Guest Posts

I have so many great comments from people that all have their favorite things (or maybe things they really hate) about Costco, that I thought it would be nice to give them a little more space to write and share their thoughts and opinions.

If you are interested, here are some things to keep in mind about guest posts to AddictedToCostco.com:

The topic can be anything Costco related: something funny you saw or heard while you were shopping, a great product or a totally lousy one, a Customer Service story (good or bad), an experience with a Costco service, anything at all about Costco.
While I will be the first to admit that some of my posts can get pretty long, your post doesn’t need to be more than just a well thought out paragraph or two but it can certainly be longer if you want.
I do ask that if you are writing about a product you put in plenty of details and definitely include the item number, date of purchase, and the price. Same goes for services – price, when you used the service, and the name if it was a third party contractor.
If you have your own blog or website, please feel free to include a link or two to your blog.
Also, when you send me your post include your name (screen name or real-life name) and your city and state, as well as how long you’ve been a Costco member.
If you want to include a picture to go with your post, you’ll need to include that (or tell me a URL where I can find it) when you email me and tell me roughly where the image should go in your post.
I try to write a blog that could be read by my mom or your kid, so that means I try to keep it clean. No swear words and no porn (obviously, because you can’t buy that in bulk at Costco). And there are other things that I won’t accept, that fit into the category of ‘I will know it when I see it’. I’m asking for guest posts, but I am not guaranteeing to post everything that I receive.

Once you’ve gotten your guest post all written (and spell checked), send it me to at kimberly@addictedtocostco.com and I will let you know if, and when, your post will be published. You can also send me an email if you’d like to run your idea past me, before you take the time to write a whole post.

59 Comments

59 Responses so far ↓

1 Diane // 2009.10.06 at 6:59 pm

Kimberly,

There is going to be a fun Road Show event at your Austin, TX Costco on October 15th thru 18th
Sabatino’s Mix and Match any 3 Flavors, Mini Bite Sausage and Chicken Sliders Patties Item #469471
So you can get your Tailgate On!!!
2 BarbTUSA // 2009.10.14 at 10:15 pm

My Costco membership card states I’ve been a member since August 1986. But my wholesale warehouse shopping relationship started under Sol and Robert Price’s Price Club three years earlier. I received my first membership card with the Costco logo in 1993, after the merger.

Yes, I tell everyone I’m “addicted” to Costco, but the way I really feel is that Costco is my partner for life. One of the first things I do when I am planning a trip, for business or pleasure, is to verify where the nearest Costco locations are to my destination.

I found your site this evening as a result of Googling for the content of Costco’s coupon book that comes out tomorrow. I’m away from home so I don’t have the privilege of previewing the coupon books normally mailed in advance; I will have to pick up a coupon book at the local Costco during my next visit. I don’t have time to visit your site in depth right now but am looking forward to doing that soon. I love the idea of sharing the benefits of our addition.

Thanks for sharing, BarbTUSA
3 peggy anderson // 2009.10.21 at 6:24 pm

I shop at the Costco in La Mesa and found out today they no longer carry the tortilla crusted tolapia fish.

Really disappointed in this as I know of several people who also like this product. Would love to see you bring it back to the stores.

Thanks,

Peggy
4 Gabe // 2009.11.04 at 2:17 pm

The first Costco in Manhattan will open on Thursday, Nov. 12th!

I took the day off to attend the Grand Opening!
5 Kimberly // 2009.11.05 at 12:36 pm

Gabe, I admire that kind of Costco dedication!
6 Trevor // 2009.11.07 at 2:18 pm

I am in the UK. I have just brought a great jacket from my local Costco – good price, good quality.

What is driving me crazy is trying to figure out why all the expensive reflective tape and piping is on the inside of a dark coloured non-reversible jacket.

Is this why it was on sale, or is there some new fashion I’ve missed for wearing clothes inside out.
7 Dave // 2009.11.07 at 5:19 pm

Hi Trevor, that situation seems completely weird. Are you sure the jacket isn’t meant to be reversible? If it’s not, you could always take it back due to Costco’s awesome return policy.
8 Alex // 2009.11.26 at 6:59 pm

Hey. I was wondering why there was nothing mentioned about the new Costco in Harlem, N.Y.? Just curious… it opened a few weeks ago…
9 Robin // 2009.11.29 at 1:33 am

There were posts about the new Costco in another thread. Someone took off work to attending the opening. I was in NY at the time and saw it made the local news.
10 Robin // 2009.11.29 at 1:34 am

Here’s the thread on the new Costco.

http://addictedtocostco.com/2009/11/14/guest-post-my-day-off-of-work-for-the-grand-opening-of-costco-in-manhattan/
11 Kimberly // 2009.11.30 at 7:53 am

Thanks Robin, for replying to this!
12 brian // 2009.12.02 at 12:53 am

Kirkland Spiced Pecan Cereal.

