Yes, it’s the second half of the year — which can only mean one thing: as the sweltering waves of sticky heat give way to hurricanes and the little tykes sharpen their pencils for the first day of school — Santa is on his way. Get out your @#$%#$ mistletoe and holly and all that.
costco
More Stores Accepting Food Stamps Now That 39 Million People Use Them
By 7.31.09
We’re going to have to start offering tips for shopping with food stamps now that a record number of consumers —and stores— are using them.
Beware The Costco And American Express Membership Fee Double Dip
By 7.13.09
Last week we mentioned that Costco has a habit of backdating the starting date for lapsed membership renewals, which prompted Monica to write in and let us know of another issue they seem to have with billing. If you renew your executive membership with Costco but then apply for the Costco American Express card, Amex will charge you the membership fee a second time. Monica says the Amex CSR who fixed the problem told her it happens all the time.
Be Careful, Costco Backdates Renewals
By 7.7.09
If you let your Costco membership lapse, then 2 months later renew it, Costco will backdate it to day it lapsed instead of the day you renew. The result: your 12 month membership suddenly shrinks to 10 months for the same price. Consumer Reports notes that Costco used to backdate renewals by as much as 5 months before a recent class-action settlement.
By 6.27.09
../../../..//2009/06/27/the-animals-are-rising-up/
The animals are rising up, and invading our big-box stores. This week, a small (non-poisonous) snake bit a man in an Illinois Walmart, and a woman in Utah reportedly found a black widow spider in a bunch of grapes purchased at Costco. Nature clearly abhors the modern suburban lifestyle, and it’s taking back its territory. [Carmi Times] [KSL]
Costco Now Accepting Food Stamps, Sort Of
By 5.27.09
Finally following the lead of its competitors, Costco will accept food stamp cards. For core food items, not other merchandise. Two New York City stores, in Astoria, Queens, and in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, will serve as test sites because of the high numbers of food stamp recipients nearby. If the program is successful, Costco will expand it to all other New York City stores, but there are no plans to expand the program to other cities or states.
The Extra Fiber In Quaker Natural Granola: Chunks Of Wood
By 5.23.09
James’ seven-year-old daughter was happily noshing on her Quaker Natural Granola when she came across this chunk of wood. Quaker was quick to send James a coupon so he could buy more woody granola from Costco, but then offered a refund when reminded that the bulk warehouse doesn’t accept manufacturer’s coupons.
Sorority Sisters Suffer Ironic Laundry Detergent Injuries
By 5.2.09
A fraternity fundraiser for the D.C. Firefighter’s Burn Association at George Washington University included a super-fun Slip ‘n’ Slide lubricated with laundry detergent. Detergent isn’t supposed to be slathered all over the body, though, and can lead to severe skin irritation and chemical…um….burns.
Costco Fixes Customer's Botched Electronic Prescription
By 5.1.09
If you get your prescriptions filled electronically, always double-check the dosage. Kimberly’s prescription was recently screwed up somewhere between the physician filling out the order online and Costco’s pharmacist receiving it. Luckily for her, the Costco pharmacist was incredibly helpful and fixed the problem for her, so Kimberly didn’t have to waste her copay or deal with the issue on her own. He also explained, however, that the current state of electronic prescriptions is a big mess.
Costco Might Fix Hot Fuel Ripoff
By 4.28.09
Vermonters get a better deal on gas than Texans. Fuel expands in the heat and shrinks in the cold, so 5 gallons of “hot fuel” won’t get your car as far as 5 gallons of regular. Oilmen know this, and that’s why at various points in the supply chain volume gets adjusted for the industry standard temperature of 60° F. The retail pump isn’t one of them. That might start to change if a proposed class-action lawsuit settlement with Costco as a defendant goes through. Under the terms, Costco would fix its pumps in the bottom half of the country so that they dispense fuel at 60° F. If it goes through, it would be a precedent-setting consumer victory. After all, you want a Tiger in your tank, not a Heat Miser, don’t you?
By 3.24.09
../../../..//2009/03/24/if-you-recently-bought-organic/
If you recently bought organic brown eggs from a Costco, Safeway, or Pack ‘n’ Save in California or Nevada, you should check to make sure they’re not part of yet another salmonella recall. [MSNBC] (Photo: Bonzo McGrue)
Magic Pricematching Fairy Visits Costco
By 3.13.09
Reader Lyn is happy to report that he is not suffering any buyer’s regret. A week after buying a big ol’ 52″ Sony Bravia LCD TV from Costco for $1950, one of “my wife’s and I’s once-in-ten-years type deals,” he saw the same one sitting in the TV section for $200 less.
American Express Cancels Your Card Right Before You Were Supposed To Get Your $500 Rebate
By 2.27.09
Andrea, an American Express member for over 20 years, is upset because AmEx canceled her cash-back card two weeks before her $500 rebate check was supposed to arrive, and declared the rebate forfeit.
Buy In Bulk With Friends From Warehouse Clubs
By 2.23.09
You can save big on groceries by forming a little warehous club buying collective with your friends:
Recession Special: $2,299.99 Roast At Costco
By 1.13.09
Reader Patrick points out a roast that could save the economy single-handedly — 15 lbs of Wagyu beef from Costco for $2,299.99.
Hey! You Can Buy Alcohol At Costco And Sam’s Club Without A Membership!
By 1.5.09 — Updated: 9.5.17
Need some quality alcohol at discount prices? Don’t want to sign up for a Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s membership? There may be hope for you!
Why Doesn't Costco Accept Food Stamps?
By 11.19.08
The New York Times City Room blog asks an interesting question. Why doesn’t Costco accept food stamps? Even farmers markets accept them! What’s the deal, Costco?
Costco Helps You Deck The Halls… In August
By 8.27.08
Reader Darascon spotted this lovely example of summertime Christmas Creep at his local Costco.
