Costco

[bamarsha]

I've never been in a Costco, keep hearing they won't even let you in without a membership, so never have tried. Are they really any better than Sam's Club? Is this a Target vs Wal-Mart type of deal?

[FighttheGoodFight]

I've never been in a Costco, keep hearing they won't even let you in without a membership, so never have tried. Are they really any better than Sam's Club? Is this a Target vs Wal-Mart type of deal?

I prefer the brands at Costco way more than Sam's Club. Prices are similar though on many items.

[scottk]

I've never been in a Costco, keep hearing they won't even let you in without a membership, so never have tried. Are they really any better than Sam's Club? Is this a Target vs Wal-Mart type of deal?

Target vs Walmart may be a good comparison. While Costco and Sam's appear the same, I think they go after two very different types of shoppers. Sam's Club is geared for small business owners, lots of variety of items in regards to packaged food, vending machine snacks, restaurant containers, and the general service industry. Costco seems to be geared more towards a home consumer with a large variety of items that would compliment home goods. While they carry many of the same brands, I think Sam's may be focused more on defined price points, while Costco offers more value on higher end products/brands.

They do have some crossover of course like electronics, paper goods, and some food items.

Sam's has a much better point of sale and website interface, which I think is thanks to Walmart's existing infrastructure. Costco has a cult following in regards to the $5 chicken, and $1.50 price point on the hot dog and soda combo. Costco's Kirkland brand seems to hold up well across all of the offerings. From my experience, you can easily find what you are looking for at Sams and they have a very defined seasonal section of goods. Costco is designed for you to literally go up and down every aisle as many seasonal items can move throughout the store multiple times while on display.

I have shopped at both and prefer Costco, but can definitely see where Sam's can come ahead if you are looking for particular items or run a small company/business.

At the end of the day, to each their own on what suits your shopping habits best.

[Pete]

^

Costco's lack of tech is completely inexcusable.

You literally don't know what they carry unless you walk up and down every aisle and hope you haven't missed it or they haven't sold out -- their website is next to worthless. With Sam's, you can see every single item they carry and if it's in stock. Also very easy to search for items on their app in the store. Sam's also has a much better delivery/shipping program.

And Costco has made it hard to use self-checkout whereas Sam's has Scan and Go, great self-checkout, and now you don't even have to show your receipt at the door.

The Kirkland brand is better than Members Mark but to me that hasn't been a huge differentiator.


I was the biggest Costco fan in the world but the tech issues are just too big to look past IMO.

[scottk]

Also, may have missed it, but on my most recent visit to the OKC Costco on Memorial and Western, the food court counter was completely blocked off with tarps and the front of the store was in a completely different arrangement towards the store exit. Are the updating food-service equipment or something different?

[PoliSciGuy]

Also, may have missed it, but on my most recent visit to the OKC Costco on Memorial and Western, the food court counter was completely blocked off with tarps and the front of the store was in a completely different arrangement towards the store exit. Are the updating food-service equipment or something different?

They've been redoing sections of the back end of the store (bakery, meat, etc.), mainly the flooring. It's now the food court's turn, should be done in no more than a couple weeks.

[Ginkasa]

^

Costco's lack of tech is completely inexcusable.

You literally don't know what they carry unless you walk up and down every aisle and hope you haven't missed it or they haven't sold out -- their website is next to worthless. With Sam's, you can see every single item they carry and if it's in stock. Also very easy to search for items on their app in the store. Sam's also has a much better delivery/shipping program.

And Costco has made it hard to use self-checkout whereas Sam's has Scan and Go, great self-checkout, and now you don't even have to show your receipt at the door.

The Kirkland brand is better than Members Mark but to me that hasn't been a huge differentiator.


I was the biggest Costco fan in the world but the tech issues are just too big to look past IMO.

We had a situation our last visit with the self check out. We had a couple of big items and the Costco rep said he had to scan those so he did and we did the rest and headed out with the receipt. The receipt checker said an item was missing and sure enough one of the big items didn't get scanned so we had to go back and get it paid for. Fortunately there wasn't a long line to get the receipts reviewed because I would not have been happy waiting twice.

[corwin1968]

I just spoke with a long time employee and he said they are doing all new floors, equipment, etc. He said the plan is for it to be back open on Monday.

[traxx]

and $1.50 price point on the hot dog and soda combo.

Daughter and I got the dog and soda combo at Sam's yesterday and it was $1.38.

