Most people assume that because I work in Costco I work for Costco. This is simply not true. I work for WDS. Warehouse Demonstrator Services. This is a little known company that is actually contracted by Costco and others to sell products exclusively to Costco members. Think... Shamwow with a red apron and hairnet. Unless of course your in Japan where the aprons are blue. It is my job to "demonstrate" to you, the member, some exciting ways you can use the items on sale at Costco. This means everything from candy, pizza, and popcorn chicken to French imported cheese and paper towels. And while I am demoing there are some key things I must be doing to insure that every member gets the same great sampling experience.
First, the aforementioned uniform: white or black collared shirt, black pants, non-skid shoes, red apron, hairnet and gloves, and if I so chose a jaunty red baseball cap. Absolutely NO piercings in, tattoos showing, and nail polish.
Secondly I need to be talking ALL THE TIME. By all the time I mean, if I am not talking then they will hire someone else who will. This is the most important part of the job because if I am not talking I am not selling. And if I am not selling what is the point, right?
Lastly, I am not allowed to be rude to the members. You see, this is the part I am having the most difficulty with as of late. It seems that even though free samples have been in Costco for over 20 years, no one knows the basics of Costco sampling etiquette. Members are just running willy-nilly around Costco stuffing their gullets with as many samples as they can hold and contaminating the rest. There is reason we are serving things in individual paper baking cups with a spork, and its not because it is the best way to eat ravioli. The time has come for education. The world may be going to hell, but by God people are going to learn how to sample properly. There is nothing more frustrating than having to throw away a tray of tri-tip because some dumbass *cough* I mean member decided to smell them all.
On this note I will bid you ado. But stay tuned and Happy Sampling.
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