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Costco, you walk in for paper towels and somehow leave with bulk snacks, bakery items, and enough groceries to last a week. It’s part of the experience, but so is navigating the crowds, oversized carts, and fast-moving aisles.

Most people are just trying to get in and out, but there are a handful of shopping habits that tend to slow things down or make the experience more frustrating than it needs to be. A lot of them aren’t intentional, but they’re noticeable, especially in a busy store like Costco, where space and timing matter.

Here are some of the most common ones that tend to rub people the wrong way.

costco store — Image Credit: Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Blocking Aisles with Oversized Carts

Costco carts are big, and when they’re left sideways in the middle of an aisle, everything slows down. It doesn’t take much for one cart to create a bottleneck, especially during busy hours.

Being mindful of where you park your cart and keeping it to one side helps keep traffic flowing and makes the experience smoother for everyone.

Waiting Until Checkout to Get Organized

Costco lines move quickly until someone reaches the register and starts digging for their card or rearranging their entire cart. This slows down not just their checkout, but everyone behind them.

Having your payment ready and your items somewhat organized helps keep things moving at the pace Costco is known for.

Leaving Sample Cups and Trash Behind

Free samples are part of what makes Costco fun, but the cleanup doesn’t always follow. It’s common to see empty cups left in carts, on shelves, or even tucked behind products.

Even though trash cans are usually nearby, this small habit creates extra work for employees and makes the store feel messier than it needs to be.

Leaving Items in Random Places Around the Store

It happens all the time someone changes their mind and leaves an item wherever they happen to be. You’ll see frozen food sitting on a shelf or refrigerated items tucked into dry goods sections.

The problem is that those items often can’t be put back and end up being thrown away. Taking a few extra seconds to return it or hand it to an employee makes a bigger difference than people realize.

Treating Samples Like a Full Snack Stop

Trying a sample here and there is expected, but some shoppers treat it like an all-you-can-eat situation. Going back multiple times or hovering around sample stations slows things down for others.

It’s meant to be a quick try-before-you-buy experience, not a full meal.

Leaving Carts in the Parking Lot

Costco parking lots are already busy, and stray carts make things worse. They take up space, block spots, and sometimes roll into cars.

Returning your cart to the designated area only takes a minute, but it helps keep the lot safer and more manageable.

Letting Kids Sit in the Main Cart Area

It might seem harmless, but having kids sit in the main part of the cart can actually slow down checkout. Employees often can’t unload items safely when a child is sitting there.

Using the designated seat makes things easier for both staff and other shoppers waiting in line.

Ignoring Employees at Checkout

Costco employees are known for being efficient, but also friendly. Completely ignoring them, staying on your phone, or failing to acknowledge basic interaction can come off as dismissive.

Even a quick hello or thank you goes a long way and keeps the experience positive for everyone.

Shopping Right at Closing Time

Trying to squeeze in a full Costco run right before closing rarely goes smoothly. Employees are trying to wrap up the day, and shoppers rushing through aisles can add to the chaos.

Giving yourself enough time or going earlier makes for a much better experience overall.