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Costco in Chantilly

NightmareSHANIQUA

Regular Member
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Sep 5, 2009
Messages
227
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Haymarket/Gainesville/Arlington/GMU , Virginia, US
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Hey guys,

Since my little event down in Williamsburg I have calmed down considerably. However, I was on my way to go and shoot today, and my dad and I stopped by Costco in Chantilly to grab a hotdog real quick. Well I was waiting up in line for my chicken bake to be done when the front end manager comes over and asks me if I am LEO. (Boy doesnt this question get old) I politely informed him I was only a citizen exercising my right to carry. He told me that only LEO was allowed to carry in Costco because it is a private member club (exact words). He said he would escort me to the door. I told him I was only waiting for my chicken bake and I would gladly be on my way. He then told me he would get it for me and bring it to the exit.

Now on the way to the exit, I told him I have carried numerous times in the Manassas Costco and never had an issue, and he said a different GM might have a different policy and then, with my BS meter raging, said there is a corporate policy that each store has its own discretion.

Now, the manager that interacted with me was very polite, and said he only did it because several customers were uncomfortable with my firearm. He told me a little quieter CC is a different story and gave a little wink.

So my question is, do you think this should be followed up with at a level higher than the store? Id kinda like to get some clarification as to what their EXACT policy is to firearms. We did the same thing with Wal Mart and that has helped members immensely. And if I do need to go higher than the store, how should I go about, meaning email or written letter? I would like to find out what the local policy is and compare that to and have evidence of it if I need to go to corporate obviously, but is there anything else other than citing my several carries through another store and our member accounts?

Any help would be grand.
 

Citizen

Founder's Club Member
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Nov 15, 2006
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18,269
Location
Fairfax Co., VA
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I vaguely recallthat we've already verified that Costco has a policy against weapons.

You could try the forum search tool.
 

NightmareSHANIQUA

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Sep 5, 2009
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Haymarket/Gainesville/Arlington/GMU , Virginia, US
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Citizen wrote:
I vaguely recallthat we've already verified that Costco has a policy against weapons.

You could try the forum search tool.
Since I searched and found nothing I can assume you can point me to appropriate thread? I merely reported what happened and asked for help. With several non encounters in another store it would seem logical to carry in other stores with few exceptions, correct? I respect you an awful lot, but that was a little brash and not very positive. I kindly ask for your help, if you have nothing more to offer than a comment with no help, I really could go without it...
 

Citizen

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Joined
Nov 15, 2006
Messages
18,269
Location
Fairfax Co., VA
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NightmareSHANIQUA wrote:
Citizen wrote:
I vaguely recallthat we've already verified that Costco has a policy against weapons.

You could try the forum search tool.
Since I searched and found nothing I can assume you can point me to appropriate thread? I merely reported what happened and asked for help. With several non encounters in another store it would seem logical to carry in other stores with few exceptions, correct? I respect you an awful lot, but that was a little brash and not very positive. I kindly ask for your help, if you have nothing more to offer than a comment with no help, I really could go without it...
(yawn)

No disrespect intended.

Your final sentence in the OP is: "Any help would be grand." (emphasis added)

I suggested the forum search tool based on a vague recollection. Prior to my suggestion, you had not indicated having already used the forum search tool.

The word "Costco" in the forum search tool brings up 18 pages ofposts going back to May 2006, which is a little surprising to me because I thought we had lost a bunch of data after one crash andone move. In fact, I know we lost data--I guess thedistinction was notadate cutoff, but some other factor.

At any rate,with18 pages of poststhere should be plenty of threads to glance at.
 

bohdi

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2007
Messages
1,753
Location
Centreville, Virginia, USA
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Costco DOES have a no guns policy. I do have a letter from that particular store manager stating as much. I have been asked to leave with a full cart o stuff. It has been posted on this site a few times. Costco is anti-gun as a general rule. Your milage may vary depending on the location/manager. Chantilly is anti-gun, and the experience reported is similar to the one I reported previously. I don't hold it against them really, but I don't like it.

I haven't CC'd there, because well, it's really against the spirit of being honest. I have semi OC'd there with the lower assembly of my glock in my holster, with the upper conveinently placed in a pocket, and the magazine in another, but.....that's legal and not against their policy.
 

ed

Founder's Club Member - Moderator
Joined
Mar 8, 2008
Messages
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Location
Loudoun County - Dulles Airport, Virginia, USA
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I OC at "my" costco in Sterling. Never been asked anything. I have pretty short hair and am clean shaven and don't really do the "ratty jeans and T-shirt" look, so maybe they just choose to leave me alone.
 

TFred

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Joined
Oct 13, 2008
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7,750
Location
Most historic town in, Virginia, USA
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NightmareSHANIQUA wrote:
He told me a little quieter CC is a different story and gave a little wink.
It always gets me to hear reactions like this. How does the manager know you have a permit? (They don't!) For all the manager knows, he or she is suggesting that you break the law!

TFred
 

NightmareSHANIQUA

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Sep 5, 2009
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Haymarket/Gainesville/Arlington/GMU , Virginia, US
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TFred wrote:
NightmareSHANIQUA wrote:
He told me a little quieter CC is a different story and gave a little wink.
It always gets me to hear reactions like this. How does the manager know you have a permit? (They don't!) For all the manager knows, he or she is suggesting that you break the law!

TFred
He honestly seemed familiar with CC but not entirely with OC.
 

SouthernBoy

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May 12, 2007
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Western Prince William County, Virginia, USA
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I have OC'd many times in the Costco in Manassas without a hitch. After having read some of the negative reports a while back, when I go there, I half expect one of the people to ask me to leave... but it has not happened yet. I, too, dress appropriately which for me means jeans and a rugby hanging out and jacket in this weather.

