How does the gas work at Costco? I'm assuming you have to be a member? Is it significantly cheaper than going to any other gas station?

similar to Sams, you need to be a Costco member to get gas. Here in the Seattle market Costco is the cheapest gas. We have a lot of Costcos here but had only 3 Sam's Clubs in the entire Seattle-Tacoma metro.

When Sams Club was here the two would more or less go back and forth with Costco still being cheaper most times. I'd suspect Costco to be the cheapest in OKC metro with Sam's Club matching.

I wonder if they are having second thoughts on this location? Or maybe the opened stores are not doing as well in this market as thought?

On this location they will have Sams, Wal-Mart, Super Target and Costco within a mile. That would likely take a bite out of their market so maybe they are having cold feet?

Too bad there aren't any other parcels in the metro area where they would do really well, and the need is great, and the land is basically build ready right now, certainly more ready than that location.

Winco is still working away and by all reports, their OKC locations are doing very well.

I know the one at 39th and Portland is very busy.

Winco is still working away and by all reports, their OKC locations are doing very well.

I know the one at 39th and Portland is very busy.

Thats good to hear. With that level of competition in this location they will need staying power. I do think many are tired of Wal-Mart so they should siphon off some of their customers. Costco will be interesting how many go and keep going after initial rush. I think folks will love Costco. I want all of these places to succeed but wonder about market saturation.

Winco does very well vs. Walmart and we will only have one Costco for a while, with a max of 2 or 3.

At the very least, Walmart will lose some market share which isn't a bad thing.

I'd love to see a Costco go in at I-35 and Covell in north Edmond. I think one would do well there. They would draw Guthrie and Stillwater folks. Then perhaps one down in Moore/Norman.

I believe they are considering a Moore/Norman location but no time soon.

I really can't stress how bad of an idea building one in Edmond would be, especially considering the current location they're building is basically south Edmond. Of course, some wag is going to come back with "no it isn't" to that, to which I say take a look at Google Maps. It would be a huge middle finger to the rest of the OKC metro. Costco is great, I'll be the first one to tell you that, and their biggest cheerleader. But if they think people are going to drive past 4 or 5 Sam's Clubs (depending where they are coming from in the metro) to get to them on a regular basis, I disagree.

Sorry. Afraid the Edmondites who think it's offensive to be asked to drive south of 122nd (which in this example, they aren't even faced with THAT horrible prospect) are just going to have to get over it.

I really can't stress how bad of an idea building one in Edmond would be, especially considering the current location they're building is basically south Edmond. Of course, some wag is going to come back with "no it isn't" to that, to which I say take a look at Google Maps. It would be a huge middle finger to the rest of the OKC metro. Costco is great, I'll be the first one to tell you that, and their biggest cheerleader. But if they think people are going to drive past 4 or 5 Sam's Clubs (depending where they are coming from in the metro) to get to them on a regular basis, I disagree.

Sorry. Afraid the Edmondites who think it's offensive to be asked to drive south of 122nd (which in this example, they aren't even faced with THAT horrible prospect) are just going to have to get over it.

LOL...…..You can't ask the Edmondites to do such a thing, especially now that they have their own "Main Event"

Main Event is terrific. It's just inside my Edmond area only boundary limits. SMH

LOL...…..You can't ask the Edmondites to do such a thing, especially now that they have their own "Main Event"

Pfft. Main Event wishes they were Showbiz.

Moore/Norman makes sense as it grabs South OKC and the other grabs North OKC and Edmond. Makes sense population wise.

I imagine it will happen sooner or later but I would guess a few years minimum.

Moore/Norman makes sense as it grabs South OKC and the other grabs North OKC and Edmond. Makes sense population wise.

I imagine it will happen sooner or later but I would guess a few years minimum.

Agree with this. Edmond would bleed customers from NOKC store. Norman/Moore would not. Also N/M captures rural areas south of Norman.

I would assume one in west (Mustang/Yukon/I-40 corridor) would be another spot down the road, and also captures rural areas west of this too.

Agree with this. Edmond would bleed customers from NOKC store. Norman/Moore would not. Also N/M captures rural areas south of Norman.

