Costco Free Samples The Return Of The Iconic In-Store Experience After Pandemic Hiatus

Oct. 18, 2025, 8:20 p.m.

Tags: costco

Costco's free sample program has long been a cornerstone of the shopping experience, drawing members to stores not just for bulk purchases but for the opportunity to try products before committing to them. After a pandemic-related suspension that began in March 2020, the wholesale giant announced the return of its legendary sampling program in 2021. This article examines the details of the program's comeback, the safety protocols implemented, customer etiquette expectations, and other aspects of Costco's free sample tradition based on information from multiple sources.

The Return of Free Samples

In May 2021, Costco announced during an investor call that free sampling would be returning to stores the following month. The return was implemented in phases across Costco's approximately 550 locations nationwide. According to Costco's chief financial officer and executive vice president Richard Galanti, 170 stores would carry free samples during the first week of June, with the remaining stores joining by the end of the month. This gradual rollout allowed the company to monitor and adjust the program as it resumed.

The suspension of sampling had begun in March 2020, as Costco and many other businesses implemented COVID-19 precautions. Prior to this suspension, the free sample program had been a distinctive feature of Costco's shopping experience since the 1980s. The program was designed to allow customers to try products before purchasing them in bulk quantities, but it had evolved into such an integral part of the Costco experience that shoppers jokingly referred to visiting the store as "going for lunch."

The return of samples was significant enough to be reported by major news outlets, indicating how central the program has become to Costco's brand identity. The announcement generated interest and excitement among Costco members who had missed this unique aspect of the shopping experience during the pandemic.

COVID-19 Safety Protocols

When free samples returned in June 2021, they did so with enhanced safety protocols designed to protect both customers and employees. Galanti outlined several measures that would be implemented across all stores:

Samples would be prepared behind plexiglass barriers to minimize direct contact
Products would be prepared in smaller batches for better safety control
Samples would be distributed to members one at a time rather than in self-service format

These measures represented a significant departure from the traditional sampling approach, where customers typically approached a station and helped themselves to samples. The new system required more staff involvement but provided greater assurance of safety during the ongoing pandemic.

The implementation of these protocols followed earlier modifications to Costco's sampling program. In June 2020, the company had brought back limited samples, but these were restricted to prepackaged items kept behind plexiglass shields. This earlier return had been more limited in scope and product variety compared to the full program that resumed in 2021.

Alongside the return of samples, Costco also announced the reinstatement of food court seating at half capacity. Tables would be spaced for social distancing, with each table accommodating a maximum of four people. This complemented the food court's May 2020 reopening, which had featured a limited menu and take-out options only.

By June 2021, Costco had also updated its mask policy in accordance with CDC guidelines. Fully vaccinated shoppers were no longer required to wear masks indoors, though policies may have varied by location based on local regulations.

Sample Etiquette

While the return of samples was welcomed by many Costco shoppers, sample distributors had expressed some concerns about customer behavior. According to reports from Costco sample workers and discussions on Reddit, certain behaviors at sample stations could create challenges or safety concerns.

One common issue was customers congregating at sample stations before samples were ready. Sample distributors noted that this practice congested aisles and created stress for staff members. Instead of waiting, shoppers were advised to continue shopping and return to the sample station once food was available.

Another significant concern was customers reaching behind sneeze guards or sample barriers. This behavior not only violated safety protocols but could compromise the integrity of the samples for other customers. Sample workers emphasized the importance of respecting these barriers, particularly during the pandemic when additional precautions were in place.

Additional etiquette guidelines emerged from discussions with sample distributors:

It is acceptable to return for seconds, meaning customers could take multiple samples of the same product
However, trying to take all available samples or taking excessive quantities when many people were waiting was discouraged
Sample workers appreciated polite behavior and understanding that they were following company policies

These etiquette concerns were highlighted on Reddit's r/Costco subreddit, where sample workers shared their experiences and frustrations. The post gained significant attention, with other sample workers and customers weighing in on appropriate behavior at sample stations.

Sample Schedule

Determining when to find samples at Costco has never been straightforward, as the company does not publicize specific sample schedules. However, information from Costco employees and customer experiences has provided some general guidelines.

According to Costco employees, sample times typically vary by location but generally fall within a consistent window. Most stores begin offering samples at either 11:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m., with sampling concluding between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. This schedule aligns with peak shopping hours and lunchtime, when samples are likely to be most popular.

Some shoppers reported success visiting stores at the tail end of the sampling window. If sample distributors have leftover product, they may be willing to offer it to customers rather than discard it. However, this approach was not guaranteed, as some stores might simply discard remaining samples.

Compared to Sam's Club (Costco's main competitor), Costco's sampling program appeared to offer more consistent availability throughout the week. In contrast, Sam's Club samples were reportedly more plentiful on weekends, with sample carts staying open later on those days. Weekday shoppers at Sam's Club often found a more limited selection of samples.

