Why you should shop Costco as much as you can

[roguevalley]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/17/business/yourmoney/17costco.html?adxnnl=2&adxnnlx=1121694729-DYqdXn6JiiB8GPQ/eOc5xw

How Costco Became the Anti-Walmart

By STEVEN GREENHOUSE
Published: July 17, 2005

ISSAQUAH, Wash.

JIM SINEGAL, the chief executive of Costco Wholesale, the nation's fifth-largest retailer, had all the enthusiasm of an 8-year-old in a candy store as he tore open the container of one of his favorite new products: granola snack mix. "You got to try this; it's delicious," he said. "And just $9.99 for 38 ounces."

A Costco store in Issaquah, Wash.

Some 60 feet away, inside Costco's cavernous warehouse store here in the company's hometown, Mr. Sinegal became positively exuberant about the 87-inch-long Natuzzi brown leather sofas. "This is just $799.99," he said. "It's terrific quality. Most other places you'd have to pay $1,500, even $2,000."

But the pièce de résistance, the item he most wanted to crow about, was Costco's private-label pinpoint cotton dress shirts. "Look, these are just $12.99," he said, while lifting a crisp blue button-down. "At Nordstrom or Macy's, this is a $45, $50 shirt."

Combining high quality with stunningly low prices, the shirts appeal to upscale customers - and epitomize why some retail analysts say Mr. Sinegal just might be America's shrewdest merchant since Sam Walton.
But not everyone is happy with Costco's business strategy. Some Wall Street analysts assert that Mr. Sinegal is overly generous not only to Costco's customers but to its workers as well.

Costco's average pay, for example, is $17 an hour, 42 percent higher than its fiercest rival, Sam's Club. And Costco's health plan makes those at many other retailers look Scroogish. One analyst, Bill Dreher of Deutsche Bank, complained last year that at Costco "it's better to be an employee or a customer than a shareholder."

Mr. Sinegal begs to differ. He rejects Wall Street's assumption that to succeed in discount retailing, companies must pay poorly and skimp on benefits, or must ratchet up prices to meet Wall Street's profit demands.

More at link site

[tk2kewl]

1. We ditched BJ for Costco

:thumbsup:

[Sparkly]

2. Costco is a "blue" company too, as I understand it.

We joined recently and love it.

Edited to add: the frozen ahi tuna steaks are outrageous!!

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

3. A;lways shop Costco.

The quality is great, the prices fabulous. And they treat their employees really well.

best

[Carla in Ca]

31. I use the pharmacy at Costco

My Beagle is on very expensive medication but I get a lot better price there.
The good news is you do not have to be a member to use the pharmacy. So remember, if you use Albertsons or Sav-On, switch to Costco.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

47. I didn't know you could get dog meds at Costco.

Are you sure? My dog is on Remadyl-arthritis meds-& I buy them through petcarerx. Very good price but I can't find out if they're blue or not, but they've advertised on AAR.

[Carla in Ca]

51. I think most of the prescribed meds for pets

are originally intended for people. One of the meds she is on has warning labels on it like no alcohol and may create dizziness, do not operate heavy machinery. The pharmacist and I always have a little chuckle about it.
Costco has great prices, call them for a quote.:)

[Warren DeMontague]

58. Another reason to use the Costco pharmacy:

They were one of the first companies to state an across-the-board policy on filling birth control prescriptions; namely, if you've got the prescription, they will fill it, period. No hassles, no lectures, no bible-thumping, no bullshit.

[RageFist]

4. I really appreciate the post...

I'm several months Wal-Mart free and miss the low prices, but its worth it. Nice to know that I can have my cake and eat it too...I just wonder how much of that stuff is still "made in china"...

[niallmac]

10. per my own label reading survey, everything is made in China.

Should we make a giant statue in honor of Ross Perot out of abandoned factory scrap?

[RageFist]

19. I saw something about union made shirts

on axisofjustice.org, haven't checked it out yet.

[niallmac]

46. I need a directory of stateside employers to support

with my measly few sheckles...clothes and stuff.

[Pawel K]

38. You can't compete in this country without going to China or other parts of

Asia.

