying that they found a nail in the tire that was losing air and they’d patch it up «on the house» and we could come back and get a refund since the other tires looked good! They totally could have just replaced the 2 tires for a profit… they saved us a good amount of money! We’re so grateful to have the Costco Tire guys looking out for us!

My most often and most utlizied Costco of them all. I’d check in here more often, but, you guys and gals don’t need to know how often I’m truly here (you’d probably think I have a hammock somewhere in the building).
I’ve been to a few others in the state, and some out of state (Vegas, Colorado and Chicago), but, this one is one of my favorites to go to, and not because it’s just a few miles from home. I work literally right across the street from the St Louis Park location, and refuse to use that one (the parking lot is a mess and the place is NEVER slow, ever, with people flowing into the store 20 minutes before the official opening), instead choosing to save all my shopping for this location after work.
The staff know me by name (hard not to with how often I’m here and my mohawk), and are always willing to help. In the past, I’ve come in for certain things only to discover they’re sold out at the moment. They have no problem telling me a precise day to come back on and apologize for the inconvenience. I’ve had the unfortunate luck of dropping a jar and having it break at checkout, and two staff members (Peg and Brian) jumped in right away to help pick it up and another went to the shelf to grab me a new item. Just a solid team of workers there.
It does get busy at peak times, as you’d expect. I won’t go between 4 and 6.30pm. Just not worth the hassle. However, with an hour to go to closing, I normally make my move, even on weekends, and it’s not too bad at all. Plus the self check outs make things a breeze.
My only gripe is the way the checkouts are set up with the pharmacy featured items literally right in the way of the lines for them. Whoever had that bright idea I hope was kicked in the shins for it, because it’s asinine and wrecks a generally solid flow to the place.

My illogical logic worked against me this time. I thought Sat. on a holiday weekend would be a good idea because people might be away. No they were all here shopping for their picnics and grilling. I held off joining until I heard the verdict about them carrying a certain book that is not the owner’s ideology. I don’t like discrimination in any form. Under pressure of people canceling memberships, America is there and a number one best seller. I’ve always liked their living wage practice too. This always seems to have the lowest gas prices. Shopping here is like driving bumper cars with other carts. And people will stop in their tracks for a food sample. I think I only combed half the place. They carry BBC mysteries, and many old tv show dvd’s. I picked up a Phryne Fisher one. Cheaper than Acorn. I love a cheap roasted chicken for $ 4.99. My favorite item is the macadamia nuts, not a cheap item, but a delicious, healthy snack. I got some condiments too. I think the MG store is bigger than Sam’s club, at least it felt like it. Great customer service during the membership process.

You know it guys, costco is costco, best prices, great customer service. I shop here at least once a week for home and for my business. Super easy returns and always deals and discounts and cheaper gas as well. My number one store to shop.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to save some $$$ on gas, but sometimes I will pay the extra dough just to avoid the complete idiocy of the people at the gas pumps here.
For whatever reason, people can’t seem to wrap their moron brains around having lanes on both sides of the pumps. I once saw a lady trying to pull a 75-​point turn in the little narrow lane because she realized her gas cap was on the side opposite the pump! Can I get a collective facepalm?! Good grief, Charlie Brown. Just pay attention to your surroundings for 10 seconds for a change and you can see how it is done. And you don’t have to wait 5 minutes for the car at the pump in front of you to leave before you do if you are already done getting gas. That is why the center lane exists, for crying out loud! Go around them! Geez, I get brain damage just typing about it. There seems to be about 10% (at best) of people who can pull up, pump gas, and leave without gumming up the works. These are my kind of people. Best time to go is when the store is closed. Less dummies around, less problems.
The store itself has great prices overall and you can save yourself some serious coin if you can do basic math and compare to prices at Walmart/​Target/​Cub. Not everything is cheaper in bulk.
I’m like the 7-​year old me in a grocery store when they are running demos and giving out samples. Love it. The people are usually very outgoing and seem to be having a good time. Sometimes the lines are pretty long at the checkouts, but I have found most cashiers to be very quick and efficient. The lines get held up at times by the same folks who I imagine struggle out at the gas pumps. Squinting at the debit card readers and generally looking like they have no clue how they got to where they are standing. I wish I had a tip on how to avoid these buffoons, but they meander clumsily through life at all hours of the day. Overall, I like Costco enough to continue suffering the irritations of shopping there. 5-​stars for the staff/​store and 1-​star for the gas pumps and the clowns that don’t know how to use them, hence your overall 3-​star rank.

