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How Costco Became the Anti-Wal-Mart
The New York Times ^ | July 17, 2005 | STEVEN GREENHOUSE

Posted on 07/22/2005 7:17:48 AM PDT by TaxRelief

... Some Wall Street analysts assert that CEO Jim Sinegal is overly generous not only to Costco's customers but to its workers as well.

Costco's average pay, for example, is $17 an hour, 42 percent higher than its fiercest rival, Sam's Club. And Costco's health plan makes those at many other retailers look Scroogish. One analyst, Bill Dreher of Deutsche Bank, complained last year that at Costco "it's better to be an employee or a customer than a shareholder."

Mr. Sinegal begs to differ. ...Good wages and benefits are why Costco has extremely low rates of turnover and theft by employees, he said. And Costco's customers, who are more affluent than other warehouse store shoppers, stay loyal because they like that low prices do not come at the workers' expense. "This is not altruistic," he said. "This is good business."

...Costco's stock price has risen more than 10 percent in the last 12 months, while Wal-Mart's has slipped 5 percent. Costco shares sell for almost 23 times expected earnings; at Wal-Mart the multiple is about 19. Mr. Dreher said Costco's share price was so high because so many people love the company. "It's a cult stock," he said.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Editorial
KEYWORDS: bjs; costco; costorules; jimsinegal; retail; samsmart; sinegal; walmart; walmartsucks; warehousestores
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To: NotSoFreeStater
What does that prove?
Opinions are like [censored]; Everybody's got one.
201 posted on 09/12/2005 8:35:49 AM PDT by Publius6961 (Liberal level playing field: If the Islamics win we are their slaves..if we win they are our equals.)
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To: brownsfan

It's called sarcasm, you idiot.


202 posted on 09/12/2005 8:39:54 AM PDT by rwfromkansas (http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=rwfromkansas)
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To: Venerable Bede
According to buyblue.org, 99% of Costco's donations went to Democratic politicians. I didn't find an entry for Sam's Club on their list, but Wal-Mart made 78% of their political donations to Republican candidates.

Personally I don't approve of businesses contributing to either political party. That is what got us our current situation where the politicians are all bought and paid for. The Republicans who should be in favor of: law and order, national security including secure borders, and American first policies are instead totally beholden to the cheap labor business interests who fund their ridiculously expensive campaigns and as a result are putting their selfish interests in front of the clear will of the American people.

203 posted on 09/12/2005 8:48:42 AM PDT by jackbenimble (Import the third world, become the third world)
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To: 7thson

"Get a life! They do not sell cheap crap! Is RoundUp cheap crap? All hardware stores, nursery's, Lowes, Home Depot, etc., sell it. Is it cheap crap there? Does the bottled water at WalMart give you cancer or contains sewage? Do the screws, nuts, bolts, and nails break or bend to easily? WalMart sells the same GE lightbulbs at the grocery stores - is it cheap crap in the grocery stores? They sell the same Avery paper products as Staples - is it cheap crap at Staples? They sell Kodak and Fuji film - is that cheap crap in other stores? They sell Everyready and Duracell batteries - is that cheap crap in other stores?"

I'd have to second this guy's opinion that Walmart sells cheap crap. From Wagner airless spray guns... to garden hoses. Most everything you buy there falls apart in 15 minutes.


204 posted on 09/12/2005 9:15:48 AM PDT by taxed2death (A few billion here, a few trillion there...we're all friends right?)
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To: taxed2death

Just did a search. Lowes and Home Depot both sell Wagner. Is it cheap there? I have had a Wagner spray painter for years. Always works good for me. I bought three garden hoses from WalMart years ago. Still have them.


205 posted on 09/12/2005 9:31:17 AM PDT by 7thson (I've got a seat at the big conference table! I'm gonna paint my logo on it!)
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To: A. Pole; Willie Green; Paleo Conservative

Excellent article. This proves the lie that American businesses cannot be competitive and turn a profit without shafting their employees.


206 posted on 09/12/2005 9:39:12 AM PDT by Clintonfatigued (Jeanine Pirro for Senate, Hillary Clinton for Weight Watchers Spokeswoman)
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To: rwfromkansas

"It's called sarcasm, you idiot."

It's good to see that you clearly identify your intent.
Just as you stick with board rules and avoid ad-hominem attacks. (sarcasm intended there).


207 posted on 09/12/2005 9:46:30 AM PDT by brownsfan (It's not a war on terror... it's a war with islam.)
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To: brownsfan

You know what they say about stock investment advice: Use your own best judgement.

Personally, although I will shop at Costco, I would not own stock in Costco. I would own stock in Walmart on the other hand.

Everyone has to make their own investment decisions based on the available information.


208 posted on 09/12/2005 9:47:13 AM PDT by TaxRelief (follow the money...)
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To: 7thson

LOL...either I'm jinxed or your lucky.....take your pick.


209 posted on 09/12/2005 9:49:18 AM PDT by taxed2death (A few billion here, a few trillion there...we're all friends right?)
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To: brownsfan
Ah, another thin skinned closest liberal.