I'd be interested to at least check out Costco because everyone says how awesome it is and how great their store brand is but since they don't invite me in to see why I should go with them instead of their competitor, I stay with Sam's. There's a Sam's just a couple of miles from me. I'd have to travel further for Costco and through a higher traffic area. Not worth it for something that may have a negligible difference.

[sooner333]

When Sam’s first started carrying beer and wine, they had some small notices that you were not required to have a membership to purchase alcohol. This may be a state law issue, and if so, you should be able to enter a Costco to purchase alcohol. Also, I think Sam’s allows anyone to use the pharmacy. Maybe Costco does that too.

[jedicurt]

When Sam’s first started carrying beer and wine, they had some small notices that you were not required to have a membership to purchase alcohol. This may be a state law issue, and if so, you should be able to enter a Costco to purchase alcohol. Also, I think Sam’s allows anyone to use the pharmacy. Maybe Costco does that too.

I just went to a costco this weekend in texas that had a full liqour store attached. you did not need a membership to enter and purchase.

[mugofbeer]

When Sam’s first started carrying beer and wine, they had some small notices that you were not required to have a membership to purchase alcohol. This may be a state law issue, and if so, you should be able to enter a Costco to purchase alcohol. Also, I think Sam’s allows anyone to use the pharmacy. Maybe Costco does that too.

COSTCO in CO allows anyone to use the pharmacy. You must have a membership to buy alcohol.

[scottk]

A lot of discussion regarding Sam's vs Costco in the last couple of posts, CNBC recently posted this. Breaks down the differences of the stores brands and how each retailer approaches going after their customer base with offerings:



One of the things of note is how much more Costco makes off of Kirkland while offering many less product offerings than Sam's Member's Mark brand.

[TornadoKegan]

Any possible updates on a west side location

[midtownokcer]

^

Costco's lack of tech is completely inexcusable.

You literally don't know what they carry unless you walk up and down every aisle and hope you haven't missed it or they haven't sold out -- their website is next to worthless. With Sam's, you can see every single item they carry and if it's in stock. Also very easy to search for items on their app in the store. Sam's also has a much better delivery/shipping program.

And Costco has made it hard to use self-checkout whereas Sam's has Scan and Go, great self-checkout, and now you don't even have to show your receipt at the door.

The Kirkland brand is better than Members Mark but to me that hasn't been a huge differentiator.


I was the biggest Costco fan in the world but the tech issues are just too big to look past IMO.

They must've read your post, Pete!

[Pete]

^

You still can't see a huge percentage of the items they stock. For example, search for 'bread' and you get nothing, while they carry dozens of different kinds.

Search for 'bread' on the Sam's site and you not only get all their packaged bread but lots of other things, too.

[bombermwc]

^

Costco's lack of tech is completely inexcusable.

You literally don't know what they carry unless you walk up and down every aisle and hope you haven't missed it or they haven't sold out -- their website is next to worthless. With Sam's, you can see every single item they carry and if it's in stock. Also very easy to search for items on their app in the store. Sam's also has a much better delivery/shipping program.

And Costco has made it hard to use self-checkout whereas Sam's has Scan and Go, great self-checkout, and now you don't even have to show your receipt at the door.

The Kirkland brand is better than Members Mark but to me that hasn't been a huge differentiator.


I was the biggest Costco fan in the world but the tech issues are just too big to look past IMO.

That's been one of my biggest complaints with Costco from the start. The App is completely worthless. You can't get in-store stock or location, can't bypass the checkout lines. Now they're doing the ID checks at the doors and the registers (which screams to me that they are losing money or that the new leadership is struggling to make targets).

It always chaps my butt that I have to show a card to get in anyway since i have to have one to check out. Why accost me at the front with some mall-cop mentality like you're not going to let me in unless I show it to you? And the receipt checkers (at least one particular lady) have been real jerks. When it first opened, we missed one thing in the self-checkout and you'd think she thought we were the scurge of the universe trying to steal the world. She was a real *&^&%$. I have had that happen at Sams they just politely ask you to either use the app to do it or go back to checkout. Simple, polite. It's an honest mistake that I've literally only made twice in about 15 years.

I'm really considering tossing my Costco membership with all the ways they have been changing things and in generally making it an unpleasant customer service experience. It's like they have forgotten recently that they are there to serve customers. If i want to bring my grandmother in to get something, my membership says I can do that with my guest. So why make a big deal if she decides she wants to pay? That's allowed and your cashier being a jack*ss about it doesn't help anything at all. How about I pay, and she literally hands me cash in front of you? And honestly, i would just pay for my grandmother in the first place, but this is stuff I've been seeing there.

