No Costco in Wichita also. They have them in KCK though. Yeah it is sad that Lubbok wins there..

... Yeah it is sad that Lubbok wins there..

I agree. OKC as a whole is a retail desert and loses out to cities half its size, especially when it comes to "everyday" stores like Costco and good grocery stores. It's really strange.

Costco will be here by New Years 2016 though...hopefully.

I've never been in a Costco, how similar is it to a Sam's club?

OKC has some great local stores - some of the best I've seen anywhere. That gets overlooked in the discussion. We have mostly lousy grocery stores. We dont get the love from chains, but mostly I don't care. To me Costco is just a more yuppy-friendly Sams and I doubt I would shop there either. Too much angst about Costco, IMO.

They are able to sell high point beer, wine, and even liquor there. Stores like Costco and grocers are a lot more enthusiastic about entering a market where they have that kind of guaranteed profit. I don't think you would see Costco in a similar market in a 3.2 state. Dodge City, Kansas for instance doesn't have Costco and likely never will. Costco will come to Oklahoma though, its just more of a risk for them so that's why they've held out so long.

Colorado Springs has 2 Costco's!!!

OKC has some great local stores - some of the best I've seen anywhere. That gets overlooked in the discussion. We have mostly lousy grocery stores. We dont get the love from chains, but mostly I don't care. To me Costco is just a more yuppy-friendly Sams and I doubt I would shop there either. Too much angst about Costco, IMO.

I would go to Costco, but I agree, there are some great local places. Some of the best restaurants I've been to are here in Oklahoma City, & I've traveled as far east as Savannah, GA to as far west as Seaside, OR & everywhere in between. I try my best to "keep it local" when shopping for anything & have discovered some great little places that offer some really unique things.

It will be very nice to finally have a Costco in Oklahoma no matter if it ends up in OKC or Tulsa first. My wife and I go to Dallas and Fort Worth area 2 or 3 times a year just to go to the Costco's and sometimes the Fry's electronics. Every time we go to the Lewisville, TX Costco we ask when Oklahoma is going to get our own Costco and two years ago they said they were not sure why we did not have one yet but over 1/3 of their customers come from Oklahoma. We went in the first week of October to the Lewisville Costco last year we asked again if there was any news of Oklahoma getting a Costco and the associate we talked to said that they had been in a Texas Costco manger meeting and that Oklahoma City would have a Costco in year. From the way they talked I figured they already had a spot picked out. I am from the Tulsa area and if you guys do get your Costco first I will be over there on opening day and every other weekend till ours opens. We can all thank Texas for shopping so much at the Costco's that they are finally going to give Oklahoma a chance.

What are you buying at those Costcos that you can't get at other retailers?

The reason one goes to Costco or Sam's is bulk buying. Businesses large and small have accounts, small schools have accounts, etc. I (and betts, being a Dr forgive me) love buying my bacon in bulk at Sam's. Can get a 60 slice bag of precooked Hormel for about 8 bucks. That's some serious bacon. And I love bacon.

Our local stores are great, but not for bulk.

What are you buying at those Costcos that you can't get at other retailers?

As a big fan of Costco, I'll answer that:

- Dog food. Costco private brands Eukaneuba and sells it for less than half the price. (I have three large Labs and go through a 40 lb. bag once a month)
- Baked goods. Great bakery - warm, French bread and others -- at really cheap prices
- Entertaining: anything in bulk, like beer, wine, alcohol, cups, plates, appetizers, etc.
- Wine: Sell single bottles of quality product at fantastic prices
- Lawn items like fertilizer and plants: much cheaper.
- Bagged salad: Huge bag for $3 or so.
- Rotisserie Chicken: $5 for a huge, delicious bird.
- Meat: great cuts at very reasonable prices
- Ground turkey: buy a ton and freeze it. Cheaper than hamburger at most groceries.

And a ton of other things that other stores may carry, but at considerably higher prices.

The reason one goes to Costco or Sam's is bulk buying. Businesses large and small have accounts, small schools have accounts, etc. I (and betts, being a Dr forgive me) love buying my bacon in bulk at Sam's. Can get a 60 slice bag of precooked Hormel for about 8 bucks. That's some serious bacon. And I love bacon.

Our local stores are great, but not for bulk.

Just want to clarify, I'm talking about local in general. If it comes to shopping for groceries, then you're right.