Does anyone know if it’s been discontinued? I can’t locate it at the stores. In it’s place is the Kirkland Blueberry Pecan Cereal, which is less nutritious.
13 Sandra Garza // 2009.12.10 at 3:30 pm

Hi! Wanted to know when a Costco is opening in Brownsville or Harlingen Texas!?
14 Kat // 2009.12.26 at 9:54 pm

I love that some products are Organic and also Vegetarian.
15 Linda // 2009.12.31 at 9:49 am

I have a question:

I was given a gift from Costco, but I am not a member. May I return this gift and get something of equal value at one of your stores?

Thank you.

Linda
16 Kimberly // 2009.12.31 at 1:42 pm

Linda, I’m sure you can return it and get the value of the gift put on a Costco cash card which you can redeem at any Costco location, including Costco.com.

Also, I’m not a Costco employee or affiliated with Costco in any way; just a big fan.
17 Craig // 2010.01.12 at 2:19 pm

Looking for a book which Costco sold in fall 2008. It was a general science book, when I went to purchase they had no stock left and I never did get the title. Have been forever searching for the title of this book, can someone help or suggest how I may find this information.

Thanks
18 Kimberly // 2010.01.15 at 1:58 pm

Craig, can you give any more detail about the book? Was it thick or big in height and width dimensions? Soft cover or hard cover?
19 Tammy // 2010.01.17 at 11:51 am

When is Costco putting a store in the Knoxville, TN area? The closest store is about 100 miles away?
20 Angie // 2010.01.22 at 10:57 am

I sampled these @ Starbucks today (the Soledad flavor) and went to their website to find that they are sold at Costco! They were great.

Soledad Almonds with Apple, Flax Seeds, Date, Balsamic Vinegar + Red Pepper
This delectable snacking experience features almonds, apples, and flax seeds, tickled with date, balsamic vinegar and cayenne.

http://www.costco.com/Common/Search.aspx?whse=BC&topnav=&search=sahale&N=0&Ntt=sahale&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US

2, 4 and 5 oz packets. The 2 oz packages come in 12 count. 4 and 5 come in 6 count. 22.99 to 24.99 as shown online.
21 John // 2010.02.06 at 12:55 am

Just heard recently that Costco has a new president. Jim Sinegal, formally President and CEO, will remain as CEO with Craig Jelinek assuming the role of President and COO of Costco, a promotion from his prior position as EVP of merchandising. With Sinegal now in his 70’s, is this the start of the changing of the guard at our beloved Costco?

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=83830&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1381576&highlight=
22 Gracy // 2010.02.13 at 9:04 am

Warning to anyone who buys online from Costco. I ordered a hard drive to be sent as a gift to someone. Costco sent me an email that the product had been shipped and charged my credit card close to $100.

The product never made it to the recipient. UPS returned it to Costco because the address did not have a suite number. Costco never informed me and didn’t take the charge off my account. Fortunately I asked the person if he had received the gift and had to track down the transaction to discover the mistake and I had to call Costco before the charge was removed from my credit card. What if I hadn’t called?

Is it the case that Costco charges my account and unless I find out the status of the shipment, Costco gets the money and the product? Win win for Costco and I’m out a hundred bucks without the product I ordered.
23 Craig // 2010.02.16 at 11:27 am

Kimberly,
The book was hard cover and it actually had an additional packaging (hard cover type box which opened up to the book).
It was a general science book, Space, Physics, Math etc…

Thanks,
Craig
24 Marie // 2010.02.17 at 6:57 am

Hi, I would like to know when is Costco opening in Brisbane Australia? Your reply much appreciated, thank you.
25 Brian // 2010.02.17 at 2:13 pm

Does anyone know how tall an average Costco warehouse is? I’m doing a school report and I’d like to use Costco as an example of volume. Average square footage is 142,000 ft. squared…just need the height. Thanks!
26 e // 2010.02.17 at 7:56 pm

Costco is literally across the parking lot from my apartment complex! Jealous Kim?
27 Kimberly // 2010.02.17 at 7:58 pm

It would be a dream to be able to walk to Costco!
28 Jenn // 2010.02.19 at 12:29 pm

