Why does Costco close so early on Saturdays? Or is it just mine?

[Aimeedyan]

On Saturday afternoon, we made our list of errands to run. I'm weird and have to map them out in my head so we don't backtrack or miss something. Because we needed food from Costco, it was last on the list. We pulled into the parking lot at 7pm to find it empty with the big gates over the doors!

Sure enough, sign said they closed at 6pm on Saturdays.

That seems odd to me. Every other shopping place around that area was bustling with people, I can't imagine that they wouldn't have any business!

Anyone have a guess as to why they close so early? Sams is open until 830 on Saturday nights (have a membership there, too).

Just wondering if anyone had the inside scoop =)

 

[Jillpie]

I understand your frustration, I've been there too. I've just gotten used to it. We're a frequent Saturday afternoon Costco customer (just in time for lunch snacks, mm ). I predict its because they just can. They are very busy all weekend long, so I imagine they just don't need to stay open on Sat. eve.

 

[sha_lyn]

just another reason why I didn't renew my membership. sometimes I miss costco, but there were really only 2-3 items I preferred from there over buying from BJs

 

[manning]

Company policy and they feel they can do it.

 

[melanie18]

I know, soooo frustrating. Around here they close at 8pm during the week & 6pm on Sat & Sun.

 

[flipturngirl]

I work at a costco. they close early becauseit is very family friendly for coustmers and employees. It is nice that they close early because the employees do have lifes to. It is mainly 1 shift that works during the open hours and then another after it closes. they have enough buisness to keep them running the hours that they are open.. i know that the sample ladies do alot of good for costco because they are trying to sell the items too. they demenstrate all of the products and in the end sell anywhere from 200 to 700 dollars a day in a single product.. take that times 20 sample stations a day.. and then have you seen how many tvs we sell? i had to help load about 20 or more tvs into trucks.. these tvs are about 1000. the reason that they close early like i said is because they are so busy during the day.. the weekends especially and all the employees need a break too..

 

[teacups]

All good reasons for you the employee... but the customers are the ones paying for the card, and then half the time paying more for the items than at Walmart. I agree the family folks need time off... thats what younger single emplyee's are for, nights and weekends! Its NOT a great way to treat customers. Employees? Yes, maybe.

 

[flipturngirl]

All good reasons for you the employee... but the customers are the ones paying for the card, and then half the time paying more for the items than at Walmart. I agree the family folks need time off... thats what younger single emplyee's are for, nights and weekends! Its NOT a great way to treat customers. Employees? Yes, maybe.

Well we the employees also have to pay for the card. and we pay the same price you do for the items. Customers are in the store all day long and then people wait until the last minute to come in... The store is open for an 8 hour shift so they reallyy don't have to pay overtime. The stores CEO wanted it to be famiyl friendly for everyone. The employees get paid starting at 16 buck an hour and are treated good.. The customers need to learn to come in at decent hours. Most of the younger single employees are in high school or college and live at home and can't work that late they are also family folks..

 

[LisaNJ25]

it seems to be working out great...

As a former vendor I loved the early hours on weekends.. They are also closed many holidays that other retail stores stay open... memorial day, forth of july, labor day.

 

[flipturngirl]

it seems to be working out great...

As a former vendor I loved the early hours on weekends.. They are also closed many holidays that other retail stores stay open... memorial day, forth of july, labor day.

The early hours are really great.. Holidays are all closed. I am glad because people don't need to be out shopping on those days anyways.

 

[Luv'sTink]

Well we the employees also have to pay for the card. and we pay the same price you do for the items. Customers are in the store all day long and then people wait until the last minute to come in... The store is open for an 8 hour shift so they reallyy don't have to pay overtime. The stores CEO wanted it to be famiyl friendly for everyone. The employees get paid starting at 16 buck an hour and are treated good.. The customers need to learn to come in at decent hours. Most of the younger single employees are in high school or college and live at home and can't work that late they are also family folks..

Gee, I wonder why my nephew didn't pay for his card in WA or Denver but you do where ever you are? He also gave my sister one of his "free" cards so she wouldn't have to pay for it either, strange really strange!

ETA: They do it because they can AND you and thousands of others that complain about it still shop there.

 

[minniecarousel]

Works for me!

I will keep shopping at stores that treat their employees well. The employees at the Costcos around here are efficient and friendly. I like that I've seen some of the same employees for several years. (one of the reasons I won't shop at K-Mart is their policy of being open on major holidays - that and the fact that there are no K-Marts around here!)

 

[DisnyMama]

My ex-hubby works for Costco and doesn't pay for his card either and has me on his family member list so I get a card. I have to get DS's prescriptions at Costco due to being covered under his dad's insurance. Also, ex has told me they only pay starting wage of $10.00 an hour.

 

[flipturngirl]

Well maybe it is just my supervisor or she has never said anything about it.. sorry for saying anything.

 

[flipturngirl]

My ex-hubby works for Costco and doesn't pay for his card either and has me on his family member list so I get a card. I have to get DS's prescriptions at Costco due to being covered under his dad's insurance. Also, ex has told me they only pay starting wage of $10.00 an hour.

Well here in the pacific northwest.. they start higher.. min wage is higher here too.

 

[Christine]

I think it's great that they close earlier on Saturdays. I also notice that they are closed on some holidays where BJs is still open. I think it is great for the company and only a minor inconvenience for me.

I don't think we can expect ALL stores to be open at ALL times that we need them. Heck, I do my best shopping/errand running at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings--most stores aren't open then but I certainly understand it.

 

[ford family]

The customers need to learn to come in at decent hours.

Holidays are all closed. I am glad because people don't need to be out shopping on those days anyways.

The fabled American "customer service" at its finest, eh?

ford family

 

[aprilgail2]

Gee, I wonder why my nephew didn't pay for his card in WA or Denver but you do where ever you are? He also gave my sister one of his "free" cards so she wouldn't have to pay for it either, strange really strange!

ETA: They do it because they can AND you and thousands of others that complain about it still shop there.

My friends 2 daughters work there too and she says one of the things she will miss when they leave to get jobs in their field they are goign to school for is the free Costco card that every employee gets!

 

[MichelleVW]

Don't move to North Dakota because EVERYTHING here closes early...it's so annoying...

Up here it's against the law for a store to be open on Sunday morning. It's crazy...no trips to the 24 hour Walmart on Sunday morning because they are CLOSED!!

Tractor Supply closes at 8 pm during the week too....crazy...they should be open until at least 9!

We don't have a Costco/Sams/or BJ's up here but I'm sure if we did they would close early too!

 

[Luv'sTink]

Funny about closing early to be family friendly too. My Nephew worked nights and his fiancé worked days. I guess it was friendly in that they didn't pay daycare because he was home during the day and she was home at night. She was telling us how he would come home and turn on the TV (in the bedroom) and wake her up so he had to start sleeping on the couch.

I will tell you that when my Nephew passed away this last March, Costco supplied all the food and I believe paid for the memorial itself. My sister in law said they were amazing to the family and gave his fiancé time off and changed her schedule to accommodate being a single mother.

$16 and hour starting, that is double minimum wage for WA.. I thought he told me they made more in Denver, I know he had just made supervisor and I am not sure if he was making much more than that. He had worked for the company for about 5 years.