I would assume one in west (Mustang/Yukon/I-40 corridor) would be another spot down the road, and also captures rural areas west of this too.

this is what i was thinking aswell... have one south, and then eventually after that, have one west

Here's what I'd like to see as a Costco buildout in metro OKC:

1) Costco at North OKC - pulls from N OKC and S Edmond, Guthrie, NE OK County
2) new Costco at Crossroads Mall area - pull from S OKC, Moore/Norman, Purcell, Shawnee, MWC/DC
3) new Costco near OKC Outlets - pull from W OKC, Mustang, Yukon/El Reno
4) new Costco in NW OKC - pull from NW OKC, Piedmont, Kingfisher
5) new Costco in the core - pull from OKC. I'd love to see an URBAN Costco downtown as part of a larger multi-use development

I think OKC metro could eventually do well with 5 Costcos, but I think Pete's correct that 3 is good for the next 10 years or so, IMO in the order I have laid out. This also puts all Costcos inside OKC city limits.

Drove by today, roof is on and walls are going up.

Here's what I'd like to see as a Costco buildout in metro OKC:

1) Costco at North OKC - pulls from N OKC and S Edmond, Guthrie, NE OK County
2) new Costco at Crossroads Mall area - pull from S OKC, Moore/Norman, Purcell, Shawnee, MWC/DC
3) new Costco near OKC Outlets - pull from W OKC, Mustang, Yukon/El Reno
4) new Costco in NW OKC - pull from NW OKC, Piedmont, Kingfisher
5) new Costco in the core - pull from OKC. I'd love to see an URBAN Costco downtown as part of a larger multi-use development

I think OKC metro could eventually do well with 5 Costcos, but I think Pete's correct that 3 is good for the next 10 years or so, IMO in the order I have laid out. This also puts all Costcos inside OKC city limits.

Agree with 1/2/3.

On 4 I just don’t see it NW OKC will take turnpike to the north one or westside one. And 5 is a good idea but I don’t see it either it would pull some from other areas. Still too close to North and South ones.

They want people to travel and 4/5 has overlap imo

i can't wait for them to open. I just wish the people in Oklahoma had voted the eyeglass bill in so I could buy my glasses at Costco or Sam's.

Agree with 1/2/3.

On 4 I just don’t see it NW OKC will take turnpike to the north one or westside one. And 5 is a good idea but I don’t see it either it would pull some from other areas. Still too close to North and South ones.

They want people to travel and 4/5 has overlap imo
Does Costco have a different philosophy on that than Sam's? I live in far NW OKC and I would MUCH rather go to the Sam's on NW Expressway than drive to Memorial and Penn.

I was gonna say, I live between 2 Sam's, 3 or so miles from one, and about the same to the other (The Memorial one and the I-35 Edmond one). Neither is ideal for me to get to, but I'll hit the Edmond one more because I don't have to deal with Memorial and Penn.

Does Costco have a different philosophy on that than Sam's? I live in far NW OKC and I would MUCH rather go to the Sam's on NW Expressway than drive to Memorial and Penn.

Depends on their business model. Sams has been around a long time and can use the Wal-Mart transportation system. So building Sams next to Wal-Mart is not as big a deal for them.

Costo likely has a model showing sales per square foot of store. And its possible 1/2/3 avg X sales where adding a 4th or 5th decrease overal region sales per square foot (and profits). Some companies are willing to give up some sales to stay very profitable. So it depends on if they feel its worth chasing more sales by opening more stores.

Its all speculation and none of us are wrong so its fun to banter about it. I would guess this first store is their prime spot for the region to make most sales per square foot, and every store after has diminishing returns. Can still make a profit but it decreases with each store. So my theory is open the best profit store and decide how many more after its established. Sams are all over due to being next to Wal-Marts so its a different model.

Depends on their business model. Sams has been around a long time and can use the Wal-Mart transportation system. So building Sams next to Wal-Mart is not as big a deal for them.

