COSTCO shoppers are mourning the loss of a popular membership perk, but they may be to blame for its removal.
One of the warehouse club’s popular benefits, its communal coffee grinders, has reportedly been removed due to poor handling by customers.
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Considering that high-quality coffee grinders can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, one of the popular amenities at Costco is its in-store coffee bean grinders.
Typically found by the food court or store exit, customers can use these machines to grind up whole bags of coffee beans purchased at Costco.
The convenient service, however, has been removed at multiple Costco locations over the past few weeks according to shopper reports.
COFFEE CRISIS
Costco shoppers have reported signs abruptly popping up alerting them that the coffee grinder perk would be rescinded.
“Uh oh, I don’t know what happened… but we lost our grinder privileges,” wrote one member in the Costco subreddit on Tuesday, paired with a sign sharing that the grinders would “no longer be provided.”
“Attention members. The coffee grinders are no longer available in the warehouse,” reads a second in-store sign, shared to the Costco subreddit last week.
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Both Reddit posts were flooded with disappointed comments, with blame quickly pointed toward Costco shoppers.
One Costco employee explained how the coffee grinders cost a few thousand each but were frequently damaged due to careless customer behavior.
“The grinders were broken at least once a week,” wrote the worker. “Even with signs to not double grind, people would do it all day long and clog the burrs.
“Also we had paint brushes to wipe the grounds and keep the machines clean and people would drop the brushes and grind them into their coffee.”
Several Redditors also chimed in with all the ridiculous items they had seen fellow shoppers stick in the machines, such as chocolate-covered coffee beans, a hot dog, dog food, Folgers ground coffee, nuts, and even scissors.
“Members can’t be trusted not to disrespect property they don’t own, essentially,” critiqued one Costco member.
“People are animals and given the choice, will treat public property like absolute sh**, even if they would never do the same in their own home,” bashed another shopper.
“Tragedy of the Costco Commons,” wrote a third.
Other shoppers shared that the coffee grinder machines at their local warehouses frequently malfunctioned, suggesting that Costco determined they were too high-maintenance and expensive.
“Mine got rid of them too…the machines kept breaking and they got tired of replacing them,” said one Redditor.
Membership and store cards on offer from major retailers
Here is a breakdown of the store cards on offer to customers from various retailers and their benefits
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Costco:
- Gold Star Membership: $65 per year, shop all Costco stores and online with two additional cards for your household.
- Executive Membership: $130 per year, annual 2% reward, additional discounts and benefits on Costco services, shop online and in-store, and get two additional cards for household use.
- Sign up for a Costco Membership here
Sam’s Club:
- Club Membership: $50 per year, bonus offers, same-day delivery, instant savings, Sam’s Club Mastercard, members-only fuel savings, tire and battery center, complimentary membership, and add-on memberships.
- Plus Membership: $110 per year, all benefits of Club membership plus Sam’s Cash, free shipping, free curbside pickup, early shopping, and pharmacy and optical savings.
- Sign up for Sam’s Club Membership here
Target:
- Target Circle: A free-to-join reward program allowing users to earn 1% in Target Circle earnings rewards when an eligible purchase is made, access deals and personalized offers, get a birthday gift, and earn a vote to help direct how Target helps out your community.
- Target Circle Card: A credit, debit, or reloadable account card that gives users 5% off in-store and online as well as exclusive offers, free two-day shipping, and an additional 30-day returns window. Formerly Target RedCard.
- Sign up for Target Circle here
Walmart:
- Walmart+: $12.95 per month or $98 per year with a free 30-day trial. Offers members free delivery, free shipping with no minimum spend, fuel savings, Paramount+ subscription, auto car, Walmart+ travel, returns from home, mobile scan and go in-store, and early access to deals and product releases.
- Sign up for Walmart+ here
Regardless of the reason for their removal, many Costco shoppers were highly disappointed that the perk would no longer be available.
“I won’t be buying their whole bean coffee anymore. It’s a good price, but grinding that amount at home takes forever. Not worth my time for the discount,” cried one member.
“It was such a convenience to be able to grind a full 2.5-pound bag all at once and be all set for morning coffee,” commented another.
As Costco shoppers mourn the loss of the coffee grinder perk, others are just finding out about another “incredible” service for $7.99.
Plus, Costco has brought back a classic food court favorite but with a twist – but members still miss the original.
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