Anyone here work for Costco??

[JoiseyMom]

Pros and Cons of working there?? Thanks for all info!

 

[JB2K]

I do not work for Costco (though my MIL does work for them as a contractor -- the "free sample" people).

From what I know, the "pro" is that Costco pays the best wages among the nation's big retail chains. Part of the reason that is possible is that many Costco stores in former Price Club markets (including New Jersey) are represented by the Teamsters Union.

Costco workers in parts of the country other than the east/west coast areas generally are not part of the union (but they still get the pay, and other benefits).

That said, one of the "cons" would be if you were working for Costco in N.J., you would most likely have to join the union (and pay dues).

Another thing to consider is that unlike discount/department stores such as Walmart/Target, Costco is a working warehouse, which means you would be spending your entire workday on a concrete floor -- plus, you may find yourself operating machinery that is not common in traditional retail stores.

 

[POOHDRMR]

Met my dh there too.He worked there for just as long.We still have many friends that work there.Overall it is a really great place to work-good starting pay and regular raises(we worked there when it was price club then it changed to Costco so we were union)There are so many different areas to work.There is front end cashier,membership/refunds,photo,door,pharmacy,merchandising,the office,vault,bakery,meat,sales(electronics)food service(cafe area)and more.You can move around after a certain amount of time by signing a posting that goes up for a dept that will need help.I worked food sevice/front end cashier when I first started-then membership for many years(Loved it)and then 1 hour photo for many years(loved it too)The benefits are good.It can be very busy and the member is always right(the motto of our store)so you have to be able to keep things moving along.I think it is a perfect starting job for college kids because there are many shifts available and it is easy to work around school.You don't use fork lifts or anything like that unless you are certified.The downside is you can get sucked in for life(we used to joke around about it)because you do make a decent salary we had alot of people that started while in college and got there degrees and even masters and still worked there because they didn't want to go work somewhere else in the field they studied for making less than what they made to be a cashier!You can work your way up to supervisor and managers so there is room for growth.My friend that started after me is now Photo manager in her store making around 60,000 a year.There are different levels of managers and they make different salaries.I left after I had my dd and dh left when he got offered a job at a major tech company from someone he met helping at Costco.Like any job there were days I hated what I was doing and usually it had to do with the members-I have worked other retail but I think people feel like they pay for membership they can treat you like servants but there was also many people that you get to know because it is a membership club they come back all the time(this was more in photo)I always tell people looking for retail work to try there because you start with a good hourly rate.

 

[rewok]

I'm not sure it is exactly the same in the US, but I've learned the following from friends/family working there here in Canada. They are paid EXTREMELY well for a retail kind of job, but in return they are very demanding. You are expected to work in different areas of the store, no downtime, customer satisfaction is a priority. It is next to impossible to get all weekends off and such, even if you've been there a long time. In fact, the best employees are often asked to work on the busiest day, because they can for instance move customers more quickly.

 

[scrapquitler]

That said, one of the "cons" would be if you were working for Costco in N.J., you would most likely have to join the union (and pay dues).

That's not such a big deal, in my area, most all the grocery stores are unionized, too. I was a 16 year old working at the local grocery store 15 hours a week as a cashier, and I had to join the union.

Another thing to consider is that unlike discount/department stores such as Walmart/Target, Costco is a working warehouse, which means you would be spending your entire workday on a concrete floor -- plus, you may find yourself operating machinery that is not common in traditional retail stores.

You're not going to be operating those types of machinery unless you've had specific training and certification. Most of the employees aren't just hopping onto the forklift and driving pallets around...only the employees specifically hired to do that.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Thanks for the info guys. There is one opening near me, and the starting hourly pay is awesome. They had over 1000 apps for 150 or so jobs.

 

[LIGrumpyGirl]

Met my dh there too.He worked there for just as long.We still have many friends that work there.Overall it is a really great place to work-good starting pay and regular raises(we worked there when it was price club then it changed to Costco so we were union)There are so many different areas to work.There is front end cashier,membership/refunds,photo,door,pharmacy,merchandising,the office,vault,bakery,meat,sales(electronics)food service(cafe area)and more.You can move around after a certain amount of time by signing a posting that goes up for a dept that will need help.I worked food sevice/front end cashier when I first started-then membership for many years(Loved it)and then 1 hour photo for many years(loved it too)The benefits are good.It can be very busy and the member is always right(the motto of our store)so you have to be able to keep things moving along.I think it is a perfect starting job for college kids because there are many shifts available and it is easy to work around school.You don't use fork lifts or anything like that unless you are certified.The downside is you can get sucked in for life(we used to joke around about it)because you do make a decent salary we had alot of people that started while in college and got there degrees and even masters and still worked there because they didn't want to go work somewhere else in the field they studied for making less than what they made to be a cashier!You can work your way up to supervisor and managers so there is room for growth.My friend that started after me is now Photo manager in her store making around 60,000 a year.There are different levels of managers and they make different salaries.I left after I had my dd and dh left when he got offered a job at a major tech company from someone he met helping at Costco.Like any job there were days I hated what I was doing and usually it had to do with the members-I have worked other retail but I think people feel like they pay for membership they can treat you like servants but there was also many people that you get to know because it is a membership club they come back all the time(this was more in photo)I always tell people looking for retail work to try there because you start with a good hourly rate.

