Membership required-Costco food court

[kadee79]

Per the article...starting on March 16.....


www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/psa-the-beloved-costco-food-court-will-now-require-a-store-membership-card/ar-BB10fFCQ?li=BBnb7Kw

[Gardening Grandma]

I really don't see an issue.  Of course, our Costco's food court is inside, so you have to be a member (or guest) just to get in.

I don't eat there often, in spite of the low prices because the food is so unhealthy.  But their hot dogs are very good...

[Ryan]

Feb 24, 2020 10:57:05 GMT -5 Gardening Grandma said:

I really don't see an issue.  Of course, our Costco's food court is inside, so you have to be a member (or guest) just to get in.

I don't eat there often, in spite of the low prices because the food is so unhealthy.  But their hot dogs are very good...

Aren't people just accessing them through the exit (where they check receipts)?  That's how people get in without flashing their card, at least in the cases I've seen.

If I'm going to eat poorly, I'm not going to waste the opportunity on a hot dog.

[andi9899]

I have a Sam's membership instead of Costco. They have the stuff I use. Also they don't harass you as soon as you walk in the door wanting to see your card. I can't stand that.

[Ryan]

Feb 24, 2020 11:21:28 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

I have a Sam's membership instead of Costco. They have the stuff I use. Also they don't harass you as soon as you walk in the door wanting to see your card. I can't stand that.

We don't want any riff raff in Costco, i.e. Sams Clubs Members!  

[wvugurl26]

Feb 24, 2020 11:21:28 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

I have a Sam's membership instead of Costco. They have the stuff I use. Also they don't harass you as soon as you walk in the door wanting to see your card. I can't stand that.

I used to get asked years ago for my card. It seemed like it was their policy. Lately they haven't asked. About 2 months ago a guy was checking at the door and I had to dig it out. He was very aggressive about it.

[andi9899]

Feb 24, 2020 11:54:19 GMT -5 Ryan said:

Feb 24, 2020 11:21:28 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

I have a Sam's membership instead of Costco. They have the stuff I use. Also they don't harass you as soon as you walk in the door wanting to see your card. I can't stand that.

We don't want any riff raff in Costco, i.e. Sams Clubs Members!  

Don't worry. I don't go there because they're too neurotic about having your membership card glued to your hand at all times when you're in there. They get pretty aggressive about it like wvu said. I'm not paying to be harassed.

[wvugurl26]

I go to Sam's. I've never had a Costco membership. Maybe it's an East Coast vs Midwest difference.

[Gardening Grandma]

I like Costco because they treat their employees decently.  Because they pay them a fair wage with benefits, the employees tend to stay there.  And they have great customer service.

[bean29]

We have Costco in the area, but not anywhere convenient to where I live, so we have a Sam's club plus Business membership. I have the Plus for my in-law's benefit, but I keep telling myself the membership includes free shipping.  Sometimes if I want something, I just have it sent rather that running inside the store.  Two weeks ago I ordered my Tax Program, last week I shipped the same program to my Mom. 

I would not say I ever had a complaint in regards to Sam's customer service.

I also rarely eat at the food court, so that would not be of major concern to me.

[kadee79]

We have both Sam's & Costco memberships since both carry some items we prefer.  I do save money belonging to both of them.

Generally, I shop both in Tallahassee, Fl.  Both ask to see your card as you enter, but I know at Costco you can still shop there without being a member by adding 10% on your order.  You also don't have to be a member to get scripts or visit the vision or hearing centers.  They had not in the past required a membership to eat there and many, many seniors go to eat a cheap lunch.  This will hurt some senior folks that depend on them for those lunches.  I love their hotdogs, but their pizzas are really good too.  And they do have some healthy options.

Sam's isn't near as friendly or helpful as Costco & I shop 3 different Sam's in the area.

There are no Sam's closer than 50mi. one way & the Costco is over 70 mi. one way.  Costco has way more organic items than Sam's.

[wvugurl26]

I have the plus membership to Sam's as well. We use the extra hours regularly. And I have had toilet paper shipped several times. I always seem to be running it when we don't need anything else from Sam's.

[Ava]

There's a Costco near me. I've never been there, and don't plan to.

First, I live alone so I don't need to buy in bulk at all.

Second, it would be a cold day in hell before I shell out money for the privilege of buying stuff from them. I really don't understand the concept.

[Gardening Grandma]

Feb 24, 2020 20:47:45 GMT -5 Ava said:

There's a Costco near me. I've never been there, and don't plan to.

First, I live alone so I don't need to buy in bulk at all.

Second, it would be a cold day in hell before I shell out money for the privilege of buying stuff from them. I really don't understand the concept.

The concept is saving money.  Their prices are consistently lower than the other stores around.
It’s just two of us, so I don’t buy many perishables. I buy things I can freeze (after dividing them i to smaller sizes), non perishables (DH’s favorite cereal is consistently priced much lower than in grocery stores).

Their gas prices are the best in the area-consistently.

