The economy is so bad that Costco...

Tondtar · 12-17-2008, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadDog

Costco did buy Price Club, and those stores then became Price-Costco, and eventually changed to just Costco. (At least that's what happened to the Price Club near my house)

Ditto ...Tames Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman, the two guys who founded Costco in Seattle, Washington, on September 15, 1983, were assistants working for Sol Price at both FedMart and Price Club. The very first Price Club location was an old airplane hangar, previously owned by Howard Hughes, and is still in operation today (Warehouse #401 San Diego).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costco

oldaccount · 12-17-2008, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jh valley

...?

people who lease entry level BMWs are too fancy for samples. duh.

Speedtrap · 12-17-2008, 03:45 PM

I do feel a bit outdated myself when I visit the store

richeerich03 · 12-17-2008, 04:10 PM

They can keep there samples..

As long as I can still get my $1.50 hotdog and soda.. lol

bsamoul · 12-18-2008, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jh valley

NO WAY. NO MORE CIRCUS ANIMAL COOKIES?!

they supposedly got bought out by kelloggs, and in august shut their doors completely. i think just now the stock is running out.

NaTuReB0Y · 12-18-2008, 12:55 AM

i shop at costco.........

i just don't buy their gas.......

OC Guy · 12-18-2008, 07:44 AM

i love costco.

bfry · 12-18-2008, 11:10 AM

as a factory owner, i can tell you that the product being sampled is paid for by the manufactor. they are also being charged for the person handing out the samples.
i tell costco not enterested once a year. very difficult to deal with. you might sell additional product but at what cost. it's not all it's cracked up to be.
those kind of companies are hard to deal with.

Saigon · 12-18-2008, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bfry

as a factory owner, i can tell you that the product being sampled is paid for by the manufactor. they are also being charged for the person handing out the samples.
i tell costco not enterested once a year. very difficult to deal with. you might sell additional product but at what cost. it's not all it's cracked up to be.
those kind of companies are hard to deal with.

You must own a very small factory, to get your product inside of a costco is a priviledge. More than likely it will not do well unless you have your own team of promoters willing to market your product, but being successful with a new product coming into Costco is a huge deal. It's hard to deal with, but I don't believe that they(Costco) are the ones going to companies asking for them to put their products on their shelves. They are just too big of a company and don't have the time to look for that...

Mk23 · 12-18-2008, 03:15 PM

Isn't Costo essentially an oversized wal-mart with oversized products? I always looked at them that way.

Went in a Costco one time, never went back in...

pdjafari · 12-18-2008, 03:38 PM

where else can you buy items, use them for a couple months and return them with no box, receipt and no questions??? Costco is still alive due to its customer service along with the bulk discounts, not because its interior design nor because cheap ass people such as the OP actually travel to costco to try samples...

Sell your BMW and buy a hyundai so you can actually afford to eat, since it sounds like your struggling...

Tondtar · 12-18-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdjafari

where else can you buy items, use them for a couple months and return them with no box, receipt and no questions??? Costco is still alive due to its customer service along with the bulk discounts, not because its interior design nor because cheap ass people such as the OP actually travel to costco to try samples...

Sell your BMW and buy a hyundai so you can actually afford to eat, since it sounds like your struggling...

You can return stuff to Costco because it does not cost them anything.

They require any and all of their vendors to take back their stuff for a full refund to customers - No questions asked. This is their rule of doing business w/ anyone. I had a friend who sold them electronics for a short while many years ago. He quit doing business w/ them after a few months because of this. Most of his profit (if any, because of low margin requirement) would go up in smoke after taking a hit on returns which he could not liquidate easily. These days, they only do business with the big guys who can absorb such damage.

HappyG · 12-18-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tondtar

You can return stuff to Costco because it does not cost them anything.

They require any and all of their vendors to take back their stuff for a full refund to customers - No questions asked. This is their rule of doing business w/ anyone. I had a friend who sold them electronics for a short while many years ago. He quit doing business w/ them after a few months because of this. Most of his profit (if any, because of low margin requirement) would go up in smoke after taking a hit on returns which he could not liquidate easily. These days, they only do business with the big guys who can absorb such damage.

Which means those ddamages are not passed onto the consumer. Which means we get a better deal.

LOL at the OP for hating Costco because they're not handing our freebies. Might as well panhandle near an offramp.

akack79 · 12-18-2008, 07:28 PM

Yay for me being a customer!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tondtar

You can return stuff to Costco because it does not cost them anything.

They require any and all of their vendors to take back their stuff for a full refund to customers - No questions asked. This is their rule of doing business w/ anyone. I had a friend who sold them electronics for a short while many years ago. He quit doing business w/ them after a few months because of this. Most of his profit (if any, because of low margin requirement) would go up in smoke after taking a hit on returns which he could not liquidate easily. These days, they only do business with the big guys who can absorb such damage.

The_Blob · 12-18-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tondtar

You can return stuff to Costco because it does not cost them anything.

They require any and all of their vendors to take back their stuff for a full refund to customers - No questions asked. This is their rule of doing business w/ anyone. I had a friend who sold them electronics for a short while many years ago. He quit doing business w/ them after a few months because of this. Most of his profit (if any, because of low margin requirement) would go up in smoke after taking a hit on returns which he could not liquidate easily. These days, they only do business with the big guys who can absorb such damage.

For electronics, there is a 90 day refund policy.

LACSTER · 12-18-2008, 07:35 PM

So you're not going to Costco because their not giving out samples?
That's just plan stupid!

