I appreciate everyone posting their opinions of products. It’s very helpful!
Here is why I purchase from Costco…
In July I purchased a washer/dryer for a second home. Front loaders which sit on pedestals. The floor is not completely level, as noticed by the installer. However, the installer said it was okay and put a plywood wedge under one of the feet. The units only get used about once every two weeks.
I was washing a large load of towels. When the washer hit the high RPM spin cycle it sounded like the entire machine was going to come apart. The foot had moved off the wooden wedge, the machine was shaking like crazy. Any use of the spin cycle now makes a noise which sounds like grinding ball bearings against metal.
I called Costco on a Sunday. Was routed to the concierge. They couldn’t schedule an appointment because the manufacturer doesn’t have call center hours on Sunday. I called back on Monday. After a somewhat lengthy wait, Costo Concierge put me thru directly to the manufacture repair rep. Guess what…they don’t have a technician in ‘my area’. UM. WT blinking blazes…this is a MAJOR city. We aren’t talking some little house at the end of a rutted 10 mile road isolated in the mountains. No, we are talking metropolis! I ask ‘what is next’. Well, now I wait 3-5 days for a technician to be located and to call me. At that point I get to schedule a repair. Um, not feeling the warm and fuzzy here.
Call Costco again. Given it’s the holidays we devise a plan. I will go ahead and try to set up that repair appointment. If it can not be done in an acceptable time frame, or I have any concerns as to the health and wellbeing of this unit given it’s rather violent shaking episode, I will simply call Costco and return the things. Then I will order a new set. The new set will be delivered and the old set removed. Oh, and they gave me a $110 credit for having has this trouble.
It’s all still a PITA but can’t imagine having to do this with one of the other big box stores.
BTW…the two Korean manufacturers of home appliance are notorious for not having technicians which can service their stuff in any reasonable timeframe.
I also don’t care for Costco’s Kirkland brand pesto. Agree that Buitoni, available at our supermarket is good. Also like the one sold by AG Ferrari if you happen to have one nearby.
I love the Asian salad mix. I add chicken breast, mango and cucumbers and don’t use all the dressing as it is very sweet. It’s easy to make and bring to potlucks.
Ditto, I use the salad mix as a convenient source of chopped greens and nuts, throw out the fake cranberries, any crunchies, and dressing, and use balsamic or apple cider vinegar plus oil dressing.
Honestly, I’m not a fan of packaged salad mixes in general so should have passed on it from the get go. To my taste buds, packaged salads (all of them not just Costco) have an off flavor that I don’t like as much as fresh greens. I think it’s the additives they put in the wash. I can taste it. I’d rather just fix my own greens. It doesn’t take too long.
What do you do about “baby greens”? Do you not eat them or do you buy them from the bulk bin? (I try to avoid salad bars and bulk bins for anything that is not thermally treated before eating… it is that time of the year!)
I find the greens in the clamshells are much better than the ones in the sealed bags but I still don’t eat them often.
I eat them for convenience and time saving. I definitely would not be chopping baby kale, bok choi, cabbage, and something else (that’s in the chopped mix) on a weeknight.
I also find they include bits I wouldn’t use. Like the hard core of the cabbage. And its not unusual to find a slimy bit or two. Yep, I’m picky. 
I have both got the romaine lettuce at Costco, and given away a few heads.
We love the butter lettuce from Costco. We clean it and wrap in paper towels and put in a ziplock. Keeps for at least a week or more.
We eat a lot more greens because of the ease of the Costco bagged salads. I have never been one to buy the grocery store bagged salads with just romaine, iceberg, etc. - I call it bad “bag o salad”. BUT I enjoy the better greens variety in the Costco bagged salads. Super easy at home to pour in a bowl and dress up with a couple extra items. Super easy to take a big bag and bring to a function - again, dressed up with additional veggies or proteins and my own salad dressing. (I don’t mind some of the dressing they provide but there is never enough to get through the bag of salad!)
My kids also love the bagged salads at Costco - and I know they are eating more greens because of them - so that’s a nutritional win. Not every product is for every person or household - but Costco is catering to lots of situations.
Costco has $9.99/lb New York steaks (USDA Prime) this week (warehouse price). Sounds like our NYE menu has been set.
Thanks to those who recommended the Costco plastic wrap. I’ve been very happy with the quality which is great because the quantity should last me several years.
Other products we liked and will buy again:
A trio of smoked salmon (peppered, plain, maple)
The small medley potatoes. Used up the last ones last night tossing them in the bottom of the chicken roasting pan with some carrots.
^^Those potatoes are mostly what I buy for potatoes now unless I’m doing like mashed potatoes.
BTW, both America’s Tire and Wheel Works matches Costco’s $129.99 Michelin tire/1 cent installation sale ($70 for tires, $60 for installation) that is going on from 1/2 to 1/13.
But do they also give you the 3% back as cash (if you use Costco Visa and Executive membership).
The Costco tire warranty is amazing.
New (to me) product at Costco: bacon and cheese egg bites! Similar to what Starbucks sells. Conveniently packaged for reheating as lunch.
@BunsenBurner, we had this same steaks for NYE, and then again on NYs day, because there were only 3 of us.
What do people do when they buy big packs of the really good meat - freeze part? I do freeze some meat, but it seems wrong to freeze great steak, for example. Is it really fine?