My experiences have never been bad. But, it is only just another store, with just more people(employees). The dynamics of the employees, while at work, is largely due to how management treats them. If there is an overall problem with rude/arrogant employees across the board here, blame management. If it is a select few employees, and then obviously everyone has random bad days too, then you may dodge bad personal experiences easily. Simply, approach every interaction with a smile on your face, and be kind right away from the start. If you need assistance, ask with appreciation. Simply, control your attitude to be kind, appreciative, and just happy the whole way through. You may control yourself, thus control the interaction for the most part, otherwise you are allowing yourself to be under the whims of emotion. It is a practice, but well worth it for how much better your life will get. You will get so good at it, to be able to start controlling situations very well, even to getting parking/seatbelt/speeding tickets of all kinds ripped up and simply getting warnings

I am a member and never had any problems with the store in general but the optical department is TERRIBLE. I got my glasses from Costco a few weeks ago. I was going to order another pair of glasses online, but couldn't read my optometrist's handwriting, so I called him to confirm. It turns out Costco couldn't read his handwriting either and had filled the wrong prescription. The doctor should have written more clearly, but Costco should have made a 2 minute phone call. It also turned out the frames I had gotten were not comfortable, so the optician there suggested I buy another one, with no prescription, and wear them around before the correct prescription was put in them. I thought this was very reasonable. I wore them around for 2 days and they were fine. I took them back and gave the frames to them so they could put the lenses in. When I went back, the frames had been totally adjusted without me. I wasn't even present and they were a completely different fit. the person assured me they were the exact same pair of frames I had had and that the minor differences were due to the lenses being put in. nuh uh. they did something to them, either at the lab or in the store. I'm very particular about glasses and I know how I like them to fit, and they were not the same fir. not even close. The optics that are done by Costco are not great either. with costco lenses I got some distortion around the edges. not so with other labs. Again, this review does not apply to the store as a whole, and some of these issues are due to their optical lab, not the optical shop at this store. however as a whole they offer very poor glasses at good prices. As I write this I am actually wearing my old pair with scratched up lenses because they are more comfortable and the optics are better. that tells you something about the quality.

Nanaimo administration/service people have given me support above and beyond for years. Have always been friendly and helpful. Have never been faced with a disgruntled or unhappy employee. I agree with Christopher, the manner in which we address problems is usually responded in kind. You get more bees with honey.

Twice I have run into staff problems at this Costco. The first time it was because they wanted to search my bag, yet did not search any female purses (even though they are bigger). I talked to the manager and she said that it was illegal to search a purse. I informed her that she is incorrect about the law and that they cant search anything if someone refuses. Moreover that if they only ask men with briefcases and to not ask women with purses it falls under discrimination. She said she would get back to me... but never did. On the way out I was searched again. I informed the staff that they cant do this and a staff member got quite upset and rude about the matter and defended his discrimination against males in a very mocking way and proceeded to make up non Costco policies. I followed up 2 weeks later, I had a different manager come out who said "I heard about you" and agreed with me that it is discrimination if they do this and that he was aware that any search (even the receipt and shopping cart check) was voluntary. He said that he will speak to the staff about discriminating between males and females. The second issue was today. I used a Costco cash card to buy some onions, and the guy at the till asked for my membership card. I told him that membership cards are not required with Costco Cash cards. We argued a little bit, so I told him the information about the card is on Costco's website. He responded with a condescending "I would like to see that" remark. He then got someone to come to the till in order to allow the transaction. The person who came to the till kept trying to sell me a Costco membership and dodged my question about needing a membership to use the Cash Card. Every time I asked "Do I need a membership to use this card" she would respond with "There are a lot of benefits to having a membership" I finally interrupted her and said "answer my question", where she replied with "no you do not". I then told her she should inform this staff member because he seems to think I do. As I left the person bagging the groceries looked at me with a "i am sorry" smile. I really dont understand why they sell a product that the staff do not know the rules about, or why staff are allowed to be rude. And if I use this cash card, do I need to hear a sales pitch every time? Finally, why cant people just say "I have not heard that before, let me find out for you" rather then telling me I am wrong and saying snide remarks.

Arrogance of most employees is unbelievable. Like going into a government office and being treated like you're in a communist country. Many in customer service department are incompetent. Deny coupons when seeing a manager will get it honoured. I thought the opening of the Courtenay store would improve attitudes a bit but hasn't changed much. To think that we have to pay dues for the "privilege" of shopping in this store is mind-boggling!