Costco Wholesale Scam

On 10/16/2023, I received a Costco’s promotion by email (“Spend & Get” Promotion, see picture attached.) According to this promotion, qualified customers (who purchased over $2,500.00 of qualifying items) will receive by email a Costco Digital Shop Card in the amount of $400.00 in 2 to 3 weeks. On the same day, I ordered two qualifying items (a big-screen TV and some meat products) totaling over $2,600.00 and received the items delivered on 10/19/2023.

 On 11/15/2023, 4 weeks after the day of the purchase, I emailed Costco.com to follow up on the status of the issuance of the $400.00 Shop Card but received no response. I then tried to call every phone number I could find on Costco website, emails, or in the Internet, but at all those calls I’d never been able to talk to a live agent. Worse, Costco phone systems always redirect you to their online AI “Virtual Assistance” which, in my opinion, has the “I” of a PIG for it is incapable of addressing the specifics.

 On or about 11/19/2023, after many hours on the phone I finally was able to speak to a live agent (“Emily”) who had no idea what the Costco’s Spend & Get promotion was, and forwarded my call to another agent (“Jeannie”) who told me it might take up to 6 weeks for the shop card to be issued.

 On 12/8/2023, ten weeks after the day of the purchase, I tried to call back the same number (800-xxx-2678) and spoke to another agent (“Carl”) who assured me that he will submit a “re-issue” request and I should be receiving the card by email in 2 to 3 business days. (“Carl” also rudely raised his voice with me when I dared to ask him why a “re-issue” but not an “issue” request since I’d never received one in the first place.)

 On 1/4/2024, almost 3 months from the day of the purchase, without receiving any response from Costco, I wrote its Corporate Office in Seattle a lengthy letter demanding them to address this issue. As of today 1/16/2024, exactly 3 months from the day I placed my order and despite my many hours on the phone, writing them emails and letter, all the frustration and anger I’ve experienced, nothing happened. Not even a single word from Costco.

 Like many customers of Costco, I took advantage of this promotion simply because it promised a shopping card that should arrive on time for the holidays’ shopping season. Frankly, I now see no hope of receiving the card they had promised. I however wanted to let everyone to know that COSTCO WHOLESALE, a respected company as I used to think, chose to SCAM ITS CUSTOMERS LIKE ME FOR JUST A MERE $400.00!