Australian Man’s Job Application to Costco Goes Viral After Admitting Motives
A job rejection email usually disappears into someone’s inbox and gets forgotten. This one did the opposite. Screenshots circulating online show an Australian man being turned down for a management role at Costco after he openly admitted his real motivation: access to staff discounts and early notice on Pokémon card restocks. The reply, written in careful corporate language, reads like a polite shutdown of a very specific collector fantasy, which is exactly why it struck a chord and spread so fast online.
The Rejection Message That Sparked Attention
The message circulating online described a candidate being declined for a management role after interview discussions focused heavily on product access rather than leadership responsibilities.
According to screenshots of the text, the applicant allegedly asked about early access to Pokémon Trading Card Game shipments, restock schedules, and the timing of product allocation. The message also referenced questions about whether management employees receive enhanced discounts on trading card products.
The rejection text emphasized that management roles focus on leadership, operational performance, and customer satisfaction, rather than product access or collecting advantages. It also stated that employee discounts and internal inventory information are not intended to support personal collecting.
The Hype of Trading Cards
Image via Pexels/Caleb Oquendo
Pokémon trading cards have experienced multiple demand surges over the past decade. During major release cycles and collectible booms, restocks often sell out quickly, leading to strong resale markets and intense competition among buyers.
Retailers, including warehouse chains and big-box stores, frequently manage purchase limits, staggered restock schedules, and controlled distribution to prevent hoarding and reseller disruption. In some regions, stores have even temporarily paused card sales during peak demand periods due to crowd management concerns.
Because of this environment, information about restock timing can carry real resale value, which helps explain why inventory timing has become a topic of interest among collectors.
What Management Roles Typically Require In Large Retail Chains
Image via Canva/Unai Huizi
Warehouse retail operations rely heavily on team leadership, logistics coordination, and member service. Managers are typically responsible for supervising staff, maintaining inventory accuracy, overseeing safety procedures, and ensuring efficient store operations during high traffic periods.
Large warehouse stores operate with complex stocking cycles, often involving overnight inventory movement, early morning merchandising preparation, and continuous floor management during business hours. Staff are frequently cross-trained to cover multiple departments, and leadership roles often involve stepping into operational tasks during peak demand.
Employee perks vary by company, but warehouse retail roles often emphasize stable scheduling, benefits packages, and long-term employment retention rather than product-based incentives.
The Reality Of Employee Access Versus Public Perception
Many shoppers assume retail employees receive broad product discounts or special purchasing privileges. In practice, policies often limit internal purchasing advantages, especially for high-demand or limited-stock items.
In warehouse retail environments, operational security and fair access for paying members are major priorities. Inventory tracking, loss prevention, and controlled product distribution are built into store systems to protect supply chain consistency and customer experience.
This structure means that insider access to collectible products is typically restricted rather than encouraged.
While the exact origin of the rejection message has not been publicly confirmed through corporate statements, the story has remained popular largely because it sits at the intersection of retail work culture and modern collectible demand.