Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand. Do some people only go to Costco when it snows? Where are these shoppers the rest of the time?

All the people who would have gone shopping Saturday through Monday all came on Wednesday, so it’s four days worth of crowds squeezed into one. To compound that, most people who would have gone shopping Thursday or Friday also came on Wednesday so they could get supplies before everything ran out. See how it works?

If I lived in Fairfax and was potentially looking at a week of school closures (they have already scheduled a half-day Wednesday and closed Thursday and Friday, now there's a very a good chance they will close Monday and then....just close Tuesday and half of Wednesday) with no ability to shop this weekend--yes, I need to go to Costco today or tomorrow to buy a week's worth of snacks and meals for a houseful of bored kids.

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked!
When is it ever a good time to go to Costco?

Weekdays are usually pretty good other than lunchtime (12-2) as long as it's not right before Christmas, Thanksgiving, or a snowstorm. The last hour before close is also usually ok.

What are other stores like today? Trader Joes, Harris Teeter? Are they all madhouses???

Sterling Costco wasn’t that bad.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is the worst Costco.
Three times in a row, someone took my stuff out of my cart and stole it. Three times!

Unbelievable.

I hate the FFX Costco so much. I live near Tyson's and go to the one in Chantilly.

Pentagon City Costco says hold my beer.

I’m shocked!
When is it ever a good time to go to Costco?

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand. Do some people only go to Costco when it snows? Where are these shoppers the rest of the time?

All the people who would have gone shopping Saturday through Monday all came on Wednesday, so it’s four days worth of crowds squeezed into one. To compound that, most people who would have gone shopping Thursday or Friday also came on Wednesday so they could get supplies before everything ran out. See how it works?

Anonymous wrote:That is the worst Costco.
Three times in a row, someone took my stuff out of my cart and stole it. Three times!

Unbelievable.

I hate the FFX Costco so much. I live near Tyson's and go to the one in Chantilly.

During Jan / Feb here it's best to just keep two weeks of supplies on hand so you don't have to fight the crowds who somehow never learn.

I don’t understand. Do some people only go to Costco when it snows? Where are these shoppers the rest of the time?

Trader Joe's was unusually crowded yesterday evening. They were almost out of Milk and Eggs.

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from the regular stores (Safeway and Giant in Kingstowne) and they were perhaps busier than you’d expect from 12 noon on a Thursday, but not too bad. I’d skip Costco and go to the regular grocery store if you can.

The worst place to shop in the days before a storm are locations like Costco and Trader Joe’s where there are only one or two locations serving an entire county. Safeway, while mediocre had all the breads, milks, and eggs and no line at checkout.

Anonymous wrote:I went to Fairfax Costco this morning at 9 a.m. and although there was a line to get in, I was in and out quickly, no line at the self-checkout register. Executive Membership for the win!

I myself went at 9:05 today (usually go around 10:30/11) and was shocked by the line outside. I waited in my car for ten minutes until the line was more reasonable, but it was so crazy inside I bought 4 things and left. I wasn't even thinking about the snow, just my usual Thursday Costco run, so i guess my bad!

I just got back from the regular stores (Safeway and Giant in Kingstowne) and they were perhaps busier than you’d expect from 12 noon on a Thursday, but not too bad. I’d skip Costco and go to the regular grocery store if you can.