Costco today: two interesting observations...
 

1) It was practically empty this afternoon around 1PM. Normally, the place is teeming with people, but not today. No waiting to get supplies, and no line to the register. Sure, the economy is bad, but a near-empty Costco is very strange...

2) Mercedes-Benz for sale out front. A "Costco Special" C-300, fully loaded - $32K. Seemed like a pretty good deal.

I just got some steaks and hot links. No Mercedes. :(

On top of the bad economy, perhaps people were staying away because they were busy keeping their kids over summer vacation?

Quick question. How many steaks and hot links were you getting to merit a trip to Costco?

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

Six steaks a package costs the same as one steak at the local grocery store. 20 hotlinks cost the same as six at the local grocery store. We bought other stuff, too, but the meat was my concern. Besides which, Costco's just down the street.

We didn't get one of those sodium-dunked chickens - the rotisserie was out of order. They're sort of nasty, anyway.

I've never been to a Sam's Club, so I can't say.

Just like Sams club or price club.

Pretty normal I'd say (and why I only go to Costco during weekday afternoons). Try going back this Saturday afternoon and report back. That said, I always feel like I am getting ripped off when that register total comes. Costco isn't all it's cracked up to be IMO. Yes there are a few decent deals but for the most part, buying in bulk there presents only the illusion of saving money.

I quit Costco and Sam's and joined BJ's Wholesale Club. I liked the name better.

I just bought an 8' x 2' maple butcher block topped steel framed workbench for my new garage at Costco for $199! That's just amazing pricing if you ask me. I was going to pick it up Saturday but the place was packed! I came back on a Monday @ 2pm and it was a ghost town.

Costco makes their money from memberships, their warehouse sales are pretty much a break even concern. As long as people keep paying their memberships, it will be fine. At least in the short term...

Something special about the term "wholesale?"

Costco is arguably unique in that it's a warehouse store that caters to rich people. Costco stuff is higher quality.

And people who see the need to buy 8 gallons of mayonnaise or catchup.

I'm just keano for Beafarino

I just chuckle at the guys (there are always a couple) who show up to Costco on motorcycles. Or maybe they just work there.

These pretzels are really making me thirsty.

I hate Costco with a passion - the concept of paying some company to shop at their store rubs me the wrong way. But I can't deny that they have the best steaks I can find anywhere, including most of the local butchers.

Quality and price of food at Costco consistently out performs our local AlberRalVo supermarket. We do nearly all our grocery shopping there during the week. Weekends at Costco, with all the stupid food sampling, is to be avoided.

sure there are
http://www.costco.com/Warehouse/locator.aspx?cm_re=1-_-Top_Right_Nav1-_-Top_locations

not as prolific as Starbucks but they are everywhere.

What I object to is that Costco considers their "members", thieves first, and customers second. You know the shake down that happens when trying to leave. I don't buy the argument that they are trying to guarantee that you got all of your stuff. Plenty of other stores don't have this practice and they pull in profits just fine.

I'll pay for service. And the quality of food is definitely noticeable from high end stores.

Coupled w/ the zoo like atmosphere and products that end up on the floor, I have no idea why people shop there. I guess they are "saving" money...

The closest one is about 10+ miles from me. Not exactly close. Not surprisingly there are none in Philly itself. We do have BJ's and Sam's clubs though, which are the same thing apparently.