I remember the early nineties when the "warehouse shopping" phenomenon started. Before we knew it, the CostCo card became a highly coveted item to have in your wallet, sort of like a trophy. You were not a customer of CostCo. No, no, no. You were a MEMBER of CostCo. And why not be proud of your membership? The prices were almost like stealing, the quantities were huge, and they seemed to sell everything!
Fast forward to present.
Last Sunday, I had a couple hours to kill. My oldest boy was at a birthday party. The place I dropped him off at was close to a CostCo, so I decided to pop in for a visit. I hadn't been in one for years, and this CostCo was a new one for me. I presented my membership card to the bouncer at the entrance and walked in. I was a bit surprised that the thrill of being inside a CostCo, the Cathedral of Bargain, had waned considerably. I strolled around for about 45 minutes, but it just wasn't there. I wasn't feeling the vibe anymore.
In an attempt to explain my loss of CostCo libido, these thoughts came to mind:
(1) The Prices - CostCo used to have the market absolutely cornered. CostCo used to be considered to have the lowest prices, it was just a fact. But in 2007, there are some new kids on the block who are more than willing to hack down prices:
Walmart, Superstore - Household items
Futureshop, Best Buy - Electronics
Home Depot, Rona - Hardware for home
Amazon.ca, eBay, froogle.com - anything
So, the whole price thing seems like yesterday's news.
(2) The Crowd - It used to be that the crowd was something that you just put up with in order to get the bargain prices. However, with the "super low price" idea shot to hell, the motivation for tolerating a huge mass of people and gridlocked long checkout lines is just not there. Is it worth saving $5 on a $200 CostCo shopping purchase when you have to contend with navigating through a see of shabby and ill-mannered CostCo drones?
(3) Membership prestige - CostCo used to have narrow criteria in determining who can be a member. Now, I'm sure you could sign up your cat to be member. So CostCo membership has about as much prestige as being the finest concert violinist to come from Red Deer Alberta.
But clearly, I'm alone in my sentiment. I regularly hear the word "CostCo" in conversation, and it was busy when I was there. So, CostCo is dead to me; but alive and well for 99.99% of the rest of the city.
3 comments:
As the finest concert violinist whom happens to call Red Deer home, I take offence to your comment. I am at this very moment playing an arpegio that has been summoned from the very depths of the Inferno in your honour.
Sir, I bid you adieu!
Good point. Let me rephrase:
"... its like being the best hockey player in all of South Kingston, Jamaica"
Ya man. You disrespect my hockey playing abilities, but tis ok, tis okay. I make a wicked oatmeal porridge, which I will share with you anyhow. It is the Jamaican man that loves peace.
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