As far as paying for the privilege, we put everything on the Costco Citi card. This month we will get a check for $193 rewards for last year spending. That offsets the membership fee and then some.   The card has no annual fee so it’s a non-brainer

[kadee79]

Feb 24, 2020 20:47:45 GMT -5 Ava said:

There's a Costco near me. I've never been there, and don't plan to.

First, I live alone so I don't need to buy in bulk at all.

Second, it would be a cold day in hell before I shell out money for the privilege of buying stuff from them. I really don't understand the concept.

I used to feel the same way after spending over 30 years in retail mostly in drug stores & grocery stores.  However, after one visit...I was sold.  I could save the cost of my membership fee just with the OTC meds we buy all the time...ibuprofen, Tylenol, allergy & vitamins.   I save on my canned cat food.  I save on paper goods.....toilet tissue, Kleenex, paper towels, napkins.  I love the Costco rotisserie chickens.  I buy large batches of produce & freeze it...things like asparagus, spinach, blue berries, etc.  Their butter & milk are cheaper than the other stores around here, coffee is cheaper.
But I also have storage space for bulk buying...and there are just 2 of us.

[justme]

Feb 24, 2020 11:56:48 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

Feb 24, 2020 11:21:28 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

I have a Sam's membership instead of Costco. They have the stuff I use. Also they don't harass you as soon as you walk in the door wanting to see your card. I can't stand that.

I used to get asked years ago for my card. It seemed like it was their policy. Lately they haven't asked. About 2 months ago a guy was checking at the door and I had to dig it out. He was very aggressive about it.

I think once they started allowing you to buy stuff with the app? Both my brother and I have used my parents log in to shop in club at Sams since they started the app. But we all have Costco cards even though I'm the only one that lives within 20 minutes of one - they're all about an hour away. 

[justme]

Feb 24, 2020 20:47:45 GMT -5 Ava said:

There's a Costco near me. I've never been there, and don't plan to.

First, I live alone so I don't need to buy in bulk at all.

Second, it would be a cold day in hell before I shell out money for the privilege of buying stuff from them. I really don't understand the concept.

As a solo there's still things that can add up.

Like an organic yogurt drink I like to drink each morning - 4 for $5 at the grocery store or I can get 12 for under $10 at costco. 2 dozen organic eggs for under $7 vs my grocery store is around $5 for a dozen unless there's a good sale. I can get the lip balm I use for about half price if I buy on sale. A Columbia Rain jacket for only $25. I got a nice actual leather purse I use often for under $20. I got Puma sneakers for $20. I get the toothbrushes for my sonicare for a lot cheaper. 

I also got a BJs membership because they have cheesecake factory cheesecake for a good price. But I also get parmiganio reggiano there for $10 a pound where my local grocery store charges almost $30. I found a clothing brand that does yoga clothes with sustainable organic 100% cotton for prices that are less than half of retail. I got Rebok sports bras from there for under $10 each. 

I've also booked 2 cruises with Costco. One cruise gave me over $300 of free stuff I wouldn't have gotten elsewhere plus a $50 gift card. The other got me a $50 gift card and Costco's partners saved me around $50 on travel insurance and almost $100 on my excursions via codes/links I got for that booking. That alone will pay for my membership for a few years!

[dannylion]

Feb 24, 2020 20:47:45 GMT -5 Ava said:

There's a Costco near me. I've never been there, and don't plan to.

First, I live alone so I don't need to buy in bulk at all.

Second, it would be a cold day in hell before I shell out money for the privilege of buying stuff from them. I really don't understand the concept.

When i was commuting for work, I calculated that I recovered the membership fee in less than 3 months worth of savings on gas.  I got my new refrigerator from Costco for $200 less than the lowest sale price at other stores, plus free shipping and no charge for hauling away the old dead refrigerator and an extra year on the warranty.  Same for electronics.  Lower prices than sale prices at other stores and an extra year on the warranty.  

I can get a giant 2-pound block of my favorite Kerry Gold Dubliner cheese for about the price of 6-ounce block at the grocery store.  I love Kerry Gold Dubliner cheese.  

I live alone and I love Costco.  

[wvugurl26]

There's only 2 in my household and we save a ton.

My allergy medicine and nasal spray are both OTC now and the insurance company will not pay. It's much cheaper to buy at Sam's versus Target or Walmart.

I've gotten several cakes from Sam's and they've been delicious.

My new Fitbit came from there, same price as other places but it came with 2 bands.

We buy large packs of meat and freeze in meal size portions.

I also like buying larger quantities of non perishables to avoid constantly running out.

[andi9899]

Feb 24, 2020 21:27:46 GMT -5 Gardening Grandma said:

Feb 24, 2020 20:47:45 GMT -5 Ava said:

There's a Costco near me. I've never been there, and don't plan to.

First, I live alone so I don't need to buy in bulk at all.

Second, it would be a cold day in hell before I shell out money for the privilege of buying stuff from them. I really don't understand the concept.

The concept is saving money.  Their prices are consistently lower than the other stores around.
It’s just two of us, so I don’t buy many perishables. I buy things I can freeze (after dividing them i to smaller sizes), non perishables (DH’s favorite cereal is consistently priced much lower than in grocery stores).

