 | | | Subject: Peer Review: A81331012 - Shopping at a Costco Warehouse (US)
Posted Apr 1, 2011 by  broelan
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 | | Entry: Shopping at a Costco Warehouse (US) - A81331012
Author: broelan - U155058
Hello again!
Originally I thought to write an entry about scamming free lunch at Costco. Then that didn't really seem broad enough for an entry, and it isn't really possible to explain why you would need to know such a thing without at least a basic explanation of what a Costco is.
A little digging informed me that Costco is an international company (which I didn't previously know). That introduced the complication that it may not be possible to perform such a scam in other locations, so I tried to make it US-centric. I'm not sure how well this worked.
I was really going for something kind of small and simple, not an in-depth observation of Costco as an organization.
And, it's been a couple years since I've written for the Guide... I think I've gotten most of the language right but I can't remember if it's 'center' or 'centre' (I used the former but have a sneaking suspicion it's the latter).
Thanks for reading! 
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| | | Subject: A81331012 - Shopping at a Costco Warehouse (US)
Posted Apr 15, 2011 by broelan
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5
 | | Sorry Taff, missed your post earlier.
I wonder if Costco in the UK is close enough to this that I could remove the (US) tag, and then if a reader from another country decides that their Costco isn't anything like this they could start a conversation at the bottom? Or add a disclaimer that the entry is true of many Costcos in the US and UK but that experience may vary at locations in other countries?
Our snack bar is full of such American staples, I wonder what the UK snack bar sells? We have hot dogs, polish sausage, pizza (of course), Caesar salads, turkey wraps, chicken bakes, chocolate dipped ice cream bars and frozen yogurt. I kind of wish they had pretzels, I think I heard they used to.
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| | | Subject: A81331012 - Shopping at a Costco Warehouse (US)
Posted Apr 15, 2011 by Vip
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6
| | I'd never even heard of Costco, so this was an interesting read!
I like the concept of an Entry about scamming a free lunch from Costco, but on the other hand it's a little bit like stealing, so part of me doesn't want to push that angle too much.
The only thing that jumped out at me from this - which is well written and engaging, by the way - is that it almost sounds like an advert for Costco when you are describing it. By mentioning that it has better sales than a competitor it instantly sets the tone of an advert, so when you mention its benefits I'm already sceptical. It might just be that phrase, actually.
I'd want someone else to have a read through and say what they think to that though, it might just be me in super-cynical mode.
What's a churro? Or a popsicle? I always thought they were the same thing as a UK ice lolly, but if you can have half a one perhaps I'm wrong. 
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| | | Subject: A81331012 - Shopping at a Costco Warehouse (US)
Posted May 9, 2011 by RadoxTheGreen - Retired
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10
| | I don't think Costco has a pharmacy in the UK. At least they don't in Bristol, but there are some pharmacy products on the shelves marked with a 'you must be able to prove you are a registered pharmacist to purchase this item' sticker on them. They have a bakery, photo shop (cheapest place to get passport photos), ciggys locked away in a cage (you have to request someone to serve), they can do spectacles to your prescription and have a tyre service that seems to have a deal with Michelin. Incidentally, their tyres are filled with Nitrogen instead of air, which gives them a longer mileage life. So far, they're the only place I've seen that does that.
In the UK, Costco will only allow certain people to have an account. You either have to be running a business (or authorised to buy on the business account) or you can have an individual account if you work (or used to work) in a profession connected with national/local Government or a service industry. So council employees, postmen, plummers etc. can all have accounts. Teachers too, if they're paid by the local authority. I don't know how tight they are on these rules, I've not seen anyone pleading with the front desk to be allowed to join due to the size of their family but there's no harm in asking. Theoretically, the first two hours of trading on weekdays (they open 10am) is for business customers only but when I've turned up before the 'official' 12pm time for individuals I've always been waived through by the staff. I don't know if that's the same in the USA.
They're good for dishing out the free samples too. Last trip I was offered free samples of coffee, waffles & maple syrup, wine, cake and some cheesy Jalapeño pepper bites. Beat that Tesco
You have to show your photo card ID when you go in and they always check the items in your trolley match your receipt when you leave.
I've only used the Bristol shop but apparently their membership is valid worldwide, so a US Costco membership will also let you shop here in the UK. They even have stores in Japan and Korea. Bel is right about the lack of stores in Germany. I asked them about it and there aren't any Costco stores on the European mainland yet, although they say they'll be in Europe within three years.   
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| | | Subject: A81331012 - Shopping at a Costco Warehouse (US)
Posted Jun 15, 2011 by Bluebottle
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| | I know there is a Costco in Reading, and that The Fish can shop there because his wife is a self-employed registered childminder. I think the article is good, but if you are going to drop the (US) you would need more detail about the UK's regulations, but for an article about shopping in the US it is fine, but a little like advertising (even though advertising how to go to a shop and avoid spending any money, the best type of advertising there is. )
<BB<
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| | | Subject: A81331012 - Shopping at a Costco Warehouse (US)
Posted Jun 18, 2011 by broelan
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| | Okay, I've removed the advert-y bits and changed the title to "Lunching at a Costco Warehouse". Now my concern is that it may be too short, but I'm not sure what else to include. Suggestions?
I've also noticed that in the paragraph listing the samples I'm missing a space between "coffee" and "and", although there is a space in my edit window. I'm guessing it's because both words use tags, but I don't know how to fix.
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| | | Subject: A81331012 - Shopping at a Costco Warehouse (US)
Posted Oct 30, 2011 by RadoxTheGreen - Retired
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20
| | >>so if you get the soda first you'll have plenty to drink as you snack your way through the rest of the store.<<
I'm not sure this is actually possible, at least, it maybe in the US stores but not elsewhere. Obviously different locations may have different set ups, but in Avonmouth (UK), you would have to ask the greeter to let you in to the cafe (who is really there to check your trolley on exit, as the tills exit to the cafe area). Once you had bought your soda, you would have to exit the store as far as the entrance lobby and re-enter via the (proper) greeter/pass checker to get to the main part of the store. This is because the tills are one way only, and all passes have to be checked before you can go into the main warehouse. I don't know if they will let you take a soda out of the cafe area and back in to the main warehouse, I've never tried. I can think of several reasons why they may not want to (books, clothes etc).
Also, it's worth mentioning that you can get the free food samples without being a paid up member. Ask at the main entrance if you can have a look around the store, although if they ask you for a name and address you might be able to do this just the once. I don't think they do though  .. They will give you a visitors pass which will give you access to the main warehouse. This means you get access to the free samples of whatever food or wine that they may be dishing out that day (they usually give something away as a freebie, but not so much towards closing time).
Is this now going to be about shopping or lunching btw? If it's shopping, you should probably mention the Xmas stuff goes on sale around late August in Costco and the best toys, decorations, cribs etc. get sold out by Halloween.
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