Costco
 

I recently talked to my local Costco in Utah and mentioned how much I will miss shopping at Costco once in TV.

I was told to go online and contact corporate. They have a very easy email interface to use. It was very easy yo use and I received a reply immediately mentioning that their Real Estate division is always looking for areas to build where there already exists plenty of potential customers.

It can't hurt! And it might help if lots of us contact them to express interest in a Costco located closer to us!

Let them know we are here and would love to shop at a local Costco!!

Thanks for the reminder and ihfo. I'm going to go do my part now.

Just sent them an e-mail.

Just made a huge Costco run yesterday here in SoCal so I know what you mean! I can't believe all I am able to get of quality merchandise for good prices.

sams =?
 

we have found no difference between Costco and Sams... Hot dogs are better at Sams.. have you found any great differences? we are always looking for a bargin!

Read the thread below Villages debunks mall myth. Costco not interested in TV right now.

Searched their website, didn't see an email address.
What did you use?

Go to their Costco.com website. look for "locations" then possible new locations. They ask for the zip code, and a short paragraph explaining why you would like to have a Costco close by. Very easy to use.

We prefer Costco. AT one time we had both memberships, but found that Costco carries more high end major purchases. Also much larger stores with more variety. After about 3 yrs we let our Sams' membership lapse. The last time we shoped at Sam's we were quite dissapointed in their range and brands of product.

Just personal opinion, though.

I just emailed them with a plea to move near here.

///

I also order merchandise from Costco on the internet.

Yes, they do have a great selection of products online too!

Wow, I don't what Costco you shopped at, but the one that I used to go to outside of Boston was about twice a big as the Sam's club here in Lady Lake. They also had a much better food department and much better selection on just about everything.

We also had a BJ's Wholesale Club that was about the same as Costco and much bigger and better than Sam's.

Maybe some of the Sam's Clubs in other areas are better than this one but I'm thinking of dropping my membership here and joining the Costco in Altamonte Springs.

I went on the website, clicked on "locations" but I couldn't find "possible new locations. Where on that page is it.

Sent them an email yesterday. Response received today...........


We appreciate you taking the time to email Costco Wholesale.


Our real estate team takes many factors into account when considering a new location, and generally do not base such decisions solely upon a petition. Please be assured that we have forwarded your great interest in having a new Costco in your area to our real estate department, and they do review all such suggestions sent to them.
Thank you,

Adrian N.
Member Service Center
Costco Wholesale Corporation



Ok folks, lets all send them an email.........

I contacted COSTCO 3 years ago and got the auto response quoted by other posters. I have a gut feeling that SAM's CLUB and T.V. have a deal that makes it very difficult for any other wholesale clubs within a certain distance.

I seriously doubt that! Sam's Club is in Lady Lake, not accessable by golf cart, and not in "The Villages". If Costco wanted to build in, say Wildwood, or Leesburg, or even Lady Lake, The Villages wouldn't have much they could do to stop them.

When a chain sales facility opens, they have demographers who tell them just how well their business will do based on the population (year 'round) and the competition.


WE might think it would be a go, but THEY don't think it would be a go.


This is all based on facts and figures.


WHAT YOU COULD point out in your correspondence to Costco is that West Palm Beach has both a Sam's and a Costco and they are about the same size as us.


I think the demographers have a HARD time keeping up with our growth.

I don't buy my toilet paper by the case or any thing else for that matter. so whats the big deal about Costco over sams club?

While I also prefer Costco over Sam's, it is difficult to make the West Palm Beach comparison to support the business case for Costco to locate here. There are actually three Costco's, two SAMs and a BJs within a 15 mile radius of WPB ( and none to the East in the Ocean). There are also probably at least another 400,000 people in their market area ( Wellington and Boynton Beach each have about 60,000 ). And most of these people better match their targeted market. ( currently employed with children at home).

I would be very surprised if Costco decides this market is big enough for them to locate a new store here.

What would make you come to this conclusion ?

Better quality, better selection of products at good prices. Plus Costco treats their employees much better. Yes Sams has good hot dogs cheap but that doesn't make them a ether store. Comparing Sams to Costco is like comparing apples to oranges. I will do my part and email them also, can't hurt.

The Walton family has destoyed the American dream.
 