As a big fan of Costco, I'll answer that:

- Dog food. Costco private brands Eukaneuba and sells it for less than half the price. (I have three large Labs and go through a 40 lb. bag once a month)
- Baked goods. Great bakery - warm, French bread and others -- at really cheap prices
- Entertaining: anything in bulk, like beer, wine, alcohol, cups, plates, appetizers, etc.
- Wine: Sell single bottles of quality product at fantastic prices
- Lawn items like fertilizer and plants: much cheaper.
- Bagged salad: Huge bag for $3 or so.
- Rotisserie Chicken: $5 for a huge, delicious bird.
- Meat: great cuts at very reasonable prices
- Ground turkey: buy a ton and freeze it. Cheaper than hamburger at most groceries.

And a ton of other things that other stores may carry, but at considerably higher prices.

Are their prices that much better than Sams? A lot of those things you listed are available at Sams. I understand about the buying in bulk as I shop at Sams. And Sams does have some things that you don't see in other stores. But you only save on those things if you usually buy name brand items anyway. You can usually get store brand items much cheaper than name brand items at Sams without having to buy in bulk. And I understand there are people who only buy name brand things even if store brand is similar quality.

Personally I don't like to support Wal-Mart and I don't think I'm alone in that. It will be good for OKC to have other options. It's easy to simply say "go to Wal-Mart" but in a city this size one shouldn't have to. Why do people shop at Target when most things they carry can also be had at Wal-Mart, sometimes for a few cents cheaper.

With all the talk that Costco doesn't want to locate close to Sam's, I looked at the location of the Lubbock store, and it's not that far from their Sam's Club.
The ones in Austin are within a mile or so of Sam's. There is a bit more distance between some of them up here in Denver, some are fairly close though.

Personally I don't like to support Wal-Mart and I don't think I'm alone in that. It will be good for OKC to have other options. It's easy to simply say "go to Wal-Mart" but in a city this size one shouldn't have to. Why do people shop at Target when most things they carry can also be had at Wal-Mart, sometimes for a few cents cheaper.

I've never understood why people feel like that but I'm going to criticize anyone for shopping where they choose.

Are their prices that much better than Sams? A lot of those things you listed are available at Sams. I understand about the buying in bulk as I shop at Sams. And Sams does have some things that you don't see in other stores. But you only save on those things if you usually buy name brand items anyway. You can usually get store brand items much cheaper than name brand items at Sams without having to buy in bulk. And I understand there are people who only buy name brand things even if store brand is similar quality.

I think prices are similar but Sam's doesn't carry the Kirkland dog food or any of the private Costco (Kirkland) brands, which are always of very high quality and value.

For example, their toilet paper is legendary. It's fantastic quality and very cheap. Everyone that shops there seems to buy it. Same with paper towels and hundreds of other things.

Plus, the stores are cleaner, brighter, with wider aisles and the customer service is almost too friendly and helpful.


It's hard to explain but a million little differences add up. There is a Sam's Club nearby but I've only been it a couple of times. I'm in my Costco at least once a month.

Costco has better organic selection of food at a cheaper price than Sam's Club. Costco's max markup on items is 15% and most items are only marked up 10%. Take Mobil One synthetic oil for example at Sam's Club they sell it for around 36 dollars for 6 bottle case and Costco might be a dollar cheaper but they have a 10 dollar instant rebate 2 or 3 times a year which makes it a lot cheaper. I have been to Costco's in at least 15 different states and I have never seen gasoline prices cheaper than Costco's price and they normally beat the competition by 10 to 15 cents a gallon and they always beat Sam's Clubs price. Last year each of the gas stations at the Costco's averaged 27 million a year in sales. I do prefer Sam's Club hot dog combo.

They are able to sell high point beer, wine, and even liquor there. Stores like Costco and grocers are a lot more enthusiastic about entering a market where they have that kind of guaranteed profit. I don't think you would see Costco in a similar market in a 3.2 state. Dodge City, Kansas for instance doesn't have Costco and likely never will. Costco will come to Oklahoma though, its just more of a risk for them so that's why they've held out so long.

They are now, but up until a few years ago, Lubbock was completely dry.

When is Cabella's still happening?

It's probably my favorite store.
I will make the drive as I'm sure many others will too.

Thanks

I don't think anything will be opening at this site -- including Cabela's -- for at least a year.

It's a huge project that will require lots of site work before any tenants start their work.

Does Costco make you stand in line at the exit to show your receipt? It seems petty, but that's always annoyed me about SAMs club. After I hand you money and get my receipt, I feel the stuff belongs to me. When the store is busy and I have to stand in line at the exit , it makes me leave the store irritated every time.

