Costco

[Russianwolf]

As far as management goes, I saw an article talking about Costco. Their employee retention rate is extremely high. That tells you alot about a company.

Something like 85% of their employees have been with the company over 5 years.


http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Business/story?id=1362779

[Hoover]

The Costco nearby also sells gasoline. The prices are usually lower than the competition. Also you can't beat a hot dog and a soda for $1.50.

You need to know your prices on products, as Costco is not always the lowest price. Still the convenience factor weighs in on our purchases.

[Hoyden]

Costco has consistent high quality meat at very reasonable prices. Their Kirkland brand is manufactured by high end suppliers. The Items carried are always the upper to top of the line. Their prices are not always the discount that the others, ie: Sams Club, are but the items are always high quality. The store is always clean and the employees very helpful and friendly. A basic membership is $50.00 and includes 2 people usually husband and wife, and the check must match the name on the membership. They accept Debit cards and American Express only, at ours. The main problem with Costco is I always come out with more GOOD things than I intended when I went in.

[MilDoc]

I envy you. All I got is a Sam's. Love to go to Costco when I'm in Dallas.

[herb fellows]

Costco is a bit apart from the others IMO. They have a good return policy, although I think it became less good recently, probably because of idiots taking advantage of them. Pretty square deals all around, just do your due dilligence.

[Stormbringer]

Go figure. I was just reading up on them and how they came to be three weeks ago.

I've been a member at mine since it was "The Price Club" (15 yrs)

Regarding pay:
"The Employee Agreement sets forth such things such as benefits, compensations, wages, disciplinary procedures, paid holidays, bonuses, and seniority. As of March 2007, non-supervisory hourly wages range from $11.00 to $19.50."

Read their Wikipedia page here (worth the five minutes even if you are familiar with their stores)

I also give them a great deal of respect for closing their stores on holidays. Nice to see a store keep with traditional values and allow their employees to enjoy the day.

They also provide coupon books to their members (seems like every other month lately) which make their good deals very good deals.

Greg

[TB Roye]

Years ago (mid 80's) we belonged to Price Club which later became COSTCO. At one time they carried a Ryobi table saw system, which might have been or was the predecessor to the BT3. The price was in the $600 range if I remember right. Now I could be all wrong on this but at the time I though it was a pretty reasonable set up.

Tom

[cabinetman]

Once upon a time there were no Costco's, Sams, or BJ's. There was though an innovative wholesaler who set up a "Cash and Carry" big box grocery store only for business owners. You had to show a business license to get a ID card and that was it, no fees.

I thought this was great because it was definitely cheaper buying in bulk. I think the first item I got was breakfast cereal. My thoughts were that it could be eaten for any meal, and I'd use it up. But, everything was in only case lots. I can't remember how many boxes were in that case, but I had to wheel it out of the store. I got so sick of Frosted Mini Wheats. I was eating them all the time just to use up my stash. Left bowls of them out like candy hoping people would take some. Gave little bags away at intersections when the "will work for food" signs were held up. I was giving boxes away. I sorta learned a lesson about my eyes being bigger than my stomach.

[JR]

At one time they carried a Ryobi table saw system, which might have been or was the predecessor to the BT3.

I got my BT3000 at Costco. The $500 package included the accessory kit and a 1.5hp Ryobi router. At the time it was great deal.

JR

[Bruce Cohen]

Got to agree with everything postive said, selection is a hit or miss affair. Sometimes they have a product for a while and then its gone forever. Great battery prices, pissy tool selection.

I've got a Costco about 5 minutes from me, don't go there too often these days, except for Sat (or is it Fri) when they have fresh seafood. Can't beat their shrimp and King Crab legs. That alone is worth the membership fee.

[kmk]

We have been shopping at Costco regularly for about 7+ years now. We have executive membership so we get additional benefits like more cash back if we use some of their services. We get cash back on regular purchases plus more cash back from American Express Blue Cash Card. In case if we don't get cash back more than the amount we paid for the membership, they refund the difference!!!

Instead of trying to use coupons and shop around for good price, just goto Costco and get the items you want! 90% of the time you don't have to compare prices. I recently purchased a electric shaver and an iron. Same brand was little over 25% expensive at Linen'n'Things! Some of the items like shaver came with extras which you don't find in any retail shop. They are custom packaged/made for Costco.

We purchased two houses using their brokerage services. We got $1500 plus cash back each time from their broker commission!!

The Costco nearby our home is so big that the news was that it is the largest
Costco in the world! The one thing I hate about Costco is we always endup buying more things! If you browse the store, you are pretty much will go broke!

[JoeyGee]

Do they really have free 1 year memberships when they open a store? They just opened a new one here.

[JackAZ]

Just another long time Costco member, beginning so far back I cant remember when, with Price Club. We use the local Costco for Scotch, food, occasionally clothes and software...I don't think they have nearly as good a selection of tools as they used to...Lately the selection and range of choices in flat panel TVs is astounding at our local store, although they have always had pretty good electronics. I would echo an earlier comment that you need to do your homework and be well informed on the products and prices of anything you shop for.
It was the best when we lived up in Redmond, WA and lived at the other end of the lake from Issaquah where they are headquartered. They tried out a number of products and pricing options at the adjacent store.