I see someone else commented that even now the self checkout isn't so self anymore. I experience that recently too. Either have them or don't, but don't take the scan guns away and then make the helper come by to do the big things. It's just silly. They put up so many barriers and they think that people are just going to accept it. Customer Service has tanked and it sucks.

[BoulderSooner]

(which screams to me that they are losing money or that the new leadership is struggling to make targets).

but don't take the scan guns away and then make the helper come by to do the big things.

they were losing thousands of dollars of people not scanning items with the guns ..


and as for the making targets ... lol i think they are fine https://investor.costco.com/news/new...4/default.aspx

sales up 9.1% to 57.39 Billion, Net sales up 7% to over 170 billion .. Net income 1.68 Billion also up

[MagzOK]

The store on Memorial is more and more busy each time I go in. I think a lot of people are fine with the way they operate and I don't have any problems with it. It's a membership only place, sure they need to make sure members only are going in. I don't ap-shop for groceries myself as I enjoy going up and down all the isles. A run to Costco is just not an in-and-out thing for us. We've never had any negative experiences with associates that work there. It's a great place for us to shop regularly for groceries to feed our three growing kids that eat everything in sight.

[barrettd]

The store on Memorial is more and more busy each time I go in. I think a lot of people are fine with the way they operate and I don't have any problems with it. It's a membership only place, sure they need to make sure members only are going in. I don't ap-shop for groceries myself as I enjoy going up and down all the isles. A run to Costco is just not an in-and-out thing for us. We've never had any negative experiences with associates that work there. It's a great place for us to shop regularly for groceries to feed our three growing kids that eat everything in sight.

Yes, there are clearly plenty of people to keep both models in business. I, also, gave up my Costco membership after the first year because they lagged behind, in my opinion, in customer experience. I really love the Scan 'n Go, for example, and their self-checkout is even much better than Costco.

As you've mentioned, and has been proven, there's also a huge market for people that don't care about any of that.

I think it's terrific that we have both available to us, and hope they continue to do well.

[BoulderSooner]

The store on Memorial is more and more busy each time I go in. I think a lot of people are fine with the way they operate and I don't have any problems with it. It's a membership only place, sure they need to make sure members only are going in. I don't ap-shop for groceries myself as I enjoy going up and down all the isles. A run to Costco is just not an in-and-out thing for us. We've never had any negative experiences with associates that work there. It's a great place for us to shop regularly for groceries to feed our three growing kids that eat everything in sight.

exactly my thoughts

[FighttheGoodFight]

We still pretty much only shop at Costco. The one in Moore isn't really that busy compared to the one on Western. I go on saturdays once a month and it isn't like the ones I visited in Texas with just insane lines.

[Ward]

To clarify something, Costco has a policy that only members are allowed in.

There is an exception, Costco has a policy that they allow anyone to come into the pharmacy. All you have to do is tell the door person you are going to the pharmacy, and they will welcome you in.

I've been a Costco member since 2011 and have used the Pharmacy many times. I've been in 14 different Costcos around the country. Good prices for cash payment, no insurance if you don't have insurance, you can save a lot of money at Costco Pharmacy.

In fact, I was recently in Costco and started talking to the person in line next to me, he stated that he is NOT a Costco member but he likes to come in and use the Pharmacy and is saving a lot of money between he and his Wifes prescriptions, they do not currently have insurance.

[Celebrator]

The store on Memorial is more and more busy each time I go in. I think a lot of people are fine with the way they operate and I don't have any problems with it. It's a membership only place, sure they need to make sure members only are going in. I don't ap-shop for groceries myself as I enjoy going up and down all the isles. A run to Costco is just not an in-and-out thing for us. We've never had any negative experiences with associates that work there. It's a great place for us to shop regularly for groceries to feed our three growing kids that eat everything in sight.

+2

For us it's the product mix that aligns more with our eating habits which gives Costco the very large edge over Sam's. I do keep both memberships though to have access to Sam's clothing and a few of their private label products. But I went to both the same day last month and saw the exact same products that were only sold as conventional at Sam's versus organic at Costco. We buy almost exclusively organic when we can, and Costco just offers so many more options for that category of food. And the non-perishables available at Costco seem to be across the board of higher quality. Costco is just a better fit for our family, so we are very glad they are here as we shop there once a week as our primary grocer.