Yep, it's the new way to shop. If we didn't have a grocery store (Gelsons) right around the corner from us, we'd do all our shopping at Costco. Gas too.

Gelsons, BTW, is outrageously expensive.

You're stupid if you don't shop at Costco.

I can walk to my neighborhood grocery store. Costco is some distance away.

I'll take the walk, even though it is Bristol Farms (ie pricey). For bigger runs I hit the local Ralphs which is a few minutes drive. The portions at Costco are just too big for a single dad - the only thing worth going there for is tp and detergent. And that really isn't worth the membership price.

True. But what you don't need, you stash away. What I like about Costco is if it were the only place we went to shop, we'd go twice a month, maybe even less. Gelsons (or is it Gelson's), is a weekly affair that closes in (or above) $100 a visit. And that includes frugality in shopping, coupons, etc. It's just ridiculous.

+1

I save enough by buying Costco gas to pay for the $40 membership alone. If it ain't an easy calculation for ya, then you probably ride a bike or don't use ATM cards.

I forgot that Costco doesn't take credit cards. I almost never use mine unless I am traveling. I pay them off every month and carry a zero balance. It's insane to have credit card debt.

I also found a mistake in one of my previous posts. Crab at Whole Foods is more like $14/ lb for Dungeness lump crab. I wanted to make a special lunch for some friends last year and was introduced to truly high prices for food for the first time. I walked out of Whole Foods with a limp, lol.

If you don't like to pay for a membership, try Winco, if there is one near you. The non-produce stuff is similar to Vons, but way way cheaper. I went to one in Elk Grove about 3-4 years ago, and was very impressed.

I'm merely pointing out that the savings don't really seem all that great. I honestly didn't see any deals at Costco (for groceries and other stuff I actually need/buy, not stupid electronics crap and other nonsense I don't buy anyway) the last time I was in one that I couldn't have found elsewhere - without a membership fee.

We don't shop all that often. We do pretty well getting deals on groceries without membership cards and similar B.S. Maybe we could break even on the $40 a year, maybe not. It's not where I prefer to shop anyway so I'll eat an extra $100-$200 a year (if it even comes out to that) not having to deal with that scene (overcrowded, noisy, chaotic, crazy) on the weekends and/or being "profiled" and/or having my information sold to a bunch of Nigerian scammers.

Their model is good for some, but it just ain't for me. Maybe I could save a little $$$, maybe not, but it ain't worth it in my book. Don't care.

Funny thing about Costco- you can buy alcohol without a membership (at least in California).

still trying to comprehend $500 purses and $1,000 suits........


anyways our Sams gets my membership every year for 2 reasons:

quality meats
the bagged frozen fish (salmon and mahi are particularly good) and shrimp.

oh, unfortunately the nearest butcher w/ a good rep is 40 minutes from us in a town where there is absolutely nothing else we'd go to do. so we don't go. particularly for $4/gallon gas.

Out here, in Kaleeforeeah, we have a grocery store called Whole Foods that will give you all the Dungeness Crab you want for $14 per pound. Actually it's based in Austin Tehas. And you know what else? In Newport Beach "Neiman Marcus" has purses that go for $5,000 ....each. They have things you wear called "jewelry" that, well the price might make you scream out loud like a little girl.

I've been in plenty of Needless Mark-ups (aka Neiman Marcus) stores and was never tempted to spend a dime at any of them. Whole Foods is ok for buying stuff you can't buy anywhere else. But Tropicana OJ tastes the same no matter where you buy it. Ditto for Czech beer. I just prefer to spend a dollar less per 1/2 gallon or six pack at the local Fry's.

I never saw it as anything more than a shoplifting check. They don't check each item. I guess it's to keep you from running in the exit and taking stuff..



I can't recall, do they still only do cash sales?


I do think the Kirkland brand is a bit much.....come on...car batteries AND underwear with the same brand name?
Ever see that family guy or american dad where they goof on Costco..."dr. kirkland's on the phone..."

How many people here buy Kirland Tires for the 'ol 911? anyone anyone? How much do you pay for a set of tires for the Porsche?

Costco has the lowest shrinkage % (i.e., shortage) in the industry.

Most theft occurs with employees - not the public. One reason for the check at the door is to keep the employees honest. It would be very easy for them to not scan an item and let their friends out the door with some stuff.

It's a very minor inconvenience but I doubt that many customers mind. Besides, how many time have you been getting checked out when the door person tells you how great something is (i.e., I just saw that movie last week - it's great).

My Costco had BF Goodrich Sport TAs, in my size (15-inch), for $55 a piece. That was a killer deal simply because Costco probably bought someone's overstock.

Neiman-Marcus isn't the place a guy goes on his own. It's a place a guy is told to go (if you get my meaning ;)). It's the same with Nordstroms, Saks Fifth Avenue.

