11 things that surprised me while touring Costco with superfans who consider it their 'happy place'

Maria NoyenJan 15, 2024, 10:00 IST

I visited Costco for the first time in over two decades with David and Susan Schwartz, two of Costco's biggest fans.Maria Noyen/Business Insider

David and Susan Schwartz are two of Costco's biggest fans.
The NYC-based couple has visited over 200 stores and co-wrote a book based on their travels.

As my car pulled up to the Costco warehouse in Brooklyn, New York, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me.

The last time I'd set foot in a Costco, I couldn't have been older than 6 or 7 and was accompanied by my mom.

This time was different. This time, I was venturing back into Costco with two of its biggest fans: David and Susan Schwartz.

For the last seven years, the New York City-based couple has traveled to over 200 Costco locations around the world to produce their first co-written book, "The Joy of Costco: A Treasure Hunt from A to Z."

They love Costco so much that they once told me it was one of the first things they bonded over when they started dating in 2002.

"It's my happy place," Susan, who previously worked in marketing for Nabisco and at a bakery, said.

A few minutes after I arrived, I met Susan and David outside of the entrance. Smiling widely and brimming with excitement, almost as if they were two kids about to enter a candy store, the pair reinvigorated my Costco curiosity. Together, we set out to explore the warehouse, where I learned several surprising things that I never would have noticed without having them there as tour guides. Take a look.

As soon as we entered Costco, David and Susan pointed to a special aisle of promotional items known by insiders as "The Fence."

"The Fence," a stack of shelves showcasing promotional items by the entrance, is a unique Costco tradition.Maria Noyen/Business Insider

Costco has self-checkout machines and cashiers. According to David and Susan, the cashiers are quicker.

Self-checkout machines and checkout cashiers.Maria Noyen/Business Insider

Costco employees rush to clean any dirt on the floor, even if that's not their job, the couple said.

The Costco floor is pretty much spotless, wherever you go.Maria Noyen/Business Insider

I wouldn't have known the significance of the tiny asterisks on the signs next to some items without David and Susan's guidance.

The "Death Star" symbol indicates an item won't be reordered by Costco.Maria Noyen/Business Insider

Costco products are displayed in the packages they arrive in from manufacturers. According to the couple, that means employees don't touch any items until they are scanned for purchase.

The packaging also helps cut costs.Maria Noyen/Business Insider

Costco products are displayed in the packages they arrive in from manufacturers. According to the couple, that means employees don't touch any items until they are scanned for purchase.

I naively thought that Costco sells all of its food products in bulk, but David and Susan said that isn't the case.

Some Costco items are sold in bulkier sizes.Maria Noyen/Business Insider

Costco employees are constantly moving empty packages to areas of the warehouse where shoppers can reuse them to store the items they buy.

Boxes of cartons are left on the shop floor for shoppers to use.Maria Noyen/Business Insider

I probably wouldn't have noticed the timestamp on Costco's famous rotisserie chickens, which indicates they have two hours to be sold before they are removed from display.

Costco rotisserie chickens are timestamped.Maria Noyen/Business Insider

I probably wouldn't have noticed the timestamp on Costco's famous rotisserie chickens, which indicates they have two hours to be sold before they are removed from display.

Costco shoppers can get their money back if they buy avocados that don't ripen correctly, Susan said.

Costco accepts returns on produce that doesn't ripen correctly, according to Susan.Maria Noyen/Business Insider

Even though Susan and David are Costco veterans, they are still shocked by how random Costco's product placement appears.

Items are sometimes sold next to each other in no particular order.Maria Noyen/Business Insider

The biggest compliment you can give a Costco employee is that the section they are covering looks "showtime ready."

A Costco employee clearing reorganizing stacks of boxes.Maria Noyen/Business Insider

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11 things that surprised me while touring Costco with superfans who consider it their 'happy place'

As soon as we entered Costco, David and Susan pointed to a special aisle of promotional items known by insiders as "The Fence."

Costco has self-checkout machines and cashiers. According to David and Susan, the cashiers are quicker.

Costco employees rush to clean any dirt on the floor, even if that's not their job, the couple said.

I wouldn't have known the significance of the tiny asterisks on the signs next to some items without David and Susan's guidance.

Costco products are displayed in the packages they arrive in from manufacturers. According to the couple, that means employees don't touch any items until they are scanned for purchase.

I naively thought that Costco sells all of its food products in bulk, but David and Susan said that isn't the case.

Costco employees are constantly moving empty packages to areas of the warehouse where shoppers can reuse them to store the items they buy.

I probably wouldn't have noticed the timestamp on Costco's famous rotisserie chickens, which indicates they have two hours to be sold before they are removed from display.

Costco shoppers can get their money back if they buy avocados that don't ripen correctly, Susan said.

Even though Susan and David are Costco veterans, they are still shocked by how random Costco's product placement appears.

The biggest compliment you can give a Costco employee is that the section they are covering looks "showtime ready."