WOW...this sounds just like my life! Worked at #226 for 6 yrs...and had MANY of the same experiences!

Also, don't forget the time and a half on Sundays!!

 

[java]

Thanks for the info guys. There is one opening near me, and the starting hourly pay is awesome. They had over 1000 apps for 150 or so jobs.

Mind if I ask where in NJ it's opening. We are supposed to get one here in 2012.

 

[SUSIEQ]

Thanks for the info guys. There is one opening near me, and the starting hourly pay is awesome. They had over 1000 apps for 150 or so jobs.

What is the starting hourly pay?

 

[swilshire]

Do they hire any high school students? My son will be a senior next year and this might be a replacement for his seasonal job at the zoo.

If the city planners approve it, they'll start building one in the next town over in July. I'm very excited. I like them much better than Sams. I joined one year just to use them on vacations.

Sheila

 

[POOHDRMR]

WOW...this sounds just like my life! Worked at #226 for 6 yrs...and had MANY of the same experiences!

Also, don't forget the time and a half on Sundays!!

Yep loved Sundays-time and a half and closed early!I was #237(Melville)

 

[JoiseyMom]

Mind if I ask where in NJ it's opening. We are supposed to get one here in 2012.

THis is the one in Marlboro.

 

[JoiseyMom]

What is the starting hourly pay?

$11.00/hour

 

[LisaNJ25]

I didnt work for them but was the flower vendor inside of one for years.

I know from many friends I made over the years they tend to be very demanding and not flexible on your schedule so you can be all over the place.

I watched so many managers also get burned out.

 

[vegasnative]

I briefly worked there as a seasonal hire (Oct.-Dec.) My suggestion for OP is that many Costco employees might transfer from other area Costco's so don't just apply at that one, apply at the others (if you have more than one) because they will be looking to replace the employees that go to the new store.

I worked in the front end. My con to that position was sometimes I had to push carts, in the snow & rain. Our front end was cashiers, assisting the cashier (boxing) and carts. Some Costco's have a "cart crew" where that is all they do, but our's is part of front end.

Another con, is that for all the employees that were normally front end, when the seasonal people like myself came in, they got pushed to other depts. It's ok if you don't mind, but otherwise you get bumped, then moved back in Jan.

During inventory you cannot request those days off. I think it's twice a year, not really a big deal.

They always worked well with my schedule. I worked when hubby was off from the fire dept, and they worked around his schedule basically and never gave me a hard time about it.

You don't get a discount on products, as you might think you would.

Overall I enjoyed working there. They offered me a full time position in March, but I declined for a different reason, had nothing to do with them. My husband and I started our own business, that was the only reason I didn't go back.

One of my BFFs has worked there since HS, she has been with them for over 20 years, so has her husband.

 

[vegasnative]

One of my BFFs has worked there since HS, she has been with them for over 20 years, so has her husband.

Gheesh, not to quote myself, but next time you go to Costco look at their name tags, it has their hire year on it, you will see that a lot of their employees have been with them for ages and ages....that says a lot for a company, imo.

 

[averysmom]

My neighbour works there and loves it! It pays really well for a retail job. My neighbour, who has worked there for years - maybe 15 or so, makes more than 20.00/hr. She has done a lot of different jobs, right now she's working the membership / returns desk.

She does 24 hours a week - 4, 6 hour days, all while her kids are in school. She says the only way they will get her to leave is if they drag her out kicking and screaming.

 

[JoiseyMom]

My neighbour works there and loves it! It pays really well for a retail job. My neighbour, who has worked there for years - maybe 15 or so, makes more than 20.00/hr. She has done a lot of different jobs, right now she's working the membership / returns desk.

She does 24 hours a week - 4, 6 hour days, all while her kids are in school. She says the only way they will get her to leave is if they drag her out kicking and screaming.

See, I would love those hours! So would my neighbors. When one of them applied they were told only come to interview if you can work weekends. She would never see her DH or spend time as a family if she worked every weekend. Plus he might be working weekends soon, so she didn't do the interview.

 

[ThisIsTheYear]

Do you have to go to the store to apply or can you apply online? Thanks!

 

[JoiseyMom]

Do you have to go to the store to apply or can you apply online? Thanks!

You have to apply online.