In massive warehouse stores, it’s easy to confuse fellow shoppers with the staff.

One unsuspecting customer was just trying to grab some coffee when a stranger mistook him for staff. But by the end of the Costco trip, he learned she was the one who actually wore the badge.

Read on for the full story!

Mistook for a coffee machine expert.

So tonight I ventured out to Costco with the family. I’m not usually a Costco person, but earlier in the year I needed new tires, and it turned out to be the best deal for my vehicle—even with the membership fee.

We usually only go occasionally to pick up a few items that are good value. (And an excuse to get a hotdog while I’m there!)

To keep the wife happy, one of those items is coffee pods.

Personally, I prefer a proper espresso machine, but she hates using it, so the pods are a compromise to stop her from buying $5 coffees all the time.

But when he got to the coffee aisle, he found himself in an unexpected interaction with what he thought was a fellow shopper.

Anyway, tonight was a win because the coffee pods we like were on special. So I reach up the Goliath end display and grab a couple boxes.

Then it happens: “Excuse me, do those pods work with the machine on display next to it?”

I stop, a little confused.

He soon realizes why she might be confused.

My first thought was to reply, “Does it look like I work here?” but I caught myself. I figured—it doesn’t take much to be kind.

Also… yes, it probably does look like I work here because embarrassingly my entire outfit except my socks was actually from Costco!

I politely answered her questions and she asked me a few more. She seemed nice enough, although she seemed a bit disappointed in my answers.

My wife and I had a laugh after, thinking that yeah, I really could pass as a Costco employee. We continued our oversized shopping spree and thought nothing more of it.

But soon he found out who the woman truly was.

But when we got to the checkout, guess who was behind the counter? Yup, the same lady who had asked me all the questions!

So yeah, I don’t work here, lady, but turns out you do!

He was dressed head-to-toe in Costco gear, so her confusion was understandable.

What did Reddit have to say?

This was actually a pretty wholesome interaction.

It’s time to turn his knowledge into a full-blown side gig!

This user thinks the other shopper had good reason to ask him for help.

Turns out, employees need as much help as they can get too.

Next time, he might consider toning down the Costco gear.

He walked out with both his coffee pods and a story to tell.

If you liked that story, check out this one about a Costco customer who got their cart stolen… so she hatched a plan to get it back!