C Note(s)

I'd love to say I've so busy that I haven't had the opportunity to write about it, but the funny thing is ... nothing but the same old, standard digging at the warehouse has happened. Aside from the occasional verbal barb from my register to another one in earshot, nothing to write down about. #TBH it's been a daily shitshow that has a projection end date of Groundhog's Day (that means never, y'all) Being one of the more visible, accessible, and approachable supervisors of the crew, I've noticed an uptick in my involvement on the more mundane to complex issues. One day in particular, I heard a call over the radio for a supervisor to the entrance door. Upon arrival, the employees beckoned for me to the garbage cans. I peer into to find this: My immediate reaction, "We certainly don't sell that here!" with a laugh. Then I bemoaned the moment with, "Why me? Why does this craziness happen when I'm on shift?" The employee...

One of my responsibilities of a FE (Front End) Supervisors is to answer radio requests from the Membership Desk. It's usually one of three: key flick, approval, or merchandise pick-up aka MPU. It's been a week now since the Oil of Olay Incident of 2017 , happened. There was a call from the Membership Desk for a MPU. I looked around and realized I was the closest, and most available FE Supervisor, so I answered the radio request with, "Copy that, Carlos en route." It was yet another busy day at Woodinville Costco, so when I arrived at the Membership Desk it was teeming with activity. I searched around for the MPU in the area I usually find it. I spied a bottle of Oil of Olay. I furrowed my brow as this is not a typical item that requires to be locked up in the Return To Vendor (RTV) Cage - yes, we use tons of acronyms to save time communicating. So I called out to confirm, while holding up the bottle. "Is this really the MPU?" I stated loudly but ...

In the year and some change that I've been a Front End Supervisor for a Costco warehouse I understand that wearing the red vest is the first indication you are the community kicking post: FOR EVERYONE. Seriously, y'all. You get static from the members, drama from the team members that report to you, your co-supervisors providing positive and negative feedback, and of course, upper management crashing down on you for your most recent mistake(s). As I said, community kicking post - feel free to take a whack at it. So a couple of days ago I experienced the highest praise from the right person, and the most serious shade from another right person in the span of 10-minutes. I was assigned a special project by one of the Assistant Managers, which meant office time and work on the computer exclusively. Unfortunately, a "visitor" (aka high-ranking Costco Executive) stopped in unexpectedly. I was encouraged to step out of my comfort zone to speak to our next visitor abou...

One of your duties as a Costco FE Supervisor is sometimes being tasked with completing the first audit, yet not be the auditor for the entire day. It's taken a year of observations, but I finally decided that being the first auditor is like being a panda zookeeper in the video that went viral on Facebook, YouTube, and all other social media. To give you some insight, you waltz down to the Membership Desk and Refunds Area with an RF Scanner Gun in your hand. Usually it's hot garbage spilling out of the 2 racks provided to store refunds done. I was trained to move all the items over from the left to the right to begin the audit. But usually there is merchandise in both racks, mostly clothes. I kinda wanna scream Panda, Panda, Panda, like the song . And like the song, I'm not impressed with it. By the time you're sent down there, there's only an hour or so prior to the auditor to show up for the day, yet you have more than an hour's worth of work ... ...

P araskevidekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th. After a 20 plus year absence from the retail world, I've now spent the last year at Woodinville Costco. While I usually boast I'm not scared of anything, I'm developing a small case of Paraskevidekatriaphobia (And no, I can't pronounce it either) Especially if it falls on a full moon! And yes, I've already scanned ahead to find the next Friday, 13th. It'll be October 13th, 2017. Oy vey! And no, it won't be a full moon on that night, either. And yes, I checked that too! My friend, Megan Lovett , is the only other person that I know of that shares my dislike for Friday, the 13th's. Speaking of which, there was one particular Friday the 13th that will always stick with me. It happened at the Thrifty Payless Drug Inc that Megan and I worked at. She wasn't working that night with me, and I really wish she did. If only to corroborate my story! I was the closing supervisor being the younge...

