Yes, you can. Just walk through the exit to the cafe. I've never been stopped before.
Costco??
- Thread starter wazup
- Start date
I don't think this is the case at Costco. I have the Executive membership which has a 2% credit for all purchases. I pay $100 annually for the membership but get several hundred back in credit.
There are some products which are really much better value at Costco. You have to buy in "bulk" but if you have a family (or share) it's not really that big of a purchase. Some products like soap or detergent (which last forever, are considerably cheaper.
I also know that Costco treats their employees very well (unlike other big box chains mentioned above), are active in the community supporting worthy causes and these are good resons to give them a try. The return policy (as mentioned above) is untouchable. This is from their website:
Costco guarantees your satisfaction with the merchandise you purchase from us.
Costco.ca products may be returned to any of our hundreds of Costco warehouses
worldwide. Or, if you wish to return or exchange merchandise directly to costco.ca, contact
us at customer service. We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. Exceptions: Televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPOD / MP3 players and cellular phones must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund.
Basically, this means that anything you buy at Costco can be returned at any future time for a full refund (with the exceptions noted - where you still have three months). Not too many places still maintain that open of a policy and some that still do make returns quite difficult whereas Costco asks no questions and processes your refund.
One of the great things about Costco being a "club" is that they have a policy of not charging more than 4% mark up on any item. So you may not find any loss leaders but their prices are more than fair. Go in and see how many small variety stores and resturants get their supplies there. And yes the chochlate muffins are great.
I don't know about the 4% mark up, the hot dog and pop these guys are drooling over is probably a 200% mark up.
If you're looking to save money with Costco then it totally depends on what you're buying. The second thing is that generally with many items you're not saving money, but rather buying them in bulk for convenience.
Meats are better quality compared to supermarkets, however you're buying them in larger packages. Costco's tenderloins are great.
Chocolate bars cost the same as buying them at Dollarama, but at Costco you get the box carton with it instead of needing to carry each one individually.
Breads, pastries and desserts you'll save money, but you're buying in large quantities. This is good for parties though.
Frozen foods (dinners, wings, pies, pizzas, fish sticks, etc.) cost the same as in supermarkets. Costco carries different brands so it comes down to personal preferences.
Electronics (TVs, HTiBs, some PCs) cost less by about $50-$200 on any given item versus Best Buy and Future Shop. The huge benefit with this at Costco is their no questions asked 90-day warranty.
Meats are better quality compared to supermarkets, however you're buying them in larger packages. Costco's tenderloins are great.
Chocolate bars cost the same as buying them at Dollarama, but at Costco you get the box carton with it instead of needing to carry each one individually.
Breads, pastries and desserts you'll save money, but you're buying in large quantities. This is good for parties though.
Frozen foods (dinners, wings, pies, pizzas, fish sticks, etc.) cost the same as in supermarkets. Costco carries different brands so it comes down to personal preferences.
Electronics (TVs, HTiBs, some PCs) cost less by about $50-$200 on any given item versus Best Buy and Future Shop. The huge benefit with this at Costco is their no questions asked 90-day warranty.
If you are considering getting a costco membership I suggest splitting the cost with someone. You get two cards per account. I split mine with my aunt (to do that I sent myself a letter to her place showing same address).
The good thing about Costco is that the prices are always reasonable. I am one of those customers that hates waiting for things to go on sale. Why would I wait when that sale price is what is regular at costco.
I am a single person shopping at costco and I still find it great. Cereal, milk, juice, snacks, fruit, and meat are my buys. Clothes are great too when they are available in my size.
Don't knock Costco unless you have actually tried it. For those that live close to the border, bring your costco card with you to the states. It is accepted at the american costco, and american costco is so much cheaper--especially the meat (however I am fairly certain that the US FDA does not have the same standards as we do in Canada for our meat).
The good thing about Costco is that the prices are always reasonable. I am one of those customers that hates waiting for things to go on sale. Why would I wait when that sale price is what is regular at costco.
I am a single person shopping at costco and I still find it great. Cereal, milk, juice, snacks, fruit, and meat are my buys. Clothes are great too when they are available in my size.
Don't knock Costco unless you have actually tried it. For those that live close to the border, bring your costco card with you to the states. It is accepted at the american costco, and american costco is so much cheaper--especially the meat (however I am fairly certain that the US FDA does not have the same standards as we do in Canada for our meat).