Does Costco make you stand in line at the exit to show your receipt? It seems petty, but that's always annoyed me about SAMs club. After I hand you money and get my receipt, I feel the stuff belongs to me. When the store is busy and I have to stand in line at the exit , it makes me leave the store irritated every time.

Yes, they do but they move you through quickly.

I've never understood why people feel like that but I'm going to criticize anyone for shopping where they choose.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jazb24Q2s94

Sorry, not going to watch a 1 1/2 hour movie about why I shouldn't shop at Walmart.

Sorry, not going to watch a 1 1/2 hour movie about why I shouldn't shop at Walmart.To sum it up, it's basically about how towns allow Walmart to come and build in their communities and THEN get pissed at Walmart for their smaller stores going out of business.

Walmart is a perfectly fine corporation and anyone that is mad at them is just looking for something to complain about.

They are the bottom feeders of the retail industry.

In my industry they would be considered scabs.

To sum it up, it's basically about how towns allow Walmart to come and build in their communities and THEN get pissed at Walmart for their smaller stores going out of business.

Walmart is a perfectly fine corporation and anyone that is mad at them is just looking for something to complain about.

It really is a bit more complex than that.

They are the bottom feeders of the retail industry.

In my industry they would be considered scabs.

Pretty darn successful scabs. The tens of millions who shop there weekly love them, too.

They are the bottom feeders of the retail industry.

In my industry they would be considered scabs.Bottom feeders? 100,000,000+ customers a week, would be the 19th most powerful entity if an economy, 400+ billion dollars in sales on average every year....etc

Bottom feeders? I think a very successful company that makes more than every company in your industry combined.

Bottom feeders? 100,000,000+ customers a week, would be the 19th most powerful entity if an economy, 400+ billion dollars in sales on average every year....etc

Bottom feeders? I think a very successful company that makes more than every company in your industry combined.

Very successful, yes. There are plenty of legitimate reasons to not support them though. I am all for consumers having choice. His bottom feeder comment was more about how they do business and how they pay their employees than how successful the business as a whole is. Let's just say a business that successful can afford to pay their employees better and those at the top will still be raking in the ka-ching.

It really is a bit more complex than that.Yeah kind of, but not really.

Listen man, I go by a simple philosophy here: if you're in business and making money, people support you. If you don't like Walmart, I completely understand. DON'T BLAME WALMART! That is where I have the problem. The people that shop there are the people you should be mad at(which would more than likely be yourself). It is unreal how many people I have personally witnessed bitch about Walmart and how bad it is and then either see them shopping there, hear about them shopping there, or see a Walmart brand item or a plastic bag in their house.

Again, Walmart is heavily supported by the people of this country. It is a fact. I don't give a sh!t how many documentaries or people online say it is bad and falling. It the biggest corporate entity in the world, employs hundreds of thousands of people, makes hundreds of billions of dollars every year, does actually contribute the global economy, and is overall a great company.

Believe it or not, Walmart does value your opinion and pays something like 15,000 people to sit near a phone waiting for your call to address your concerns regarding your experience, the quality of their stores, the friendliness of their employees. I personally know for a fact Walmart will take action if you have a negative experience there. Anything from discounts to free merchandise. I have reported multiple concerns(I actually posted this on another thread) and they have all been addressed, both very swiftly.

Once more, Walmart is a great company that is making tons of money and is very successful. Don't like it, don't shop there. Now if you really hate them and believe they are dragging down the economy, put you money where you mouth is and go out and campaign against them. If you don't want to do that, than I don't know what else to tell you.

Yeah kind of, but not really.

Listen man, I go by a simple philosophy here: if you're in business and making money, people support you. If you don't like Walmart, I completely understand. DON'T BLAME WALMART! That is where I have the problem. The people that shop there are the people you should be mad at(which would more than likely be yourself). It is unreal how many people I have personally witnessed bitch about Walmart and how bad it is and then either see them shopping there, hear about them shopping there, or see a Walmart brand item or a plastic bag in their house.

Again, Walmart is heavily supported by the people of this country. It is a fact. I don't give a sh!t how many documentaries or people online say it is bad and falling. It the biggest corporate entity in the world, employs hundreds of thousands of people, makes hundreds of billions of dollars every year, does actually contribute the global economy, and is overall a great company.

