How Costco Became the Anti-Wal-Mart

The New York Times ^ | July 17, 2005 | STEVEN GREENHOUSE

[IndyTiger]

A Costco was built not too far from my work about two years ago. They tore down about 10 acres of woods to put it up, right next to a residential development. Other than the opening day, I have never seen the parking lot more than half full. Usually, there are only about 30-40 cars in the lot. I can't imagine how they are making any money.

[MikeGranby]

> At least we can say Sinegal puts
> his money where his mouth is

You mean he puts his shareholders' money where his mouth is.........

[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 can go on and on but you should get the message by now. Maybe not though, since you were so stupid to make a statement like that in the first place.

[old and tired]

Other than the opening day, I have never seen the parking lot more than half full.

Definitely not the case here. The only time you'll the a half empty parking lot at either of my Costco's is on a weekday BEFORE the place opens. I'm not kidding either. The Costcos by me (King of Prussia and Montgomeryville) are always mobbed.

[Willie Green]

When I think of Costco I think of bulk items...
Wal*Mart just sells cheap crap.

Costco's bulk items are good quality...
Sam's Club sells cheap crap in bulk.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Wal-Mart is #1 in sales and growth. And they support conservative charities and causes.

[Pukin Dog]

I don't care if Costco is commie, I love the place and was there just yesterday for a HDTV for my master bedroom. Where else can it get a great TV, and 20 pounds of flap meat (skirt steak)in the same place. Add in a new Brita pitcher (2 Filters!!) and a 6-pack of Mobil 1 oil(only the best for the Hummer), and it was a good time.

I would shop there is Karl Marx himself was checking cards at the door.

[randog]

Maybe not though, since you were so stupid to make a statement like that in the first place.

Wal*Mart sells cheap crap.

[randog]

I'll buy that...;^)

[GVnana]

I quit shopping at Costco after I found out about their DNC contributions. Fortunately, we have an excellent Sam's Club that's every bit as good as Costco.

[Goldsborough]

My local Costco is clean, the two Wal-Marts define dirty. If that is the byproduct of communism it's of a variety I haven't read about.

[cripplecreek]

Ive found that by the time I take defective goods back to Walmart I haven't saved any money any way.

[zook]

That was a joke, right? No, I've actually shopped at the Kaohsiung Costco. Bought hotdogs, apple pies, and Quaker Granola Bars.

[nmh]

"When you shop at Wal-Mart, your money goes to commies in China. When you shop at Costco, your money goes to commies in the US."

Actually Walmart and Costco get allot of their stuff from Communist China. In fact allot of it is the SAME stuff and Walmart is What I refuse to do is finance communism in MY country. What I also like about Walmart is they have the audacity to sell Christian books - Bibles etc.! Can you iamgine that! When was the last time you saw that in Costco?

[newgeezer]

Maybe not though, since you were so stupid to make a statement like that in the first place.

Given the subsequent response, ... {grin}

[The South Texan]

"When you shop at Wal-Mart, your money goes to commies in China. When you shop at Costco, your money goes to commies in the US."

Which begs the question. Which group is more dangerous to the US? I say the commies in the US.

[superiorslots]

Quote: even if he misses the irony that it is a capitalist society that allows him to foster his pro-worker environment.



So you want other american workers to earn less/slave wages so the goods you buy will be cheaper. Of course I'm sure you don't put yourself in the same category and take a lower wage.

[newgeezer]

Sam's Club sells cheap crap

I agree with you fairly often but, in this case, you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

[JeffAtlanta]

Sam's might make the case that its ketchup is cheaper than Costco's, he said, "but you can't compare Hunt's ketchup with Heinz ketchup."

I'm not a ketchup connoisseur - is there really a difference? Is Heinz the Rolls Royce of ketchup?

[NotSoFreeStater]

I shop at Wal-Mart and Costco - they're right next to each other near my house. Both are always crowded, but Costco seems to do a better job of getting you through the checkout quickly. I wish Costco would stay open longer.