Costco implements strict policy for free samples | Official Website of Louis Velazquez, entrepreneur, finance guy and tech innovator

There are lots of things to love about shopping at Costco – almost too many to count.

For one thing, it’s fun to discover just how many food products are available in supersized form.

Thought you couldn’t buy 57 servings of chia seeds at once? Wrong. Costco’s got you covered.

It’s also enjoyable to visit Costco when you’re not in a rush so you can roam the aisles in search of some of the new products the company is famous for.

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Shopping at Costco is often compared to going on a treasure hunt because you never quite know what you’re going to find. You may discover a stuffed animal the size of your car, or a handy new kitchen tool that’s been missing from your food prep routine.

And given that Costco is known for its fantastic prices, chances are, some of the new products you discover will actually fit into your budget as a bonus.

Costco implements strict policy for free samples.

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Costco’s free samples are a big draw

Another awesome part of the Costco shopping experience is getting to sample different food and drink items while you’re doing your shopping.

Of course, to really take advantage of Costco’s free samples, it helps to go to the store at the right time.

If you show up too early, the free samples may not be out yet. If you get to the store too late, they may all be gone.

Many people find that the sweet spot for free samples is the late morning through mid-afternoon. If you get your timing right, you can easily eat the equivalent of an entire meal in the course of walking through the store.

And while those free samples might lead to a few impulse purchases here and there, at least you know you’re buying a product you’ve tasted and actually enjoyed.

Costco implements strict rules for free samples

One lesser-known rule about Costco’s free samples is that you’re allowed to try an item you like more than once.

Of course, the courteous thing to do is to take one sample at a time when there’s a line or a limited quantity. But usually, if you like something so much to the point where you want a second taste, you generally won’t get pushback if you ask politely.

But while Costco doesn’t necessarily limit the number of free samples you can have, it does have one very strict rule in the context of giving out free food.

Costco will not give samples to children without an adult present – period. And the logic there makes sense.

You never know when a child might be allergic to a specific product or ingredient, so it’s a chance Costco can’t afford to take.

As a general rule, if a child requests a free sample while their parent is all the way down the aisle putting something in their cart, the child will be told they need to bring an adult over to confirm that they’re okay to have a taste.

Some shoppers might find this rule inconvenient, but it’s both smart and responsible on Costco’s part.

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That said, if you’re someone who’s embarrassed to ask for a second free sample and want to get around that by sending your child over to fetch one for you, you should know that this tactic won’t work. You’re better off walking over yourself and asking nicely.

Maurie Backman owns shares of Costco.