SOME Costco shoppers have been furious over its holiday decor.
The warehouse retailer took steps recently, like many competitors, to dedicate a space for the seasonal items.
A few Costco customers have issued grievances with the store’s holiday displays[/caption]
Several Costco locations have started selling artificial Christmas trees this month[/caption]
The trees are available in a variety of sizes and options[/caption]
While Halloween is the next major American holiday to arrive on October 31, Costco has started to display offerings for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Its website and certain areas of local stores are now displaying artificial Christmas trees.
There are a variety of options available depending on shoppers’ preferences, including a seven-and-one-half-foot Pre-Lit Radiant Micro LED Artificial Christmas Tree for $499.99.
The same design at a height of nine feet is a bit more at $699.99.
Those with large enough homes full of the Christmas spirit can even get a 15-inch Pre-Lit Radiant Micro LED Artificial Christmas Tree for $1,699.99.
Some even come frosted in white, and others can be remotely controlled to change colors through a mobile app.
Costco’s selection is impressive and can be ordered through Costco Direct Delivery with a membership.
While the savings and availability are high, some members felt that Christmas tree deals in early October were not appropriate.
TOO EARLY
“Costco already having Christmas stuff out is a sin,” a frustrated shopper wrote in a post to X on Monday.
“Let me enjoy my spooky s**t please,” another cried.
“I’ve seen Christmas stuff go out as early as August…” a third added with an eye-rolling emoji.
Costco wouldn’t be the first retailer to see backlash for the early Christmas decoration offerings in 2024.
Some Lowe’s customers were particularly upset recently by its holiday sections in stores.
A shopper took a snapshot of their local Lowe’s, which had Halloween and Christmas decorations mixed in a massive area.
Costco membership sharing guidelines
Costco has strict rules for membership use that shoppers must follow and they’ve been cracking down on offenders in recent years.
- Primary Member Use: Only the primary cardholder can use this Costco membership card. Sharing it for purchases is not allowed as the photo on the card must match the person using it.
- Household Card: Each primary member can add one free household cardholder who lives at the same address. This person will receive their own membership card and can shop at Costco independently.
- Guest Policy: Members can bring up to two guests per visit to Costco. However, only the member can make purchases. Guests must be accompanied by the member.
- Authorized Cardholder: For an additional fee, you can add an authorized cardholder, such as a family member or friend, who doesn’t reside at your address. They will receive their own card and can shop independently.
Credit: Costco
LOWE’S FURY
“This is wrong on so many levels,” they fumed in a post to Facebook last month.
“Putting ghouls, ghosts, and witches next to Christmas decorations is wrong.”
The customer also emphasized it was still “over 3-months to Christmas.”
Dollar Tree customers felt the same way at the end of summer.
DOLLAR DISASTER
In August, a shopper in Delaware, Ohio, about 30 miles north of Columbus, discovered a Christmas decoration section at their nearest location for the discount retailer.
“Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas today at Dollar Tree,” they wrote on Facebook.
Bows, stockings, ornaments, and more could be seen lining the walls.
Some who saw the post claimed it was “way early” for the display, and it “used to be fun when they waited till November to put stuff out.”
“Now everybody’s burnt out before November,” the customer added.
Others called it “ridiculous.”
While the controversy on exactly when holiday decorations should go out remains, most can agree that the money saved through the early deals is surely a benefit they wouldn’t want to pass up.
