To think a 2 hour parking limit in Costco is not enough.

[Shopaholic100]

I went into a Costco store recently who have introduced a 2 hour parking limit, am I the only one who thinks this is not enough. By the time you’ve found a parking spot, looked at everything, made your purchase, had an ice cream 😋 and put everything in your car 2 hours is not enough especially at peak times or if you’re doing a big shop. Surely 3 hours would have been better.

How long do you spend in Costco?

Two hours is more than enough time. It's a big shop, not somewhere to dwell and enjoy the view.

About 40mins max for us. We don't tend to stop at the cafe though.

YABU 2 hours is more than sufficient, it's a shop not a day out.

I'm on and out as fast as I can. I spend enough as it is without lingering.

I was in and out in 25 minutes the other day and that was way longer than it should have been! Although I’m NOT a browser, I don’t shop for fun as a leisure activity and if I’m going to a shop, I know what I need, I go in, get it and get out.
Browsers get on my nerves - get out of my bloody way, I’m trying to pick something up to actually buy it and you’re all stood around it having a chat

Even stopping at the café we are usually in and out in under 2 hours

It's a bit tight I think. At mine, by the time you've parked and queued...that can be 10-15 mins. Then when you are in... I dont go very often so I buy a lot, and spend a little time checking prices to confirm I'm actually saving something.

Probably doesn't help I'm not particularly assertive so I always seem to be waiting for everyone else to finish getting their stuff, rather than barging through everyone. I'm guessing some of the speed runners are either not getting a lot or are the bargers (who think everyone else is a ditherer).

And then when you actually get to the checkout...doesn't seem to matter if they have one or all the checkouts open, there is always a queue!!

What Costco is this by the way?

It’s Milton Keynes.

I’ve never been in for 20-25 mins unless I’ve just popped in for a few bits. I don’t live very close to the store so it’s usually a big shop when I do go.

I'm surprised. I doubt reading, Watford or Sunbury will have similar time limits.

We love going. Hotdog at the cafe on the way out is a given, isn't it?

We always have dinner at Costco afterwards (their jacket potatoes are amazing) so potentially 2 hours wouldn’t be enough.

@Oblomov20

I'm surprised. I doubt reading, Watford or Sunbury will have similar time limits.

We love going. Hotdog at the cafe on the way out is a given, isn't it?

Definitely! Does anyone leave without getting an ice cream?

Our closest one is only about 15 minutes away but i last went about 2 years ago. I just never think to bother, it’s always seemed so busy. I prefer to shop online really.
I can’t be arsed lugging giant sized fabric softeners into the trolley and into my car and into the house and can’t be bothered finding homes for giant amounts of things. I prefer to just buy what I need when I know I’ll need it.
Just personal preference really but I’ve never gotten into the swing of doing proper ‘shopping’ at Costco.
And the hot food that they sell has no appeal for me so I’ve never had it, once bought ds a hot dog when I had to take him with me and he didn’t like it. He eats almost anything

We’ve not been this year due to the huge queues but when we used to go we were always ages

I always have to leave extra time if I've got a little one with me to get them out of the pram, into the car seat, collapse the pram etc. All that faff can definitely take extra time; I can see how 2 hours wouldn't be very relaxed if you were doing a big shop.

2 hours should be plenty, if you have an issue with it, maybe speak with the store manager about your concerns?

On a side note, I don't think I've ever bought anything from costco cafe. Mainly because there's always a long queue, for a hotdog or something

2 hours unfortunately is not enough if you are caring for someone in a wheelchair, a normal trip for us is petrol, shop, snack, toilet and go. the below is roughly how long it takes on a normal Saturday Costco is one big queue.

30min to queue, pump and pay at the petrol station,
10 minutes finding a carparking space (as usually every disabled bay is full so you have to find a space, next to an empty space to get your wheel chair around,
15 minutes getting the wheel chair in and out of the car and transfer in and out of the chair,
5 minutes to get into Costco.

20 minutes queuing if you want a hot dog,
5 minutes eating the hotdog,
15 minutes to use the disabled loo, (transfering and cleaning takes time).

30 minutes to shop - but due to wheelchair unfortunately this is a lot slower as people tend to be very pushy.
15 minutes to queue up and pay.
5 minutes queuing to get out of the store.
5 minutes to return to car.
5 minutes to get out of carpark.

It’s a shame I’ve been to more Costco stores which have adopted the parking restrictions.