Costco Reviews

Still Shopping at Costco!

2009-12-12T13:54:00.000-08:00

I'm so sad that I haven't been able to post all of the wonderful things that I've purchased from Costco in the past year or so. It doesn't mean that I haven't been shopping there though. Let's just say that I've been making regular trips for baby wipes. I'll make an effort to post more this upcoming year. Let's make it part of my new year's resolution. Or not.

Got Muscle? The Perfect Pushup

2008-08-12T16:12:00.000-07:00

I saw this Perfect Pushup and was curious... anyone know if this works well? I want to look like those Olympic swimmers, like Michael Phelps.

Sonicare

2008-08-12T15:44:00.000-07:00

The wife sent me on a trip to get her any Sonicare product for her teeth brushing needs.

They are carrying two models:

The normal Essence model.

The luxury FlexCare model.

Another look at the FlexCare.

Additional brush heads.

The differences between the two models seem to be that the FlexCare has three modes and two routines.

When given the choice between two models and I don't know which one to choose, I just buy the more expensive one. I'll report back with a review.

Vmoda Headphones, Protector Safe

2008-04-02T17:30:00.000-07:00

I noticed two cool things on my stroll to Costco today. The Protector safe for $399 is big and strong looking. It's a good place to stuff your shotgun and other expensive items. It'd probably take a couple of really strong men to lift that thing out of your house.

Then I saw these really cool looking Vmoda headphones in gunmetal black color. I checked the reviews on Amazon.com and people seem to love it in general. I might pick one up to replace the uncomfortable stock Apple iPod Nano ones for my runs. They were selling for under $70.

Western Digital My Book 1TB External Hard Drive

2008-01-25T13:32:00.000-08:00

For those of you holding off on buying one of these Western Digital My Book 1TB external hard drives to back up all your "artistic" photographs, Costco just dropped the price by $20, to $279.

Previously, I was recommending the Seagate Free Agent 750GB for $199, but this drop brings the Western Digital closer in terms of $/GB.

Both drives offer USB 2.0, Firewire 400, and eSata. Both look really stylish, but the My Book can stand one next to the other better with a smaller footprint if you plan to use more than one.

I have both of them and I can recommend both, although I hear more problems with Western Digital drives than the Seagates recently, but that's neither here nor there.

My Book
Seagate

Super Mario Galaxy Wii

2007-11-15T14:02:00.001-08:00

Super Mario Galaxy for Wii is only $43.99 in-store, but more online. The reviews are really, really good.

Gamespot

IGN

Finally Indexed By Google

2007-10-04T15:12:00.001-07:00

Now that I can actually Google "Costco Reviews" and find this site, I can start updating again. These are the keywords that people Google to find this website:

costco reviews
aidells meatballs
costco mattress review
costco review

Anyone care to write some reviews?

Costco on Entourage!

2007-06-27T21:42:00.000-07:00

In the popular HBO show Entourage, two of the characters Turtle and Johnny Drama went to a Costco (probably in LA) and they filmed a good 20 plus seconds in there while they walked around putting things in the cart and chatting.

That was too cool I had to let all my one reader know.

Fully cooked...with flavor!

2007-06-11T15:51:00.000-07:00

On a lunch time excursion to the land of cost and company, I began the search for the oh so small allowed foods on the new diet. As I strolled the isles near the deli and Snagged a sample or two, I came across these delicious little precooked strips of youthful chicken breasts. Those compiled with some organic greens and a dash of mustard now comprise my lunchtime eats. I have yet to try the other two available flavors, but the plain grilled variety are quite tasty for being a precooked lunch meat variety chicken.

Rating: 3.75 free sample dumplings in hot asian oil.

Flip Video

2007-05-18T16:15:00.000-07:00

I saw this at Costco Yorba Linda today. It's a camcorder made-easy. Looks pretty interesting, with a wallet-friendly price tag of $89.99.

If anyone gets this, please let me know how well it works. A sample video would be great too.

Click here to see the Flip Video website.

In other news, I bought their motion sensor trashcan today for $34.99. My friend has it and likes it. The nice lady in line today told me that she uses it at her office and she likes it too. She just doesn't like that the door opens automatically sometimes when you walk by. Maybe I'll do a review of it later. I can't find a picture of it right now.