Costo likely has a model showing sales per square foot of store. And its possible 1/2/3 avg X sales where adding a 4th or 5th decrease overal region sales per square foot (and profits). Some companies are willing to give up some sales to stay very profitable. So it depends on if they feel its worth chasing more sales by opening more stores.

Its all speculation and none of us are wrong so its fun to banter about it. I would guess this first store is their prime spot for the region to make most sales per square foot, and every store after has diminishing returns. Can still make a profit but it decreases with each store. So my theory is open the best profit store and decide how many more after its established. Sams are all over due to being next to Wal-Marts so its a different model.

That makes sense. I didn't even think about their location in relation to Wal Mart and the logistics that would help with.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/costco012719a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/costco012719c.jpg

Wow! That was fast!

Wow! That was fast!

Agreed Guess I need to look at what it takes to sign up

Looks like we'll be buying buckets of mac and cheese and really cheap chickens pretty soon.

Here is membership page. More expensive than Sam's. I can't find anything that really explains the differences between member and executive member other than this page. Says there are a few benefits but doesn't specify. Are there business hours for business members only like Sams has?

https://www.costco.com/join-costco-quick.html

Here is membership page. More expensive than Sam's. I can't find anything that really explains the differences between member and executive member other than this page. Says there are a few benefits but doesn't specify. Are there business hours for business members only like Sams has?

https://www.costco.com/join-costco-quick.html

COSTCO is worth the membership. IMO much better than SAMS

Believe the Executive Member thing at Costco includes a rebate at the end of the year for purchases made, similar to the upgraded Sam's membership.

IIRC, Exec members get in an hour early most days at Costco but the expanded hours are not nearly as liberal as Sam's.

COSTCO is worth the membership. IMO much better than SAMS

I have to weigh in the factor that I also live sw of airport so that is a long drive. Will I go enough and will I save enough on items I buy there to justify the membership costs. I am not sure I buy enough at Sams to justify the membership cost. BUT....I am super excited we are getting a costco and will probably check it out for at least a year to see.

Believe the Executive Member thing at Costco includes a rebate at the end of the year for purchases made, similar to the upgraded Sam's membership.

IIRC, Exec members get in an hour early most days at Costco but the expanded hours are not nearly as liberal as Sam's.

This is correct. Unless you plan to spend huge amounts of money there, the executive membership really isn't worth it. You get 2% back but you have to pay a larger fee. I had it 2 years and didn't get my money's worth - and I shop there fairly often.

This is correct. Unless you plan to spend huge amounts of money there, the executive membership really isn't worth it. You get 2% back but you have to pay a larger fee. I had it 2 years and didn't get my money's worth - and I shop there fairly often.

The one time I didn't make my money back on the addtional membership cost, they made up the difference.

To make up the $60 upcharge you need to spend at least $3K a year.

I'd love to see a Costco go in at I-35 and Covell in north Edmond. I think one would do well there. They would draw Guthrie and Stillwater folks. Then perhaps one down in Moore/Norman.

From Enid, too.

The one time I didn't make my money back on the addtional membership cost, they made up the difference.

To make up the $60 upcharge you need to spend at least $3K a year.

They wouldn't make up the difference for me this year so I went back to the old membership. No biggie for me, I still shop there about once every 2 weeks. I just started a pet prescriptions there where I pay $15 for thyroid pills that cost me $78 at the vet's office.

My sister gets a pretty big check every year from Costco. I think $600-700 or so.

My sister gets a pretty big check every year from Costco. I think $600-700 or so.

l could see it with several kids and\or a small business.

My sister gets a pretty big check every year from Costco. I think $600-700 or so.

Does she own a business - like a restaurant? That's a minimum of $30,000 a year spent only at Costco.

We used to buy a lot at Sam's. However, in recent years it's really dropped. Just too easy to order online and have things delivered to your door.

I'm anxious for the Costco to open. I've shopped them in other states and really like them.

Is even the base level to shop in the store a membership fee?

I was looking at buying some drugs from Costco online but the price was members only to see the price. Signing up for membership was when I realized they wanted a membership fee. I ended up ordering the drugs from Amazon. (Yep, Prime.) I do realize some places have a paid membership, shopped at Sams years ago until I decided to support Walmart as little as possible and dropped it. I'm only in that part of town about once a month if I didn't make a special trip. Probably will end up not shopping there if it's fee.