Believe it or not, Walmart does value your opinion and pays something like 15,000 people to sit near a phone waiting for your call to address your concerns regarding your experience, the quality of their stores, the friendliness of their employees. I personally know for a fact Walmart will take action if you have a negative experience there. Anything from discounts to free merchandise. I have reported multiple concerns(I actually posted this on another thread) and they have all been addressed, both very swiftly.

Once more, Walmart is a great company that is making tons of money and is very successful. Don't like it, don't shop there. Now if you really hate them and believe they are dragging down the economy, put you money where you mouth is and go out and campaign against them. If you don't want to do that, than I don't know what else to tell you.

I see what you are talking about. Yeah that reminds me of my co-worker. He bitches about Wal-Mart yet says he shops there because its cheaper and "one person can't make a difference." Target is across the street from the Wal-Mart he usually goes to and I tried to persuade him to put his money where his mouth is and shop there.

Very successful, yes. There are plenty of legitimate reasons to not support them though. I am all for consumers having choice. His bottom feeder comment was more about how they do business and how they pay their employees than how successful the business as a whole is. Let's just say a business that successful can afford to pay their employees better and those at the top will still be raking in the ka-ching.How they do business? They buy most of their products from other companies from China as well as manufacturing their own products there and ship them back to the states to make more money. People are going to invest where the money is and right now, China is where people are making billions.

Also, Walmart is paying their employees the required minimum wage. When you go for Walmart, you are informed what you will be making. The operate within the legal requirements as given to them and the only people to blame are the people that CHOOSE to work for them. How stupid can you be to go work for a company that is notorious for paying their employees the bare minimum and then complain about being paid the bare minimum. What a joke. Almost as bad as these idiots that want to get paid $15/hr for flipping hamburgers.

I see what you are talking about. Yeah that reminds me of my co-worker. He bitches about Wal-Mart yet says he shops there because its cheaper and "one person can't make a difference." Target is across the street from the Wal-Mart he usually goes to and I tried to persuade him to put his money where his mouth is and shop there.Yeeeeap. In reality he is right, he won't make difference to Walmart, but he'll be walking instead of talking and that is a plus to anyones status quo in my opinion.

Also, keep in mind, Target also imports a LOT from China.

Yeeeeap. In reality he is right, he won't make difference to Walmart, but he'll be walking instead of talking and that is a plus to anyones status quo in my opinion.

Also, keep in mind, Target also imports a LOT from China.

There aren't very many places you can shop these days that most stuff is not made in China. The importance of not shopping at Wal-Mart (if that is indeed one's conviction) is more centered around supporting the competition than it is about hurting Wal-Mart. Especially in places like OKC as well as most of rural America, Wal-Mart isn't going to miss your dollar or even realize they didn't get it, but the competition needs it to stay afloat. Shopping elsewhere will ensure consumers have choice.

There aren't very many places you can shop these days that most stuff is not made in China. The importance of not shopping at Wal-Mart (if that is indeed one's conviction) is more centered around supporting the competition than it is about hurting Wal-Mart. Especially in places like OKC as well as most of rural America, Wal-Mart isn't going to miss your dollar or even realize they didn't get it, but the competition needs it to stay afloat. Shopping elsewhere will ensure consumers have choice.Then shop elsewhere bro, it is that simple. :p

There are plenty of profitable bottom feeder companies. Shrimp are a premium food but are still bottom feeders. WalMart buys and distributes the cheapest quality products using the cheapest grade materials, on the backs of the cheapest labor they can find. Bottom feeder. Whether you like it or not, panda. They fit that definition.

Then shop elsewhere bro, it is that simple. :p

He does.

So we have choice and that argument is invalid.

There are plenty of profitable bottom feeder companies. Shrimp are a premium food but are still bottom feeders. WalMart buys and distributes the cheapest quality products using the cheapest grade materials, on the backs of the cheapest labor they can find. Bottom feeder. Whether you like it or not, panda. They fit that definition.Fair enough. I suppose though being a bottom feeder is where the money is at then.

Fair enough. I suppose though being a bottom feeder is where the money is at then.

In some cases.

In some cases.

Not necessarily... Plenty of companies treat their employees well, while using good products and remain price competitive to their bottom feeding competition.

Walmart would be profitable if they paid their employees better. This is a case of "we could make $2 dollars and have happy employees and good products; or we could make $4 dollars and get away with low labor costs, high turnover, and lower quality products"

It's fundamental. It's greed. When you are the size of Walmart, you can force quality to come last in the equation, because you eliminate most of the choices. Your customer has to shop somewhere.

