Introduction
Costco is one of the most popular retailers in the United States, offering a wide variety of products at discounted prices. However, the company recently announced that it is ending a convenient perk that many customers have come to rely on. Starting in 2021, Costco will no longer offer free samples to customers in its stores. This news has been met with disappointment from many shoppers, as the free samples were a great way to try out new products and save money. In this article, we’ll discuss why Costco is ending this convenient perk and what alternatives customers can explore to still get a taste of what’s on offer.
Costco Is Ending This Convenient Perk — Eat This Not That
Costco is ending a convenient perk that many shoppers have come to rely on. The warehouse club recently announced that it will no longer offer free samples in its stores. The decision was made in an effort to protect the health and safety of its customers and employees during the coronavirus pandemic.
The free samples were a popular way for customers to try out new products before committing to buying them. But with the pandemic still raging, Costco has decided that it’s not worth the risk to continue offering the samples. The company said in a statement that it will continue to offer other ways for customers to try out new products, such as through its online sampling program.
While the free samples may be gone, there are still plenty of ways to save money at Costco. The warehouse club offers a variety of discounts on items such as groceries, electronics, and home goods. It also has a generous return policy, so you can always return an item if it doesn’t meet your expectations.
If you’re looking for a way to save money on food, Costco is still a great option. The warehouse club offers a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, and other grocery items at discounted prices. You can also take advantage of its bulk-buying options to get even bigger savings.
So while the free samples may be gone, there are still plenty of ways to save money at Costco. With its wide selection of discounted items and generous return policy, it’s still a great place to shop.
Costco just announced that a special hour it started offering during the early stages of the pandemic for those who needed to shop without crowds is ending next month.
In the Summer of 2020, Costco announced that the special hour it created for first responders, seniors, those with disabilities, and those who are immunocompromised to shop in the warehouse without other crowds would switch to two days a week from five, but reversed the decision a few weeks later as COVID-19 cases rose. A year later in July, the chain announced it was getting rid of the perk altogether, only to backtrack once again later in the month for the same reason as before.
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In an update to its COVID-19 safety website, the company says that as of April 18, the hour will no longer be available. Until then, members who fit the criteria can shop from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at warehouses, with a few exceptions for some in California, Hawaii, and New York. (To see the full list, click here.)
The company says that “Members who do not wish to shop during regular hours are welcome to visit Costco.com for all their shopping needs.”
Just a few weeks ago another update got rid of the mask requirement in warehouses, and Costco now follows local mask regulations. Other rules still in place include temporary item limits on select items, as well as a limited menu and seating in food courts.
This isn’t the only change the warehouse chain is making right now. Several fan-favorite restaurant dishes are being added to a location in your neighborhood.
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