Any chance that Flagstaff AZ. might have room for a Costco?
29 Ava // 2010.02.20 at 5:38 pm

THIEVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have tried to order an item from Costco. I put in my new phone number and the order was canceled. I wasn’t upset about that, I corrected the mistake and reordered. This is when I got upset. Costco cancelled my order again, claimed they couldn’t verify my shipping address. I have packages shipped here at least twice a week. They claim their policy is that they can cancel an order for any reason. OK, but now they are holding 1700.00 dollars of my money and won’t send a simple fax to get it released. They refused to ship a product and also refuse to fax a simple statement to release my funds. Please beware of ordering online products from Costco. Bad policy and ignorant customer service that can only reply “I’m not sure, it’s handled internally”. And of course the person who is supposedly handling the situation in another department is already gone for the day. Typical answers. Until my money is released by them, to me they are common thieves.
30 Robin // 2010.02.21 at 1:00 pm

Gracy, I don’t know if any business automatically refunds you if your package can’t be delivered. I know some shippers require a contact phone number in case there is a problem with the delivery.

I presume once Costco ships, it’s gives out a tracking number so you can monitor the delivery of your package.

I would think that for most buyers, if their package goes back to Costco they contact the company and request they reship. The assumption would be you still want the item. If the item was on sale at the time of return/restocking you would have to reorder it at the non-sale price. If you were sending the item as a gift, you still wouldn’t know it wasn’t delivered.

It would be a nice feature, when packages are returned, to send out an email to the address on the membership account. It would be up to the member to monitor their own email accounts.
31 Jay // 2010.02.23 at 8:31 pm

Brian the average height is about 28 ft.
32 Jay // 2010.02.23 at 8:32 pm

There is a new store opening in QUEENS, NY in April
33 Tom // 2010.02.26 at 7:40 pm

We just moved to Rochester, NY recently from Dallas, TX. We love COSTCO and I don’t know why there is no COSTCO in upstate New York.
We need to drive 6 hours to New York for closed US Costco. Does anyone know whether they are planning to build a COSTCO in Update New York? Do you know why they don’t have COSTCO up here.

Thanks in advance.

Tom
34 iheartdessert // 2010.02.27 at 10:00 pm

Wow! It’s exciting to know there’s a blog for people addicted to Costco! Love it! i heart costco!
35 MJRees // 2010.03.31 at 12:07 pm

For those of you who do not buy beverages at Costco…what will make you buy non-alcoholic beverages at Costco?
36 connie // 2010.04.14 at 12:25 am

Hi
Im looking for Whalen Furniture , 5pc dining (West Lake), It was from Costco but its not there anymore =(
is there a way I can find this somewhere else?
btw Love Costco, cant live without it
37 Julie // 2010.04.14 at 10:28 am

Please, please, please build a Costco in either Casa Grande or Maricopa Arizona before a wanna be competitor does! I hear rumors that both will build but hav not seen earth moved yet!
38 Ted // 2010.05.05 at 5:01 am

Costco is my favorite store too…especially on Saturdays when you can build a lunch from the plethora of samples given to visitors throughout the store.

I have regretted NOT buying from Costco more times than I have by purchasing from them. One great example was the FoodSaver machine that I purchased DIRECT from the manufacturer. I missed out on the special pack that Costco had and had to buy my cannisters. The FoodSaver people said they could NOT match what Costco provided in the stores since that was a special Costco pack!

Costco often bests buying directly from the manufacturer. Another example I seen recently was the Cricket home scrap book/art machine that you may have seen on television commercials. It is nearly 30% less than buying from the tv ad AND they throw in some additional freebies.

I always shop Costco first then if they do not have the item AND do not plan to in the next 30 days, I begin searching elsewhere.
39 WC-Bill // 2010.05.06 at 7:31 am

Addicted to Costco got mentioned in a moneycentral article on MSN –
40 Brian // 2010.05.08 at 1:18 am