I wish more companies would treat people with respect and use their talents and abilities instead of making everyone be and do exactly the same thing.
We Already Knew Costco Is A Great Company. Here's Something That Makes Them Fabulous.
The company that breaks the mold and proves Walmart and others wrong.
Upworthy|By Brandon Weber

I travel to the Costco in Altamonte Springs once a month. It's just an hour and 15 minutes - worth the drive. I bring my cooler and make it a day of shopping at all the stores we don't have here in TV. There are two Marshalls, one Home Goods, Famous Footwear,and my personal New England favorite - Christmas Tree Shop (not what you think it is for those who don't know) etc.... When I want my retail fix, I drive away from the bubble.
Just get on the Florida Turnpike, then take 429 north to 436 you can start your adventure... I usually take a couple of friends with me and we have a great day of shopping and dining....
I'm done begging and complaining to stores that aren't here... and, there is always a much wider selection of things I need and want because

maybe Costco has better food.........
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMWFcWOeaps

What does /// mean?

For those that say Costco won't build one near a Sam's Club I offer you the addresses of the both in Clearwater, Florida. They are on the same street.

Clearwater Sam's Club

2575 Gulf-To-Bay Blvd.

Clearwater, FL 33765

Costco
2655 Gulf to Bay Blvd.
Clearwater, FL 33759-4936
(727) 373-1951

The difference is Clearwater is right in the middle of Pinellas County, population 750,000, and right across the bay from Tampa. The total Tampa Bay area has a population of over four million. In 2012, Sumter County had a population of just over 100,000.

It's unreasonable to move from a large city with working people having kids to a retirement area with only 2 per household and expect the same stores.
I used to use Costco in S. Florida but no longer need a gallon of mayonnaise, nor have a place to keep it.

According to Consumer Reports, Costco is the best or among the best places to buy electronics, get your prescriptions, buy eyeglasses, and a whole lot of other things. Great selection of top rated products at great prices. Where else do you get to return a tv or laptop 90 days later for a full refund with no questions asked? Sams Club is not bad, but it is not Costco. And you can forget about BJ's. I get a free 90-day membership at BJ's every couple of years, go there, and end up buying nothing. At the Costco in Altamonte Springs, you are lucky to find a parking space, even in the middle of the week.

amazon is better/cheaper/ and tax free with customer service as good as it gets!

On-line doesn't pay sales tax
 

So far when you buy from Amazon (in Florida) you don't have to pay sales tax. I don't know how much longer "they" are going to give them this big advantage over the brick & mortar stores.

It really hurts the local small business more than anyone. Personally I don't like to pay a membership to any store in order to shop there. :girlneener:

Maybe we should all try to convince Costco of building in Ocala. It's not The Villages but it is 30 mins which is a whole lot closer and easier to get to than Orlando. There would be family's and businesses there as well as Villagers who would go there. Yes there is a Sam's club there but there are numerous locations across the country where they both exist.

I think this is just a standard reply letter like the one Dotti received.

Plus the Tampa/Clearwater Area probably has a lot of families, not retirees who eat out a lot of the time.

I am sure that you are right Barefoot, that was a standard reply, but I am sure that they do track this info.
Regarding the "competition" between Sam's and Costco...there are many places where the stores are very close to each other. I don't think the presence of a Sam's club would bother Costco if they thought could have a profitable location.
I am sure we will use Sam's Club when we move, but we will also hit the Costco store in Altamonte Springs any chance we get.

not the only ones
 

but there are a total of 5 Sam's Clubs in the Tampa Bay area and two more Costco

there always seems to be a Lowe's near a Home Depot.....

Florida cracking down
 

Just so you know, that may be ending. I ordered a sofa online that came from NC. Last month I got a letter from Dept. of Revenue stating they routinely monitor trucks from out of state and discovered I bought it without filing the paperwork to pay tax. I had to pay sales tax on the cost of the sofa and shipping cost within 10 days or they would assess a penalty.

I don't understand that line of thinking. The Villages is larger than Ocala and Leesburg combined. In fact it would take the populations Ocala, Summerfield, Belleview, Fruitland Park and Leesburg to exceed the population of the Villages. If their goig to build a new store why wouldn't they build it where the most people are?

The best place for a Costco is in the 301 and 44 area which is close to 75 and the turnpike --- one million people can reach this spot in 40 minutes.