My wife and I were up in Maple Grove and we needed some gas and to pick up some stuff.
This Costco is pretty cool, less people than the Eden Prairie one and good gas prices.
I love getting the big jar of pickles, sushi trays, olives and all sorts of great commodities.
The team members are very helpful and and overall great experience.
The sushi is actually pretty good and really reasonable!

This Costco is much nicer, cleaner, and less busy than the St. Louis Park location. I also think they have more selection in their liquor store. The gas station is always at least ten cents cheaper than any other station around, so I go up here to fill up when I’m around that area.

It has different products than Coon Rapids or Saint Louis Park.
Like all locations there are high quality products and reasonable prices. Combine with a generous return policy and actual customer service and, when I need something, I would prefer to give my money to Costco over any other corporate location.

The best… they offer high paying jobs and treat there people well. (look at stories online) we need to support a place like this, and not Wal-​Mart or Sams Club.
Great deals in store and online great on returns. Clean and well set up… you will not be let down… ever!

I love COSTCO. I was a member back in 2007 – 2008, but just never used it enough to break even on the membership costs, especially as a bachelor. Fast Forward to 2011 and my vet recommends COSTCO Pharmacy for some of the medications my beloved pup is on. COSTCO was half of what normal pharmacy charged, even on their generics. I work at a hospital, and I could’nt do better than Costco (note, for the pharmacy you dont need to be a member, federal law).
What drove me to sign up again, was that Costco now carries grain free dog food. I can get it for half of what I can at Petco or Fleet Farm (FF is great for pet products). 35lbs bag is 29.00. I paid 55.00 at PETCO for a 28lbs bag, and if I wanted to venture to FF it was 45.00 for a 30lbs bag.
There are many other great deals there, and not to mention you can get a free lunch on Saturdays eating the samples. Buying in bulk can be pain, 10 items will cost you 150 bucks, but you’re stocked up for a long time.
Clean store, friendly people, great prices on a wide variety of items.

I love, love, love Costco… and this is my go-​to Costco when filling up before the drive up to the Brainerd Lakes area.
Even though gas at this Costco isn’t as cheap as it is in Arizona, I still save a little bit than «regular» gas stations. I’m seeing that gas is about 5 to 11c less expensive here — vs Phoenix, where it’s like 20c cheaper than regular gas stations.
But again… last Costco before heading up north, so it’s a somewhat convenient location to load up on a bunch of snacks, goodies, etc.
And surprisingly — — the food court lines aren’t as monstrous as they are on the west coast! Nice!

Against my better judgment I decided to stop in here on a recent Saturday afternoon as I was already in the area and needed to pick up a few things. Unlike the SLP Costco the parking at this location isn’t a nightmare. It’s also easier to get in and out of the lot and the parking spaces are wide enough to fit those large suburban SUVs.
As far as the inside of the store goes, it’s almost exactly the same layout as the SLP Costco although all the beverages are in the back right corner of this one. In my opinion, this location also has a better selection of meat products, snacks and frozen food items. It’s a shame that I don’t live closer to this Costco, because I’d much rather go here any day of the week.

Simple as it gets, Costco Rocks!
For those of you that haven’t tried it, go! Costco is one of the best places to shop for weekly items around. I know that they are one of the «in» places lately but it’s for good reason. They have good, above average products at very good prices. They get compared to Sam’s Clubs all the time and they are very similar in design but I would say Costco is a higher quality affair. That is without getting in to the «Walmart — Evil Empire» thing. Costco does handle itself much better as a company.
Anyways, try the meat dept. They have great meat, very good prices and a nice selection. You can get 4 tenderloin for less than you would buy 2 at Lunds and the quality is every bit as good. Try any of the Kirkland brand items. These are their brand name items that are made for them by major vendors. The Kirkland Vodka is fantastic and at a great price.
The money we save on Milk and Gas bought here pays for my membership but I always find something worth going there for when we stroll through. Best Price on Rum in the area, what else do I need to say.
KT