@greenwitch – I find that the prices in the store are sometimes better. Not always, by any means, but worth comparing. Fulfillment is a little slow, having become far too used to Amazon’s turnaround.
For me it was the variety when buying vacuums. They had no HEPA canister models in the store and they had about 5 online. I think they do raise the prices to cover that free shipping though.
@Sally22, thanks, I didn’t realize that. Good idea.
^ my mother didn’t like the k cups, probably drank about 1/3 of the box, and I returned with no questions asked. Return policy is excellent.
New Costco member here as well, due to the Living Social special on membership. Previously I’d go once a year when S came to visit. But with a new house, I figured I’d want to use their services for perhaps a garage door update and window treatments, as I know they have cellular shades. Has anyone priced out those two services as opposed to elsewhere?
Otherwise, aside from buying fish once a month, olive oil and TP, I can’t see that the shopping will do that much for me, being single. And I like to buy in bulk, but their bulk is so massive. Though yes, the previous times I have gone, getting to $300 tends to happen rather effortlessly. I haven’t been yet, as am waiting to go with D on a weekend she is free.
I got roller shades from Costco/Bali. I think there were similar things at Lowes and Home Depot but they were priced better on Costco.com. They arrived very quickly but I had to do the measuring and installing myself. I immediately replaced the screws that they came with and everything went well after that (they had come with those frustrating hybrid screws that are supposed to take either a Phillip’s head or slotted screwdriver and in reality, are just bad).
The quality is excellent and I had ordered swatches first to be sure of what I wanted to order. Where I live now there are no shops like Next Day Blinds or Blinds to Go which make all of this much easier.
Still feeling confused about this card thing. The article at first sounds like AmEx choose to sell off to Citi - then it sounds like it’s a tremendous loss for AmEX - so why are they selling?
I got a letter from AmEx last week regarding the Costco card, but it didn’t sound like “the end” yet - but was basically saying, “please stay with us in the form of another AmEX card after the Costco dumping”! I figure Costco will send out official application/instruction with Citi if that becomes the right thing to do.
I have bed sheets from Costco, several years old. Noticed a small tear last night for no apparent reason, woke up with a large rip. Would they take them back at this point?
Yes, I believe so. They are great about their return policy (except for electronics- that’s limited).
Are sheets suppose to have a lifetime guarantee?!
I once asked about a phone system that died after about 7 years. I didn’t bring it in because I thought it wasn’t reasonable that they would take it back. I don’t know if the response from the very nice guy behind the counter was subjective or policy but he told me that they would have taken it back up to 5 years after I purchased it. Three years seems like too short a life for sheets; I’d try taking them back.
“I got a letter from AmEx last week regarding the Costco card, but it didn’t sound like “the end” yet - but was basically saying, “please stay with us in the form of another AmEX card after the Costco dumping”! I figure Costco will send out official application/instruction with Citi if that becomes the right thing to do.”
This is THE end. It was supposed to happen in February, but got delayed because of glitches in customer data transfer etc. (or so we are told).
What Amex is doing here is pre-approving current Costco Amex cardholders in good standing for an (unaffiliated with anybody else but Amex) Amex card with cash back bennies similar to those offered by Costco Amex - minus the other, Costco’s only, cash back rebates. So if you sign up for this card, you will get an Amex not affiliated with anyone but just Amex, and for a little while, you will have 2 Amex cards. And in June, when the customer data from Costco Amex is finally moved to Citi, you will get a Costco Citi Visa in your mailbox. There will be no application; it is meant to be an automatic transfer. Then your Costco Amex account will no longer be active for making charges, but your other Amex will be active.
Right, I did know it was June for the switch over. I just thought the letter last week was more of a “gentle” reminder. I don’t think I am going to keep an AmEx. I’ll see how life is without it. 
I like Amex’s web portal a lot. I think I will go for the offer. Expenses are categorized and sub-categorized so one can have a detailed monthly report as well as annual report. If the cashback is as good as they had under Costco program, I will just use my Marriott visa at Costco to get my Marriott points and exec Costco rebates, and will continue using Amex for everything else.
@BunsenBurner, is Costco going to let people use ANY visa now? That would be exciting.
I don’t want any new cards. I went through a month or two lately missing payments, simply because between my kids and myself, I had too many cards to manage. Fortunately I got all fees, etc. waived, but I am now down to two in my wallet (others at home, not canceled yet).
With Amex, you could use any Amex (Mr. used a card issued in the name of the employer but still had to pay the bill and then get reimbursed by the employer. He missed out on Costco Amex points that way, so he switched).
I had no idea. I thoght it was Costco only. Thanks.
Unless they changed the rules!
Anyway, I pulled up and looked at our annual Amex report. About 10% of our spending was actually done at Costco… 90% was done elsewhere. So the other Amex offer looks better and better now! I will be missing out on a few $$, but I do not want to deal with Citi. Besides, if I use my Marriott Visa there, I will have the free hotel nights and the status - bonus breakfasts and fast wifi at Marriotts . 