Doesn't like the message so picks on spelling - even when shown how WRONG you are. Yes, let us redefine words so your ego isn't bruised or in your case devastated.

Have you sent your complaint to FR yet? You should before you injure yourself. LOL - you made my day!

210 posted on 09/12/2005 9:52:23 AM PDT by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
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To: Clintonfatigued
This proves the lie that American businesses cannot be competitive and turn a profit without shafting their employees.

True, but keep in mind that Costco has an upscale clientele. While the economy is good, Costco will prosper. Any downturn in the economy will hurt Costco and boost Walmart.

211 posted on 09/12/2005 9:53:05 AM PDT by TaxRelief (follow the money...)
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To: brownsfan
Truly, Walmart doesn't discriminate ... there is a dictionary waiting just for YOU! Pedal over and pay for one.
212 posted on 09/12/2005 9:53:48 AM PDT by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
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To: taxed2death

My typical Walmart shopping list:

meat
sausage
tropicana orange juice
milk
eggs
cheese (Vermont, does that count?)
bread
salami
lunchables
cereal
frozen pictsweet vegetables
California Avocados
Georgia onions
Maine lobster
frozen raspberries
Saltines
Lysol
Wisk
Clorox
Cascade
Hanes socks
Hanes undergarments
Crayola Crayons
Knex

These things are cheap, but they don't fall apart. OK. I admit it; The crayons do break.


213 posted on 09/12/2005 9:57:39 AM PDT by TaxRelief (follow the money...)
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To: brownsfan
I forgot to add CONGRATUALTIONS!!

You've learned how to spell a new word - ALLOT!!!!

You might want to work on your reading and comprehension. That seems to be "throwing" you as well as spelling. Your initial complaint to me was my spelling - now that is resolved so now it's reading and comprehension. Hey, ever hear of Sylvan Learning Centers? They might serve you well. Here, since spelling is such a problem for you, I've got the link for you:

http://www.sylvanlearning.com/homepage.cfm?CFID=16174965&CFTOKEN=69759342

Don't know of anyone that has needed them but have seen their ads on TV. I'm sure they could help you. I don't have the time, and lack the patience for this sort of thing.
214 posted on 09/12/2005 10:09:51 AM PDT by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
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To: brownsfan
I forgot to add CONGRATULATIONS!!

You've learned how to spell a new word - ALLOT!!!!

You might want to work on your reading and comprehension. That seems to be "throwing" you as well as spelling. Your initial complaint to me was my spelling - now that is resolved so now it's reading and comprehension. Hey, ever hear of Sylvan Learning Centers? They might serve you well. Here, since spelling is such a problem for you, I've got the link for you:

http://www.sylvanlearning.com/homepage.cfm?CFID=16174965&CFTOKEN=69759342

Don't know of anyone that has needed them but have seen their ads on TV. I'm sure they could help you. I don't have the time, and lack the patience for this sort of thing.
215 posted on 09/12/2005 10:10:35 AM PDT by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
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To: nmh

"You've learned how to spell a new word - ALLOT!!!!"

I made a mistake, I admit imperfection, it seems you have a problem in that regard.
In the context of your post... "allot" doesn't fit. If you're telling me you meant that:

"Walmart and Costco get allot of their stuff from Communist China."

Was what you meant to say, you're telling us China allocates what those two vendors get?
And...

"In fact allot of it is the SAME stuff and Walmart "

Means the allocation is the same?
If that's what you meant, at the very least it's poor grammar. I dinged you because you did it twice. It was lighthearted, at first.

Don't bother with the dictionary, you know all that you can be taught.


216 posted on 09/12/2005 10:43:34 AM PDT by brownsfan (It's not a war on terror... it's a war with islam.)
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To: nmh

"Ah, another thin skinned closest liberal."

The voracity and number of your replies tells me more than I want to know about you. Fortunately, I'm not nearly as spun up as you are. I don't allow those of lesser capacity to bother me. You even went to the trouble of directing me to one of your favorite sites. Bless your little heart.

Forgive my correction. I now understand you are at the upper limit of your ability. Keep posting, perhaps someone will even care what you have to say one day.


217 posted on 09/12/2005 10:48:09 AM PDT by brownsfan (It's not a war on terror... it's a war with islam.)
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To: Paleo Conservative; MEGoody

Well, I can see that Mr. Sinegal is a true Demonrat because he is stupid.

I have two giant bottles of Heinz ketchup from Sam's Club sitting in my pantry right now.

No Costco around here--Sam's Club is just fine for me!


218 posted on 09/12/2005 10:52:51 AM PDT by GatorGirl
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To: cousair

But prior to the election, 95% of the books on their tables were RAT-based, mooreish tripe. They refused to show books as those from the right as "Unfit to Command." I complained but they did not remove the books until after the election. They were very heavy with the Clintoon books and tapes.


219 posted on 09/12/2005 10:58:10 AM PDT by Paulus Invictus
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To: zook
The Libs never practice what they preach..
220 posted on 09/12/2005 11:05:12 AM PDT by Sprite518
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