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What you probably don’t know about Costco’s free samples

Discover a few things that shoppers may not realize, from how often you can come back for seconds to what the job is really like

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Costco $COST 2.93%’s free samples look simple enough: grab a tiny cup, try something new and keep shopping. But there’s a little more to the job than handing out bites of cheese, chocolate or whatever happens to be on the menu that day.

Reader’s Digest spoke with former Costco free sample employees to find out what shoppers might not realize about those sample stations and the people behind them.

For starters, the workers aren’t actually Costco employees, and they have more to do than simply pass out food. They may answer questions about the products, encourage shoppers to give them a try and deal with plenty of repeat visitors along the way. Some samples are far more popular than others, too, and certain foods can disappear quickly.

There are also a few things shoppers may be surprised to learn. Coming back for another sample isn’t necessarily a problem, the workers don’t make extra money when someone buys the product, and standing at a sample station for hours can be more tiring than it looks.

Even the timing of your Costco trip can make a difference in what you encounter, from how busy the warehouse is to how many sample stations are operating.

The next time you grab a free bite while shopping, here are some things you probably didn’t know about those little free samples.

You can usually take more than one 

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Don't assume you're limited to a single bite just because the sample station is offering one. According to Reader's Digest, taking multiple samples is generally fine, particularly when the station isn't crowded and you're not taking an unreasonable amount.

According to Reader’s Digest, shoppers are welcome to come back for another sample, especially if they take the time to........

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