It's been little over a year since I've work at a Costco warehouse, and I've compiled a few frequently asked questions that I've either been asked or asked. Q: While cashiering or assisting, I ask box or no box? A: This is a standard for Costco warehouses. Since it's mandatory to ask, and such as mundane question, I like to change it up, mix it up, every other member or so. I ask if they like boxes today, or if we're hating on them. Or I quip that "We're boxless in Seattle". The question on occasion has polarizing answers. Here's the oddest / funniest "Yes" and "No" answers I've received thus far. "Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I want a box? How am I to carry my items into my home? With my hands?" I thought, Dude, I just wanna do my job, which requires to ask this question, in the end all I wanted was a yes or no. Speaking of "No"... "No, I don't wanna box. I know what you...

This week the management of Costco Woodinville, aka 747, announced whom they selected for the Front End Supervisors. Guess who has two thumbs, wears a red vest, and is on that short list? THIS GUY! To be perfectly honest, the announcement was a grip anti-climatic, and confusing to some of the crew, as they thought I was a supervisor already. I can see where some of the confusion lies, as it's been about late-summer since I had a cashier shift. One of the comments I received while receiving a high-five / fist bump / handshake was "You deserved it, Los". I paused at the comment before saying, "Well, I don't I deserve anything but a kick in the head every once in awhile. I do believe, however, I did EARN my way to the position. Or at the very least earned my way into the conversation." Deserving something has an instant repulsion reaction with me. Deserving to me means that I was entitled to that versus earning. I'm not entitled to anything but a...

As I spy my calendar on the wall of my home-office, and hold my "turkey letter", I noticed I'm nearing my 1st anniversary at 747. My heart and face smiles, as I'm grateful for the support that got me there, as oppose to the role I was in at Costco Travel. While I do miss that side of the business, I feel (and still do) better served in front of the Costco Member and other Costco employees 24/7/365. That visibility started 11/30/15, Cyber Monday, and continues to this day. I honestly thought I would be wearing a red vest by the end of 6 months. I understand now that the additional 6 months was necessary. Not because of my learning curve, and my abilities, but the acceptance of the crew I would be working with and for . I've been coached that I can try all I want to move around but if I don't have the support from the top brass all the way to the maintenance guy - I'll never get anywhere. I'm grateful for those words of advice, as I echo them i...

As part of my gear as a supervisor (Supervisor In Training - SIT) is a store issued, handheld radio. At first it's fun because it's new and shiny with insight into a world you don't know as a cashier or non-radio holder. And then ... that luster wears off quickly as you realize why everyone doesn't have a radio. It's for good reason, too. I usually joke, "It's all fun and games at Costco until someone gives you a radio." No one is taught the proper use of a radio, how it functions, or even radio etiquette (yes, there's a decorum to follow) One would think for all the Costco University classes, modules, and continuing development courses, that there would be one to address radio use. There isn't! Radio check, 1, 2, 3 A large portion of my frustration stems from my experience as a technical licensing holding amateur radio operator aka HAM. My call sign: KF7LGI. And another portion of my frustration is my experience of being a part-ti...

When Jessica Simpson mused on TV whether the contents of the can she eating out of was chicken or tunafish, because it was called Chicken of the Sea ... America collectively shook their heads. Like so A couple of weeks ago I was requested to box down foods. As I whipped past one the CDS girls' station that was next to the Chicken of the Sea pallets, she held me up. She asked if I smelled the funk in the steel below the tunafish. As a matter of fact, I did. I advised management which they assured me they would address it. [Fast forward two weeks] Yesterday I was once again asked to box down foods. I tore past the CDS lady of the day, on the end cap of 103, right next to the Chicken of the Sea tunafish. This time she didn't even haveta ask. The pungent smell was still there. In fact, it was worse! In absolute frustration, I grumbled I'd return with a pallet jack. By the time I almost my walk, I encountered my supervisor traveling toward me with the pallet jack in tow....