After looking at all the other available options my company was forced to do this last month to stay in business. We still do most of the business in the USA but we couldn't stay in business if we didn't move a large part of our production to China. A product went from costing $5 /inch to $1 a foot; what our competition was selling it at.

[The Jacobin]

5. I've been holding off

joining the one here. It's about 30 min away, so I've avoided it. I think I'll go down there this weekend and change that.

Great story.

[havocmom]

22. We drive over two hours to get to Costco. And then over two hours back.

Worth the trip to get what we need AND support a business which supports its employees!

We don't go every week, but with the large units they sell, we don't have to shop often.

The company pisses Wall Street off cuz it proves their whole 'we have to keep cutting payroll and benefits' mantra is a lotta hog wash... or greedy pig wash, as the case may be ;)

And, you can give memberships to others as a gift. Think how cool THAT is for kids moving out on their own and suddenly finding the real value of tires & toilet paper! :D

Heard they were gonna start offering executive members (and soon, general members) group health insurance too. There is a company that realizes its workers AND customers are human beings with needs.

COSTCO: we give it :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[roguevalley]

25. they are also large dem donors. :)

[BlueStateBlue]

86. Thirty minutes away is probably a good thing.

I love Costco, but I try to avoid going any more than once a month, since they have so many things that are hard to resist. I pass one on my way home from work, so it could get pricey if I pop in too often! You should definitely join. The membership pays for itself just in my contact lenses (40% cheaper that 1-800 contacts!).

[Sandpiper]

6. Cheap Labor Conservatives hate Costco

It undermines their favorite canard about how treating employees well is bad for business.

In reality, Costco's stock prices are up 10% in the past year and Wal-Mart's are down 5%.

Screw you cheap laborites! You're just angry that your lies are being exposed.

[LTR]

7. Great story

When do we get a Costco in SE Wisconsin?

[leftchick]

8. I just went yesterday!

and dropped $150.00 with my $48.00 executive club card coupon. You can also tell the folks that work there are happy! The actually like their jobs!

I Love Costco!

:loveya:

[maddezmom]

35. My hubby just shopped there over the weekend in the UK

I was very excited to hear we'd have one close by again. :hi:

[leftchick]

67. Wow! That is good news!

I didn't know they were out of the states! Now you need to find a Target! ;)

:hi:

[driver8]

43. My wife and I call it the "Two Hundred dollar Club."

It seems that no matter how hard we try, we can never get out of there without spending at least $200.00!

You are right -- the people that work there always do seem happy. I guess treating your employees fairly and paying a decent wage actually works.

I will never, ever set foot in a freakin' WalMart. (My wife would kill me if I did, anyway!!)

[Miss Chybil]

49. You can actually get customer service from the employees there, too.

And I so agree with the $200 Club name! We never get out the door without having spent at least that, but we have corn dogs for days! LOL!

[driver8]

56. And you end up buying stuff you don't need!! We have a 5 lb tub

of Oxi-Clean that I think we have used once. What possessed us to buy that?? It must have been the commercials.

[Miss Chybil]

61. Oh, Oxi-Clean is the greatest. My whites have never been so white! nt

[driver8]

66. I'll tell my wife we need to start using our Oxi-clean!!! n/t

[BlueStateBlue]

88. Not to mention how it takes makes the

cat puke stains disappear from the carpet.
:puke:

[sepia_steel]

72. ME EITHER. eom

[sendero]

79. About the same for us..

.... but I always know that it would have been $250 or more anywhere else :)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

9. Where is the closest Costco to NW Arkansas?

I've never seen one, but they sound like the kind of place I'd shop.

[The Jacobin]

13. Isn't that Walmart HQ area?

Costco would probably be firebombed there.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

20. Mal-Wort HQ in Bentonville

But nearby Fayeteville has K-Mart and Springfield MO has Target as well. My county (Newton) doesn't have a Wal-Mart and we don't want one, either.

