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Author Topic: Costco Members FYI  (Read 4803 times)

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Trooper

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Costco Members FYI
« on: January 17, 2018, 07:25:02 PM »

I'm not a Costco member so this doesn't really apply to me.
But I'll put it out here as information that those members might want to know.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/whats-hot/if-you-see-this-symbol-on-your-favorite-costco-item-stock-up-now/ar-AAuNorY?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=UE03DHP
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Bentley

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Re: Costco Members FYI
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2018, 07:54:28 PM »

Might have helped if you had mentioned this 15 years ago so I could have stocked up on Powdered Gatorade in Pasadena!
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Quadman750

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Re: Costco Members FYI
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2018, 07:58:53 PM »

Great info thanks for posting.
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Re: Costco Members FYI
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2018, 10:47:47 PM »

Watch out for the online stuff. Was looking at a total gym online for 299 +free shipping last week. Looked again Tuesday and it was $50 off(249) online. Thought that was good buy but decided to drive 20 min to town and look at them in the store. Regular price was 279 but was 50 off(229) at the store. So that drive saved me $70.... :cool:

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LowSlowJoe

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Re: Costco Members FYI
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2018, 09:11:39 AM »

More I know the better off I am... so thanks for the tip.

  But one thing I learned long ago about shopping at both Sam's and Costco...   Never trust that it will be there the next time you go to the store...   Don't assume their prices are always lower on any item...

  On the last point... having a liberal return policy helps if you make a mistake...  but then, I can count on like two fingers how many times I've actually returned something from either store over the past 20 years or so...
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okie smokie

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Re: Costco Members FYI
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2018, 10:29:58 AM »

More I know the better off I am... so thanks for the tip.

  But one thing I learned long ago about shopping at both Sam's and Costco...   Never trust that it will be there the next time you go to the store...   Don't assume their prices are always lower on any item...

  On the last point... having a liberal return policy helps if you make a mistake...  but then, I can count on like two fingers how many times I've actually returned something from either store over the past 20 years or so...
I bought a $399 leather reclining chair that was really comfortable in the seat and fit in the lumbar area as well.  The arms were curve upward and of wood.Did not take long for me to find out that while my bottom was comfy, my arms and hands went to sleep after sitting a while.  Really aggravated me.  Three months later I was in the same Costco and mentioned to one of the employees that I still could not sit for long in my chair without my hands and arms getting numb. He said "bring it back".  All merchandise of that type is returnable for one year with NO questions.  I returned it and got a full refund, NO questions were asked.  They are good folks and will have my business as long as they are around. 
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LowSlowJoe

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Re: Costco Members FYI
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2018, 01:35:53 PM »

Yes, that's a very good example of where that type of satisfaction guarantee becomes very useful...  There was know way to know on short use of the chair that it would make your arms fall asleep..

I'm not positive, but I think the manufacture of the product , is the one that ultimately looses out... I mean, I suspect that Costco gets their money back too, either that or they get enough returns from one company that they stop selling any products that company makes, etc...
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Re: Costco Members FYI
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2018, 07:45:15 PM »

They make 75 percent of their profit off of membership fees, and bank on most people that buy a membership not shopping there that often. I forget how much exactly, but you can return thousands of dollars a year in merchandise before being red flagged. They really aren't concerned with returns.

Some people buy a grill, use it for the summer, and return it in the fall. Repeat the following year. I don't abuse it like that, but it is nice to have that assurance to try something out. We bought a robot vacuum after thinking about it for a long time. It was completely worthless, would spend 20 minutes in one area and zero in another, and also would get caught up constantly in cords. I took it back cat hair and all, and had my 329 back in about 30 seconds.
« Last Edit: January 18, 2018, 07:59:14 PM by Free Mr. Tony »
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spectra

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Re: Costco Members FYI
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2018, 11:17:16 PM »

They make 75 percent of their profit off of membership fees, and bank on most people that buy a membership not shopping there that often. I forget how much exactly, but you can return thousands of dollars a year in merchandise before being red flagged. They really aren't concerned with returns.

Some people buy a grill, use it for the summer, and return it in the fall. Repeat the following year. I don't abuse it like that, but it is nice to have that assurance to try something out. We bought a robot vacuum after thinking about it for a long time. It was completely worthless, would spend 20 minutes in one area and zero in another, and also would get caught up constantly in cords. I took it back cat hair and all, and had my 329 back in about 30 seconds.



Did you see the lady who returned her Christmas tree.............after Christmas when it was dead.............they gave her money back.
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LowSlowJoe

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Re: Costco Members FYI
« Reply #9 on: January 19, 2018, 12:08:30 PM »

Years ago my sister-inlaw had told me something along the lines of the membership fees being a big source of profit... I found it hard to believe... Still am kinda skeptical of it being true. 

What a membership is like $50 a year?   Hard to believe they don't make more then $50 a year from purchases made by the average member.
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Re: Costco Members FYI
« Reply #10 on: January 19, 2018, 01:05:20 PM »

Years ago my sister-inlaw had told me something along the lines of the membership fees being a big source of profit... I found it hard to believe... Still am kinda skeptical of it being true. 

What a membership is like $50 a year?   Hard to believe they don't make more then $50 a year from purchases made by the average member.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.fool.com/amp/investing/2017/09/18/most-costco-members-dont-shop-at-costco-all-that-m.aspx

They model their financial structure like gyms. Market to people that see value in membership, and don't show up. Free money.
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ArborAgent

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Re: Costco Members FYI
« Reply #11 on: January 19, 2018, 05:12:12 PM »


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.fool.com/amp/investing/2017/09/18/most-costco-members-dont-shop-at-costco-all-that-m.aspx

They model their financial structure like gyms. Market to people that see value in membership, and don't show up. Free money.

For most products, they keep their margins at or below 15% I think furniture is the exception. Unlike the gym model, they want people to show up. They still make money on what they sell, they just make most of their profit on the membership fees.
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Re: Costco Members FYI
« Reply #12 on: January 19, 2018, 09:14:46 PM »

They also sell food at the food court at very low margin, probably a loss. 
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Michael_NW

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Re: Costco Members FYI
« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2018, 03:50:51 AM »

They model their financial structure like gyms. Market to people that see value in membership, and don't show up. Free money.

Unfortunately, my wife and I were previously in that category for some time. My employer was paying for the card, but the same principle applies.
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Bentley

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Re: Costco Members FYI
« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2018, 07:13:53 PM »

A 1/4lb. all beef with all the trimmings w/drink for $1.50...Yeah, I take advantage of that every time!

They also sell food at the food court at very low margin, probably a loss.
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