Edit to add...This is the members only item I was looking for. I've never shopped at their online site but do see some priced items. Is membership required to order online or only on some items online?

https://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Signature-Aller-Flo%2C-5-Bottles.product.100295245.html

^^^ Pharmacy is mentioned in link.


https://clark.com/shopping-retail/warehouse-clubs/costo-shop-without-membership/

^^^ Pharmacy is mentioned in link.


https://clark.com/shopping-retail/warehouse-clubs/costo-shop-without-membership/

Thanks for the link. That's a non-prescription item so I couldn't walk in a store and buy it I guess. Also, they must have some online items you can't buy without a membership even if you do pay the 5%.

I drove by and looked at the location when I was up there last weekend. Think I'll probably pass as a customer.

I don't have a great reason to have both memberships, so until Costco gets a Scan 'N Go app like Sam's, I'll stick with Sam's. Of course, I'll probably change my mind and get a Costco card for at least a year to see how it goes.

Is even the base level to shop in the store a membership fee?

I was looking at buying some drugs from Costco online but the price was members only to see the price. Signing up for membership was when I realized they wanted a membership fee. I ended up ordering the drugs from Amazon. (Yep, Prime.) I do realize some places have a paid membership, shopped at Sams years ago until I decided to support Walmart as little as possible and dropped it. I'm only in that part of town about once a month if I didn't make a special trip. Probably will end up not shopping there if it's fee.

Edit to add...This is the members only item I was looking for. I've never shopped at their online site but do see some priced items. Is membership required to order online or only on some items online?

https://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Signature-Aller-Flo%2C-5-Bottles.product.100295245.html

Funny you should mention this particular item. I just received my monthly sale ad from Costco and it's $6.00 off now. I don't know the exact price but it'll be a heckuva deal.

15140

Funny coincidence. It's $27.64 plus tax delivered on Amazon. I don't know what is normal for this product. I have used it several years via a pharmacy and prescription where my insurance covered the full amount. I'm on new insurance now. I was with my wife when she went to see her ENT and he said you could buy over the counter now, and at Sam's in a 5 or 6 pack cheap. When I did an internet search Costco came up. I may still get covered by insurance, but the new plan is 10% copay on generic, and I'm betting the pharmacy is going to say it cost $50 a bottle so I end up paying about the same as if I order it online.

I have found that healthwarehouse.com is the least expensive place inside the US to buy prescription drugs my insurance did not cover. They sell it too, but prescription required.

Job openings are finally posted for OKC, and looking at the two other Costcos opening in Florida and New Jersey, OKC is definitely opening in April. Just two more freaking months and no more Sam's for me :D

Does anyone know anything about the alcohol selection they will have at the OKC store? I am assuming it won't have a liquor store attached, like Tulsa, or am I wrong? Also, do you have to have a membership to buy wine/beer from inside the store if that is all they have? I have read online it depends on the state, and some states force Costco to sell it to everyone, regardless of membership. I wonder if Tulsa is carrying their Kirkland's brand of liquor since Oct 1 2018. I haven't been up there in over a year.

There will be an attached liquor store at the OKC Costco. Separate entrance but attached to the main building.

I don't think these independent liquor stores carry Kirkland or other Costco products.

From what I understand, the North-side Sam's has demonstrably stepped up its game in an effort to preserve some of its OKC market share. I think I'll stick with that.

I just don't do long lines unless I have a proxy to stand in for me. That's why I don't eat at Hopdoddy.

Funny thing, I'm trying to do a club pickup order for Sam's, to pick up this Saturday. I've done this many times before, and always had the option to pay at the store when I pick it up. Usually what I do is browse around, get a couple other items in my cart, then pay for those and the pickup order at the same time. This is for the one on N May, maybe other stores are different.

Now, trying to place the order, pay at the store is no longer an option. Credit/debit/gift card right now or GTFO.

This Costco is horribly out of the way for me, but hurry up and open.

