YES! New Costco!

[MrPeabody]

They just opened a new store about 50 miles from me. That sounds like a long way, bet previously it was 100 miles away. We stopped there on the way home from picking up the new car. I had not been in a Costco store in about five years. The ridiculous quantities you have to buy there look even crazier when you have downsized to an 815 sq ft mobile home. My pantry just doesn't have room for two gallons of mayonnaise.

We had to renew our membership, and we did pick up a few things for a good price. At least they have cheap liquor. And their gas was about 50 cents cheaper than I pay in the tourist trap town I live in.

They have the potential to put the Walmart down the street out of business. Looked like the same people shopping there. Never seen so many crappy tattoos all over obese people in my life.

[Stevedore]

My big problem with our local Costco is the long lines. NEVER enough cashiers open; I guess that helps keep prices low.

Are you supposed to be a member to buy their gas? I've been there several times & was never asked for my membership card.

[MrPeabody]

Originally Posted by Stevedore

My big problem with our local Costco is the long lines. NEVER enough cashiers open; I guess that helps keep prices low.

Are you supposed to be a member to buy their gas? I've been there several times & was never asked for my membership card.

The lines at the checkstands were surprisingly short yesterday, especially for a Friday evening on their second day since opening. The long lines were the ones to purchase a new membership. I'm not sure about the membership for gas thing. I do know there's always lines at the gas pumps at any of their stores.

[Thunder22]

No, you don't have to be a member to buy gas at Costco.

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by Thunder22

No, you don't have to be a member to buy gas at Costco.

you do around here.

Originally Posted by Clark Howard

Costco gas stations are for members only. When you approach the pump, you must insert your membership card first, followed by a Visa credit card or most PIN debit cards.

Costco Cash Cards are also accepted.

from the Costco site:

Q: How does the pump know the customer is a member?
A: When a customer inserts a membership card the system reads the membership number on the card and confirms the membership is active. Costco Cash Cards may only be purchased or recharged by members. Anyone can use a Costco Cash Card at the fuel station, as it also serves as membership authorization for the pump.

[Wathen1955]

Yeah the price for gas is about 50 cents cheaper. We have one in Woodland that is only 2 miles from the house. My only complaint - I wish they would have an express checkout for 10 items or less.

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

you do around here.



from the Costco site:

Wow, not in NY or NJ you don't, or California from what I remember.

I never give my membership number when buying gas, nor use the Costco Citibank Visa, i use a credit card not affiliated with Costco.

[Wathen1955]

Originally Posted by Thunder22

Wow, not in NY or NJ you don't, or California from what I remember.

I never give my membership number when buying gas, nor use the Costco Citibank Visa, i use a credit card not affiliated with Costco.

I have to insert my Costco card prior to paying for the gas here in Woodland, CA.

[Thunder22]

New Jersey Orders Costco to Open Gas Pumps to Public
05/20/2004
TRENTON, N.J. - The state of New Jersey has ordered Costco to open its two New Jersey gas stations to the general public, according to 1010 WINS radio station in New York.

Costco's membership requirement violated New Jersey laws regarding fuel sales, state consumer officials said.

When the company was informed of that by the state two weeks ago, it removed the members-only signs from the pumps in Clifton and Ocean Township, its two New Jersey locations that sell gasoline, Paul Latham, v.p. of gasoline for Costco, told the Herald News of West Paterson.

On Monday the Clifton site was selling regular gas for $1.83 a gallon. Most stations in the state are selling regular gas for around $2 a gallon.

Costco, based in Issaquah, Wash., has 11 stores in New Jersey. Memberships cost $45 a year.

Another wholesale operation, the Sam's Club in Cinnaminson, doesn't require a membership, and sold regular gas for $1.84 a gallon on Monday.

However, BJ's Wholesale Club pumps in Linden and Vineland required memberships, the operators told the newspaper.

[polarbear]

Originally Posted by Wathen1955

I have to insert my Costco card prior to paying for the gas here in Woodland, CA.

Same here. And payment is only Debit or VISA, but does not have to be Costco affiliated. No cash, MC, AMEX, etc.

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by Wathen1955

I have to insert my Costco card prior to paying for the gas here in Woodland, CA.

I didn't have to back when I lived in L.A. from 2000-2003. I guess things change.

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by polarbear

Same here. And payment is only Debit or VISA, but does not have to be Costco affiliated. No cash, MC, AMEX, etc.

Yup, that changed when they parted ways with AMEX. Now you can use any Visa or Debit. Never any cash.

[MrPeabody]

Originally Posted by Thunder22

Yup, that changed when they parted ways with AMEX. Now you can use any Visa or Debit. Never any cash.

When we renewed our membership yesterday at the new store they tried a real strong hard sell to get us to get a Costco Visa card. Offered a $20 cash card on the spot and all kinds of 2%-4% cash back incentives for gas and other merchandise.

[snide]

I wish there was a Costco in Scranton area. Closest store to us is in New Jersey. The next closest is in Allentown.

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by snide

I wish there was a Costco in Scranton area. Closest store to us is in New Jersey. The next closest is in Allentown.

it's incredible that the PA locations are so sparse, there are over 15 locations within 20 miles of me.

[snide]

Originally Posted by Thunder22

it's incredible that the PA locations are so sparse, there are over 15 locations within 20 miles of me.

Yeah, that is crazy.

[markids77]

Originally Posted by Thunder22

it's incredible that the PA locations are so sparse, there are over 15 locations within 20 miles of me.

We have a Costco distribution center here but no store. Now THAT is crazy.

[tjfontaine]

I actually despise shopping at a Costco or Sam's club ... been in both (as a guest) a couple of times. Gawd awful shopping experience. It is just the two of us no need for mass quantities, fighting crowds, pushing and shoving customers, and long lines. We have a couple of VERY nice mid-range grocery stores near us so much better shopping there.

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by tjfontaine

I actually despise shopping at a Costco or Sam's club ... been in both (as a guest) a couple of times. Gawd awful shopping experience. It is just the two of us no need for mass quantities, fighting crowds, pushing and shoving customers, and long lines. We have a couple of VERY nice mid-range grocery stores near us so much better shopping there.

"mass quantities" is a fallacy. I'm single and shop there frequently, they sell more than food in mass quantities.

Like any other store, it's a bad idea to go during popular times.

I buy electronics there (no not in bulk ), clothing sometimes, etc etc.

[69camfrk]

Never been in a Costco...