quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
I’m sure Costco (founded by Price Club execs and later merged with Price Club) has smoothed up the formula somewhat over the years, but they tend to explore the demand curve to figure out where they can sell the most at an acceptable margin. That Costco founder said if he could figure out a way to sell that drink and hotdog even cheaper than $1.50, they would do so.

Things such as the hotdog deal, gas, tires, and car batteries are loss leaders for Costco. Costco doesn't make any profit on them. They exist simply to get customers through the door.

quote:

Originally posted by iron chef:
[Things such as the hotdog deal, gas, tires, and car batteries are loss leaders for Costco. Costco doesn't make any profit on them. They exist simply to get customers through the door.

Tires are a loss leader? I find competitive pricing and great service at Discount Tires.

Batteries? Similar pricing at a local battery store -- that's a car battery store, not a general auto supply store. This local shop even gave me free delivery on a set of golf cart batteries. Dropped them off at the airport and took the old ones back. Same price as they were at Costco, with more personal service. If these batteries are a loss leader at Costco, the local battery shop with competitive pricing is on its way to bankruptcy after a long, long, presence in the local area.

As for gas yes, the Costco prices can't be beat. Sometimes they are matched by RaceTrak or WaWa, but they are never beat. I don't see how gas gets customers through the door though, almost every vehicle I see getting gas at Costco, just fuels up and leaves.

Hotdogs? Maybe a loss leader, although I'd bet that they're probably marginally profitable. They don't get customers through the door at my local Costco; the food court is outside the store in an open (roofed over) area, where anybody can walk up -- Costco membership is not required. A lot of people who work in the area just drop by at lunch time, grab a hot dog and a soda, and do not go into the store.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

açai fruit bowls, organic burgers, and a plant-based protein salad

Here's a thought that probably makes too much sense: why not add that stuff to the existing menu for the health-nut crowd and leave the real food alone?

You don't understand, the Company is run by highly educated Exec's who know better than you at what you want to eat. It's not about what you want but what is PC.

Costco, dawn of the soy dog. Yuk!

quote:

Originally posted by iron chef:

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
I’m sure Costco (founded by Price Club execs and later merged with Price Club) has smoothed up the formula somewhat over the years, but they tend to explore the demand curve to figure out where they can sell the most at an acceptable margin. That Costco founder said if he could figure out a way to sell that drink and hotdog even cheaper than $1.50, they would do so.

Things such as the hotdog deal, gas, tires, and car batteries are loss leaders for Costco. Costco doesn't make any profit on them. They exist simply to get customers through the door.

The only loss-leaders that we're (public) is aware of is certain items in the food court and the roast chicken. There's no way they're taking a margin loss on manufactured goods like gas, tires and batteries. They're getting margin enhancement credit and volume discounts from those manufacturers but, not a loss.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
Batteries? Similar pricing at a local battery store -- that's a car battery store, not a general auto supply store. This local shop even gave me free delivery on a set of golf cart batteries. Dropped them off at the airport and took the old ones back. Same price as they were at Costco, with more personal service. If these batteries are a loss leader at Costco, the local battery shop with competitive pricing is on its way to bankruptcy after a long, long, presence in the local area.

which battery shop, I'm about in the need for some golf cart batteries, could never find the 8V at the local costmo, they only had the 6V batteries...

quote:

Originally posted by ersatzknarf:

quote:

Originally posted by bubbatime:

quote:

Originally posted by Yanert98:
I ordered the acai bowl this week. It was quite good and I'll definitely be ordering it again.

Dude, don't ever admit shit like that.

Seriously.

I know how you feel. I was super skeptical too. But then about 10yrs ago a buddy of mine turned me onto acia bowls while we were in Hawaii. It's good stuff. No lie.

Oh on the OP, I'm glad they are offering an alternative, my wifes a vegetarian, so something other than pizza at least as a offer is good.

I'll still get my buck fiddy dawg, with relish, onions, mustard...

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:


As for gas yes, the Costco prices can't be beat. Sometimes they are matched by RaceTrak or WaWa, but they are never beat. I don't see how gas gets customers through the door though, almost every vehicle I see getting gas at Costco, just fuels up and leaves.

Hotdogs? Maybe a loss leader, although I'd bet that they're probably marginally profitable. They don't get customers through the door at my local Costco; the food court is outside the store in an open (roofed over) area, where anybody can walk up -- Costco membership is not required. A lot of people who work in the area just drop by at lunch time, grab a hot dog and a soda, and do not go into the store.

I remember when the first hot dog stand showed up outside the Price Club No. 1 in Rose Canyon. Pretty soon it was Hebrew National sold from an exterior facing space.

As far as gas price, I am told that Costco wants to be the lowest price within a 5 mile radius of the store. It is a benefit of membership.

Where are all of the Polish people protesting this clearly racist policy?


Oh... they all have jobs.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
Batteries? Similar pricing at a local battery store -- that's a car battery store, not a general auto supply store. This local shop even gave me free delivery on a set of golf cart batteries. Dropped them off at the airport and took the old ones back. Same price as they were at Costco, with more personal service. If these batteries are a loss leader at Costco, the local battery shop with competitive pricing is on its way to bankruptcy after a long, long, presence in the local area.

which battery shop, I'm about in the need for some golf cart batteries, could never find the 8V at the local costmo, they only had the 6V batteries...

Milliken Battery, in Apopka. On 441, north of the Greater Metropolitan DownTown City Center.

Easiest way (at least for me): Maitland Boulevard west, it becomes the 414 Toll Road. After the toll, stay in the right lane, make the transition to the 451 Toll Road toward Apopka. 451 ends at North O.B.T. (US 441). Turn right to go south on 441, stay in the right lane. Next traffic light there is a WaWa on the left (east) side of 441 -- Milliken Battery is opposite the WaWa, on the right (west) side of the highway. They have car, truck, and golf cart batteries. Motorcycle too, I think.

Let me know if you're going to stop there. We might be able to coordinate and hit Porky's for some BBQ.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

I'll still get my buck fiddy dawg, with relish, onions, mustard...

good on you, sir !

that is exactly how i do mine and love that little onion chopper machine

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

I'll still get my buck fiddy dawg, with relish, onions, mustard...

Sauerkraut. Don't forget the sauerkraut.

quote:

Originally posted by ersatzknarf:

good on you, sir !

that is exactly how i do mine and love that little onion chopper machine

Yeah I'd love to have one at home...

What's a "Polish dog"? I don't think our Costco's around here have that one? We have the big hot dogs and an Italian sausage sandwich with peppers & onions.

Is that like a Kielbasa?

no very berry sundae,
reason #9 to NOT ! re-up the membership

I don't know why some of you have your knickers in an awful bunch.

Since the customer (the overall and not you specifically) is right, I'm sure Costco has done the market research. People are asking for healthier options and more non-meat items are being offer or lighter dishes without the calories.

You can still buy your kielbasa in the store so it's not like your crack supply has been cut off and if in the end Costco can't generate whatever numbers they want to see, they'll drop or modify the new menu.

This is not the end of the world that some are making it out to be and it's certainly not an Old Coke v. New Coke kind of thing either. It's a menu drop of one item and adding others. Happens every day.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
What's a "Polish dog"? I don't think our Costco's around here have that one? We have the big hot dogs and an Italian sausage sandwich with peppers & onions.

Is that like a Kielbasa?

A bit thicker than a hot dog, that has more species. I think a lot more flavorful than the basic beef hot dog.

Sounds like your region gets the unique Italian sausage sandwich.