Ted, one thing you can do if an item is no longer sold in your local club is to inquire where they send their salvage. I have been with a company that has been a liquidator for Costco now for 20 years. Usually if you inquire of the right people in the club, they will tell you where their salvage goes. Ask the receiving manager who oversees the RTV (Return To Vendor) department. The RTV department handles all the product that either goes back to the actual vendor or to a local liquidator/salvage company. If the item you happen to be looking for is/was not sent directly back to the vendor, or marked for destroy, it will most likely to have been tagged for salvage. If that is the case, then you will most likely be able to find what you are looking for there. Most Costco members have no idea or have never thought of this side of Costco’s business. Depending on the sales volume of the building, a club can salvage out anywhere from 4 to 25 pallets of merchandise which can be valued in Costco selling dollars of upwards of 30 grand. I know this because I have been doing this for 20 years now. This merchandise can be almost anything sold in the club from soup, to cereal, to clothing, furniture and especially electronics. Where you are located will depend on what kind of liquidator serves your local clubs salvage needs. These can be anything from a small local company to a midsize company to large brokers that buy the raw salvage and flip the merchandise to anyone who will purchase it. At our peak we salvaged from over 70 clubs in Western Canada, Washington State and Northern California. So pop in to your local club and just ask. You may be able to find the same merchandise in a small local store as you find in your local Costco, and most times for less.
41 zavia702 // 2010.05.08 at 9:14 am

I have been an Costco member for about 5 years, I shop online and in 4 stores in town. I too, have found the online site to be kinda of dumb with email responses and account issues. With that said the store has never ever given me any problems. Returns are stress free, and customer service is great. I try to shop only in the stores, and stay away from the web site.
42 barbara // 2010.05.15 at 2:25 pm

When will there be a store in the Sarasota Fl. or the Bradenton Fl area ?????
I heard there was suppose to be a store in south area of the Sarasota city area at the SARASOTA SQUARE MALL to open last APRIL 2010…and it hasn’t !!! Is a store still going into that location ???
43 samuel // 2010.05.17 at 3:46 pm

I noticed in your new locations for COSTCO for November 2010 there was no mention of the Vancouver Washington East Vancouer store. There is a sign saying Opening Costco November 2010. Have you heard anything about this location.
44 samuel // 2010.05.19 at 11:19 am

Update to my blog: Kimberly, I found out from the Developer Gramor Properties for the Lacamass Crossing COSTCO that they will start construction the first week in June. This is considered the East Vancouver, Wa. Store. The store is due to open in Nov. or Dec. 2010.
45 Kimberly // 2010.05.25 at 2:15 am

Samuel, thanks for the update about the soon to be location in East Vancouver. I’ve updated my Locations page to reflect this info. I hadn’t heard anything about this location or seen anything in the news, so it’s good to get tips from people that can see the actual construction site.
46 kali // 2010.06.10 at 2:04 am

Hi, I recently work for Costco for a few years now. I’ve been asking around about a Costco in Knoxville, TN and I keep hearing soon. Anybody hear anything? I am moving to Knoxville and will hate to leave such a great Company.

thx
Kali
47 samuel // 2010.06.17 at 7:16 pm

Kimberly, The East Vancouver location is called Lacamas Crossing. The clearing of land was started this week. In speaking with the construction crew they told me that the store was to open Nov. 19, 2010. I have found myself going to the site quite often. The church that will be next to Costco is where my wife use to work. It is truly amazing to see the progress each day. I thought I would give you an update. samuel Thompson
48 barbara // 2010.06.18 at 1:10 am

What’s the progress on a Costco in Sarasota,Fl or the Bradenton,Fl area.? ? ? We really would like and need one here! ! !
THANK YOU and looking forward to be able to SHOP COSTCO IN THE SARASOTA- BRADENTON AREA……
49 Kim // 2010.06.29 at 9:20 pm

Kimberly,
I just moved back to Evansville, Indiana and there is not a Costco within 100 miles in any direction. The “others ” are
here and busy. I would to see Costco come into Evansville, Indiana area! Waiting patiently.
50 Mike // 2010.07.02 at 7:31 am

Please DO NOT PURCHASE SEAFOOD FROM COSTCO UNTIL THE MANAGEMENT AGREES TO FOLLOW INDUSTRY STANDARDS AND SELLS SEAFOOD THAT IS FROM SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD STOCKS. By selling endangered seafood such as Chilean Sea Bass and tropical shrimp Costco is contributing to the depletion of fish stocks throughout our oceans.
51 Tracy // 2010.07.12 at 5:48 pm

There is alot of talk in Ponderay, Idaho that Costco just bought a bunch of land and is obtaining building permits to start on a store here. How does one find out what is going on?
52 george // 2010.07.19 at 9:46 pm

