17 Relatable Costco Shopping Experiences Every Shopper Has Had

1. The Promise of Free Samples

They never stand a chance. You are willing to try everything because it costs nothing. From tiny cups of gourmet coffee to fresh bites of seasonal snacks or even fresh Costco marigolds displayed near the garden entrance, those sample kiosks call out like sirens on a busy Saturday morning.

2. What It's like when Everyone else Has the Same Idea as You

You have to feel sorry for the people manning the sample tables. We attack like a school of sharks. The moment that fresh tray of hot potstickers hits the counter, civilized behavior briefly vanishes.

3. The Endless Lines on Weekends

So many people, so many overloaded carts, so many huge vats of things. Waiting in line becomes a spectator sport as you inspect everyone else's impressive haul.

4. Fighting for Your Place among All the Other Shoppers in General

They're just everywhere – with every right to be there, of course, but that does not matter because this is your Costco. The colorful people of Costco come from all walks of life, all united by the thrill of bulk savings and oversized shopping carts.

5. Dealing with That One D-bag Who's Always Exactly Where You Want to Be

It's just … it's just that there's so much of Costco to get through. There simply is not time to navigate certain situations that impede your progress. One time I ran into a barricade of high chairs lined up in the aisle. Patience is key when cart traffic jams strike!

6. The Sheer, Awe-inspiring Size of the Snack Aisles

So many snacks in such ginormous quantities, it's like munchies heaven. Whether you're searching for specialty Caputo flour Costco carries in giant bags or giant tubs of pretzels, the variety is staggering.

7. That Overwhelming Need to Buy an Overabundance of Everything

Don't get me wrong, it's practical to buy huge packs of toilet paper, laundry detergent, and things like that, but that industrial-sized bag of Pizza Rolls is just next level. …actually, is that a real thing? When navigating the snack aisles, self-control is completely optional.

8. Trying to Dodge the Pushy Salespeople

They are very aggressive. Like, very aggressive. That's annoying … until you happen to need whatever they're offering. You don't need cheese Costco pick up lines or skincare pitches like Costco meaningful beauty demos to convince you, but sometimes you get hooked anyway.

9. Gearing up to Get in and out as Quickly as Possible

And the triumph when you clock in at less than half an hour! To pull off a speed run, execute this tactical plan:

10. When Someone else is All up in Your Aisle

Especially when it happens more than once. Because, again, this is your Costco. You just want to grab your items without practicing your best dodge maneuvers around idle carts.

11. Discovering the Booze Section for the First Time

There's nothing like it. All that liquor. Such huge quantities. Finding top-shelf wines and spirits at warehouse prices feels like hitting the jackpot every single time.

12. Getting Stuck Listening to a Vitamin Pitch

Nooooo! You made eye contact for half a second and now you're learning all about dietary supplements for the next ten minutes.

13. The Willa Wonka Wonderland That is the Candy Aisle

I can't even think about it without getting the tingles, tbh. Walking down this aisle feels like winning golden Costco wonderland tickets to a world made entirely of chocolate and gummy bears. It pairs amazingly well with a quick trip to the booze section!

14. Trying to Follow a Massive Costco List via Text

It's worse if you write it down, though. Keeping up with paper in Costco is difficult when your hands are full steering a massive flatbed cart.

15. The First Time You Run into That One Couple

You know. The couple who's more than happy to, ahem, try out the chairs or futons or mattresses. They make themselves completely at home right in the middle of furniture display row.

16. Realizing How Much Money You Actually Spent

It's always so much. So much money. You came in for paper towels and walked out $350 lighter.

17. But You Know You're Always Prepared for the Zombie Apocalypse

Costco turns all of us into preppers. With a garage full of supplies from buying in bulk, you are ready for anything.

Here are three survival staples every warehouse shopper hoards:

And don't even get me started on trying Costco food for the first time. What's your favorite big-big-big box store experience?