Posted on 09/20/2009 12:38:32 PM PDT by Dallas59
Below is an excerpt from the book "1,001 Things They Won't Tell You," which was published in May 2009 and highlights popular columns from SmartMoney's long-running "10 Things" feature.
(Excerpt) Read more at customsites.yahoo.com ...
Whatever they say about Costco, they are superb about returns. The quality of the products sold is usually superior to what is found elsewhere. You might find some items cheaper elsewhere, but when you use their coupon books, you’d have a hard time beating their prices with the sharpest shopping savvy. Online shopping for big ticket items often includes shipping and delivery - which local merchants cannot begin to match in my area.
You don’t want to know.....
I use the shredder ( for many many things) but that is a good idea, just in case someone gets them.
I’m a Costco fan.
They beat every other store, Sears, Target, etc. on customer service in a national survey.
Buy a TV there, they extend the warranty another year.
Their meat and vegetables are superior to Kroger, Harris Teeter, etc. And cheaper, significantly cheaper.
What’s not to like?
You should ALWAYS buy your TVs and Electronics at COSTCO. They automatically extend the 90 day manufacturers warranty to TWO YEARS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great deals at Costco. Note how Costco keeps flowers and bulbs far away from produce and cheese. Many supermarkets have them in the same section because they look nice together and that is a good place for impulse sales. They don't care that the gases from cut produce and cheese shortens the life of flowers by days.
In Flower Confidential: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful in the Business of Flowers Amy Stewart tracked the business from growers in California and Ecuador, the auction floor in Holland, importers in Miami, high line florists in NYC, Costco and others.
She quoted a broker who said anyone who doesn't give Costco the best price and best quality is dead. Costco will never deal with them again. She wrote that florists buy there because often they can't get a better deal from their own wholesalers.
I was a member of BJ’s (loved the place) and since they closed I have Costco and recently switched to Sam’s (has more to do with the brands they carry than anything else).
Both places save me a fortune on the things I buy consistently, and I am not a “brand name” shopper. But for staples like paper towels, toilet paper, fabric softener, cereal, altoids, snack packs, and other stuff, they are unbeatable. Just an example; a 16oz box of Quaker granola cereal is about $4.50 or so at Walmart (cheapo Sunshine brand is no cheaper), but I can get a 2-pack of 34.5 oz bags for $8 at Costco.
The only complaint I have with these discount stores is you cannot always count on them to have all the same items month to month but any other retailer has the same issue on some level.
A lot of the time the reason stuff comes and goes depends on availability for the price they want to pay the wholesaler/distributor. Walmart, and some other stores, change things around on purpose to try to get you to walk through more areas of the store, to increase “impulse buying”.
My favorite store, that I cannot afford to buy too many things, is Publix. Excellent about keeping stuff in stock, always clean and neat, and I am convinced they can get their hands on absolutely any item you request.
Interesting - COSTCO does has nice flowers - and they’re reasonable. The Alaskan King Crab is cheaper than you can special order it from Alaska too - and you don’t have to pay shipping. The only thing I don’t like about COSTCO is they’re starting to go ‘green’ - with some inferior, but more costly - “green” products... It’s a mistake and slap in the face to their more conservative customers.
I shop both Sam’s and Costco, like them both, usually get my gasoline there, and when (not if) I buy a big-assed flatscreen TV in one or the other, I’ll pay for at least a year’s worth of membership in both.
Before you drop a bunch of cash at Sam’s or Costco for the big flat screen, spend a little time researching what it is that you want (size, features) and check out Amazon. We got a model 3 rungs up the model ladder for half of the money we were getting ready to spend at Sam’s. In addition to the savings, no sales tax and free shipping. You want service, you say? The delivery was made by 2 installers in a truck that unpacked it, made sure it worked properly, and gave us a lesson on the major features. That is much better than bringing it home from Sam’s all on your own or paying a tech to come install it for you.
Ditto us.....Sam's meat is choice and cut on-premises, where the next door WalMart has it shipped in from wherever....and theirs is clearly marked "water added" and is only select grade.
Corps are neither evil nor good, they are amoral.
Thanks!
I have been a long time Sam’s Club member and purchased a 42” LCD TV. Within 5 months the TV went completely dead. The TV manufacturer had a 1 year warranty, but only for repairs. When the service rep arrived nearly 2 weeks after calling the manufacturer, the TV proved to be unrepairable. Instead of giving me a new TV I was to send them my old set and they would return a “rebuilt” unit. I went to the Sam’s Club were I purchased the TV and they gave me a new TV with their 6 month no hassle replacement policy.
Actually Costco offers special hours for their business members which are much less corwded.
2. "You'll need a hard hat when you shop here."
Huh? That's just stupid.
3. "Our credit card will burn your savings away." Actually there credit card is just like ay other american Express card. Except with benefits for memebers. 4. "Jewelry experts trash our gems."
Again there gems are GIA certified, just like most other generic jewelerer
5. "You'll leave when we tell you to."
Which department stores let you stay as long as you want?
6. "We have more animals than a small zoo."
That doesn't make any sense, actually.
7. "Try our website. It will try your patience."
I find it very easy to navigate, who are you comparing the too?
8. "That warranty is valid-in Italy perhaps."
You're kidding right? their warranty and return policy is better than any other retailer out there.
9. "Your backyard would make a beautiful warehouse." 10. "You'd better like what we like."
Huh?! and double huh?!
Actually Costco offers special hours for their business members which are much less corwded.
2. "You'll need a hard hat when you shop here."
Huh? That's just stupid.
3. "Our credit card will burn your savings away." Actually there credit card is just like ay other american Express card. Except with benefits for memebers. 4. "Jewelry experts trash our gems."
Again there gems are GIA certified, just like most other generic jewelerer
5. "You'll leave when we tell you to."
Which department stores let you stay as long as you want?
6. "We have more animals than a small zoo."
That doesn't make any sense, actually.
7. "Try our website. It will try your patience."
I find it very easy to navigate, who are you comparing the too?
8. "That warranty is valid-in Italy perhaps."
You're kidding right? their warranty and return policy is better than any other retailer out there.
9. "Your backyard would make a beautiful warehouse." 10. "You'd better like what we like."
Huh?! and double huh?!
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