Costco today: two interesting observations...

[dd74]

Originally Posted by jyl

Wow, lots of interest in COST here.

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.

[the]

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

[nostatic]

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.

[dd74]

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.

[beasty]

Originally Posted by the

you're Stupid If You Don't Shop At Costco.

+1

[rusnak]

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.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

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.

[Stanley]

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

[berettafan]

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.

[berettafan]

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.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by berettafan

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.

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.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by rusnak

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.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Sapporo Guy

lolo, yeah that shake down at the exit is pretty hilarious. My GF asked and the lady said, "check for everything is there or not" and like normal, I just blurted out really loud and said, "shoplifting check"

However, I wonder if it isn't more of shopping ploy. As in, when you're on the way out waiting for the check you end up checking out everybody else's purchases!

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..."

[rusnak]

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?

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

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..

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).

[dd74]

Originally Posted by rusnak

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?

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?

[dd74]

Originally Posted by Stanley

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

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

[dd74]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

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).

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

[Jagshund]

$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.

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by dd74

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

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.