I am not happy with the tire center in Brandon , Florida. It seens that every time I need a tire repair they try to push me a sale. Today,I was told in order for them to repair the tire there must be 15inches between each hole in the tire. I had this tire repaired in Miami two weeks before (no wait in and out 10 mins the manager there was great! ) Today, after waiting for more then 1 hour ( I was the next car in ) they have 4 bays, it’s rare to see them full. They have the staff and space I dont understand why so much wait? In a different occassion I was told they could not rotate my tires because they had a different rating they sold them to me( it didnt stop them then) . With my previous set they said you had to have the newer tires in the front in order to rotate, now they’re back to saying the newer tires need to be on the rear. For more then 20 years, I have been around the tire buisness and it seems like costco is rewriting the book on tires. Today, I asked more then 4 tire shops about the 15 inchs between punctures for tire repairs and they looked at me as if I was from another planet, they also had never heard the front tires having to be the newer ones. Costco may have great prices, but between the long waits time and their constant changes in tire repairs or rotation policys they have made me “VERY UNHAPPY”! The Costco Magazine should write articles about these discoveries in tire rotation and repairs or any other related changes. The customers might want to be aware of these changes…
P.S>. I could not find this 15 inch rule on the internet or the front tires having to be in the front!
53 Kimberly // 2010.07.20 at 8:22 am

George, sorry about your lousy Costco Tire Center experience. It really seems like there is a lot of variation about how well the tire centers are handled. I hear from some people that have nothing but problems with the locations by them, and others that have smooth visits every single time. I’m guessing this is one of the areas where having a good manager makes all the difference. My mom has had similar experiences at the Kansas City Costco that she uses with the questionable information and them always trying to coerce her into getting new tires. It’s ridiculous & something I hope they start working on immediately.
54 marty // 2010.07.29 at 12:15 am

If you are installing two tires, Costco requires them to be installed on the rear as contrary to popular belief the tread on the rear tires is more important then the front. See the following tire rack link:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=52

There is however no excuse for long waits or poor customer service.
55 Sri // 2010.08.07 at 11:10 pm

Costco service for cake ordering is really bad.

Recently I stopped by costco bakery in East plano location and ordering a Babyshower cake for my friend. I filled out the manual form and dropped it in the drop box and I was supposed to pick up next day afternoon. I stopped by next day and it looks like my form is missing. I was this close to tears, because, I am die hard fan of Costco and got about 30 members(all my friends) to join Costco. I am sure Costco is getting atleast 15k business on my membership and a lot more through my friends memberships. I never expected this. I was stopping by Costco on the way to the Babyshower party and hoping that everything will go as scheduled. I then had to settle down to a generic cake with my friends name written on it. I tell all my friends how great the Costco quality and service is and then I was proved wrong and made fun of my addiction to Costco with this incident at the party.

Anyhow, the bakery ended up giving me the Cake for free, but I would like to make a suggestion to Costco on automating the Cake ordering process. Why can’t Costco use a Computer to order and store the orders on our membership so that situations like these can be avoided.
56 Kimberly // 2010.08.10 at 5:12 am

@Sri, I was so sad & annoyed for you when I read your post. I’m glad that you were at least able to get some kind of cake, but that is just really horrible. Stuff like that just shouldn’t happen anymore. I have wondered for a long time now why you can’t submit a cake order form via the Internet or email even. Either way, they could have their system send a fax to the store that you want to order from, so it would be making it easier for customers and yet, not really changing the way the bakeries have to operate. Of course, I also think it would make sense to have images of all the available cake decorations and a PDF version of the order form on the Costco.com website too. And they’ve yet to implement either of those easy plans either.
57 billy // 2010.08.26 at 8:39 pm

i went 2 the costo near my house the other day and bough some of the hotdogs at the counter by the checkout and they were really good so i went to the employee and i asked him if they had any of the hotdog for sale in a bundle costoc size liek everything else in the store and the man said that they did so i went to the place in the store where they had them and then i brought them home becuse i was having a bbq for all my friends and family that night and i made them on the grill and everyone really liked that i bough them and i told them they were from costco and no one was too surprised because all my friends and family love shopping at costco like me so thank you costco the hotdogs you have are really really good and everyone that i showed them liked them too!!!!!
58 Mike // 2010.08.28 at 1:49 pm

I also love the Costco experience, including the hotdogs and frozen yogurt. However I remain very upset at COSTCO because it continues to sell seafood that is in danger of being fished to the point of extinction. There are several varieties, including redfish and sea bass, that are not sustainable. Until they establish an acceptable seafood sustainability policy please do not buy seafood from any COSTCO store.
59 Pam // 2010.09.01 at 4:39 pm

Looking for a Kirkland Signature “DIVA” eyeglasses frame. Discontinued by COSTCO but I would pay for a pair of used frames if I could find one. Reply to “genericaccout@gmail.com”