Funny thing, I'm trying to do a club pickup order for Sam's, to pick up this Saturday. I've done this many times before, and always had the option to pay at the store when I pick it up. Usually what I do is browse around, get a couple other items in my cart, then pay for those and the pickup order at the same time. This is for the one on N May, maybe other stores are different.

Now, trying to place the order, pay at the store is no longer an option. Credit/debit/gift card right now or GTFO.

This Costco is horribly out of the way for me, but hurry up and open.

And the Edmond Sam's has been inconsistent with stocking product...very unpredictable and annoying. I'm ready for Costco, too.

Well, received a reply from Sam's.

"Morning, I am very sorry but sams club has done a change on club pick up paying.
SamsClub.com is continuing on our path to modernize and be more efficient to the benefit of all our Members. Club Pickup will start to require online payment to complete an order for pickup in the club."

So on the one hand, they are removing member services. On the other hand, club pickup isn't an option at Costco, you can't even browse warehouse stock on the website, just what they ship. I think this is a gamble. I've no idea what percentage of people use(d) club pickup, and Sam's still has the scan and go app. That said, is the percentage high enough to lose the business and not notice? Club pickup was VERY convenient for me, and like I said I almost always pick up a few other things while I'm there. But if this will no longer be a convenient option, the only thing preventing me from jumping ship to Costco is the distance. I mean, if you want to encourage shopping within the store itself, the shopping experience at Costco is insanely better.

Costco should REALLY consider a Scan & Go-type of app. I love being able to bypass the lines. It was especially great during this past holiday season. The checkout lines were chaos and packed, and I just cruised on by to the exit. The only thing is that you can't buy any alcohol this way (understandably).

Costco should REALLY consider a Scan & Go-type of app. I love being able to bypass the lines. It was especially great during this past holiday season. The checkout lines were chaos and packed, and I just cruised on by to the exit. The only thing is that you can't buy any alcohol this way (understandably).

They don't even have self-checkout or nearly the extensive early shopping hours like Sams.

Especially with only one location in OKC for the foreseeable future, you can expect long lines.

And even in California with dozens of locations, I used to have to psyche myself up to go because it was generally a big hassle.

They don't even have self-checkout or nearly the extensive early shopping hours like Sams.

Especially with only one location in OKC for the foreseeable future, you can expect long lines.

And even in California with dozens of locations, I used to have to psyche myself up to go because it was generally a big hassle.

Not having ever been inside a Costco, can you give us your opinion of the advantage it might have over Sam's?

Not having ever been inside a Costco, can you give us your opinion of the advantage it might have over Sam's?

I always say Costco is like Target and Sam's is like Walmart.

They *seem* to be the same but there are a ton of details that makes Costco superior, apart from the checkout issues.

Their Kirkland brand of many items is always high quality and great value. Members Mark at Sam's is completely hit and miss.

I also think Costco does a better job of selecting which items are sold in their stores. They seem to have higher standards in general.

But I really notice the difference in the employees. Costco pays their people very well, trains them and seems to sellect those with a customer service orientation. I go to the Sam's at 39th & May a bunch and I get the opposite impression from that staff.

I always say Costco is like Target and Sam's is like Walmart.

They *seem* to be the same but there are a ton of details that makes Costco superior, apart from the checkout issues.

Their Kirkland brand of many items is always high quality and great value. Members Mark at Sam's is completely hit and miss.

I also think Costco does a better job of selecting which items are sold in their stores. They seem to have higher standards in general.

But I really notice the difference in the employees. Costco pays their people very well, trains them and seems to sellect those with a customer service orientation. I go to the Sam's at 39th & May a bunch and I get the opposite impression from that staff.

Thanks!

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/costco021019a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/costco021019b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/costco021019c.jpg

I'm assuming that lower corner in the 3rd picture is where the liquor store will be? That is the location of the store in Tulsa at least from what I can recall.

I kind of wish the ugly side back side wasn't facing western.

I kind of wish the ugly side back side wasn't facing western.

There is no ugly side of a Costco :)

There is no ugly side of a Costco :)

i was more going to ask which side was not ugly