After 8 months at the warehouse, I've settled into a familiar role. The go-to guy, the utility player, good ole Clutch Carlos. Because of this role many of my teammates hit me up to ask what I'm doing for the day (meaning what title and/or hat I'm wearing today such as supervisor, cashier or the VISA table) I'm viewed as the guy that know what to do when trouble strikes, or at the very least be willing to help out. A jack-of-all-trades yet a master of none. For those of you wondering, I've completed my Supervisor-In-Training months ago. And yes, I've applied to be a full-time Front End Supervisor but yet to be selected. Each time that happens I've been assured by my teammates that I'll get there someday. Then again I've been assured that unicorns exist, the world is flat, and I'll find Mrs. Right. I think I'll hold station with the words, "seeing is believing." 'los; out

So on Friday, 6/17, I quietly celebrated my 14th year anniversary at Costco with the last day of my staycation (vacation time you spend at staying at home) I can safely say, "It's not the years, it's the mileage". Especially the past 6 months, in terms of change and adaptability aka mileage. You see, I know it seems to have been longer but I'm just north of 6 months at the warehouse. Amazing, huh? Hopefully I've made it look easy while it's been one of the most difficult changes I've ever done. The job is physical that lends itself to the younger crowd, so the looks from my co-workers when I tell'em that I'm much older than I seem is absolutely priceless. And those facial expression is testament to my ageless mentality. I read this church sign when I was a teenager that I've incorporated into my life. Age is nothing but a mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter! I have had, not one staycation but two , over...

After closing out another 40-hour work week at the store, but the last 3 shifts were at spent standing at the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi desk, it gave me time to think. And most of my friends and family know being left alone with my thoughts is a volatile situation. I felt it was almost insult to injury to be able to observe the action of the front end from my station, knowing I could be helpful and more so than standing there like a human statue. But the scheduler and management felt this is how my time should be spent in the warehouse, which in hindsight, doesn't change my rate of pay. The time over there churned by so slowly. The struggle was to get to each break time every two hours. But based on my latest performance review, I was challenged to tackle every task with the same zest and zeal for all of them - not just the ones I enjoyed. Challenge accepted, and I set out to be the best Visa rep ever. Time is relative, so I occupied my time with thoughts of fanc...

Today was my last "official day" of my Supervisor In Training. It was quite anti-climatic to say the least. Not gonna lie, I was disappointed, but not surprised that I wasn't selected as Front End (FE) Supervisor . I was previously explained why I wasn't selected this time around, and given feedback to make me a stronger candidate the next time around. That realization was all the more apparent when I clocked in this morning and the announcement was posted up above the time clock that read it wasn't me. Of course, today was the start of the Children's Miracle Network Campaign that I'm part of the committee selected to promote it. When life closes one door, it opens another right? At least that's what we're led to believe. All and all, I've grown exponentially in the warehouse. The SIT Program has given me the opportunities on how to be a better employee, as well as, a supervisor and most of all, how to be a leader. I'll be used a...

Yesterday was the last day of the 4th week of S.I.T. (Supervisor In Training) which was focussed on learning to perform return audits. As it sounds, the responsibility of the assigned FE (Front End) Supervisor is to audit the merchandise returns at the house for the day. It was also the first day I done 'dumpster diving'; twice in twenty-minutes! "With the red vest comes great responsibility!" As the auditor, you determine if you agree with the membership crew that accepted the merchandise as salable or non-saleable. I won't cover every painstaking detail, but here's a high-pass breakdown. As I mentioned, items are either salable or not. If it can be sold then it's scanned in and returned to inventory to be sold yet again. If non-saleable then it's further classified to R.T.V. (Return to Vendor) or destroyed. Most spoiled food in non-saleable therefore destroyed. The process is straightforward. Scan the label the returner placed on it, remove ...

