New Costco Store a Big Disappointment

[Rhonda Dunaway]

I had an opportunity to go through the new Costco store the other day, and I was very disappointed. I had heard from a number of people that Costco was supposed to be so much better than Sam's Club, both in terms of shopping environment and selection of merchandise. I found the shopping environment to be every bit as grim and dismal as Sam's Club. In fact, if someone had driven me to Costco blindfolded, led me into the store, removed my blindfold, and asked me to guess where I was, I would have guessed Sam's Club in a heartbeat. I only had about 15-20 minutes to go through the store, but I did go quickly up and down each aisle, and the merchandise again was just like that at Sam's Club. I didn't have the time to do any price comparisons, so I don't have any information to relate about that.

Costco is probably fine for what it is, and I was probably disappointed because of the expectations I had developed. However, I don't think Costco has anything new to add to the Omaha shopping scene.

[apwendy]

I tried to go there the first day and it was just packed with people so I didn't find a parking place. I guess I didn't miss anything. I heard they often get great buys on things in a sort of one-off way and sell them for cheap. Maybe Sams just did a good job of copying them so it's now hard to tell which is which. Or maybe things just seem better when they're a littl eout of the way. Now that we really have a costco, it's not a big deal.

[karaoke]

I used to go to Sams Club, but it took so long getting checked out I stopped going there. I like HyVee grocery better than any Walmart store since they check you out so fast. Prices are better at Wlamart on a lot of stuff but you spend all day in line. Who wants to do that, specially when you have kids with you?

[omahakate]

That's too bad! I'm sooo excited about the new Costco! For a million reasons, I hate Sam's and Walmart, but I love the idea of bulk shopping.
Bummer!
It looks like it's always packed!

[Rhonda Dunaway]

Hi, Omahakate.

You might still want to give it a try. I have shared my opinion with others, and they insist that I must not have been in there long enough to see all the store has to offer. Some people have insisted that Costco has a wider selection of electronics and that some of the the food in the grocery area is pretty tasty. I know that I did kind of zero in on the things that I used to shop for at Sam's Club and that as far as that merchandise was concerned, I didn't see any significant differences.

[Cher Klosner Lane]

OOOOOHHH!!!!! I LOVE Costco!!! However, I was used to them because I went there all the time in California. So I was already expecting something like a Sams from what I've heard about Sams. (I don't go to Sams, only because I've always lived closer to a Costco.)

But I go there for certain things - not everything...

Their chocolate cake and bakery items are awesome... at least they were in California.Their sheet cakes and breads are great! I like to buy a lot of stuff in bulk, too, so it's a great place for me. Costco saves my neck whenever we have a last minute get-together at my house... for quick party stuff, I get their little quiches, meatballs, Thai chicken on sticks, cheeses - and for any of you who drink wine, they have some really nice wines at reasonable prices - and they list the "points" ratings from wine magazines, so it's helpful when choosing wines. The store is only minutes from my house, so I'm a happy camper :)

I did go the first week it was open, and getting the card took forever. And I don't like having to use boxes to bring out my purchases, but again, I know that is what I am in for when I go to a Costco, so no biggy...

But now, I usually go on a weekday evening, or in the weekday afternoons when I want to try new things and sample all the little stations :) - and have had no problems with parking or the lines.

Hope that helps!

Cher :)