The unpredictability of sample schedules has become part of the Costco shopping experience, with some shoppers making it a game to try to sample as many products as possible during their visit. This aspect of the program likely contributes to its appeal, as it adds an element of discovery to the shopping routine.

The New Children's Rule

As part of the resumption of sampling in 2021, Costco introduced a new rule requiring children to be accompanied by an adult when receiving samples. This change was implemented for safety reasons and to reduce the company's liability.

The rule was necessitated by several factors. Samples are not always labeled with every potential allergen, creating a risk for children with food sensitivities. By requiring adult supervision, Costco aimed to ensure that parents could monitor what their children were consuming and prevent them from eating or drinking anything that might cause an adverse reaction.

Additionally, the rule addressed concerns about children handling samples inappropriately or creating messes at sample stations. Adult supervision helped maintain a more orderly and sanitary sampling environment.

Defining "children" proved to be somewhat controversial, as Costco established the age limit at under 18. This definition raised questions about whether older teenagers truly needed supervision to receive a sample, particularly when considering that 17-year-olds can legally enlist in the U.S. military but cannot receive a Costco sample without parental oversight.

The implementation of the rule also raised practical questions about age verification. For young adults who appeared to be under 18 but were actually 18 or older, the requirement to show identification each time they wanted a sample could create delays and inconvenience at sample stations.

Despite these concerns, most Costco members accepted the new rule and understood the safety rationale behind it. The change reflected Costco's ongoing commitment to balancing customer experience with safety considerations, particularly in the context of the pandemic.

Sample Sources

An interesting aspect of Costco's free sample program is that the samples are not provided by Costco itself but by vendors promoting their products. This arrangement has been in place since the program's inception in the 1980s and continues to be the model today.

Vendor-provided samples serve as a form of product promotion, allowing companies to introduce their offerings to Costco's large customer base. For vendors, the sampling program represents an opportunity to generate interest and potentially increase sales of their products within Costco stores. For Costco, the program enhances the shopping experience and provides additional value to members.

The vendor model also means that the specific products available as samples can vary significantly from day to day and location to location. While Costco may have some general guidelines about the types of products that are appropriate for sampling, the actual offerings depend on which vendors are actively promoting their products at a given time.

This vendor-focused approach may also explain some of the variability in sample quality and quantity. Vendors determine how much product to allocate for sampling and how to prepare it, which can result in differences in the sampling experience across different stores and days.

Comparison with Sam's Club

While both Costco and Sam's Club offer sampling programs, there are notable differences between the two approaches. Sam's Club, Costco's main competitor, has developed its own sampling traditions that differ in several ways from Costco's program.

One significant difference is that Sam's Club sometimes provides samples of alcoholic beverages, with customers required to show identification. This practice has been noted by customers in 2023, though reports indicate that some Sam's Club locations had been offering alcohol samples for years. In contrast, Costco does not provide alcohol samples, likely due to the complex legalities of distributing alcohol samples, which vary by state and are separate from the legalities of selling alcohol.

Another difference is in the scheduling of samples. While Costco appears to offer samples consistently throughout the week, Sam's Club samples are reportedly more abundant on weekends. Weekend shoppers at Sam's Club also noted that sample carts tended to stay open later, providing more opportunities to try products.

Despite these differences, both programs share the fundamental goal of allowing customers to try products before purchasing them in bulk. Both have also adapted their approaches during the pandemic, implementing safety measures to protect customers and employees.

Conclusion

Costco's free sample program represents a unique and valuable aspect of the shopping experience that has evolved significantly since its introduction in the 1980s. After a pandemic-related suspension, the program returned in 2021 with enhanced safety protocols, including plexiglass barriers, smaller batches, and one-at-a-time distribution.

The program's return was implemented gradually across Costco's locations, with 170 stores offering samples in the first week of June and the remainder joining by the end of the month. Alongside samples, Costco also reinstated food court seating at half capacity with social distancing measures.

Customer behavior at sample stations has been a continuing point of emphasis, with sample distributors encouraging shoppers not to congregate before samples are ready and to respect barriers and sneeze guards. The program operates within a generally consistent time frame, typically from mid-morning to late afternoon, though specific schedules vary by location.

A notable change in 2021 was the introduction of a rule requiring children to be accompanied by adults when receiving samples, implemented for safety reasons and to reduce liability. While most customers accepted this change, questions arose about the definition of "children" (under 18) and how age verification would be handled for young adults.

Unlike some might assume, Costco's samples are provided by vendors promoting their products rather than by Costco itself. This arrangement has been in place since the program's inception and continues to shape the sampling experience.

Compared to Sam's Club, Costco's sampling program offers more consistent availability throughout the week, though Sam's Club distinguishes itself by sometimes offering alcohol samples (with ID). Both programs, however, share the fundamental goal of enhancing the shopping experience by allowing customers to try products before committing to bulk purchases.

As Costco continues to adapt its sampling program in response to changing circumstances and customer expectations, the free sample tradition remains a distinctive and beloved element of the wholesale shopping experience.