8 Things Costco Members Should Never Do, According to Employees

If want to know what war feels like, head to Costco during the holidays. Armed with large metal carts, hordes of deal-hungry shoppers fly through the aisles, snatching up pumpkin pies, leaving trash, and ruffling up displays. And if it feels like war just to shop at Costco, imagine what it's like to work there. (Hint: It's hard.) But as a Costco consumer (or combatant), there are several irksome behaviors you can avoid to make employees' lives a bit easier. Here are eight things Costco members should never do, according to employees on Reddit.

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Related: Sam's Club Versus Costco: Redditors Compare the Warehouse Giants

Costco superfans and employees agree that members need to return their carts, with one Redditor calling it a "non-negotiable" courtesy. "It makes life easier on everyone," another user writes.

Related: Costco Superfans Share Their 'Craziest' Experiences at the Store

If you take a box to carry your groceries at checkout, don't leave it behind in your cart, an employee writes. Take it with you, or forego the box entirely, especially during the holidays when stores run out of boxes.

Related: Costco Employees Dish on the Most Outrageous Revoked Membership Stories

Be prepared with your membership card when you grab a cart to avoid clogging the entryway. "People pushing carts are trying to get through to refill the main corral and you sitting there when you grab a cart fumbling for your card slows everyone down," an employee explains.

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Retail employees often complain about shoppers who leave unwanted items (even perishables) strewn across the store, and Costco workers are no different. "Just bring (an unwanted item) with you to checkout and let us know! We are happy to take it back for you. Someone else may want the item," a Costco worker writes.

Another near-universal gripe among retail employees? Customers who block aisles. "There are still places you can leave your cart unattended for a hot minute without it being in everybody else's way," one comment reads.

Costco tire inflation parking spots are there for, well, inflating your tires (duh). They aren't express parking spots.

Related: 12 Ways Costco Can Save You Money on Your Car

"Stop trying to access the warehouse before they open," one Costco Redditor writes. Businesses have store hours for a reason, and employees who don't let you in early are just following the rules.

While this complaint comes from a frustrated shopper, there's no doubt folding (and refolding) piles and piles of clothes is a pain for Costco employees. If your folding skills are subpar, just bring the unwanted items to the register, one commenter suggests.