Tiffany's. Now why in the world would a dude go into Tiffany's on his own accord? :p

How can that be possible? Costco won't let you through their front door without showing a membership card to one of their attendants.

...yeah, or while stealing a crate of Aunt Jemimah syrup.

$1400 Cognac at Costco Alpharetta, GA. If I'm ever in a situation where:

1) I have 1,400 freaking dollars to spend on liquor or
2) have any freaking desire to spend $1,400 on liquor

I'm going for the $16/oz Absinthe down in the Big Easy and hitting the floor at noon.

Not sure about Kali, but the Costco(s) here have a separate entrance for the liquor store. There aren't any "Membership Nazi's" stationed there.

I don't mind that much, but I have usually put the receipt in my wallet or pocket and don't like stopping to get it out. Slows up my rhythm. They don't check every item...they can't. It's more visual deterrent.

Another thing to buy at Costco. Luggage. The Kirkland luggage beats everything, even the oh-so-chic Tumi brand.

I dunno...teh katz prefer Tumi...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ilson_Tumi.jpg

Cat's got taste. :cool:

psha! there is only 1 crab worth eating on this planet and it's the blue crab. maybe $20/lb for fresh picked non-pasturized backfin and you will be in heaven.

Jumbo Lump. Fresh. That is heaven.

I'm in Maryland.

When I first joined one of these stores 20 yrs ago, it was a BJs. It wasn't open to the general public. You had to be a union member, civil servant or business owner. The prices where super super cheap. When price club opened, I think it was the same way, similar membership requirement as BJs. Once they opened the stores to the general public the prices shot up dramatically.
I belong to Sams now. Some prices are good some are more than a regular supermarket. You really have to know your prices when you go in. One thing that cant be beat is the liquor and beer prices. Also their meat is awesome. The main reason I go there is for buying stuff I need in bulk (beer, liquor:D) or stuff for a prty, etc, etc.. Other than that I prefer to get my food in a regular supermarket. My fish I am very picky about. I will only buy from the local market near my house. Or catch it myself.

The exit check really dont bug me that much. But here in NYC you cant walk out of a single store without a security guard askin for your reciept. Its rediculous. It pisses me off so much.

Damn right!:)

One of my pet peeves. There's nothing that requires you to submit your just purchased items (aka personal belongings) to search from store security. When these guys at the exits signal me for the search I shake my head "no" and walk past them. Only one time a long time ago did one of these guys follow me out to the parking lot to confront me. I asked if I was being accused of shoplifting. He said I was not, and I continued on my way.

At Home Depot they give you these mile-long receipts. Only a small portion of the receipt has your purchase info on it, the rest being advertisement. Before I get to the door, I tear off the long (uneeded) part and put the crucial part in my wallet. I hand the long part to the guard, and as he's reading it with marker pen poised, I keep walking, leaving it with him. The look on their face is priceless as you are already a good 30' outside the store by the time he figures it out.

King of Prussia has one.

The negatives:
-The customer isn't responsible for Costco's POS security proceedures. Forcefully preventing customers from exiting the store is "unlawfull detention" or something like that. They can call the police if they suspect shoplifting.
-Costco's prices are sometimes much higher than other supermarkets, even in bulk. Be wary of impulse-buying.
-Paying for a "membeship", and tracking customers purchasing habits is verging on draconianism.

The positives:
-One stop shopping saves time, and is good for non-perishables.
-Costco's purchasing power is better in bulk, and decent foods/products are more available.

I heard many Chinese housewifes join local "buying clubs", where they gather their purchasing power to push for bulk discounts.

Now THAT is funny. Gonna' start trying that one.

What are they going to do, tackle you? I pray for the day a security guard grabs me by the arm after I'm out of the store. A settlement will help greatly with my early retirement plan. ;)

Naahh, BFG Z-rated, great deal.

Also Michelin.

No Kirkland (or Kirland, either).

my great grandfather came to the USA in 1900, worked his tail off, and saved enough money to buy rice in bulk by the railroad boxcar. He figured out that he could sell it individually cheaper than what people could pay in the store, and he would make a profit at the same time. He was an early version of a wholesale discount marketer.

He made enough money to become well off, and then started buying land and doing the same thing, subdividing the land. He had a part or controlling interest in large tracts of land after 40 years of entrepreneurship. I think the total might have been in the thousands of acres. Then the Empire of Japan bombed Pear Harbor and they lost everything, including the family crest, battle flags, and armor.

I've heard that they ask for your card when entering just to make sure that you have it and don't show up at the checkout with a load of stuff unaware of the membership requirement or having forgotten your card.

kinda of but sams club is owned by wal mart....:mad:

Yes, but you have to show your card when you pay, so I'm still stumped about how you don't have to be a member to buy booze.

Damn! That's quite a story.