Not necessarily... Plenty of companies treat their employees well, while using good products and remain price competitive to their bottom feeding competition.

Walmart would be profitable if they paid their employees better. This is a case of "we could make $2 dollars and have happy employees and good products; or we could make $4 dollars and get away with low labor costs, high turnover, and lower quality products"

It's fundamental. It's greed. When you are the size of Walmart, you can force quality to come last in the equation, because you eliminate most of the choices. Your customer has to shop somewhere.
Large, institutional shareholders drive a lot of that greed as well.

Large, institutional shareholders drive a lot of that greed as well.

Yep, most industries are turning that way. My company is laying people off, despite our yearly profits; we aren't meeting investors expectations. So..cut. snip.

Not necessarily... Plenty of companies treat their employees well, while using good products and remain price competitive to their bottom feeding competition.

Walmart would be profitable if they paid their employees better. This is a case of "we could make $2 dollars and have happy employees and good products; or we could make $4 dollars and get away with low labor costs, high turnover, and lower quality products"

It's fundamental. It's greed. When you are the size of Walmart, you can force quality to come last in the equation, because you eliminate most of the choices. Your customer has to shop somewhere.

That's why I said in some cases, not all the time. I agree with you. If I were to run a company, I would keep my employees in my best interest.

That's why I said in some cases, not all the time. I agree with you. If I were to run a company, I would keep my employees in my best interest.

Sorry wasn't paying attention. Thought you wrote "In most cases."

Sorry wasn't paying attention. Thought you wrote "In most cases."

No worries, I've done the same.

Large, institutional shareholders drive a lot of that greed as well.When you invest in a company you invest in it to make money.

Let me just say, personally, if I owned Walmart, I would pay a minimum wage of $12/hr w/ full time having health benefits and I would make my stores nicer, but I don't. The people in charge don't care nor do they have any responsibility to do so.

Fair enough. I suppose though being a bottom feeder is where the money is at then.

If is if you start consuming at the bottom, consume everything in sight and work your way up far enough with more and more consumption.
Eating up available income for both necessities and discretionary purchases is something Wally World does quite well across a large swath of the socio-economic strata.
They draw in funds, lot of funds, from those riding busses and trying to subsist on welfare, as well as folks from six figure homes driving rather expensive upper middle class rides.

When you invest in a company you invest in it to make money.

Let me just say, personally, if I owned Walmart, I would pay a minimum wage of $12/hr w/ full time having health benefits and I would make my stores nicer, but I don't. The people in charge don't care nor do they have any responsibility to do so.

I don't think anybody is arguing that Wal-Mart should be forced to pay their employees a certain wage or give their employees certain benefits. Obviously if somebody goes to work for them they know what they are getting into. The only thing people are arguing is these are legitimate reasons to oppose shopping there and that having an option like Costco would be welcome for many OKC residents.

Right now, its possible to live in OKC and never set foot in a Wal-Mart, but its more difficult and more expensive to do so than in most other cities nationwide.

The reality is that people love their "cheap goods" ( I am not saying all of you). I know a lot of people that when then need something they look for the cheapest possible price they can get. Often that equates to Chinese good bought at stores like wal-Mart. I have a friend who has plenty of money. Although he has a bad foot he was buying the cheapest tennis shoes possible at Wal-Mart. We were in Colorado together and I stopped at a hiking shop to buy a new pair of Columbia hiking shoes ( I go there every summer). While he was waiting he tried on a paid and could nor believe the difference in how they fit and felt. He ended up buying a pair and his foot troubles went away. He is now a firm believer that the cheapest is not always the best way to go and now shops for quality. Most people out there tend to care about cost over quality and this is why Chinese stuff at stores like Wal-Mart are flooding this economy.

The reality is that people love their "cheap goods" ( I am not saying all of you). I know a lot of people that when then need something they look for the cheapest possible price they can get. Often that equates to Chinese good bought at stores like wal-Mart. I have a friend who has plenty of money. Although he has a bad foot he was buying the cheapest tennis shoes possible at Wal-Mart. We were in Colorado together and I stopped at a hiking shop to buy a new pair of Columbia hiking shoes ( I go there every summer). While he was waiting he tried on a paid and could nor believe the difference in how they fit and felt. He ended up buying a pair and his foot troubles went away. He is now a firm believer that the cheapest is not always the best way to go and now shops for quality. Most people out there tend to care about cost over quality and this is why Chinese stuff at stores like Wal-Mart are flooding this economy.

