Costco Wholesale — Local services in Mishawaka

BEFORE YOU GO “Costco-ing”, it’s crucial to always have in mind that NOT everything in here is a good deal, so you will be wise to comparison shop diligently. It’s unsafe ever to ship Costco unless you keep this in the FRONT, sides, top, bottom AND back of your mind.

BRIEF NOTICE Copyright 2022 Donald Burns (Entire work is excerpted and adapted from earlier works, also copyrighted) Do not make me come after you. I’m just saying.

Everyday GOOD DEALS from random departments: Pure vanilla extract 16oz, bagged unsalted pecan halves 2#, minoxidil (foam or liquid), various already baked cakes. (I’ve never seen any of the above marked down)

OCCASIONAL GOOD VALUES: These are some frequently marked down items which during their regular rolling 3.5 week “Instant Savings (Sale)” periods you can grab a 90-day supply of (1 or 2 packages, more for larger families) knowing you have enough to last until they are again marked down (not brand-specific): Dog treats, disposable dinnerware and drinkware, dishwashing liquid, automatic dishwasher detergent (liquid or powdered) batteries, . (Brand-specific) Bounty paper towels, Charmin toilet paper.

AVOID REGARDLESS the low price: Kirkland brand paper towels and toilet paper because the POOR QUALITY makes it impossible to directly compare them against the name brands.

BAD VALUES: Here, the price/quality ratio is ALWAYS INFERIOR to competitors: Meat, seafood and poultry. In this area all beef is “choice” grade but priced like “prime”. Yet even Aldi has better quality and offerings like ground SIRLOIN not available at Costco. Aldi fish is “always fresh, never frozen” and the labeling makes it easier to spot “wild caught” items. Other stores offer “choice” beef at far lower prices or the better “Angus” beef at prices equal to or lower than Costco’s “choice” beef.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Costco is all about VOLUME and SPEED, NOT service. They make it entirely impossible to find assistance, even in the meat department. Perhaps that’s why returns are easy: “Just buy this stuff and if you don’t love it, we’ll take it back”.

Copyright 2022 Donald Burns (Entire work is excerpted and adapted from earlier works, also copyrighted) Do not make me come after you. I’m...

Overall, I like this Costco a lot. They have decent prices on a variety of things, and the store is laid out well. I especially like looking for home goods here. My one complaint about this place is probably the deli employees. I once stood waiting for a rotisserie chicken for 45 minutes, because that was the specific thing I had gone there to get. When I arrived, I was told that they would be ready in 10 minutes. So I waited. When the 10 minutes was up, the machine beeped and we could all see the message that indicated it was really done. By this time there was quite a crowd of people waiting, and you would have thought that would have been enough to get the attention of any of the many employees who were standing around behind the deli windows, but no. We waited, and waited, and waited. No one came out, not to check on the chicken, not to restock, not to do anything. We could literally all see them standing around in there, chit chatting while they casually did small jobs. One person was even on their phone, and kept playing with it, putting it back in their pocket, then handling food for a minute, then playing with the phone again... all without washing their hands! Gross. After 45 minutes someone finally came out, and they didn't even apologize for the wait or seem remorseful in any way (despite the fact that they had neglected to help any customers for well over half an hour). I don't think they would have even come out when they did, if it weren't for the fact that one of the women standing there called the actual store, asked to speak to a manager, and then told him that she was literally standing in a group of people that were all waiting for one of the employees to finally get around to helping customers. Shortly after she hung up, we saw an employee answer the deli phone, and that was when they all bothered to finally look in our direction. This was a few months ago and I still can't believe that the employees acted that way in full view of so many customers, and then had the gall to act like WE were...

If you haven’t been to Costco, let me tell you, it’s like a magical land where your shopping cart becomes a treasure chest, and every aisle is an adventure waiting to happen! I recently embarked on a shopping expedition, and let’s just say, I left with enough supplies to last through a zombie apocalypse (or at least until my next Costco trip).

First off, who knew that buying toilet paper could feel like a workout? I’m pretty sure that pack of 30 rolls weighs more than my dog. But hey, when you realize you’re saving a small fortune, you start feeling like a financial genius while pushing that cart like an Olympic athlete.

And let’s talk about the samples! I mean, who doesn’t love a free mini-cheeseburger while contemplating whether you really need that 5-gallon tub of mayonnaise? Honestly, I went in for some snacks and came out with a full meal plan courtesy of the sample stations. I felt like a culinary explorer, discovering new flavors one tiny cup at a time!

The clothing section is another gem. I found a chic cardigan that I absolutely needed, because obviously, every woman needs a cozy sweater to wear while she’s hoarding 48 granola bars and a gallon of olive oil. Fashion and practicality, am I right?

And don’t even get me started on the checkout line. I’ve heard it’s the ultimate test of patience. As I stood there, surrounded by a mountain of items I didn’t know I needed until I saw them, I realized that Costco is basically a place where impulse purchases are not just accepted; they’re celebrated!

In conclusion, shopping at Costco is an experience that combines adventure, savings, and a little bit of cardio. I left with a cart full of treasures and a smile on my face, ready to tackle whatever life throws my way (while armed with enough snacks to feed an army). If you haven’t been yet, grab your membership and prepare for a shopping extravaganza that you...