When a video showing off a sparkling Costco employee break room made its way to TikTok, it looked like the warehouse chain was treating its staff to something special.
With sleek refrigerators, a clean drink station, and baskets brimming with fruit, viewers were quick to label it “employee goals.” But not everyone was impressed.
What seemed like a dreamy perk turned into a heated debate—because as it turns out, most of those “benefits” come with a price tag.
TikTok Glimpse Shows Off “Fresh Fruit Friday” Perk
The video that caused all the buzz showed off what Costco calls “Fresh Fruit Friday.”
In the clip, viewers saw six big baskets filled with fresh fruit, modern refrigerators and freezers, and a nicely stocked drink setup.
It looked like a pretty great break room by any standard.
In no time, the post racked up nearly 5 million views, and the comments started flooding in.
Some were genuinely impressed, calling the setup “amazing.” But others weren’t buying it.
Workers Say: It Looks Nice, But It’s Not Free
That’s where the catch came in. According to actual employees, the fruit and drinks in that clean break room aren’t free.
One viewer bluntly commented, “This is honestly disappointing that it’s not free for the employees—I’m sure you can afford it, Costco.”
Another person added, “At least the water is free, but when’s the last time those filters were changed?”
Other Costco workers chimed in to say the video gave a false impression.
One commenter, claiming to be a current employee, said: “We don’t get that fresh fruit, but everything else is accurate.
You have to pay for anything you want—none of it is free.”
Not All Break Rooms Look Like That One
As more employees reacted to the viral video, it became clear that this setup is far from the norm.
Some said their own break rooms looked nothing like what was shown online.
One person wrote, “My break room is far from this.
They should’ve filmed the inside of the employee fridge too—that would’ve been more accurate.”
A former staffer, who said they worked for Costco for a decade, was even more direct: “We never had that.
Maybe a couple of vending machines and stale muffins—and we had to pay for those too.”
Frustration Grows Over Workload and Policy Changes
This video went viral at a time when Costco workers are already voicing a lot of concerns.
Just days earlier, an employee spoke out about a new policy that lets Executive members shop an hour earlier than others—adding pressure to workers already struggling to keep up.
It’s part of a broader wave of complaints about working conditions.
Workers have vented about everything from pet-carrying shoppers to kids using portable toilets in store aisles.
Customers Have Their Own Grievances, Too
It’s not just staff who have complaints.
Customers have taken to Reddit and social media to air their frustrations about how crowded and chaotic the stores can get—especially when large families shop together.
One shopper joked (with some irritation): “Your spouse and kids are one thing—but why bring pee paw, mee maw, your brother, your cousin, your second aunt twice removed, her 8 kids, and the guy you met at the ball game?”
Others have also been upset about Costco switching from Pepsi to Coca-Cola products and raising prices on some items.
And Then There’s the Free Sample Policy That Surprised Everyone
While frustrations simmer, another Costco-related tidbit has also gone viral—but this time, it’s lighthearted.
It turns out there’s no official limit to how many free samples you can take in-store.
For years, Costco has been known for its generous sample stations—offering small bites of frozen meals, cheeses, chocolates, and more.
Most shoppers assumed there was an unspoken one-per-person rule.
But nope! Technically, you can go back for seconds (or thirds)—just maybe don’t make it awkward.
The Bottom Line
Costco might have built a reputation for treating both customers and workers better than most retail giants, but recent viral posts are showing that not everything is as picture-perfect as it seems.
From misleading break room videos to rising tensions over policy changes and staffing strain, it’s clear that some cracks are showing behind the warehouse walls.
Whether it’s a clean fruit basket or a crowded aisle, Costco’s customers and employees are speaking up—and the internet is paying attention.