Look. I get it. I have a Filipino accent that's married with a varied vernacular which is a mixed of English, Urban Dictionary, IMDb, and literature quotes. I consider myself an applied communications expert. I change my word usage based on the audience I'm speaking with. This is a minute to minute change since I talk that much. It allows me to seamlessly transition from one person to another person because everyone is unique, right? Yesterday while cashiering I made a request of more one dollar bills. At the time it was busy so I knew that pleasantries would have to wait. I asked for a supervisor to approach my register. Upon approach I stated my business. "I need 1's, please." He stared at me for a brief second. I repeated, "1's, please, so I can make it rain ." (I've link the UD definition for your reference) Moments later, a different supervisor appeared, with the words. "Ok, Carlos. I'll cashier while you use the restroom....

Athletes, military folks, and mothers have a keen sense of SA (Situational Awareness) After I learn a life lesson from my dad, I have that same developed SA. I'll digress for a grip. You see, my dad was a basketball coach for a couple of years, but I wasn't on the team. So I would travel with dad to each game. As you can imagine, I've been running my mouth about as long as I've been living. Well, my dad warned me several times that if you're on the court (field, pitch, whenever the ball is) you better know damn well where the ball is. One particular afternoon, I was talking loudly on the basketball court. Surprised? Well, he yelled my name so I turned my head in the direction. All I saw was a large orange basketball filling the space. I woke up sprawled out on the court, with my nose blown open like a cantaloupe. Got it, message delivered - know where the ball is. I know my dad didn't mean for that happen, but it did. Let's fast forward tonight, shall we...

Usually my mouth finds trouble for me, and Friday night at work was no exception. Friday nights at the warehouse tends to be busy but mundane. So to spice up the microvisits I have with members, I ask what is the plan for Friday night fun? Again, I usually receive the following safe and mundane answers: Dinner / drinks with a spouse / loved one / friend Movie and eats Chillaxin' at home due to long work week One couple's answer took the cake ... literally. I asked the standard aforementioned question, they said blah, blah, blah. I retorted, "A good looking couple such as yourselves should and probably could tear up the town and paint it red instead." The wife pipes up, "Oh! I know. Something better." The husband and I wait for her to continue with baited breath. "I'll run back to bakery, buy one of those Red Velvet cakes, I'll smear it on you (she's looking at her husband), and I'll lick it all off." She punctuates h...

To be honest, I didn't plan on another entry until a month from the last one ... but life's funny like that. I had a challenging day today, which was mostly self-inflicted by breaking one of my personal rules. "To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be late is to be forgotten." ~ Anonymous I slept craptastically last night, so after running errands, and breakfast, I decided to lie down for a disco nap prior to my work shift. I posted up on time, but right on time, so I was asked not to clock in then get to work instead of the 30 seconds I spent dropping my backpack into the break room. Fair enough, but no leniency was a grip ticky-tack for me. I volunteered for the Costco Volunteer Reading Program at the local elementary school to tutor a child that needed additional attention to bring his/her reading level up to the class. Today was my 2nd session which was scheduled in the middle of the shift. So I felt that I had to really fight for...

After a full 40 hour week at the Woodinville Costco (747), I only have a few observations. First and foremost, the entire staff at the building is super sweet, welcoming, and accommodating. That was a relief. I heard of experiences of transfers to buildings, and warnings about the work environment, and hearsay but didn't cloud my first impressions. And if you know anything about me, you know this is my SOP for any adventure. Be myself but watch and see what the situation will bear. I noticed there is a subtle hierarchy, in terms of tasks, within the workforce. I envisioned cart runs in the rain, and other not-so-desirable tasks, for my first week. I was pleasantly surprised with tasks that would help me be a better cashier at the front end. I won't list them out, or detail them out, but I'm not afraid of hard work so I accepted all of them with a smile and "I'm on it" on my lips. Secondly, there's a warehouse vernacular that is a mixture of English, abb...