If I were treated in the same fashion as Nightmare was in the Chantilly Costoc, I would most likely take the hint received from the manager and go out to my car, cover my gun, then go right back in to finish getting my stuff. It sounds as though they won't say something to you unless other customers make comments, so it would seem to be a loosely adhered to policy. And the "hint" from the manager would seem to suggest that he personally has no problem with customers being armed. The stores I will avoid when possible are those where they allow or support no leeway at all.

I understand the spirit of wanting to OC to spread the word but for me, there are still times when I will CC in order to get something I want. I view it as better to do that than to go unarmed.
 

jadedone4

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Jul 8, 2009
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... this is strange, I have OC'd at Costco in Fairfax and Chantilly - all without any issue. Generally, I shop at the Fairfax store, it is closer; and use Chantilly when picking up items after shooting at BRA.

I tend to dress in khaki's, jeans, and polo-styled shirts, and have never had an issue; I also do speak to the Costco folks by name (they wear tags) and make eye contact and short conversation. Even had one the techie-kids helping me with a flat-screen purchase a few months back, then went to the manager's booth and spoke with a manager (female) about the service (good) and the SIG was on strong-side in Galco holster and extra-mags on weak-side; not a word stated about the firearm, just a "thanks" for acknowledging the staff and how folks just complain, etc, blah, blah, etc....

I am supposed to be making a Costco run for the house today (operative word being "supposed;" as it is colder then a witches... outside); I'll post up on what happens while shopping - BTW do they make any colorful warmers (i.e. 80's leg-warmers) for SIG's...? seems a shame to have firearm out and exposed in this kind of harsh weather.... (smile) - maybe a few rounds downrange at BRA first will properly warm it up....
 

45acpForMe

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Nov 21, 2008
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Location
Yorktown, Virginia, USA
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jadedone4 wrote:
... BTW do they make any colorful warmers (i.e. 80's leg-warmers) for SIG's...? seems a shame to have firearm out and exposed in this kind of harsh weather.... (smile) - maybe a few rounds downrange at BRA first will properly warm it up....
A nice leather holster helps block the wind and keep it warm. I would LMAO off if I saw a SIG in a bright colored leg-warmer! I guess you could shop at Toys-R-Us for some barbie/ken clothes for it too. :p

I had read several threads long ago about Costco being anti-OC. I had OC-ed at ours here in Newport News without incident before reading the threads though. Many respect their wishes and joines Sams or BJ's which both allow a citizen to exercise their rights properly. I have considered switching but have been a member for over 20 years.
 

user

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Since you're obviously a member, take a look at the membership agreement and see what it says. That's your contract with Costco, and if they've violated that agreement by a failure to disclose material terms and conditions, that's a violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act, Va. Code sec. 59.1-200, for which 59.1.204 says you get five hundred dollars, minimum, as well as costs, interest, and attorneys' fees.
 

NightmareSHANIQUA

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Sep 5, 2009
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Haymarket/Gainesville/Arlington/GMU , Virginia, US
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user wrote:
Since you're obviously a member, take a look at the membership agreement and see what it says. That's your contract with Costco, and if they've violated that agreement by a failure to disclose material terms and conditions, that's a violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act, Va. Code sec. 59.1-200, for which 59.1.204 says you get five hundred dollars, minimum, as well as costs, interest, and attorneys' fees.
Well, technically Im not a member, but dad and I were there together, he is the member. So Ill try to get a copy of that and go from there. Thanks for the heads up.
 

9MM Owner

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Jul 20, 2009
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Winchester, Virginia, USA
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ed wrote:
http://content.costco.com/Images/Content/Misc/PDF/09EX0308_ServiceDirectory.pdf

(all the "fine print" on the last page or so. Nothing about firearms that I saw except:)

[align=left]we reserve the right to inspect backpack, briefcase, etc., upon entering or leaving the[/align]
warehouse

Well that would be a shoplifting issue and being that they (COSTCO) usually check everyones' purchases when leaving the store, I'd be surprised if they didn't check all backpacks,briefcases and etc. when leaving. Being that they also check them when entering may be to make sure of what items a customer brings into the store and that they are in the customer's backpack, briefcase or whatever he/she was carrying when entering. If it was to search (wheather legal or illegal) for weapons, in which I don't think is the case, they would just install metal detectors at all enterances and exits.

But I've never noticed (or paid attention for) any "NO GUNS" signs posted. If COSTCO is a "NO GUNS" club/store and not it's not posted at the front doors and we're supposed to rely on the pamphlet/membership agreement, can we just read into it as we see fit?
 

NightmareSHANIQUA

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2009
Messages
227
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Haymarket/Gainesville/Arlington/GMU , Virginia, US
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9MM Owner wrote:
ed wrote:
http://content.costco.com/Images/Content/Misc/PDF/09EX0308_ServiceDirectory.pdf

(all the "fine print" on the last page or so. Nothing about firearms that I saw except:)

[align=left]we reserve the right to inspect backpack, briefcase, etc., upon entering or leaving the[/align]
warehouse


But I've never noticed (or paid attention for) any "NO GUNS" signs posted. If COSTCO is a "NO GUNS" club/store and not it's not posted at the front doors and we're supposed to rely on the pamphlet/membership agreement, can we just read into it as we see fit?
Thing is, it says nothing about firearms for MEMBERS or guests. So despite them having a corporate policy, why wouldnt that be included in the pamphlet or at the doors?

User can you weigh in on this? Something doesnt feel right about having a policy that no one knows about until its presented when youre escorted out.
 
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