Who is going tomorrow morning for the grand opening?

Had a soft opening tonight I think....drove by and it was PACKED. People in line outside it appeared. I’ll pass for a few days I think!

Who is going tomorrow morning for the grand opening?

Hard Pass. Maybe in a few months when the hype settles down

At 7:25 there was a line. Still had parking. Didn’t get a close look was on TP. TP put up warning signs of “slow traffic ahead” prior to Western exit in anticipation of crowds.

At 7:25 there was a line. Still had parking. Didn’t get a close look was on TP. TP put up warning signs of “slow traffic ahead” prior to Western exit in anticipation of crowds.

The warning signs may be for southbound I-235/I-44 traffic.

When you go, please report back on the traffic mess that will be Memorial & Western. Thanks.

Much is being made of the traffic issues here but have any of you actually been anywhere near Memorial and Penn during busy times? Traffic is traffic. If I want to go to Costco, I'm not going to skip on it because the traffic will be too bad. I've never skipped a trip to Top Golf, Uncle Julio's, Firebirds, et. al, because of the possible traffic situation. The whole traffic issue seems to be a bit overblown to me, but to each their own.

Much is being made of the traffic issues here but have any of you actually been anywhere near Memorial and Penn during busy times? Traffic is traffic. If I want to go to Costco, I'm not going to skip on it because the traffic will be too bad. I've never skipped a trip to Top Golf, Uncle Julio's, Firebirds, et. al, because of the possible traffic situation. The whole traffic issue seems to be a bit overblown to me, but to each their own.

Okies love talking about traffic.

Traffic wasn't backed up anywhere but this was 9AM.

Note that every parking spot is taken and cars are circling.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/costco051619a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/costco051619b.jpg

My concern is it backing up onto the turnpike which creates a dangerous situation.

My concern is it backing up onto the turnpike which creates a dangerous situation.

That wasn't the case this morning but I suspect it could be a problem on the eastbound Penn exit.

So glad it's open. It's amazing to me that it took OKC this long to get one.

The warning signs may be for southbound I-235/I-44 traffic.

No, I read somewhere they expect Costco traffic to back up onto turnpike off ramp or even on turnpike itself. Has nothing to do with 235. I suspect its more for late afternoon when you mix rush hour plus Costco traffic. Traffic already backs up on the off ramp in rush hour pre Coscto so it won’t take much more to back up on turnpike. With cars going 70 then add in stopped traffic and its great they are warning drivers. Also expect big Costco traffic this weekend. It was related to Costco.

lol. i can't imagine being basic enough to show up to the grand opening of something like this.

"hey, boss, the costco is opening on Thursday, May 16, and I will lose a lot of street cred with my friends in Rose Creek if I miss the grand opening. so i'll need off that morning. TIA!"

lol. i can't imagine being basic enough to show up to the grand opening of something like this.

"hey, boss, the costco is opening on Thursday, May 16, and I will lose a lot of street cred with my friends in Rose Creek if I miss the grand opening. so i'll need off that morning. TIA!"

Hey, I would have gone in except I could see there were no parking spaces after I flew my drone.

Hey, I would have gone in except I could see there were no parking spaces after I flew my drone.

Same! I drove by twice on Turnpike (unrelated to going to Costco with no issues, but parking lot was JAMMED so I took a pass on stopping

I'm very interested to see their product lineup as it compares to the stores I shopped in California.

It's been a few years, so I'm sure things have changed at all stores, but there were several products I loved.


I was the biggest Costco fan around but I live right next to a brand new Sam's Club and I've found good replacements for almost everything I had bought at Costco. I'm not willing to battle traffic and crowds on a regular basis but there may be some things worth the occasional trip and/or on-line buy.

I was there before they opened at 8 am. Ok I got there at 730am. about 50 people lined up. I went to their main door (not where everyone thought it was) and was first in. Anyway 2 hrs later when I left at 10ish it was wall to wall carts. I had a problem getting out of the parking lot. People just stopped and waited for some one to pull out of a parking space. (ie when no one was sitting in their cars waiting to pull out). Other then that and no tp in the bathroom) Everything was fine. Check out moved quickly. They brough in experienced checkers and had new employess helping. Some decent buys and nice looking crab legs and fresh fish. Lady that lived in Alaska agreed with me. Anyway, happy shopping everyone.

