For many Costco loyalists, free samples are more of a ritual than just a perk of each visit. A warm pretzel bite here, a surprise smoothie sip there. Some folks even time their shopping around sample peak hours (you know who you are). But as it turns out, not everyone is welcome to graze quite so freely.
Costco has quietly implemented a stricter policy when it comes to who gets to enjoy the goods, and the new rule is especially aimed at solo snackers under 18: No adult, no sample.
That’s right. If a kid rolls up to a sample station unaccompanied, they’ll be politely denied until a parent or guardian is in tow. It’s not personal. It’s policy.
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The reasoning is actually pretty sound. With food allergies on the rise and ingredient labels that read like small novels, the warehouse giant isn’t taking any chances. Sample servers need a grown-up’s go-ahead to hand anything over, just in case little Timmy is unknowingly reaching for a cashew-crusted cheese puff that sends him into anaphylactic shock.
Of course, this doesn’t just affect curious kids. If you’ve ever sent your child ahead to “try it and tell me if it’s good,” or pulled the old tag-team strategy to double up on bites, you may need to rethink your game plan. Costco’s keeping things simple: one sample, one adult. That’s the deal, kids.
And while the policy might feel like a buzzkill to some, it’s not about being stingy—it’s about safety. Plus, let’s be honest: if you really want that second teriyaki chicken skewer, you can just walk back around and ask. This isn’t a nightclub. There’s no velvet rope.
Just don’t send your kid in as a proxy. Costco’s onto you, and the last thing you want is your membership revoked for life.
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