By Valerie Leung and Nono Shen
Costco’s Richmond location won’t accept returns on some of the items, such as toilet paper and Lysol products, that people have been hoarding in the past weeks.
A note appeared on the whiteboard of Richmond’s Costco warning customers that they wouldn’t accept returns on paper towels, toilet paper, rice, water, sanitizing wipes and Lysol products.
Meanwhile, Costco is also placing restrictions on the number of customers allowed inside the store at any one time. Some shoppers may be asked to wait outside until others have left to ensure people can practise social distancing, explains the store’s president and CEO.
Staff at Costco told the Richmond News that the store can usually accommodate 300 people, but they now will only allow 30 people in at one time.
A video shared on social media earlier this week, shows a huge line-up of shoppers and their carts curving around the north end of the building and onto Beckwith Road.
Another photo, also circulating online, shows two signs posted at Costco’s entrance: one lists out-of-stock items, another notes that the purchase of certain items, such as water, toilet paper, paper towel, thermometers, facial tissue, soft soap and eggs, would be limited per member.
According to a release from Craig Jelinek, president and CEO of Costco, the store has taken steps to “control the number of members in their warehouses and asked members and employees to practice social distancing.
“Limits have been implemented on certain items to help ensure more members are able to access the merchandise they want and need. Our buyers and suppliers are working to ensure in-demand merchandise, as well as everyday favourites, are available in our warehouses,”states the release.
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