Study: Costco Customers Are Irrational

Sam's Wholesale

I shop wholesale both for personal and business related items. Buying in bulk is easier and cost effective especially when you consider the gas costs of picking up supplies and my time is too valuable to constantly be running to the store or sending an employee there.. Unlike Wal-Mart the lines are short, people are nice, cheerful and happy to be working there and most importantly the signs are in English which is a big advantage over Wal-Mart who seems to believe we're operating in Mexico and forget to label somethings in anything other than Spanish. The situation is a win /win. I've never had problems with returns or any other policies and the yearly fee is inconsequential in comparison to the hassle-free service. If people don't want to pay to be there.. Hey shorter lines for me. Sides memberships just do what they have always done. Keep the Riff-Raff out.

Lucas of TX @ Jul 30, 2009 17:27:08 PM

Costco Tricks Us into AMEX - Lesson Learned

Costco does not accept Visa. Too hard to write a checks ;). So I got an Amex card. Big mistake.. high credit limit in Costco where I already spend more than I should because I think I am saving money. I will pay it off every month. Right.. bad idea. $10 K later I have this huge CC debt. OK my bad. Set up electronic payments for $500 a month and be aggressive to knock it down. 3 months later I get some cash and call to pay it off. I ask for the interest rate.. 30%.. holy snikey. I was angry. I have a credit score over 800. I dont deserve this. Found out I was late on my first payment. No notice or mercy for that matter for a good customer. just jacked it up on me. Good way for AMEX and Costco to loose their good customers. Paid it off and closed the account and wrote letters to Costco Board. Obviously no one cared as they are still doing it. I dont shop at Costco anymore.

Marc of WA @ Jul 30, 2009 16:57:47 PM

Costco

I love Costco. It's one of my most favorite places to shop. My membership is free because I spend a certain amount and receive a coupon at the end of the year that covers the cost of membership. Since I am buying things I must need, toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, toothpaste and so on I am never at a loss. I don't pay to shop at Costco, it pays to shop at Costco and if I'm ever unhappy or make an impulse purchase they happily refund my money. Costco is AWESOME!!!!!!

loritime of NY @ Jul 30, 2009 16:37:31 PM

Love Costco

I have a memebership at Costco and buy the things that are a better deal than any store around. The healthier the food the higher the price is but Costco seems to keep the prices in check comparativley speaking on the healthy items that I buy there. I buy all my families staples there like fresh vegies and fruit and items for the kids lunchs and boneless and skinless chicken and fish. The price for gas, milk, eggs and cheese is amazing and I make sure I never buy more than we will use. If you plan accordingly I believe you can save by using Costco. Unless you are an impulse shopper that is!

Mj of CA @ Jul 30, 2009 16:06:05 PM

COUPONS ARE A LIE

SO Costco sends out the coupon books, right? Well what they do is everything in the coupon book is actually marked up. So that when the coupon is taken off it is back to it's regular price. So youthink you are getting a deal, but you are not. Pay attention to the things you duy most.

Sarah R of IL @ Jul 30, 2009 15:56:11 PM

COUPONS ARE A LIE

SO Costco sends out the coupon books, right? Well what they do is everything in the coupon book is actually marked up. So that when the coupon is taken off it is back to it's regular price. So youthink you are getting a deal, but you are not. Pay attention to the things you duy most.

Sarah R of IL @ Jul 30, 2009 15:56:11 PM

Costco Vs. Regular Shopping In Hawaii

Before moving to Hawaii I had my pick of any number of discount stores or morning specials at the market and would hardly ever shop at costco let alone sams Club (sometimes on is cheaper than the other) in california. Now that i live in hawaii I find that Costco is about 75% cheaper to shop at than almost any grocery store in Hawaii the only exception is the Comissary. With out Costco my family and I would be close to eating beans and rice

Eva of HI @ Jul 30, 2009 15:55:16 PM

Yes... and No

We are loyalCostco fans, we even started blogging about products you could find at Costco... http://ourtakeonit.wordpress.com/category/costco/

Except for cetrain indulgances, we're pretty good at saving money at Costco. We got to a level of shopping maturity that we pretty much know the items we regularly need and stuff that we might like. Non-perishable goods are definitely the biggest money savers for us, TP, papertowels, shampoos, vitamins, detergent and shaving gel are examples how you could save at costco (if you have the storage space at home). The pit falls for us have typically been the produce. A great looking/tasting plum meant buying a box of 30 plums and throwing out 20 of them. We learned a lesson there.

So, think and shop. You'll make few mistakes here and there, but on average, a sensible consumer would save money at Costco.

Zaid of FL @ Jul 30, 2009 15:42:08 PM