I put off going to such places as long as I can. Sometimes I’ll think, “I could go to Costco after work,” but once work is over I’m like, “Bruh, no, I do not have the energy to put up with that crowded place.”
I’ve been seeking out small, more specific stores lately. I already don’t want to go to Walmart or Target for a number of reasons. Despite knowing they’ll have what I need and it’s not far away, I’ll go farther just to visit the smaller hardware store, or smaller grocery store, or smaller housing goods store, etc. Even without the ethical issues, dealing with the sheer size of those places is too much.
I really hope our generation of collective anxiety could bring about at least one benefit - the downfall of massive stores like Walmart and Target.* Granted, it won’t happen for a while (if at all, especially in rural places), but I highly doubt we’re as rare as we feel we are. Big box stores had their moment, for a generation that wanted that. But times change, people’s preferences change, and just as those stores once drove out local competition, someday the tides can turn again.
*Costco can stay, though. They treat their employees well.
Similar strategy works for parking, at least with mine. The parking layout is bad and there is consistently a line of cars trying to handle it … as they all go straight or left to get to the front half of the lot. I turn right and get out of the traffic for a quick parking spot.
Yeah it’s a huge lot and I’m parked pretty far away, but the mess in the front half means I do save time by going for the first available spot rather than a “good” spot
My costco has a gas station and the entire parking area is a god damn zoo.
It’s utter chaos. You can choose left which includes the front or right which includes gas station and auto bays for tire stuff.
Left is the right call, but if you get halfway down any aisle of parking without finding a spot, you are forced to cross the front of the store in your vehicle. This is never advisable.
Going right is chaos. You might get lucky, but if you don’t, you’re at least spared passing the entrance. You are however stuck with the gas line, the auto bays, and the access to the deliveries/etc.
My Costco doesn’t have gas: back when I drove a car that ran on dead dinosaurs I wished it did. My town has been refusing to let them put gas pumps in unless they can figure something to do with traffic, but it’s a pretty congested area so they just don’t have any room or road access
I put off going to such places as long as I can. Sometimes I’ll think, “I could go to Costco after work,” but once work is over I’m like, “Bruh, no, I do not have the energy to put up with that crowded place.”
I’ve been seeking out small, more specific stores lately. I already don’t want to go to Walmart or Target for a number of reasons. Despite knowing they’ll have what I need and it’s not far away, I’ll go farther just to visit the smaller hardware store, or smaller grocery store, or smaller housing goods store, etc. Even without the ethical issues, dealing with the sheer size of those places is too much.
I really hope our generation of collective anxiety could bring about at least one benefit - the downfall of massive stores like Walmart and Target.* Granted, it won’t happen for a while (if at all, especially in rural places), but I highly doubt we’re as rare as we feel we are. Big box stores had their moment, for a generation that wanted that. But times change, people’s preferences change, and just as those stores once drove out local competition, someday the tides can turn again.
*Costco can stay, though. They treat their employees well.
My costco hack is to stay out of the two main aisles.
Enter, go right. Approach any right side aisles from the right.
Hit meat and produce section
Go wide for the exit aisle.
Park… Next door. Idk. Their parking lots are the worst part.
Similar strategy works for parking, at least with mine. The parking layout is bad and there is consistently a line of cars trying to handle it … as they all go straight or left to get to the front half of the lot. I turn right and get out of the traffic for a quick parking spot.
Yeah it’s a huge lot and I’m parked pretty far away, but the mess in the front half means I do save time by going for the first available spot rather than a “good” spot
My costco has a gas station and the entire parking area is a god damn zoo.
It’s utter chaos. You can choose left which includes the front or right which includes gas station and auto bays for tire stuff.
Left is the right call, but if you get halfway down any aisle of parking without finding a spot, you are forced to cross the front of the store in your vehicle. This is never advisable.
Going right is chaos. You might get lucky, but if you don’t, you’re at least spared passing the entrance. You are however stuck with the gas line, the auto bays, and the access to the deliveries/etc.
That’s tough.
My Costco doesn’t have gas: back when I drove a car that ran on dead dinosaurs I wished it did. My town has been refusing to let them put gas pumps in unless they can figure something to do with traffic, but it’s a pretty congested area so they just don’t have any room or road access