[NMDemDist2]

17. you can get lots of things from their website delivered to you

www.costco.com

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

21. thanks for the link

:)

[roguevalley]

26. try this addie to find one:

http://www.costco.com/Warehouse/Locator.aspx

Also another reason to love them: Their CEO:

Despite Costco's impressive record, Mr. Sinegal's salary is just $350,000, although he also received a $200,000 bonus last year. That puts him at less than 10 percent of many other chief executives, though Costco ranks 29th in revenue among all American companies.

"I've been very well rewarded," said Mr. Sinegal, who is worth more than $150 million thanks to his Costco stock holdings. "I just think that if you're going to try to run an organization that's very cost-conscious, then you can't have those disparities. Having an individual who is making 100 or 200 or 300 times more than the average person working on the floor is wrong.

[Tux]

48. Here

http://www.costco.com/Warehouse/Locator.aspx

Nearest one to me is in another state. About 2 hours drive. Wish they'd put one here next to the 2 Wal-Marts in Bowling Green. And they wonder why wages are dropping here.

[mike_c]

11. this is what's wrong with American business, IMO....

One analyst, Bill Dreher of Deutsche Bank, complained last year that at Costco "it's better to be an employee or a customer than a shareholder."

This attitude pisses me off to no end-- it implies that the investors are the reason that commerce exists, or at least should be it's greatest beneficiaries. This is just plain wrong, IMO. If employees work for less than a living wage to increase the shareholders' return on investment, or if they don't have good benefits, if customers pay hidden "taxes" to shareholders everytime they make a purchase-- and if those dividends or stock increases become the engines that drive worker-customer-business relationships-- then "commerce" ceases to be a valuable force in society. Instead, it becomes a means for controlling consumers and workers, and funneling their labor and money into the hands of the increasingly concentrated wealthy investor class.

I had a long conversation with a friend about this recently in the context of a discussion about heathcare costs, where health industry shareholders have created a monster that serves their best interests first, before it serves the client base it was created to serve.

on edit-- BTW, I do 90 percent of my shopping at Costco. I buy most of my groceries and clothes there, all of my office supplies, furniture, and so on there. In terms of my regular, monthly shopping costs, 90 percent goes to Costco-- not only because their prices are low, but their employees are well treated, and the quality of their goods is very high. They are indeed the anti-WalMart!

[havocmom]

23. Good points, mike_c. US corporations are no longer interested in customer

OR employee, only how the company looks on the next quarterly report so they can keep their stock rating.

America is hurting because few businesses are in the business of providing product or service. They only wanna sell little pieces of paper and are building a pyramid of them which is about to collapse of its own weight. It is way the same clowns are pushing for Social Security payroll taxes to be funneled into their greedy mitts. If they run outta chumps to lure as 'stockholders' they got nothing!

Costco workers get a living wage, decent benefits, a CEO who rolls up his sleeves to WORK and does not take home a mint for himself. He understands that there are WIN/WIN methods. Wall Street lies and he points at the lie and shakes his head.

[oxbow]

39. Employees who are happy are more productive

The customers also pick up on the friendly vibes of happier workers, and are more likely to return if the service is good. Paying employees well pays off in both the bottom line and the karmic one.

I'm switching to Costco now, too.

[Triana]

12. I've read that Costco treats employees decently...

...that's why the plutocracy general doesn't like them. I've been meaning to get a Costco membership. Maybe now is a good time...I'd love to support an entity that is successful, profitable, provides good products and service, and treats employees like humans instead of cattle. They're a shining example of how a company SHOULD conduct itself.

We should reward them with as much business as we can give them - and tell all your friends too!

My niece used to work for them. She was a pharmacist, I think. She had no complaints.

[BlueStateBlue]

87. I've been shopping my local Costco for about ten years

and I have seen many of the same faces working there since day one. I guess they're happy!

[AndyTiedye]

14. Been Buying from Costco for Years

Good quality, low prices, and blue.

[Upfront]

15. Build One In Midland Michigan

Please!

[NMDemDist2]

16. I give them thousands of dollars a year

I have switched everything I can for my business to them and they deliver it too!

they are wonderful to work with and go the extra mile in customer service every time I call.

this is the best switch I have made in my personal "Buy Blue" campaign.

