Saturday, April 07, 2007

Singing Costco's Praises

Note the beatific light shining down from the heavens in this photo (shamelessly "borrowed" from the Costco.co.uk):

If you know me, you know my love for Costco. It's true. I do. I was just listening to NPR's Car Talk and the hosts (Click and Clack, the Tappet brothers) were talking about the quality of gasoline from Costco... which got me thinkin'.

I started to make a mental list of all the things I use on a regular basis from my parents' local Costco. The list is staggering and shockingly incomplete, but also slightly amusing, so I thought I'd share.

- iHome alarm clock
- coffee beans and/or Senseo coffee maker (depending on the day)
- VHS/DVD combo player
- stereo
- various books in my bookcases
- my car (no joke)
- most flattering pair of designer jeans
- Guster's dog food
- Guster's bed and blanket
- ski jacket
- super-mega-deluxe AeroBed (for guests)
- sheets
- favorite sweater
- knife set
- digital camera
- hiking boots

And so on... I should also mention that Costco's per hour wage is significantly higher than its counterparts and the benefits package that full-time employees get is built around the philosophy that workers will stay if you keep them happy. Doesn't sound like the philosophies of a certain competitor. (Wal-Mart, ahem.)

I sound like an evangelist of sorts, but I'm truly impressed by the breadth and quality of Costco's offerings. And, while I try to buy locally wherever and whenever I can, for "big box" items, Costco seems hard to beat.