Navigating Costco with Personality

A trip to Costco is not for the faint of heart. It’s a test of endurance, patience, and willpower; especially when you spot that 27 lb bucket of mac and cheese that has a 20-year shelf life. No one escapes unscathed, or under budget, but knowing your personality, can help turn an overwhelming challenge into a great experience.

For Authentic Blues, Costco is an experience. They appreciate the community vibe; the bustling energy, the families shopping together, the way people bond over bulk savings. They’re here for the essentials, yes, but also for the joy of discovery. Free samples? Of course! And they’ll make conversation with the sample person, genuinely interested in how their day is going.

They may have a list, but they’re also open to inspiration. That 20-litre tub of organic soup? Looks nourishing. The jumbo pack of greeting cards? Perfect for staying in touch with loved ones. The sheer scale of Costco can be overwhelming, but they take it in stride, soaking in the sensory experience. At checkout, Authentic Blues brace themselves for the total, knowing that great experiences come with a price. As for that $1.50 hot dog on the way out, it’s an important part of the experience. It’s the perfect opportunity to practice some self-care and regroup after an overwhelming, but satisfying experience.

Inquiring Greens use a trip to Costco to hone their tactical skills. Before setting foot in the store, they’ve done the math, and know the unit price of everything and whether the bulk size is truly a good deal. They’ve also mentally mapped the best route through the store based on their previous trips, and that one strange Reddit thread. They don’t mind Costco; there is a logic to it after all, but they do mind when their best laid plans have a wrench thrown into the works. Why does Costco keep moving everything? Is this a psychological trick? Probably. But they respect it, even if they don’t like it.

They move through the aisles with purpose, taking it all in. Every now and then something new and appears, and gets them thinking about possibilities and how to overcome challenges that come with them; like “how do I get that 12’ trampoline in my backyard?” Free samples? Absolutely; the challenge is getting to them before they run out, while you’re still 12 carts away. At checkout, Inquiring Greens know their total before it’s scanned. They tap their card with precision and efficiency. But before leaving, they have to get a $1.50 hot dog so they can finally figure out why Costco has never raised the price, and how can something this cheap be that good?

Organized Golds are strategic shoppers, they don’t just drop by Costco on a whim, they have a plan. They’ve got a list, and they’re (mostly) sticking to it; sometimes even the most disciplined Organized Gold will give into the temptation of an impulse buy. Before they even leave the house, they’ve checked the Costco website, done an inventory of their essentials, and maybe even timed their visit to avoid peak hours. They grab a cart and immediately feel a mix of frustration and validation upon seeing other people wandering aimlessly. “Amateurs,” they mutter under their breath while pushing ahead.

Their route through the store is efficient; dry goods, motor oil, produce, dairy, then checkout. But when they notice that the paper towel pallet has moved, for a brief moment their world is thrown into chaos. They recalibrate, adjust course, and power through. Free samples? Part of the plan, even if it adds more time to the trip. Bulk purchase justification? Easy. “We will use 50 lbs of rice; you can’t beat the price!” The checkout line is a mild inconvenience, but at least they have their membership card ready. No fumbling, no delays, and their receipt is ready for checking on the way out. As for that $1.50 hot dog? Of course, they have to get one, it’s tradition!

Resourceful Oranges love a good adventure; is there any better way to describe a trip to Costco? They don’t usually have a list, but they have a cart and an open mind. Costco is a playground, and Resourceful Oranges are here to enjoy the ride. Free samples? Absolutely, and that’s lunch covered too! They take the scenic route through the store, turning it into a treasure hunt like no other. One minute, they’re looking at TVs, the next, they’re trying to justify a kayak purchase even though they live in an apartment, and kayaks are only sold in 3-packs.

Their cart fills up with a mix of essentials and things they never intended to buy, but will definitely use in the future. Do they need a 64-pack of toothbrushes? Maybe. But they definitely need that gigantic tub of cheese puffs. At checkout, they’re only slightly surprised by the total, but know that it’s not money wasted, in fact they’ve saved money by buying in bulk. On the way out, there’s enough room in the budget for a $1.50 hot dog and drink. After all, it’s important to refuel after an adventure!

The area of the store the really sets the Introverts and Extraverts apart is the checkout line. For Extraverts, it’s an opportunity to chat with the cashier, joke about the total, and maybe even bond with fellow shoppers over their shared struggle of fitting everything into their trunk. For Introverts, it’s the final level to pass before they’re home free. Let’s face it, as great as Costco is, it’s busy, it can get pretty loud at times, and you can’t avoid interacting with others, especially if you want those free samples; overall pretty draining for Introverts. But sometimes they get lucky, and the store they’re in a has a self-checkout.

In the end, no matter your personality type, there’s one thing you can count on: you came in for a few essentials, and you left with a cart full of surprises. It’s literally impossible to go to Costco, and leave without spending at least a few hundred dollars, no matter how well-intentioned or disciplined you are.