:bounce:

[yorkiemommie1]

18. we get everything there

from contacts ( 81.00 for a year's supply - after rebate ) to paper goods. there's a Sam's right next to it and we never go there.

[DELUSIONAL]

24. I was just shopping at Costco yesterday

The pharmacy is great -- had to get meds for my dog (heart murmur).

Software, DVD, computers, food, clothes, car stuff, guy stuff (tools) books -- it is very easy to spend a whole lot of money there.

Plus the staff is always helpful (when you can find them in the warehouse) and they look alert and intelligent.

I've been a Costco customer for years!

[roguevalley]

28. check this out:

This knack for seeing things in a new way also explains Costco's approach to retaining employees as well as shoppers. Besides paying considerably more than competitors, for example, Costco contributes generously to its workers' 401(k) plans, starting with 3 percent of salary the second year and rising to 9 percent after 25 years.

ITS insurance plans absorb most dental expenses, and part-time workers are eligible for health insurance after just six months on the job, compared with two years at Wal-Mart. Eighty-five percent of Costco's workers have health insurance, compared with less than half at Wal-Mart and Target.

Costco also has not shut out unions, as some of its rivals have. The Teamsters union, for example, represents 14,000 of Costco's 113,000 employees. "They gave us the best agreement of any retailer in the country," said Rome Aloise, the union's chief negotiator with Costco. The contract guarantees employees at least 25 hours of work a week, he said, and requires that at least half of a store's workers be full time.

[distantearlywarning]

27. I love CostCo.

We got a membership there recently and I have been shopping like crazy.

I like their stuff and their prices. And I like the fact that they are "blue" and that they pay their employees well.

[Mister Mark]

29. I tried CostCo

But the lines at the San Francisco store always have at least 15 people waiting to checkout in each line.

I wish I had the patience for that, but I don't.

[brentspeak]

30. "it's better to be an employee or a customer than a shareholder."

Yeah, that's right, you jerk. Just like it used to be in America before your ilk ruined it.

[samsingh]

32. we've become members of costco

for precisely that reason.

[LaPera]

33. I always shop at Costco and I always try and shop "Blue" & encourage

others to do so.

http://www.buyblue.org/alphalist.php

[Nothing Without Hope]

34. I love CostCo - great quallity and I know the employees are treated with

respect. They aren't using Asian slave labor to drive the prices down as Walmart does, either.

Buy Blue - CostCo's with the good guys.

[tandot]

36. We just spent over $100 there yesterday

We stopped our Sams membership and signed up for Costco last year.

Best decision ever.

And the most fun is walking past all those cars having a pro-Bush bumper sticker. The joy of seeing Republicans spending their money at employee friendly Costco who also support the democratic cause...go ahead...spend all the money you can... :evilgrin:

[Initech]

37. I DO shop at Costco as much as I can

Although I seriously want to puke every time I walk by their book section (which I have come to call the neocon book club).

[MsTryska]

68. well

maybe they buy the books that haven't sold and that's why they can cut the costs on them?

[fortyfeetunder]

40. Long time customer checking in

I go on a rotation for stuff, so Costco is my primary staples store. The food can't be beat, the produce is generally good.

And what my co-workers love are the bakery products. If the word "Costco Cake" is uttered in the work area, the cake has a half-life of about 10 minutes...Their bakery is da bomb!

[driver8]

57. Their pizza is pretty damn good, too!! n/t

[BlueStateBlue]

89. I work in the specialty food trade, and Costco's reputation

is strictly top notch within the industry. I've heard from dozens of sources in the food industry that you can pretty much trust anything that bears the Kirkland brand to be of exceptional quality. Unlike many more shortsighted retailers, Costco maintains a very high standard for its private label manufacturers. So many others put their names on garbage in a pretty package...
Costco rocks!

[ClassWarrior]

41. That's beautiful. I wish we had them here...

NGU.

[demo dutch]

42. Huge Costco fan, because they're blue. I shop there for almost everything.

Have been a member for 16 yrs. Besides groceries, I get my gas, medication, contacts/eye glasses. Have ordered furniture from their website, appliances etc.
Haven't been in a Walmart in years!

