Hunger revealed at Costco

[Iwillnevergiveup]

Saturday I braved the crowds at a SoCal Costco. There were the usual numbers of mostly couples and families, and in the past I've been able to maneuver around the warehouse OK. But this past weekend was different. Virtually every aisle was blocked where food samples were being passed out, and there were long, long lines of people waiting for them. The food servers were overwhelmed and kept running out of samples - "Wait 4 minutes," they would say. And people waited. And waited. Also noticed many of the folks in line had little or nothing in their carts. So, is the word out on Costco? Come in and eat for free? What a oountry.

[snappyturtle]

1. OR maybe the crowds are wanting more for their membership fees? nt

[slackmaster]

2. It's ALWAYS like that at the Gateway Center Costco in San Diego

People bring all of their kids in and spend a couple of hours shopping while the kids fill up on samples.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

3. I heard one dad

say, "Can we have some more?" Wife, couple of kids. They got more.

[Zywiec]

4. How do you get into Costco for free? n/t

[Iwillnevergiveup]

5. Yearly membership

one-time fee, then just flash your card.

[slackmaster]

6. Members can bring up to two guests into the store, and I believe children don't count as guests

http://content.costco.com/Images/Content/Misc/PDF/09EX0308_ServiceDirectory.pdf

[petronius]

11. Even an expired card will get you through the door, you just won't be able to buy anything

But I'd be cautious reading too much into this - the lure of the free sample is pretty powerful at the best of times. And I have to confess, there have been days in CostCo where I got a lot of glee from grabbing as many samples as possible before finishing my shopping (I know, I need a better hobby)...

[SoCalNative]

7. You can feed a family of 4

for $6 at the food court

[slackmaster]

8. True, and their pizza is a whole lot better than what you can get at any chain restaurant

Every Costco food court I've ever seen has been packed most of the time.

[Raine]

9. It's always been that way at the Costco near me going back years and years

people will line up for hours for free stuff because it's free.

[Bigmack]

10. Costco... OT, but worth sharing....

I'll confess.. I sometimes post on a couple of newspaper opinion pages..

Got into it with one rightwingnut about the banks the other day. He said don't blame the banks, and if BofA raises its fees, just go somewhere else. Then for some reason, he asked why us liberals weren't pissed because Costco is going to raise their membership fees. He said he was a member and he would drop them for increasing fees.

My answer.... bear in mind, I don't defend companies, generally, but this was a good chance to educate. (I know... they uneducable.)

"Costco....? are you sure you want to use Costco as your example? Interesting story. Their CEO made $578,016 last year. He's been there for 22 years. Helped found the company. His employees make $17 an hour average.... 40% more than Wal Mart. His employees have better-than-average benefits and 90% of them have health care coverage. And the company is expanding and doing very well.

Brian Moynihan, CEO of Bank of America, got $10 million the first year on the job. The company lost $2.2 Billion during that year. B of A got at least $7.5 Billion in bailout money. B of A is laying off 30,000 people.

Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of Goldman Sachs got $19 Million last year. He says he's "Doing God's Work".. I'n not kidding. Blankfein got $$68 Million in 2007. Goldman Sachs got $13 Billion in bailout money. Goldman Sachs paid $500,000 in bonuses - average - to it's execs.

Richard Fairbank, CEO of Capital One... $9.75 Million.

And on and on..... CEO's in America "earn" 343 times what their workers earn. That's up from 71 times in 1989.

CEO pay is up 298% since 1990... worker pay up 4.3%

And you’re going to drop Costco and defend the banks...?

[cyglet]

12. Do I care about a $10 membership increase

in a store where the employees are happy and helpful? Hell no.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

14. Hell no is right.

Considering how the prices of food have skyrocketed, I'll sign up again and again with Costco. And what bank gives away free food on the premises daily?

I'm just sayin' I think it's a sign of the times that so many people were waiting quite awhile for samples - more than I had ever seen before.

[Liberal_in_LA]

15. glad they treat their employees well

[Saturday]

13. *applause* nt