Costco today: two interesting observations... - Page 6

VaSteve · 07-31-2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

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).

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.

dd74 · 07-31-2008, 09:31 PM

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

Danny_Ocean · 07-31-2008, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dd74

The Kirkland luggage beats everything, even the oh-so-chic Tumi brand.

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

dd74 · 07-31-2008, 11:26 PM

Cat's got taste.

berettafan · 08-01-2008, 04:58 AM

Quote:

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.

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.

cairns · 08-01-2008, 06:46 AM

Jumbo Lump. Fresh. That is heaven.

I'm in Maryland.

VINMAN · 08-01-2008, 07:48 AM

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

) 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.

VINMAN · 08-01-2008, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berettafan

psha! there is only 1 crab worth eating on this planet and it's the blue crab. .

Damn right!

Ronbo · 08-01-2008, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VINMAN

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.

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.

Danny_Ocean · 08-01-2008, 08:28 AM

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.

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by m21sniper

No costcos here. Is that like sam's club?

King of Prussia has one.

john70t · 08-01-2008, 08:34 AM

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.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny_Ocean

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.

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

Danny_Ocean · 08-01-2008, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

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.

tcar · 08-01-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

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?

Naahh, BFG Z-rated, great deal.

Also Michelin.

No Kirkland (or Kirland, either).

rusnak · 08-01-2008, 12:53 PM

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.

Stanley · 08-01-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

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.

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.

Arizona_928 · 08-01-2008, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m21sniper

No costcos here. Is that like sam's club?

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

dd74 · 08-01-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley

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.

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.

dd74 · 08-01-2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusnak

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.

Damn! That's quite a story.