[Pryderi]

44. Blue Soda? Pepsi is red, and I think Coke is too

Donors connected to Pepsi Co. and Arrowhead Water's parent company, Nestle, gave the governor a total of $279,800 in campaign contributions. Also recognizable on-screen are Ruffles, Sun Chips, Cheetos and a SoBe Beverage, all brands owned by Pepsi.

http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/print.php?story=05/05/30/9478177

Anyone know of a blue soda co?

[electron_blue]

45. Cool, thanks!

Unfortunately, no Costco's in my town, but I'll send this on to my Walmart loving family members in another state.

[vanboggie]

50. Wow, I used to work for a company like that

Paid employees well, valued their contribution and longevity, provided good benefits. Then a neo-con type took over and the bottom line was all that mattered (except for his own extravagant salary and bonuses). Before he left, there were few employees over 40 left and he let the company be gobbled up by a bigger fish. I'm sure he will be meeting up with * and Cheney in Hell.

Nice to know there is at least one company like Costco that still values employees and customers. My hat is off to their CEO.

Thanks for the article. I let my Sam's card lapse with the intent of signing up at Costco. After reading this article, they will have another member by this weekend. DU Costco!

[GetTheRightVote]

52. I have been meaning to join up with Costcos, now I will for sure

Thank you for showing that corporate America can be deceit to their employees.

:kick:

[Gelliebeans]

53. As a past employee

for 5 years I can vouch for the pay scale and benefits. I quit after I had my kid. Even though a brand new Sam's opened down the street, I refuse to shop at ANY Walmart or Sam's club when I have a Costco within driving distance. I understand other's may not have that choice but as long as I have a choice, I choose Costco.

[Vektor]

54. I always shop Costco - true blue!

Total Dem donors.

[rman]

55. Oh gosh, poor shareholders

So what's the deal, Cosco's shareholders earn less then its employees and customers?
Right, i didn't think so.
Besides, one would think that shareholders who feel they don't get enough from Cosco, would not be shareholder of Cosco - in fact most likely they aren't. And yet Cosco seems to be doing just fine.

[DoctorMyEyes]

60. Costco shareholders do just fine

despite all the analysts hand wringing about their "suffering" because Costco doesn't rape and pillage for dividends. You're right - shareholders wouldn't be shareholders if they didn't feel it was a worthwhile investment.

Many members who come through my line are also shareholders and they often express their satisfaction with their investment.

Sorry, I don't have any numbers. I don't seem to be able to retain stuff like that - but, from all of the positive (and unsolicited) comments I hear I can tell you it's not a loser, and things are not as dire as wall street likes to pretend.

[DoctorMyEyes]

59. As a Costco employee - I thank you all

As a Costco employee - I thank you all, from the bottom of my heart!

What you've read is true, we are paid well for what we do, and we do receive decent benefits. Jim Sinegal has stood firm against the vultures of Wall Street and the pressure to be "more like Walmart".

I decided to work for Costco for political reasons - and it's nice to be able to choose my conscience and still afford to put food on the table. It used to irk me no end in my previous jobs to work my ass off to be good at what I do, add to the company's profitability, and then have the company donate to Republican campaigns. It was like I was selling out and working against my own interests. I know people have to do what they can, especially in this economy, to support themselves - so I feel especially fortunate to make a living and feel good about the company, too.

To the person above with the giant container of oxy-clean. Bring it back! We'll give you a full refund.

And to all of you big spenders - I hope you've invested in executive level memberships! Those are the ones that cost a bit more per year, but refund 2% of your purchases in the form of an annual rebate check. Believe me - while it doesn't sound like much it can REALLY add up. If you're not sure of your spending level or if it's worth the upgrade just ask at the membership desk, or ask your cashier to have someone check on it. They can look up your spending over the last few months and will give you an honest answer.

In addition to the 2% rebate, as an executive member you'll be eligible for a lot of other "price clubby" benefits too - like auto financing and insurance discounts, long distance service discounts, travel discounts and all kinds of cool things for small business owners like payroll prep and shipping discounts.