I think costco is well worth the fee. If you focus on the staples, or have a large family/business you save money. Contacts are really cheap there too. But something else I like about costco it the merch changes week to week, so if u need big ticket items you can get a great deal. + surprised nobody has mentioned this, costco is full of hot yummy chicks
Free food samples too. I think in the long run, family of two or up, the membership pays for itself over the course of the year.
Yes, they do track their sales to customers. One time there was a product recall on one of their food items and I received an automated phone call telling me to return it for a refund.
Membership is portable to the U.S. which means that when you go on vacation and stay at a condo, it is a good place to stock up for the week. There's one just beside the airport in Maui. And they sell cheaper gas in some U.S. locations.
The only thing I don't like is the lack of express lanes.
Membership is portable to the U.S. which means that when you go on vacation and stay at a condo, it is a good place to stock up for the week. There's one just beside the airport in Maui. And they sell cheaper gas in some U.S. locations.
The only thing I don't like is the lack of express lanes.
LOL but hey that's a steal compared to those 3x more expensive "crappy" street food at downtown or along St. George St.
So the bottom line is that you have to look around for good prices even at Costco, but if you do your homework you can save a bundle at the big box stores and if you hunt out the bargains at Costco. You have to know your prices to get a good price or you will end up screwing yourself.
I have known, done business with and buy from Costco and have since Day 1. They are in my back yard!! They work on a very simple formula. Small margin, big volume. They dont carry as many SKU's as you would think. They have a VAST private label division (Kirkland Signature) that enables them to work directly with manufactures, where they can take out costs such as advertising, co-op, marketing etc that enalbles the Costco buyers to get core products at very, very good prices.
As I said, there mark-up is only about 17%, where most retailers take 50% (double the wholesale price for the retail price)
They are the largest retailer of wine in the US. Thier Kirkland Vodka is the biggest in the US as well (made by Grey Goose). Big ticket items are the best things to buy at Costco. You can shop around and get a case of Coke either the same or lower. But a Sony 46 PLasma HDTV is another matter. I just bought one and it was $300 less than the cheapest price I could find. Their return policy is much like Nordstrom. There meat is incredible, as is the stuff they have for seasonal such as BBQ's, outdoor furniture, chlorine, etc. And their seasonal stuff is a great deal..Christmas lights, Plants, Summer furniture.
Its a great place to shop.
As I said, there mark-up is only about 17%, where most retailers take 50% (double the wholesale price for the retail price)
They are the largest retailer of wine in the US. Thier Kirkland Vodka is the biggest in the US as well (made by Grey Goose). Big ticket items are the best things to buy at Costco. You can shop around and get a case of Coke either the same or lower. But a Sony 46 PLasma HDTV is another matter. I just bought one and it was $300 less than the cheapest price I could find. Their return policy is much like Nordstrom. There meat is incredible, as is the stuff they have for seasonal such as BBQ's, outdoor furniture, chlorine, etc. And their seasonal stuff is a great deal..Christmas lights, Plants, Summer furniture.
Its a great place to shop.
We live in an age of instant gratification. The younger generation has grown up with cell phones, the internet, internet shopping, text message, emails, bbm, wifi, internet on our phones, laptops. They don't wait, that includes waiting for sales. Costco is great for them because on average the prices are better. They're generally not overpaying for any item or getting ripped off by a large amount at costco.
There are many business owners as well that have costco accounts to buy items for their business. They don't pay the tax as its for their stores/business, not everywhere offers this, so costco is a good place.
There are many business owners as well that have costco accounts to buy items for their business. They don't pay the tax as its for their stores/business, not everywhere offers this, so costco is a good place.
Here you go. Do the math.
Key items for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2009 include:
� Net sales increased 11.3% to $18,356, driven by a 9% increase in comparable sales (sales in warehouses open for at least one year, including relocated warehouses) and sales at 15 net new warehouses opened since the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2009. Net sales were significantly impacted by increases in the price of gasoline and by certain foreign currency exchange rates;
� Membership fees increased 8.5% to $386, primarily due to new membership sign-ups and increased penetration of the higher-fee Executive Membership program;
� Gross margin (net sales less merchandise costs) as a percentage of net sales increased 26 basis points;
� Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses as a percentage of net sales increased nine basis points; � Net income attributable to Costco increased 24.9% to $299, or $0.67 per diluted share compared to $239, or $0.55 per diluted share;
