Can the Golden Age of Costco Last?

Parking and checkout is a mess because so many people know it's where they can find good deals. Now that ours has self-checkout lines too it's a lot more convenient for getting just a few items. I only go occasionally, for specific items that I know have good quality for the price, like the rotisserie chicken or the ice cream. The five-pound bags of name-brand Halloween chocolates were 26.3 cents a pound; none of the other local stores could come close to that. My biggest complaint is that I'll stumble on a great product but when I go back a month later for more it's no longer available.

I've given up on Costco.

Most meats are now more expensive there - in bulk! - than at the local grocery, of similar quality. It used to be you could buy at Costco without price shopping and assume you'd get a premium product at a low price. Now I can get a better deal at the local supermarkets, or Sam's Club, which now beats Costco on price in my market every time.

Speaking of Sam's Club, the combination of their curbside pickup and "scan and go" make every visit a breeze. Costco has the most chaotic parking lot, crossed with the most chaotic checkout lines in the industry. It used to be that you could wave away the inconveniences of shopping at Costco because, as above, they used to have premium products at good prices. Now that those are largely gone, going just doesn't make sense at all.

I drive electric, so I have no use for their gas.

Their tires are no longer competitive with Tirerack.

Their toilet paper used to be great and now is kind of bad. Same with the paper towels.

Costco in my state does not carry liquor.

They've become a premium-priced brand without improving their products or experience, and the value isn't there for a membership any more. My local supermarket is generally known for being a fair employer, so Costco doesn't even have that going for them. I'm surprised given former positive feelings how much I've resented going there the last several times.