I think it will be slammed this weekend. Especially if weather guys push Armageddon Monday forecast that always draws out the shoppers stocking up for end of days lol.

thanks for the report and cheers! OKC.

I just got home. I arrived at Costco around 10:30 am.

Police were at every entry/exit making sure traffic moved smoothly. I had to look for about 10 minutes for a parking spot. No problem really considering it’s grand opening.

It was busy but checkout was quick. As I expected from previous experience they had 3 employees at each checkout. One removing items from the cart, the cashier scanning, and a 3rd person putting items back in the cart, sacking or boxing as necessary. Very smooth.

This is the 15th Costco I’ve been in and I knew what to expect. I’m satisfied.

The wine selection was very good, although I’m no wine expert.

I’m going on a road trip soon. I’ll stop in Costco’s in California, Arizona and New Mexico for the purpose of buying some Costco Kirkland brand and name brand Liquor and Spirits. The Kirkland brand Vodka, Tequila, Bourbon, etc is very good quality and darn cheap. No I’m not an alcoholic, lol, I like to entertain.

So this is Thursday, most people are at work. Wait til Saturday to see how busy Costco gets.

Oh, I did fill up. Top Tier Gas $2.25 gallon. They have attendants on duty if you need help fueling.

6 Awesome Cheap Wines You Can Score at Costco

By
HEATH GOLDMAN | SEP. 8, 2017
Did you know that Costco is the biggest wine retailer in the U.S.? Whoa, neither did we. The chain sells name brand labels for 20 percent less than most wine stores. And when something great isn’t available for retail, Costco bottles it under its private label, Kirkland Signature. The huge selection means lots of decision making, so we tossed back taste-tested a bunch of vino to bring you the best pick for every occasion.

https://www.purewow.com/food/cheap-costco-wines

Some of the Kirkland brand beers are very good as well.

But it does suck about them not being able to sell liquor. Used them for all my big parties over the years.

I am hoping they still carry their Kirkland margarita mix which is very good and pretty darn cheap.

^^^^^^^ Yes they had the margarita mix. Want me to pick up some for you?

Some of the Kirkland brand beers are very good as well.

But it does suck about them not being able to sell liquor. Used them for all my big parties over the years.

I am hoping they still carry their Kirkland margarita mix which is very good and pretty darn cheap.

I didn’t know they were largest wine retailer! Wow, and good for us!

^^^^^^^ Yes they had the margarita mix. Want me to pick up some for you?

Hooray!

That's very kind but I'll go stock up once the crowds die down a bit.

Went tonight at 730 and it was busy but not that bad. Parked easy and when walked in the check out lines looked long but after 30-40 minutes inside they were only 2 people deep. Easy in and out. I agree with above posts that weekend will be bonkers but I was please that late hours tonight were fine.

I was told they were processing about 1,000 new members today and expected sales at or over $1.0 Mill. Tulsa store did just under $700K its first open day. People were having fun!

Went tonight at 730 and it was busy but not that bad. Parked easy and when walked in the check out lines looked long but after 30-40 minutes inside they were only 2 people deep. Easy in and out. I agree with above posts that weekend will be bonkers but I was please that late hours tonight were fine.

I was told they were processing about 1,000 new members today and expected sales at or over $1.0 Mill. Tulsa store did just under $700K its first open day. People were having fun!

I went in at the same time. Not bad at all. Busy, yes, but very organized and great customer service. The checkout lines, while long, moved very quickly.

How long were lines to get a Costco ID card?

How long were lines to get a Costco ID card?

Not really long - they had that set up just outside the main entrance and were maybe 2-3 deep I think. I didn’t look that closely but I’d go at an off hour - late or early to be safe. That was at 8 last night and closed at 830.

