Costco shopper’s cart ‘vanishes’ as he realizes he forgot item while in checkout – but customers back workers action

A FUMING Costco shopper has criticized the retailer for allegedly taking his cart, but customers think his reaction is unreasonable.

The shopper took to social media to express his frustration.

"Rant. Costco. Carts disappearing. I had my cart full, just about to checkout, then realized I'd forgotten 1 item so I left my cart for no more than 4 mins while I grabbed the last item," Mark James wrote on Facebook.

"I return and my cart is gone. WTF?

"The same thing happened to me about 3 months ago. I had to go out and get another cart and start all over.

"I asked an employee and they said if they see a cart 'abandoned' they'll take it and start putting things back on the shelves.

"It's a big store, it's crowded, how about giving us more than 4 mins before taking our carts?" the shopper declared.

Social media has been flooded with complaints about Costco in recent months and usually, shoppers are quick to sympathize.

However, in this instance, other shoppers weren't so swift to defend this customer.

Many wondered why James left his cart in the first place.

"Why couldn't you take the cart with you? I don't get it," one comment said.

"Do you expect all the workers to read your mind??? How are they supposed to know that you didn't just abandon you cart?"

"Take your damn cart without you. You're not entitled to a spot in the checkout line," another said.

"I think you have a lesson to learn here. Take the cart with you."

The U.S. Sun has approached Costco for a comment.

While some Costco policies do anger many shoppers, it seems like this alleged incident is not something people can relate to.

"Bet this comment section didn't go in the direction you thought it would," a customer said.

"Do you expect them to time your cart to see how long it's been there?

"An abandoned cart is an abandoned cart. Do the normal thing and bring it with you next time lol," they declared.

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

"I fear this post may have backfired," another comment read.

One of the complaints many shoppers can agree on, however, is Costco's recent crack down on membership card sharing.

Members are not allowed to share their IDs with anyone - even their family

And customers believe this policy is overly harsh.

"Why is Costco having police state-like behavior," one said.

"Poor Costco. How will they ever survive if, god forbid, I let the single mom at work use my card to go buy something?" another said.

"Who turns away money/sales?"