The_Blob · 12-18-2008, 07:37 PM

No, I'm still going there but I'm just want to point out that due to the current economic conditions Costco is cutting back on the sample stations. Sampling food is the heart of Costco.

LACSTER · 12-18-2008, 08:48 PM

You're right but it's tough times and businesses have to do what they have to do. They still have them on weekends here in Cali.

Blake · 12-18-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Blob

Sampling food is the heart of Costco.

i thought 55-gallon drums of mayonnaise was the heart of costco...or at least the blood.

Tondtar · 12-18-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blake

i thought 55-gallon drums of mayonnaise was the heart of costco...or at least the blood.

Actually, you guys both have it wrong.

The 48 roll of toilet paper pack and a 4 pound rotisserie chicken at $4.99 is the heart of Coscto. And interestingly enough, they do go hand in hand ...Look at anyone's cart in the lines next time you go there

Blake · 12-18-2008, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tondtar

Actually, you guys both have it wrong.

The 48 roll of toilet paper pack and a 4 pound rotisserie chicken at $4.99 is the heart of Coscto. And interestingly enough, they do go hand in hand ...Look at anyone's cart in the lines next time you go there

i get a rotisserie chicken and the giant toilet paper pack every time i go there, because that's the only time i go there

(just for TP and paper towels)

not to mention cheap beer and wine

The_Blob · 12-18-2008, 11:33 PM

In Canada, we have similar stores like Costco but you don't have to pay for membership. None of these stores offer samples at all. I have a feeling that Costco will be closing stores soon. I was at Costco on the weekend and I couldn't believe they had like 15 cashiers when the store wasn't busy at all. There were about 1-2 person at each line. When you pay people high wages like Costco at these economic times, a store won't survive.

Now, just let us have the friggin' samples...

12-17-2008, 03:45 PM	#25
Speedtrap Lieutenant Colonel 57 Rep 1,798 Posts Drives: A very fast car :) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I do feel a bit outdated myself when I visit the store __________________
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12-17-2008, 04:10 PM	#26
richeerich03 Captain 149 Rep 877 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Santa Clarita iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 E90 330i [0.00]	They can keep there samples.. As long as I can still get my $1.50 hotdog and soda.. lol __________________
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12-18-2008, 12:55 AM	#28
NaTuReB0Y Powered By 36DD 337 Rep 7,369 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Inland Empire iTrader: (12)	i shop at costco......... i just don't buy their gas....... __________________ 2006 E90 330i Jet Black \| 20" WORK VS-XX \| FK452 \| H&R Sport on Koni Yellow \| REMUS QUAD
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12-18-2008, 07:44 AM	#29
OC Guy General 539 Rep 18,123 Posts Drives: AW 335D E90 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Irvine/Aliso Viejo, CA iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	i love costco. __________________ Current: 2010 Alpine White 335D LCI l 19" BBS LMs l KW V2 Coilovers l BMW Performance Grilles l MSport Front/Rear l Karbonwerke Trunk l F1 Pinnacle Tint 35% Former: E92 Space Grey 335i Latest pics
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12-18-2008, 11:10 AM	#30
bfry pig pa 0 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 07 z4mc Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: petaluma,ca iTrader: (0)	as a factory owner, i can tell you that the product being sampled is paid for by the manufactor. they are also being charged for the person handing out the samples. i tell costco not enterested once a year. very difficult to deal with. you might sell additional product but at what cost. it's not all it's cracked up to be. those kind of companies are hard to deal with.
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12-18-2008, 03:15 PM	#32
Mk23 Major 114 Rep 1,148 Posts Drives: 09 E92 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Central Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335i Coupe [0.00]	Isn't Costo essentially an oversized wal-mart with oversized products? I always looked at them that way. Went in a Costco one time, never went back in... __________________ 09 - 335i E92 / Monaco Blue
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12-18-2008, 03:38 PM	#33
pdjafari Colonel 152 Rep 2,459 Posts Drives: Axe Murderer with headlights Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Earth iTrader: (5)	where else can you buy items, use them for a couple months and return them with no box, receipt and no questions??? Costco is still alive due to its customer service along with the bulk discounts, not because its interior design nor because cheap ass people such as the OP actually travel to costco to try samples... Sell your BMW and buy a hyundai so you can actually afford to eat, since it sounds like your struggling...
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12-18-2008, 07:35 PM	#38
LACSTER Major General 756 Rep 8,279 Posts Drives: Hybrid Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: oc iTrader: (64)	So you're not going to Costco because their not giving out samples? That's just plan stupid!
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12-18-2008, 07:37 PM	#39
The_Blob Second Lieutenant 479 Rep 298 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	No, I'm still going there but I'm just want to point out that due to the current economic conditions Costco is cutting back on the sample stations. Sampling food is the heart of Costco.
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12-18-2008, 08:48 PM	#40
LACSTER Major General 756 Rep 8,279 Posts Drives: Hybrid Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: oc iTrader: (64)	You're right but it's tough times and businesses have to do what they have to do. They still have them on weekends here in Cali.
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12-18-2008, 11:33 PM	#44
The_Blob Second Lieutenant 479 Rep 298 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	In Canada, we have similar stores like Costco but you don't have to pay for membership. None of these stores offer samples at all. I have a feeling that Costco will be closing stores soon. I was at Costco on the weekend and I couldn't believe they had like 15 cashiers when the store wasn't busy at all. There were about 1-2 person at each line. When you pay people high wages like Costco at these economic times, a store won't survive. Now, just let us have the friggin' samples...
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