I was in Wichita quite a bit when they opened there - they had free trial passes all over town. I would go with one of those or maybe tag along with a friend that has one before decide if its worth switching from Sam's as its alot less convenient for us to get to Costco when we have the option of multiple Sam's closer

I was in Wichita quite a bit when they opened there - they had free trial passes all over town. I would go with one of those or maybe tag along with a friend that has one before decide if its worth switching from Sam's as its alot less convenient for us to get to Costco when we have the option of multiple Sam's closer

Me, I dropped my Sams and am 100% getting Costco. Used them when I lived in Cali and loved Costco over Sams hands down. Costco actually cares about customer service!

Friday night at 7pm not too busy and easy parking. Lots of stuff Sams just does not carry. I think Sams beats their price on meat

Don't know if it's been mentioned..... Does Costco have anything like Sam's "Scan And Go" app? I love it at Sam's, I never wait to check out and I always have my receipt.

Don't know if it's been mentioned..... Does Costco have anything like Sam's "Scan And Go" app? I love it at Sam's, I never wait to check out and I always have my receipt.

No. Not even self-checkout.

No. Not even self-checkout.

And thats what I like about them. Sams and WM have a bad reputation and one reason is they eliminated tons of cashier positions by automating too many checkout functions to scan. A majority of people complain about 20 checkput lines and only 2 or 3 are staffed. For all those happy with auto checkout there are at least 9 unhappy.

I like that Costco has kept cashiers and thus hire/use more employees. This is better for economy (more jobs) and you get top notch customer service.

Because this is their business model they actually care. They pay workers better and you get positive interaction. Sams/WM workers aways seem unhappy and unhelpful because the 2 or 3 open lines are always packed several deep with unhappy customers forced to wait in long lines and thus in bad moods by time they get to cashier. Most people standing in the long WM lines spend their time complaining about all the unstaffed lines lol.

Costco works on their checkout lines to make them speedy and you get happier workers who interact better with customers. And because Costco takes care of their workers they get the best ones applying for jobs. And Costco is always top rated every year.

I know some people love scan systems but I love people interaction and also companies that value jobs and service.

The difference between Sam's and Costco employees is how they are paid and treated.

This argument of machines and technology replacing people as a bad thing has been raging since the industrial revolution.

There are far more Sam's and Wal Marts so per store business will be less - thus the empty checkout lines. With one single COSTCO, they are absolute zoos at peak times. As much as l don't really like self checkout, I'm afraid it's going to be more and more common - even COSTCO will put them in someday.
Conversely, l wish COSTCO would put in lines for 1 - 5 items. Maybe the new store has them.

Give me a self-checkout any day over a cashier (FYI - I was a WalMart cashier decades ago - and yes, I liked working for Walmart). Better yet, give me Amazon's cashier-less model (Amazon Go) or a self-checkout app like Sam's 'Scan And Go.' I much prefer to simply scan as I shop and then just walk out the store.

Never liked Walmart self checkout, but enjoy Target self checkout.

My main wish is that stores either have enough self checkout lines to serve the number of customers, have a good mix of self checkout and staffed lanes, or have enough staffed lanes without self checkouts.

Do something that helps people pay and the lines short and moving and I’ll be happy.

COSTCO starts its employees at $15 / hour with full benefits. This is the kind of business we should be supporting. Wal-Mart is a drain on society and taxpayers. I did foolishly decide to visit Saturday afternoon. It only took me about 10 minutes to find a spot to park. Waiting in line for a Costco card was a non-starter, however. Despite numerous lines, people were waiting quite a while.

I decided just to do a quick sweep of the store to get a feel for the merchandise. I found some things that immediately triggered buying impulses but I was protected by my lack of membership.

I will share some information from someone I know in management at this store: there are plans in the works to build at least two more Costco locations in the metro area. I would expect they will move quickly on this based on the sensational reaction to the market they received. People here are sick of Wal-Marts. Also, as our metro population has swelled with people from across the United States, these newcomers are accustomed to shopping at Costco and make a ready market.

I would imagine they will build one somewhere in the South OKC / Moore / Norman region and your guess is as good as mine on other locations. Perhaps the West OKC / Yukon area. My friend said he could imagine them building one closer to Downtown as well. "That will happen," he said. So that makes me think of Belle Isle or the area around Target on NW Expressway.