Oh, and one other thing... I can't believe a thread this long about Costco, with so many members, and no one mentioned the chocolate cake! LOL If you like chocolate (and are NOT counting calories) you MUST try the "All American" chocolate layer cake! mmmmmm.....mmmm....good...!

[fortyfeetunder]

74. Costco cake has a 1/2 hour half life at work!!!

Just yell "Costco Cake in the breakroom" and that cake is gonesville....There are no leftovers!

[Kazak]

62. I'd absolutely LOVE to...

in fact, I've written to CostCo, begging them to open up a store here (Norman, OK), but alas...

Edit: We usually buy groceries at Albertson's and other crap at Target (niether of which are much better), but I refuse to go to WalMart. Haven't stepped foot in a WalMart in years.

[MsTryska]

63. I'm absolutely thrilled....and i'll tell you why.....

A Costco is opening here in GA, right around the corner from my house. :D

[TroglodyteScholar]

81. Don't tell me -- in ATL?

It'll be another 50 years before we see one in Macon :(

[MsTryska]

82. in Cobb County no less....

but yeah...ATL. :( i'm sorry.

[rniel]

64. Every single week

We shop at costco for groceries to feed the 12 people living in our house.

[MsUSA]

65. I'd love to shop at the blue costco.......but, we don't have any

in my area. :cry:

[OneTwentyoNine]

69. Nope not here,just Walmarts galore,Sams Club blah blah.....

Costco is about 150 miles north in the Lenexa/Overland Park area of KC but we can't seem to get one in Wichita. With what they pay employee's and their benifits I'd support them even if their products were higher.

Maybe I need to write them and do some old fashion begging.

[erpowers]

70. Beats Sams

Costco continues to beat Sams even though the chain has less stores. Business week did a story on how they have been able to beat Sams' selling marging without having as many stores and while paying their people more.

[sepia_steel]

71. OMG what a great story!

We're joining ASAP. I've wanted to for almost a year; since I discovered that they're "blue".

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

73. No Costco's in my area...

Closest are in Chicago. But if I have a choice between shopping at Sam's Club and just doing without, I figure I can just do without

[fortyfeetunder]

75. FREE FOOD SAMPLES!!!

I have discovered good stuff to take home by grazing through the samples at Costco. Go there mid-day and there are food samples, eat enough for a meal.

And the buck-fifty Polish sausage with kraut and pop is another great Costco deal.

:loveya:

I hope someone prints out this string and sends it to Jim Senegal! Heck, I'll do it...

[shugah]

90. absolutely the free samples!

that is one of the definite perks of costco shopping - you practically get a free meal while you shop! whenever i say i'm making a trip to costco (a bit of a drive for us) my kids are all like "oh! oh! i want to go to! FREE SAMPLES!!!!"

i foremost love to shop at costco because they are blue, in addition to great products and great prices. but we really do enjoy the "grazing" part of the trip ;-)

oh, and if you are really sending this along to the costco CEO - i would say that i probably purchase approximately 10-20% of the products we sample, and in some cases continue to purchase on subsequent trips (kirkland coffee, nancy's mini quiches, and some really great multi-grain crackers come to mind).

one thing i wonder about is their dairy products. i buy most of my dairy from a local grocery store that carries a line that advertises not pumping their cows full of antibiotics as a matter of course. i pay considerably more for the milk/butter/cheese etc, but it's worth it to me. anyone know how costco does with dairy? not that i can go to costco every other day to meet milk needs, but i do buy what i can freexe there.

[earth mom]

76. Another Costco devotee checking in! :) eom

[Clark2008]

77. Can't. Wish I could.

No CostCo in my area.

Of course, I don't go to Wal-mart either.

I'm a Target girl.

[Cornjob]

78. Costco has better service, and better selection...

than it's competition.

My wife and I have been members for years.

When we shop there we have noticed that every aspect of shopping is made better there. Everything from parking the car to checking out is fast, efficient, and hassle-free.

The atmosphere in Costco is all about its customers. The stores are neat and clean, products are logically arranged, and prices are great.

