Costco ethical dilemma

Quote: stinkingliberal

Somebody did a study and determined that based on the price of membership and the savings derived from shopping at Costco as opposed to other places that offered comparable goods, you have to spend about $2500 a year to justify the cost.

Just to be clear the argument was not that Costco wasn't worth it, but that the executive membership for an extra $50 isn't worth it. The calculation is very simple (it is not a study). The Executive membership costs an extra $50 and you get 2% reward on most purchases in addition.

So the extra $50 means you have to spend over $50/2%=$2500.

Quote: Pacomartin

Just to be clear the argument was not that Costco wasn't worth it, but that the executive membership for an extra $50 isn't worth it. The calculation is very simple (it is not a study). The Executive membership costs an extra $50 and you get 2% reward on most purchases in addition.

So the extra $50 means you have to spend over $50/2%=$2500.

The study I was referring to dealt with the costs of basic membership, which pretty much just gets you in the door, only.

I finally joined Costco. Bought the cheapest membership. What I like is walking around getting some exercise while snacking. Yup, the free snacking is the biggest attraction for me. They are just up the street from me so just a few minute bike ride. I often go up there just to walk around and check out the free snacks. Sometimes there are a lot of free sample stations, sometimes not so many. The only things I have bought is wind sheild wipers. They dont last long in the FL heat. Sugar, just slightly cheaper then grocery store. Gas but not much since I work from home so dont drive a lot. A dungeness crab. It was 17 bucks for a whole one. I steamed it up, delicious. A pack of bananas for 1.37. So cheap. Was eating one or 2 bananas a day. Thats it for bought items at Costco. I am pretty cheap, not interested in most of the products they sell.

high quality items are rarely offered as 'tasters', mostly junk food.

Pharmacies are open to the public, not just cardholders.

Quote: Fleastiff

high quality items are rarely offered as 'tasters', mostly junk food.

Yeah, seemed like all highly processed frozen snack foods the 1-2 times I was there. I would not expect much else, the place has a monster frozen foods section. I just can't bring myself to pay to shop somewhere.

I joined Costco for the great rates they
have on rental cars sometimes. I rode
one of the electric scooters up and down
every aisle and could not find one thing
I can't get for the same price or cheaper
at Walmart. It was a Tue and the check
out lanes were jammed. 5 carts loaded
to the top in every one. A customer said
on weekends checkout easily takes 45
minutes.

Screw that.

Quote: Evenbob

It was a Tue and the check
out lanes were jammed. 5 carts loaded
to the top in every one.

This is one reason they can pay better than WMT. Their sales/employee ratio is very high as the stores are very bare bones.

Quote: Evenbob

I joined Costco for the great rates they
have on rental cars sometimes. I rode
one of the electric scooters up and down
every aisle and could not find one thing
I can't get for the same price or cheaper
at Walmart. It was a Tue and the check
out lanes were jammed. 5 carts loaded
to the top in every one. A customer said
on weekends checkout easily takes 45
minutes.

Screw that.

I do buy some items at Walmart even though I have a costco membership.
On the other hand
Never seen a 45min line at my costco.
They are very efficient and fast
2 employees to a register
One ringing up and the other moving items through quickly. No lag on large items due to this

Quote: AZDuffman

This is one reason they can pay better than WMT. Their sales/employee ratio is very high as the stores are very bare bones.

They sell bulk items which Walmart does
not. But price wise they don't beat Walmart
for the things I buy. And Costco is just too
huge, it stupid huge.