Originally posted by: KeithTalent
I've been to Costco a few times, but there is really very little that I ever need/want there, at least in the brands and/or quantities they offer. Maybe if I had a big family it would make more sense, but going into that place is more annoying than anything.
KT
I don't shop at Costco because I live alone, and there is no way I need bulk quantities of anything.
My parents still shop at Costco monthly, just as they did when I was growing up. I used to think it was OK but now I just see it as unnecessary.
Regarding food, Costco sells bulk sizes. Since the products are designed to have a long shelf life, they are processed foods that require numerous additives and preservatives. For this reason alone they are not as healthy as fresh food products. Also, when you have large packaging sizes available, you tend to eat more than you otherwise would. There is a correlation between bulk food and obesity.
Products are shipped into the warehouses from long distances, which uses tremendous amounts of fossil fuels. The warehouses require a large footprint, and given the price and availability of land, it is cheaper and easier to locate them in less-developed areas (such as in city outskirts). This necessitates vehicle use, since these areas are not served by transit (of course, you also need a vehicle to carry the bulk quantities of goods). Because of the high vehicle use, you need large parking lots - more land use. Of course, high vehicle use also increases air pollution. I agree with nutxo - the big box format does destroy arable land and parks in many instances.
(Notable exception: a newer Costco in downtown Vancouver on existing zoned land. However, this is a ridiculous location since many people living downtown don't drive cars and thus wouldn't be able to carry home bulk products. And where would they have space in their small condos to store bulk quantities of popcorn and toilet paper? All this location does is increase traffic congestion from people driving INTO downtown to go to Costco. Fucking stupid. But I digress...)
Apart from the occasional deal on a BBQ or a cheap DVD player, I haven't seen many products that I need or even desire at Costco. You can find a greater selection of these products at other stores (albeit sometimes at a slightly higher price). But then, at specialized stores, you also get specialized customer service and product knowledge that you often don't get at Costco.
For the record, I worked at Costco as a warehouse person a few years ago. I needed a summer job and it was the only one I could get. They treated me well, and the benefits were good, had I stayed. However, after only a month, I left and accepted a job as a bellhop at a local hotel. The base pay was $2.50 per hour higher, plus I earned a shitload in tips, which I couldn't have done at Costco.
Cliffs:
Costco may be better than other warehouse retailers (e.g. WalMart) in offering slightly higher pay, good benefits, and some good business practices (no union-busting or discrimination, as far as I have read), but in the end, they are still a big box retailer.
Big box stores encourage overconsumption, disproportionately harm the environment in multiple ways compared to smaller retail stores, and harm local businesses.
I agree they are a bad thing; I'm just not sure why nutxo is singling out Costco when they are actually among the better of a bad breed. Why not rip on WalMart too?