Kudos to Costco!

[sendero]

80. It's so telling.

.... that these "analysts" cannot understand the SHAREHOLDER BENEFITS of running a company the way Costco does.

Employees who feel like they are valued by their employer do more and better work. Walk into a Costco store and watch the employees. Now go to a Wal-Mart and do the same.

I've been to a bunch of Wal-Marts. There is an oppressive atmosphere in most of them. The workers look like they are trying to get through the work day. The atmosphere at Costco is completely different. The employees seem almost excited to be there.

Anyone who thinks shoppers don't pick up on this vibe and respond to it is nuts. But the bottom liners can't get it and never will. You can't make a number out of happy employees, so the whole idea is discounted.

This, among other things, is what is wrong with American business.

[meppie-meppie not]

83. I guess the Chinese know how to run their businesses eh!

[vanboggie]

84. Became a member today

I wore my FUGWB DU shirt, and the lady taking membership photos loved it. A Repuke kid helping at the checkout asked me what FUGWB meant and when I said "G is for George" he did not look pleased, but this is a Repuke area. I was telling my spouse about it in the parking lot, and a guy getting his kids out of the car next to us said, "I like your shirt!"

I also told the membership desk lady WHY we were joining Costco. I, too, noticed that employees there are brighter and happier looking than at Sam's.

And I bought the chocolate cake.

[Jane Austin]

85. I did my share at Costco this afternoon.

Unfortunately they have a horrible book for sale there called "Surrounded by Idiots" which is all about how liberals are driving the author crazy.

Might not be so bad except there was no corresponding liberal or moderate book on the bestseller table.

I'm going to write and complain that everybody I know shops there because they are blue, and a book like that isn't doing them any good.

[AntiCoup2K4]

91. Costco and WalMart are trying to get an all out war going in this area.

We're about to get our second Costco in the eastern edge of the Olympia area, and it will be located basically across the street from where the existing WallyWorld is. Meanwhile, WallyWorld is trying to get their second location just down the street from the Tumwater Costco.

I'm honestly not sure if the area needs either store, but I know which of the two I'll be shopping at.

[mvd]

92. Good idea!

I saw it at buyblue.org.

I was under the impression that Target and Kohls were blue companies, but buyblue.org told me otherwise. It's a great site.

[snowbear]

93. Wow... the President & CEO of Costco has been good to Dems!

$$ :bounce: $$

http://www.fundrace.org/neighbors.php?type=name&lname=sinegal&fname=&search=Search+by+Name

[liberaliraqvet26]

94. I wish i could but I live by myself..

and don't have room for 66 rolls of toilet paper.

[Cha]

96. Too true for me, too.

But, I remember when I was on Kauai..my boss would send me to Costco for supplies for the cafe.

Didn't know at the time how good we were doing.

And she hated walmart way back then in about '95 when they came to the Island.

[PsycheCC]

95. Thanks for the info! Had heard they were better for America than

Wal-mart, but I didn't know the details. Cute dogs, by the way.:)

[1932]

97. For the last week this has been one of the top two most emailed stories at

NYTimes.com.

Interesting, eh?

I wonder how many people read this story and thought, "man, they only charge 10-15% above cost? I'm shopping there."

[Rainscents]

98. Costco and local orgainc store is only place I shop!

I been member for 18 years!!!

[snowbear]

99. Question for Lower-48 Costco shoppers...

You know.. you guyz down there in the "contiguous" 48 states.. ;) How much are the pizzas that Costo bake fresh where you live?

Those things are =HUGE= !!! :o Here in Anchorage they cost 9 dollars & something.. (I can't remember the exact change) ..I'm guessing though that they're even cheaper down there though.. :shrug:

[Clark2008]

100. I even wrote an email to several people on the CostCo.

board begging them to open a store in my area.

I think they thought my town was smaller than it was because they wrote back explaining that they needed a larger draw (they were polite about it).

I wrote them back, explaining that there are 300,000 in my county, alone, not to mention the several more thousand in the surrounding counties who come to this county to shop.

I really wish we'd get one. I'd love to have a blue alternative.