There are far more Sam's and Wal Marts so per store business will be less - thus the empty checkout lines.

Still, as a percentage, a big proportion of people shopping at Sam's use self-checkout or Scan & Go.

I highly dispute the idea that self-checkout is unpopular and almost everybody prefers a human checker; I think it's the exact opposite.

Still, as a percentage, a big proportion of people shopping at Sam's use self-checkout or Scan & Go.

I highly dispute the idea that self-checkout is unpopular and almost everybody prefers a human checker; I think it's the exact opposite.

Poorly calibrated and designed self checkout machines are unpopular.

“Place item in bagging area” “unscanned item in bagging area” “place item in bagging area” “please wait for assistance”

*looks for one worker assigned to machines on both sites of the store*

That’s why I still don’t like Walmart, but love to use Target. But I don’t have the same issues at the Walmart Neighborhood Market that I have at Walmart.

Sam's doesn't have that 'place the item in the bagging area' thing.

You just use the gun to scan the items in the cart, and off you go. It's awesome. And Scan & Go is even better.

The Neighborhood Market in Cassady Square just went to mostly self-checkout, and frankly more should be that way. When I worked at Wal-Mart in high school, I would get called from whatever department I was working that day to cashier for an hour or so, then be behind on my departmental duties and leave a department shorthanded. I would rather have more people helping me find what I need than asking me "Did you find everything alright?" after its too late to get it.

Don't know if it's been mentioned..... Does Costco have anything like Sam's "Scan And Go" app?

More times than has been traffic...

...
“Place item in bagging area” “unscanned item in bagging area” “place item in bagging area” “please wait for assistance”...

That’s why I still don’t like Walmart, but love to use Target. But I don’t have the same issues at the Walmart Neighborhood Market that I have at Walmart.

They must have addressed that issue. I remember when that would happen quite frequently. However, I shop at WalMart at least 2-3x per week and haven't had that happen in many months - and I often don't even put the item in a sack or the 'bagging area' and simply leave the stuff in my cart and place it into my own reusable sack.

The only store I loath the self-checkout is Home Depot. Never goes well.

They must have addressed that issue. I remember when that would happen quite frequently. However, I shop at WalMart at least 2-3x per week and haven't had that happen in many months - and I often don't even put the item in a sack or the 'bagging area' and simply leave the stuff in my cart and place it into my own reusable sack.

The only store I loath the self-checkout is Home Depot. Never goes well.

Last time I was in Home Depot, they had redone the self-checkout, it has scanning guns instead of flat counters and a new interface, not sure if you've been in there since that, but it seems better now.

Had a great first trip to our Costco this afternoon. Crowds were heavy but not a hassle. Found a parking spot right away and only found the aisles congested to the point you could not move once or twice. Checkout was immediate--no wait at all.

The best thing about Costco, which is something I have said before, is far more organic items in the product mix than Sam's. It truly is wonderful to have all the organic options at such great prices. And there are more items that would fall into the premium category I would say and the house label, Kirkland, pretty much beats Member's Mark (Sam's house brand) in consumer product comparisons. We are very happy they are here and will let the Sam's membership lapse. If you have never been, go with a friend who is a member and check it out.

I also had an employee tell me that they are planning another store in N. Norman/Moore area.

Before Costco puts their Kirkland name on anything, they hold it to very high standards. Of all things, their toilet paper is legendary and they take it very seriously.

This is not remotely true for Members Mark products; some are good, some aren't so good and some are plain terrible. For example, their bacon pieces are nothing but a bag of gristle. Every review online says the same thing, yet they continue to crank out that terrible product. Costco would never do that and in fact, everything with the Kirkland name is generally regarded as very high quality and a great value.

It's a not-so-little difference between the two. And there are many more, most notably the employees and customer service.

:spider:To clarify I like that Costco values customer service and think it serves them well.

I am not against scanners as a service I am against scanners as a way to put lots of people out of work at entry level. Creat is a good example too, they get you checked out fast in people lines but added a few scanners as a service for those who want them.

