Good Lifestyle

Costco has developed an intensely devoted fans base thanks to everything, its wide selection of essential and generous bulk items return policy to its beloved and timeless Kirkland brand catering area . But regular customers know that one of the best advantages of shopping with the warehouse retailer is the delicious free samples available. However, even if it is not surprising that attractive bites make much more difficult to stick to your grocery list, it happens more than a simple effective marketing tactic. Read the rest for all the secrets on the free Costco samples, according to retail experts.

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Whether you buy on an empty stomach or have had the chance to find a product that is really delicious, limiting yourself to a single bite can undoubtedly be the worst of free costco samples. But if you have already been tempted to catch one more taste - or even two or three additional - you are technically not breaking rules by doing so.

"Employees distributing free samples cannot tell buyers of" no "and most of them would probably not care anyway," Julie Ramhold , consumer analyst with Dealnews.com , recount Better life . "There are extreme abuse stories of the free online sample, but most people do not take the whole tray or $ 50 product. However, some buyers will indulge in two or even three times."

However, that does not mean that it is a free for everyone. "If you are one of them, it's okay, but be polite about it and at least listen to the employee's spiel on the product," she suggests. "In addition, if you have returned three times for a small piece of cauliflower pizza, you might as well buy the cauliflower pizza because you clearly like it."

For most people, weekends are time to go shopping, including Costco races. But if you are looking to get the most out of your shopping experience - and get out of the store without waiting for as much - you may want to try to find time in your schedule to make sure you can buy SATURDAY.

"Sundays are a first-rate sample time, but it is also one of the busiest days at Costco in general because many consumers do their weekly purchases in the afternoon and can have their whole family With them if they came directly from the church, "said Ramhold. "While Saturdays and Sundays are likely to have the largest selection of samples, and especially in the afternoon, if you have a personal bubble, you probably want to avoid looking for these treats on Sunday."

She adds that in addition to having fewer people at comparable times on Saturday, other days of the week can be an even better option if you are looking to avoid lines. "You can also try to shop on Monday and Tuesdays if you want to have samples with fewer hassles, but the problem is that there will not be as many samples available to try," she said. "So you can end up having to weigh your options on the number of people you want to be around and the number of products you want to try, then plan accordingly."

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Some people live for savory snacks. Others have an insatiable sweet tooth. And since Costco is not afraid to put some of the most tempting products so that customers can try, Ramhold says that you can expect a little more competition and wait longer for some of the most popular articles.

"It is probably not a surprise that desserts get a lot of prints in the crowd, but in particular, cheese and chocolate seem to be the samples on which buyers make bananas," she shares. "This may mean that you have larger crowds to get through your own sample, or may you have to wait for new ones to be turned on depending on the occupation of the sampler and what type of product it 'act. "

However, this is where patience can bear fruit. "If it is a brownie, they cook fresh, prepare to wait a little. If it is a new cheese or a cold dessert, you may have to wait for them to cut more and Turn them off, "explains Ramhold. "Depending on how your local club is crowded, you may be able to say the best samples only depending on the size of the crowd around them. Then you have to decide whether the tuxedo mousse sample chocolate is worth waiting and fighting the other buyers - and in my opinion, it is SO worth it." AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

It makes sense that someone who is stopped in his footsteps by a delicious sample will probably put this article in his basket. After all, the free sampling point is to attract new customers. And according to the data, it is probably even more effective that most could imagine it.

"When we compare it to other store supports, the demonstration of the highest life products", " Giovanni Demeo , a framework for the demonstration services of the club of the marketing company which coordinates and manages the samples, said Atlantic . According to sales data, a beer tasting resulted in a 71% increase in product sales, while a frozen pizza brand jumped 600% after customers were able to try it in store.

According Pam Danziger , market researcher and founder of Marketing Unit , in -depth research has revealed that the growing interaction time spent in the store will result in an increase in sales - something that the warehouse retailer will make.

"The magic interaction to engage is delivered through their rotating configurations of sampling locations," she said Better life . "Ms. Fields has built an empire on sampling alone, and that's what Costco repeats in stores. Who does not stop to take a bite, which inevitably leads to a purchase? And interact with the friendly person Behind the counter which can speak what is offered makes it even more effective. "

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Even if each location of the warehouse wholesaler can feel physically large in itself, Costco is a massive company in the whole of any measure. The retailer employs around 203,000 full -time and part -time workers In its 584 locations in the United States in 2022. However, the person who cuts your pepperoni sample slice is probably not included in this number.

"They do not work technically for Costco, which means that they will not familiarize themselves where the articles are," explains Ramhold. "Do not expect to ask someone to distribute free ice cream where the pasta is: most of the time, their goal is on the product it sells and where it is located, and that's it."

Of course, this means that you have to direct your requests elsewhere. "If you have trouble finding another product, plan to ask customer service or a bakery department or behind the meat counter," she suggests. "These are Costco employees and can know where you are directing, but you will probably have more luck by asking for help from customer service, or even a cashier."

Giving something for free is an easy way to make the passage more difficult. And even if you get it out of your planned purchases at Costco, samples can be a great way to find a new favorite with zero risk. But while many articles that go to the samples of the warehouse retailer can be downright fantastic, you should not expect a 100%success rate.

"Costco sells a ton of different items, which means that all free samples will not be a tasty adventure," explains Ramhold. "Sometimes you are going to have the opportunity to try things like flavored water without sugar with a terrible aftertaste, a new plant-based milk that can be good or not, or even a protein shake that swears that 'He has a taste like a chocolate milk-shake when he Really doesn't. Although these products are not bad in themselves, they are not the same as a delicious chocolate pancake or a refreshing juice sample. ""