[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by midiwiz

I don't get it, are people that much in a fog? First off I have BJs and Costco memberships. I will readily admit the local BJs is among the worst in the chain. It's poorly managed and too small. So time to lump the travel to Clermont or something larger. Secondly Costco "home brand" products are as flat in taste as Publix, Bjs WF brand has far better quality and flavor.

With that said, I've been doing some local price compares.... 1) my BJs membership is less for more 2) identical products compare to be less at BJs than Costco.

Probably the only other point is only TV based, these houses are pretty small and have little storage for massive bulk buys. Lord knows we have had to get pretty creative just for basics that would be in the 'have to' list. So if you want to get in line at 4am to wait for a hot dog .......


"Here's your sign"

Disagree entirely. Have some favorites that cannot be found other than Costco. Seriously, where else can you get Kim Crawford quality blanc for $6.99/bottle. Don't start me on the quality of their steaks. Or their gasoline. Or their paper products.

You're telling me that BJs has an in-house bakery? What about an in-house butcher? In-house optical? In-house pharmacy? In-house pizzeria? In-house tire shop? In-house gas station? Yeah- apples to apples there.

But my takeaway from your missive is that now there is one less person to be in my way when I go. So, thank you. You keep on keeping on, someone's gotta provide the competition that keeps Costco honest.

[callalily]

So, I actually went to the new store on opening day yesterday. I waited until about 5 pm, but it was still a zoo. There were about 40 people in line waiting to sign up for memberships. The membership sign up area had been open for at least a week, but nooo, they waited until opening day.

There were quite a lot of people who had never seemed to have been in a Costco, including the workers. Lots of traffic jams, including the worker with a huge garbage bin, who parked it next to the food court, blocking half the lane for the exit while he was talking to another worker who was moving a handicapped cart and blocking the other half of the exit lane.

They did have some sales that are for a limited time only, including Wagyu ribeye for about $60/pound. They also had a ton of Switch 2's near the front.

Parking was OK. I found a spot easily. But if yesterday was any indication, Costco could build another location a mile away and they both would be crazy busy.

[chorndawg]

Originally Posted by polirudb

My wife and I just set up our Kirkland folding chairs (purchased at Costco Clermont) and are number 1 and 2 in line, ready for the big grand opening tomorrow. We have Costco snacks, Kirkland water, and everything we need to keep us comfortable through the night. Come join us. Rumor has it the first ten customers through the doors get a free hot dog, not sure if it includes the drink.

Time to get a new hobby…

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe

I camped out overnight at the Rose Parade one year. If you haven't experienced that at least once in your life, you do not have a life.

Me too! As a teenager though. We were so tired by the time the parade started we couldn’t stay awake to enjoy it. Never again, lol.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by callalily

So, I actually went to the new store on opening day yesterday. I waited until about 5 pm, but it was still a zoo. There were about 40 people in line waiting to sign up for memberships. The membership sign up area had been open for at least a week, but nooo, they waited until opening day.

There were quite a lot of people who had never seemed to have been in a Costco, including the workers. Lots of traffic jams, including the worker with a huge garbage bin, who parked it next to the food court, blocking half the lane for the exit while he was talking to another worker who was moving a handicapped cart and blocking the other half of the exit lane.

They did have some sales that are for a limited time only, including Wagyu ribeye for about $60/pound. They also had a ton of Switch 2's near the front.

Parking was OK. I found a spot easily. But if yesterday was any indication, Costco could build another location a mile away and they both would be crazy busy.

We went at 2 with the agreement that if we couldn’t find parking right away we’d leave, but even though cars were circling the lot there was a steady stream of cars backing out too, so we had no trouble parking. We got in there in the nick of time because a thunderstorm hit that we could hear rumbling from inside for quite awhile. It was crowded but bearable for the little bit of shopping we wanted to do (our usual Costco haul). We saw plenty of employees everywhere, and when we were ready to check out about 4 we walked up to a register with only one person in front of us. There was also plenty of stock of everything, even at the food court. Even though the line outside to get a membership was very long (all under tents) it appeared to be moving quickly, and when we left the store there was hardly any line at all. We were honestly very impressed overall considering we’ve never gone to any kind of store on grand opening day before. It was a very well oiled machine. Kudos to Costco!

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by Nana2Teddy

We went at 2 with the agreement that if we couldn’t find parking right away we’d leave, but even though cars were circling the lot there was a steady stream of cars backing out too, so we had no trouble parking. We got in there in the nick of time because a thunderstorm hit that we could hear rumbling from inside for quite awhile. It was crowded but bearable for the little bit of shopping we wanted to do (our usual Costco haul). We saw plenty of employees everywhere, and when we were ready to check out about 4 we walked up to a register with only one person in front of us. There was also plenty of stock of everything, even at the food court. Even though the line outside to get a membership was very long (all under tents) it appeared to be moving quickly, and when we left the store there was hardly any line at all. We were honestly very impressed overall considering we’ve never gone to any kind of store on grand opening day before. It was a very well oiled machine. Kudos to Costco!

The reason being most Villagers don't want to be in Costco during cocktail hours.

[asianthree]

Walked in at 9am in 19 minutes ordered and paid $100 for new transition lenses for my titanium frames. Ready for pickup Tuesday.

Picked up chicken and ribs for dinner. Plus a pair of Hoka’s, and some miscellaneous items. Self checkout. Two frozen Mocha’s. Out the door under 55 minutes. Just as the swam of star members could enter.

[Bodrum]

Originally Posted by Aces4

No thanks, we have a life!

Stupid is as stupid does
Forest Gump

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by Bodrum

Stupid is as stupid does
Forest Gump

I hear ya, but if sitting all night for of all things.. a Costco opening floats their boat, they should go for it.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by Aces4

The reason being most Villagers don't want to be in Costco during cocktail hours.

Not a drinker so I’m clueless about cocktail hours.

[Babubhat]

New Costco Members: 1-Yr Costco Gold Star Membership + $45 Digital Costco Shop Card - 2025-08-06

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Bodrum

Stupid is as stupid does
Forest Gump

OP, you forgot to buy a golf shirt in every color. Wear each 3 or 4 times. As you know, Costco has the best returns policy. Insist you get your money back! Buy the newest stock of golf shirts, rinse and repeat.

It was extremely difficult transporting 4 new tires and boxes of over-sized groceries in a golf cart while eating a free hot dog. Prreventing the free coke, which was actually a Mt Dew, from spilling was most challenging. Let's not forget the neighbors who drove by and demanded some of your cookies, while the wife stood back and did absolutely nothing. Half way home, there was a torrential storm. Nearly overturned your cart when it was struck by lightening. Thank heavens! The metal cart and rubber on the tires you were hauling saved your life. However, the rotisserie chickens flew out of the cart. (There goes dinner!) When you finally got home, you had no toilet paper to clean yourself. The two new rolls you kept for yourself were soaked. Yet, you remained calm. It was a great decision to open the package and give rolls to strangers in order to load the tires. Afterall, the toilet paper would not have saved your life. You returned to Costco to retrieve your wife. She was upset. "What the bleep took you so long?" I think Costco would agree. You deserve free shirts for life.

[Howdy]

Originally Posted by polirudb

My wife and I just set up our Kirkland folding chairs (purchased at Costco Clermont) and are number 1 and 2 in line, ready for the big grand opening tomorrow. We have Costco snacks, Kirkland water, and everything we need to keep us comfortable through the night. Come join us. Rumor has it the first ten customers through the doors get a free hot dog, not sure if it includes the drink.

Where is " The Old Costco " ???