Their gas prices are the best in the area-consistently.

As far as paying for the privilege, we put everything on the Costco Citi card. This month we will get a check for $193 rewards for last year spending. That offsets the membership fee and then some.   The card has no annual fee so it’s a non-brainer

I live alone and use my Sam's membership a lot. I try to get all my gas from there and I get a lot of groceries from there. Not produce usually, but the other stuff. I buy chicken, shrimp and fish there in bulk. Plus they have huge bags of food for my dogs.

[laterbloomer]

Feb 24, 2020 20:47:45 GMT -5 Ava said:

There's a Costco near me. I've never been there, and don't plan to.

First, I live alone so I don't need to buy in bulk at all.

Second, it would be a cold day in hell before I shell out money for the privilege of buying stuff from them. I really don't understand the concept.

What isn't cheaper is better quality, their return policy is fantastic and if something gets recalled that I bought I get a call. It's also the closest grocery store to me.

[thyme4change]

Costco is a great store. I am an anti-bulk person, but Costco's benefits are well represented here. I felt that way, and then my company started doing business with them, and it only reinforced my love of Costco. They are an ethical company.

I know a guy that owns a large number of farms in the area. He said that Costco demands the highest quality product, pays a fair price and has the best process to get them to shelf fast and fresh. I believe that is true of their meat, too, as it is high quality compared to grocery stores in the area.

I feel good about using a company such as Costco.

[Gardening Grandma]

Feb 26, 2020 9:56:37 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Costco is a great store. I am an anti-bulk person, but Costco's benefits are well represented here. I felt that way, and then my company started doing business with them, and it only reinforced my love of Costco. They are an ethical company.

I know a guy that owns a large number of farms in the area. He said that Costco demands the highest quality product, pays a fair price and has the best process to get them to shelf fast and fresh. I believe that is true of their meat, too, as it is high quality compared to grocery stores in the area.

I feel good about using a company such as Costco.

Costco is the only place around me where I can buy USDA Prime...

[NastyWoman]

Feb 25, 2020 16:56:44 GMT -5 dannylion said:

Feb 24, 2020 20:47:45 GMT -5 Ava said:

There's a Costco near me. I've never been there, and don't plan to.

First, I live alone so I don't need to buy in bulk at all.

Second, it would be a cold day in hell before I shell out money for the privilege of buying stuff from them. I really don't understand the concept.

When i was commuting for work, I calculated that I recovered the membership fee in less than 3 months worth of savings on gas.  I got my new refrigerator from Costco for $200 less than the lowest sale price at other stores, plus free shipping and no charge for hauling away the old dead refrigerator and an extra year on the warranty.  Same for electronics.  Lower prices than sale prices at other stores and an extra year on the warranty.  

I can get a giant 2-pound block of my favorite Kerry Gold Dubliner cheese for about the price of 6-ounce block at the grocery store.  I love Kerry Gold Dubliner cheese.  

I live alone and I love Costco.  

^ Yeah that! I too live alone and within a few months I earn my membership fee back. I am also a spoiled brat in that I have 2 Costco's within 3 miles from my home (different direction) and another one less than 1 mile from my work. The latter one gets most of my business as I just leave earlier on Friday afternoon, do my shopping, and hop on the freeway a few hundred yards from Costco.

In general I have so many choices to do my shopping that it is just about ridiculous → says the woman who gets a lot of her stuff from Amazon (no lugging things up to my second floor condo LOL) 

[Ava]

It looks like plenty of people living alone like Costco a lot. I'm surprised.

Still, not a good deal for me. I don't see myself recovering the yearly fee from my weekly purchases. I have zero need to buy in bulk as non-perishables such as toilet paper, paper towels, etc. last me a long time. Not only do I live alone, but I'm also out of the house a lot, so things last me a long time.

The cheaper gas seems a good deal, but the Costco near me is about 15 minutes away and not in an area I frequent at all. So it would be an added half-hour round trip to put gas in the car. I drive enough already, I'll stick to the gas station close to home in my way to work.
If I ever meet someone with a membership card I would ask them to bring me over so I can see inside a Costco store for once.

[Apple]

Costco is over an hour away for me, but I have a membership anyway.  I talked my parents into dropping theirs (since they never drove "to the big city" anymore, and only go when I take them).  Now I buy for everyone (parents and two siblings) and they pay me back (I keep the rewards, which sometimes covers my membership expenses).

I did get my parents a gift card though, just in case they ever end up in the area without me.  I offered one to my sister, but she didn't want it.

The savings still works out for me, even if I only get there a few times a year (due to what I buy).

As for the food court, I guess I won't send my mom into the line anymore (or just let her get in line to save a place for me, since I'll be the one with the card).

[wvugurl26]

I just found another great use of my Sam's Club membership. I have the plus membership already for the extra hours. That membership will get me my allergy medicine for $4/month. My insurance no longer covers it because it is over the counter now. However, it's in brand form and costing me $36/90 days.

I'm going to call my allergy doctor's office and have a prescription sent to Sam's Club.