Comments on: Costco: Do bulk items for less equal more, more, more?

By: Anjuli

Anjuli — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:51:01 +0000

Tallow: Point well taken on the lack of plastic bags. You’re right. But I wouldn’t consider the desire for higher quality foods snootiness, just that my health is a real priority. There are many ways to make quality food affordable.

And thank you for giving a practical cost breakdown. One of the hardest things is having to travel to multiple destinations to get the job done. And yes, with bulk you generally end up eating more or wasting more.

Have you found a better alternative?

By: Tallow Tanin

Tallow Tanin — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:31:10 +0000

Kind of funny to see how people pick and choose what their snootiness. You derisively point out the sale of caged meat, then complain about the lack of plastic bags! LOL Bring your own!

I actually did a price comparrison between costco and my local grocery store… (when there wasn’t an exact quantity match, I calculated a per-ounce cost.) On 3 separate trips, prices were 5-7% lower at Costco. That isn’t much, is it? With a $50 membership, if you take the worst case scenaro of 5% savings, you will have to spend $1000 to BREAK EVEN with buying the exact same items at your local store. When you take into account the waste that often comes with bulk purchases (food rots or is simply never used), the hassle of dealing with the costco crowds, and the time/gas wasted going to costco AND your local grocery store… Is it really worth it?

For our family, the straight dollar savings was $75/year… Factoring in gas, time and waste… We probably broke even.

By: Anjuli

Anjuli — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:35:05 +0000

Kristen: Where do you shop? Yea, I feel for people when they get scammed. Myself included :)

By: Kristen

Kristen — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:38:42 +0000

At the Costco where I shop they actually do have organic meat available and for a better price than I can get it from my local natural grocer. I really only shop there for organics and not much else. I cringe when I see people with such full carts because I know I can save more elsewhere.

Great article!

By: Wide Lanes, Wide Carts, Wide Shoppers « Costco Blog

Wide Lanes, Wide Carts, Wide Shoppers « Costco Blog — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:30:24 +0000

[...] 29, 2008 · No Comments A Smart Mouth had an interesting pictorial yesterday of a trip to Costco, which noted that many of us buying in bulk have a little bulk [...]

By: Anjuli

Anjuli — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:42:29 +0000

Micha,
Thanks for the thoughtful comment! You’re totally right. When I looked up the business plan I was happy to find that the reason Costco is offering things at a lower price is simply because they have a good model and not because they are unfairly or unnecessarily cutting corners.

This was my first trip to Costco. I did sign up for a membership. I am taken just like anyone to the point of buying things I probably won’t run out of for another couple months.

So I would say I felt somewhat divided, too. But I do feel that human behavior-wise, people are prone to spend more and also consume more. That’s why Costco has had such success. There are much more deceitful marketing ploys out there.

By: Micha

Micha — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:41:28 +0000

First, I’d like to say that I think you did a great job capturing Costco photographically. This is what it’s like. I dread going to Costco because of the need to maneuver an overly large cart through throngs of large people who are also pushing overly large carts (that they have no idea how to maneuver).

I believe that you are right, only those with strong, STRONG wills can shop at Costco and actually save money. I often find myself picking up something I don’t need, only to return it to the shelf after further consideration. Occasionally, I run in for just one thing (usually, a block of Tillamook – which I just noticed is now bigger if you buy it at Costco), but usually I have a list.

I recognize Costco as being a consumer tool – one that more often than not uses the consumer – but I’m still kind of partial to the place. On the other hand, if I don’t have to go back there for a year because I bought the lifetime supply size of Helman’s (yuck), that’s not so bad either.

Basically, I agree with you, but there are some things about Costco I like. One of the big ones is that they treat their employees well (nope, I’ve never worked there). Maybe I’m biased because of my past love with Seattle and Costco’s connection to that place.

Um, sorry for the long, rambling comment ;)