So true, I shell out around $120-$150 a year for Johnston & Murphy shoes for work whereas a coworker of mine says they are too expensive but he'll spend $30 bucks every other month or so on cheap dress shoes. People also tell me that my North Face jacket is overpriced even though I haven't had the need to buy a new jacket in 4 years.

So true, I shell out around $120-$150 a year for Johnston & Murphy shoes for work whereas a coworker of mine says they are too expensive but he'll spend $30 bucks every other month or so on cheap dress shoes. People also tell me that my North Face jacket is overpriced even though I haven't had the need to buy a new jacket in 4 years.
Pretty much the same way, I do Ecco dress shoes (had them for 5 years) and The North Face jacket is pretty substantial for a Polartec fleece jacket.

So true, I shell out around $120-$150 a year for Johnston & Murphy shoes for work whereas a coworker of mine says they are too expensive but he'll spend $30 bucks every other month or so on cheap dress shoes. People also tell me that my North Face jacket is overpriced even though I haven't had the need to buy a new jacket in 4 years.

Cleo, the shoe shine guy at the courthouse, calls them throwaway shoes. I'm with you. Buy good shoes and just resole when they need it. I have two pairs of Florsheim Imperial wingtips that I have had for ten years. Resole them every 2-3 years for $60.00 bucks. They are comfortable, broken in to my feet, and have great patina and look to them as they have built up nice wax base haven been shined a fine hundred times by Cleo.

I've had several pairs of Allen Edmonds dress shoes for about 20 years now and they still look super sharp; just a few re-solings along the way.

For men's dress shoes, the fashions don't change much with time so buy a couple of nice pair is very well worth it.


BTW, the stuff Costco puts it's name on (Kirkland) is good quality stuff, usually at very good prices.

This (potential) news came out late yesterday.

San Antonio Business Journal - Sam’s Club eyeing 2,300 layoffs nationwide, media reports say (http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/blog/2014/01/sams-club-eyeing-2300-layoffs.html)

Even when the economy was booming, Wal Mart didnt have trouble finding employees so for those who work there, the vast majority dont seem to have a problem with it. Neither Wal Mart nor any other company, pay employees all that the company can afford to pay. Wal Mart, just like most publicly owned companies are in business to maximize profits. Wal Mart pays employees what it must which is no different than what other companies do. Relatively few Wal Mart employees need any special abilities, education or talent so they arent going to be paid much. They are in business to provide goods and some services at the lowest possible price. If you dont mind payinv a little more for the same thing so employees can be paid a bit more and have some benefits, shop at Target........just use cash.

Even when the economy was booming, Wal Mart didnt have trouble finding employees so for those who work there, the vast majority dont seem to have a problem with it. Neither Wal Mart nor any other company, pay employees all that the company can afford to pay. Wal Mart, just like most publicly owned companies are in business to maximize profits. Wal Mart pays employees what it must which is no different than what other companies do. Relatively few Wal Mart employees need any special abilities, education or talent so they arent going to be paid much. They are in business to provide goods and some services at the lowest possible price. If you dont mind payinv a little more for the same thing so employees can be paid a bit more and have some benefits, shop at Target........just use cash.

Most Wal-Mart workers I have known had it as a job in high school or in college. Few people make it their career unless they are in management. Like others have said, people going to work for Wal-Mart know what they are getting into.

So true, I shell out around $120-$150 a year for Johnston & Murphy shoes for work whereas a coworker of mine says they are too expensive but he'll spend $30 bucks every other month or so on cheap dress shoes. People also tell me that my North Face jacket is overpriced even though I haven't had the need to buy a new jacket in 4 years.

So, he's spending around $180 for the same year that you're spending $120-150. Now who's shoes are more expensive?

Sams Club is having a tough time competing with Costco and they have even copied Costco with the rebate books but if they are going to sacrifice quality for profit they are going to lose. Sam's has the Daily Chef brand and so far I am disappointed. Sam's used to carry the Cheese Cake factory cheese cakes that are very good for 12 dollars and I am sure it was probably costing them 8 dollars to buy but now they carry the Daily Chef cheese cake and its not even in the same league although it is only 10 dollars but probably costs them 3 dollars. Last week we bought some Daily Chef chocolate caramel cashew clusters and the flavor was not great. I hope Sam's Club keeps up the stupidity we will have lots of Costco's around us soon. I have not found a Kirkland food product yet that has not been top notch.

Maybe you should buy your cheese cake from the Cheese Cake Factory now. :)