So I stopped by Costco today. Yikes!

[Orrex]

I hadn't been to the store in over a year, and I'm not a member of the "club."

After submitting two pints of blood and enduring the decon scrubdown and aggressive cavity search, I was granted a small pamphlet as a sort of talisman demonstrating that I was permitted to walk those hallowed halls.

I felt like an outcast among cultists, a pariah among the elites as they trundled along with their hundred-pound bags of dog kibble and 96-packs of bottled water.

I'd swear that it wasn't quite so pointedly exclusive the last time I checked out the store. Did they change their anointing policy since my most recent visit?


And the worst part is that they didn't have even what I'd been seeking!

[siligut]

1. They want their yearly membership fees to keep coming in

If they let everyone without a membership in easily, they may decide to just skip the fees. However, I don't know the procedure for non-members, so I don't know how it might have changed. I am addicted to gallon sized jars of artichoke hearts and 100 pack rolls of bathroom tissue, so I pay.

[Orrex]

2. I'm cool with not being able to purchase anything without a membership, but...

I didn't even get ten feet inside the entrance before two different employees asked to see my membership card!

[siligut]

6. I have my card in my hand as I enter, everyone is supposed to.

There is someone at the entrance to make sure you have your card, they just stand there all day and look at cards. But, now that you bring it up, it is rather peculiar, really, but I still want those artichoke hearts, large jars of mixed nuts and hunks of good cheese. I also buy many of Mr. Gut's clothes there, the prices and quality are good.

[Lance_Boyle]

9. Not so peculiar. Costco makes all its money from membership fees, not product markup.

Non-members may be let in to browse, but that's entirely up to the store.

[Duer 157099]

3. I don't get what you mean

I go to Costco regularly, have been a member since before it even was Costco, so maybe I'm such a snob I don't even notice it anymore.

:shrug:

There are really only a few things that I just insist on getting at Costco, like milk, eggs, butter, dog food, cheese, paper napkins and batteries, just because the price is always much better than anywhere else--for the quality, that is.

[Arugula Latte]

4. I gave up on Costco.

I'd actually like to support them, as they are a progressive company, but the thought of shopping there began to fill me with fear and loathing. The choice of foods is limited, and then there is way too much of whatever you do buy.

Not for me.

[petronius]

5. Costco let YOU walk around inside? That's it - I'm cutting up my membership card!

:P

[TZ]

7. I don't go...

Costco is not a good place for a single person household. But my mother loves the place. And I have to say I know more than one person who has gotten a real good deal on a piece of electronics from them...they are cheaper or as cheap as Walmart sometimes

[TreasonousBastard]

8. Well, BJ's lets you walk around to whet your appetite, but...

I remember a Costco that wouldn't let me in without paying the fee. I suspect they fear if you knew you had to buy a restaurant pack or side of beef to get a good price you wouldn't think it worthwhile. Were they Price Club years ago?

No Costco around here, but I do have a BJ's "associate" membership because a neighbor gets two freebies with hers. What I find fascinating is that when they have something unique that I really like, it disappears from the shelves a month or two later. It seems they buy a few truckloads of stuff and when it's gone it's gone forever. And not seasonal stuff-- their own house brand stuff like a the best strawberry jam I ever had. The selection of common items is really limited and usually sucks.

Price? What a joke-- I follow the sales and usually can find what I want for the same or less somewhere else. Bananas, their house brand coffee, and bagged nuts are always good deals, but not good enough to make the membership fee and the horrific crowds worthwhile.

(And those crowds ARE horrific-- waiting times for checkout are worse than anywhere else I've ever been.)