Costco Scores High Marks on Consumer Reports Survey-Wal-Mart 2nd to last

[RamboLiberal]

Being the biggest retailer with the largest reach doesn't guarantee a special place in customers' hearts, according to a poll Consumer Reports recently conducted of its readers to find what they thought were the best stores.

Costco emerged as the readers' favorite in an 11-store field, with Dillard's coming in second. At the bottom of the list, Kmart ended up last and Walmart -- the world's largest retailer -- finished second to last.

The survey asked readers to judge stores on service, the speed of checkout, the ease of returning items and value. It also asked them to consider product quality and problems with the store and staff.

Many readers opted for Costco because of its prices, defined by Consumer Reports as being the best "bang for the buck." Readers also gave a thumbs-up across the board for the quality of the store's goods, ranging from clothing to jewelry to personal care and hardware. But they still thought the store's checkout times could be improved.

On the other hand, many readers grumbled about Walmart's longer lines and smaller aisles. The quality of merchandise -- such as apparel, jewelry and electronics -- also left much to be desired, they said. Meanwhile, roughly 44 percent of participants reported having problems with store staff.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/HouseandHome/consumer-reports-survey-customers-choose-costco/story?id=10797478

[tridim]

1. Costco has the best and fastest checkouts I've ever seen in retail

Anyone complaining about that after buying 3 pounds of coffee for $10.00 is really spoiled.

[cbdo2007]

3. You are lucky....

My local Costco has much worse lines than any other local retailer that I've been to except Home Depot (where no matter how many people are in front of me, whether it is 1 or 5 it is still going to take 30 minutes)

At Costco though, I even time it for the middle of the day when they aren't busy and they always only have 2 lanes open with 10 customers in each one and about 10 employees just milling around in the checkout area. I would give them excellent remarks everywhere else but the lines here are horrible.

[roguevalley]

12. they are union, donate to dems and the salaries are to live on

quite well. I love Costco.

Walmart here has aisles you can drive a car down, short staff and not much on the shelves. Two months and already a dud.

[aquart]

2. I love Costco.

But it's a tough store when you don't have much to buy.

[Ikonoklast]

5. Come on now.

Some day you will use all 3,000 rolls of toilet paper you bought.


Think of how much money you saved!

[Ernesto]

4. Wal-mart

Where tea bagger morans shop!

[laughingliberal]

6. I love Costco, even if there's a long line. They are nice to their employees, also. nt

[Auggie]

7. Plus it's very easy to return stuff at Costco

[blue neen]

8. Costco is our favorite place to shop.

The closest one is 45 minutes away, though! It's worth it to make the drive, but it sure would be nice if they'd build one closer.

Hey Costco! Westmoreland County in Pennsylvania would be a terrific place to build a new store! The demographics and infrastructure are there! Please.......:)

[madrchsod]

9. costco turns more profit per sq ft the sam`s club

they also pay their employees a decent wage and benifits....

[Mudoria]

10. can't say I was all that impressed with Costco the few times I've been there

Service was no better or worse than any of the other stores on the list I've visited.

[NJmaverick]

11. K & R

[DemoTex]

13. My brother's dog's name is "Cosmo." My 90-y/o dad calls him "Costco!"

Dad hears us raving about Costco so much, that it sticks. I took dad to the Costco in south Atlanta last winter. He loved it. So do I.

[lpbk2713]

14. Wally World strives for mediocrity.

They earned the rating they received. I'm glad they got what they deserve.

[Twinguard]

15. I love Costco.

I have twin boys who can burn through a large supply of graham crackers, cheerios, and oatmeal in no time flat. I have saved a small fortune by buying in bulk at Costco. Their baby formula alone paid for the membership fees many times over (compared to the formula at any other store including wally-mart). Plus, their carts are the only ones I can think of off-hand that have room for two kids. Big plus!

If I have one complaint about Costco, it would be their checkout lines. It's not so much a complaint about the employees, they do a fine job. It's just that each and every customer that gets into line before me has like $400 worth of groceries. If Costco would add a "10 items or less" express line, it would really speed up my shopping.