Costco

[Mballard85]

I was at Costco yesterday and it looks like they are doing some kind of project on the north side of the building. I asked an employee and he said he knows what it is but doesn't know if he can tell me. Any insight?

[Pete]

I was at Costco yesterday and it looks like they are doing some kind of project on the north side of the building. I asked an employee and he said he knows what it is but doesn't know if he can tell me. Any insight?

New optical department.

[Pete]

A weird development...

Costco has stopped selling it's $20 sheet cakes that have become a mainstay for many parties, birthdays, graduations, etc.

They feed 50 people, and because large gatherings have been largely curtailed, they have just stopped making them for now.

[soonerguru]

A weird development...

Costco has stopped selling it's $20 sheet cakes that have become a mainstay for many parties, birthdays, graduations, etc.

They feed 50 people, and because large gatherings have been largely curtailed, they have just stopped making them for now.

Sounds responsible.

[Ward]

Yes, and I think they are continuing their smaller cakes. They are good!

[jerrywall]

It'll be a shame if they use this as an excuse to get people off of their $20 half sheets and onto the round cakes that serve about 10 people (for $10-15) as a permanent switch.

I'm sure it will be more profitable for them to sell the rounds.

[jn1780]

I bet if you took a survey most people end up throwing a good amount of the sheet away. They only buy a sheet because of value and they are overly cautious about how much their guest will eat.

[Pete]

From the City Council agenda for Monday:

During negotiations with Costco for the Economic
Development Agreement, Costco discovered that an error had been made
by Costco in the wage information it presented to the State of Oklahoma
and to the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the Trust and
City Council. Costco initially represented that it planned to add 1,044
new to market jobs with an annual average wage the first year of $44,606.
Staff was advised that this wage was mistakenly based on another
location's wages. Costco has revised its proposal by stating it will create
1,503 new to market full-time jobs, instead of the 1,044 originally
proposed, however, the first year annual wages will be reduced from
$44,606 to $38,299 and the jobs will be added over a five to seven year
period instead of three to five years. While the average annual wage of
these new jobs is being reduced to an estimated $38,309 for the first year,
the average annual wage will rise to $53,876 by the sixth year, resulting
in a total annual payroll of $80,975,000, which is $18,606,404 higher than
the prior top payroll estimate of $62,368,560.

[Pete]

^

As expected when discovered they were buying the large Hertz building, they are planning to employ more people than originally discussed, although at a lower average salary and won't reach full employment for what could be 7 years.

[OKC Guy]

^

As expected when discovered they were buying the large Hertz building, they are planning to employ more people than originally discussed, although at a lower average salary and won't reach full employment for what could be 7 years.

Thats even better. Just using raw numbers and knowing hires will be staggered:

Old: 1044 x $44606 = $46.6m
New: 1503 x $38299 = $57.6m

[mugofbeer]

I bet if you took a survey most people end up throwing a good amount of the sheet away. They only buy a sheet because of value and they are overly cautious about how much their guest will eat.

Thats even better. Just using raw numbers and knowing hires will be staggered:

Old: 1044 x $44606 = $46.6m
New: 1503 x $38299 = $57.6m

That's not bad starting pay considering OKC cost of living. This is a good catch.

[dcsooner]

That's not bad starting pay considering OKC cost of living. This is a good catch.

+1

[RustytheBailiff]

Does Costco still have early hours for Seniors? Or is it a 10:00 AM opening for all (M-F)?

[Pete]

Does Costco still have early hours for Seniors? Or is it a 10:00 AM opening for all (M-F)?

Yes, they are still opening at 9AM for those over 60 Monday thru Friday.

[RustytheBailiff]

Thanks Pete - do you also know, do all members need to be over 60, or can my daughter accompany me?

[Pete]

Thanks Pete - do you also know, do all members need to be over 60, or can my daughter accompany me?

I believe so.

[RustytheBailiff]

Thanks Pete, appreciate what you do!

BE SAFE WEAR MASKS

[bhawes]

I believe so.

Pete any word on when they will start on the new Costco in Moore. Im tired of driving to Costco on north side of town.

[Pete]

Pete any word on when they will start on the new Costco in Moore. Im tired of driving to Costco on north side of town.

I haven't heard anything further but Costco as a company is killing it so I have no reason to believe the Moore location won't be going forward.

[mugofbeer]

Does Costco still have early hours for Seniors? Or is it a 10:00 AM opening for all (M-F)?

FYI - COSTCO just announced they will cut the senior hour, 9 to 10am to just Tuesdays and Thursdays starting July 13 for most stores.

[OKCRT]

Pete any word on when they will start on the new Costco in Moore. Im tired of driving to Costco on north side of town.

Why not just go to a Sams in your area? Aren't they both about the same type of store? I go to Sams once in a while but have never been to Costco but heard they are about the same.

[scottk]

Why not just go to a Sams in your area? Aren't they both about the same type of store? I go to Sams once in a while but have never been to Costco but heard they are about the same.

Costco is to Sam's what Target is to Walmart. They sell similar items, but the in-store experience and certain product offerings are very different.

[MadMonk]

Costco is to Sam's what Target is to Walmart. They sell similar items, but the in-store experience and certain product offerings are very different.

I've let my Costco membership expire. My experience has been that there isn't as big of difference in terms of quality for similar items. Each has their own unique items that can't be found in the other store, but nothing so compelling to drive me to either store over the other. I've also had nothing but good experiences with employees at both stores. In my mind, the Scan-and-Go checkout at Sam's is the biggest differentiation. That makes the shopping experience so much better. I admit that I'm also a bit biased because Sam's is so much closer to my home. But even if there were a Costco in a more convenient location to me, I would still prefer the checkout experience at Sam's. If there were a Costco closer to me, I might consider maintaining both memberships again to have options on the unique product offerings, but as it currently stands, the additional drive and checkout hassle aren't worth it to me.

[chuck5815]

I've let my Costco membership expire. My experience has been that there isn't as big of difference in terms of quality for similar items. Each has their own unique items that can't be found in the other store, but nothing so compelling to drive me to either store over the other. I've also had nothing but good experiences with employees at both stores. In my mind, the Scan-and-Go checkout at Sam's is the biggest differentiation. That makes the shopping experience so much better. I admit that I'm also a bit biased because Sam's is so much closer to my home. But even if there were a Costco in a more convenient location to me, I would still prefer the checkout experience at Sam's. If there were a Costco closer to me, I might consider maintaining both memberships again to have options on the unique product offerings, but as it currently stands, the additional drive and checkout hassle aren't worth it to me.

+1

i’ve also noticed the Sam’s have really stepped up their game since The Costco arrived. And the crowds are always lighter in the Sam’s. I canceled my Costco membership within the first month and used the $60 refund to buy ice cold, American beers at Sam’s.

[Pete]

Agree about Scan & Go. It's the best in-store shopping tool by far.

And even though Costco now has self-checkout, it's lame because there is no gun which means you have to haul all those big value packs out of your cart and wave them over the scanner. Plus, Sam's has way better hours and a much better website.

I love Costco but I live a mile from the Sam's at 39th & May and it's so easy and convenient, I should probably give up my Costco membership. I don't even buy much from them on-line.

I still hate Walmart but I have to admit that Sam's is damn good.