Organized Money Costco's Private Equity Headache
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Jul 22, 2025 Steve Hunt, a Costco customer service worker and former Oklahoma City mayoral candidate, uncovers how private equity takeovers are impacting product quality and customer service at Costco. He shares his firsthand experiences navigating the corporate landscape, revealing how cost-cutting measures by private equity firms are eroding trust and enjoyment for customers. The conversation delves into the broader implications of these practices, highlighting the contrast between Costco's reputation and the reality of vendor relationships, ultimately calling for greater corporate accountability.
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Feevo Ticketing Frustrations
- Feevo, a Costco ticket vendor, makes redeeming discounted tickets extremely difficult for customers.
- Staff shortages and complicated processes frustrate especially elderly customers seeking sports or event tickets.
Shutterfly Print Service Problems
- Shutterfly, used for Costco photo printing, poses issues when orders go wrong with little recourse.
- Costco's liberal return policy makes them susceptible to vendor exploitation through faulty orders.
Kirkland Outsourcing Secrets
- Kirkland brand outsources production, hiding vendor identities, making quality control challenging.
- COVID worsened private equity's exploitation of Costco's trust and service quality deterioration.