On the other hand WM/Sams put in scanners not as a service but to put people out of work to save money. So they value profits over people. Costco values people and yet I think it helps profits because when people have a great experience they tend to come back more often.

And employees (cashiers) at Sams/WM are so overworked they carry a bad attitude in comparison. All because they have so few open cashier lines in relation to demand.

I think there is a difference in how some have added scanners vs others.

I like the fact that Costco’s gas station has an attendant if you need assistance. Elderly, handicapped, injured, sick, etc, just toot your horn and the attendant will take care of it for you. No need to get out of the car.

I’m old enough to remember when all gas stations were full service. The attendant would also wash your windows, check the oil and tire pressures, etc.

Nowadays where else are you going to find some one to fill your tank while you remain in the car?

I like the fact that Costco’s gas station has an attendant if you need assistance. Elderly, handicapped, injured, sick, etc, just toot your horn and the attendant will take care of it for you. No need to get out of the car.

I’m old enough to remember when all gas stations were full service. The attendant would also wash your windows, check the oil and tire pressures, etc.

Nowadays where else are you going to find some one to fill your tank while you remain in the car?

Almost forgotten everyday things to hear at the gas station:

Regular or Ethel?

Check under the hood?

You're a quart low, want me to top that off for you?

Nowadays where else are you going to find some one to fill your tank while you remain in the car?

New Jersey.

Sam's has an attendant too.

I'm not defending Sam's over Costco but I don't see much difference here. In fact, on hot days the Sam's attendant will often hand out cold bottles of water.

I'm excited to try it, but I definitely don't like big crowds or long lines.

Went yesterday expecting the worst, but it wasn't bad like 'Dillard's New Year's Day sale' bad :tongue:.

Long lines weren't an issue either, as most checkouts had two people. I've gotten so use to self-checkout and terrible cashiers at Sam's that it was kind of weird and nice to have competent and friendly people do the transactions.

I was surprised that the gas station was empty though, as the lines for that at other Costco locations I've been to are pretty long. I didn't check prices, but hoping it's comparable to Sam's.

As much as I dreamed of this day, I'm not sure if I can cut off Sam's forever, since there's one really close to my house and if I really need something, it's a 5 minute drive versus around 20 for Costco. But then it's not exactly smart to pay for memberships to both..

But now I really don't have to go to Tulsa anymore, and that's what's important :D

I look forward to going sometime this week and comparing the OKC store and products to the one I shopped at in SoCal.

Another area where Sam's is superior is its website. They list almost every single product and designate between those in the store, online or both.

If you search Costco for margarita mix (one of my favorite things there) you get a big goose egg, even though somebody said they do in fact have in stock in OKC.

It's kind of a big deal to know what they have before you even go, and I remember this was an issue when I shopped there exclusively in the past.


Having said all that, I'm still a huge fan and just paid my renewal. Even my 3-year old card was restarted so I am good to go.

Went yesterday expecting the worst, but it wasn't bad like 'Dillard's New Year's Day sale' bad :tongue:.

Long lines weren't an issue either, as most checkouts had two people. I've gotten so use to self-checkout and terrible cashiers at Sam's that it was kind of weird and nice to have competent and friendly people do the transactions.

I was surprised that the gas station was empty though, as the lines for that at other Costco locations I've been to are pretty long. I didn't check prices, but hoping it's comparable to Sam's.

As much as I dreamed of this day, I'm not sure if I can cut off Sam's forever, since there's one really close to my house and if I really need something, it's a 5 minute drive versus around 20 for Costco. But then it's not exactly smart to pay for memberships to both..

But now I really don't have to go to Tulsa anymore, and that's what's important :D

I would imagine there are comparatively few members just yet. As time goes on and more people sign up, things will get much more crowded.

Yes, COSTCO has 2 people at each checkout, one to check and one to help, put things in boxes, etc. It's a good system and moves the lines along pretty fast.

^

And when they are especially busy they will often add a 3rd person who scans everything in your cart as you stand in line, and then when you reach the cashier they merely scan your card and the full total pops up.