I also want to buy their office (manager's) chair with lumbar support for $199. If I do, expect a review on that as well. I sat on it for over five minutes at Costco. It was nice.

SCHWINN COMFORT BIKES $199

2007-03-26T11:32:00.000-07:00

I bought the boy and girl versions of this bike from my new favorite Costco in Irvine. The two bikes barely fit in the trunk of my SUV, but I managed it.

These comfort bikes are somewhere between a cruiser and a mountain bike. I originally wanted a cruiser, but I like the flexibility of some off-roading if ever I want to go on a whim. There are 21 speeds, seven speeds (adjustable on the right handle) for each of the three main shifters (adjustable on the left handle).

We took them out for a test run around the neighborhood and had a great time. The bike's construction is solid and I like how the suspension absorbs the bumps gracefully. At first, the women's seat feels slightly too high, but once you get on and get used to it, it feels a little more normal. They recommend a minimum height of 62 inches on the women's bike. The seat height is adjustable, but any one shorter than 62 inches will have trouble getting on and off.

I tried searching for this model online and I can't find it anywhere, not even on the Schwinn website. I think it may be specially made for Costco.

After riding it for about 30 minutes, I can recommend this bike as a cruiser bike. I haven't tested the mountain-bikeyness yet, but for cruisin' it gets a four spokes out of 5 spokes rating.

Update: It's on their website now. Click here to see the girl version, and click here for the boy bike.

BREAKING NEWS! COSTCO UPDATES RETURN POLICY

2007-02-27T10:22:00.000-08:00

It wasn't a matter of if, but a matter of when. The time has finally come. Costco has changed their return policy for electronics, including its TV's.

The Issaquah-based retailer has begun limiting money-back returns on TVs, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPods, MP3 players and cell phones to 90 days. Previously, there was no time limit except for personal computers, which was six months.

The change went into effect Monday in Costco's 109 California stores and begins March 12 in all 27 Washington stores. The company has more than 500 U.S. stores.

Techbargains.com notes that "previous buyers were grandfathered," so you folks who have been wanting to return your TV's still can do it. Whew.

Oh, and if you're wondering why the policy has changed:

Galanti said some Costco members would buy big-screen TVs and then return them months later, when newer, and less expensive models went on sale.

COSTCO TIRES

2007-02-21T10:57:00.000-08:00

d00ds, they are the bombs!

notes for the real post:

$146/tire for '05 VW Jetta

AIDELLS MEATBALLS

2007-02-20T14:38:00.000-08:00

I recently had a chance to talk to Ivan about Aidell's Teriyaki and Pineapple Meatballs that he bought at Costco San Marcos:

ivan: sooooooooooooooooooooooo good
i just got some last week
most of Costco's ready-made stuff is blah
but this is SOOOOOOOOOO good
u don't understand
it's good
and its chicken! unbelievable

jimmy: wow good i must try

ivan: cholesterol is kinda high, but i am guessing it's dark meat
they should have it everywhere now
since aidells already sells a lot of their sausages there
you've seen them, they aren't as tasty tho, the sausages

I've known Ivan for many years and he has pretty good taste in food. So I would suggest you run to your local Costco and pick some up now!

Update 5/4/09: Ivan reported seeing these in the Irvine Costco.

BEHIND-THE-SCENES AT COSTCO

2007-02-08T10:12:00.000-08:00

This informative MSNBC Video talks how about Costco works and go, you know, behind the scenes. Duh.

Feb. 9: NBC News' Peter Alexander reports on how the major discount retailer works. TODAY host Meredith Vieira talks with Alexander about his report.

Their conclusion? It's a good bargain. Duh, again.

Thanks to John for the tip.

MATTRESS TOPPER $140

2007-02-07T21:40:00.000-08:00

The Novaform Choices Topper is a memory foam pad that lays on top of your current mattress to make your bed all soft and sweet. I got it at Costco Tustin.

First of all, only get this if you have a really buff person in your household, because this was a bitch to unpack. Let me explain: After cutting the first pouch, you must cut another pouch inside it. That's the easy part. The foam is vacuum-sealed by some hi-tech astronautical type of packaging. You would think that a queen sized mattress topper would be pretty big. Well, it is. But they squeezed it into a 4' x 2' square which you have to unfold. It's packed so tight that I had to use all my strength to peel off one layer, then had my wife lay on it so I can use her weight to hold it down while I peeled off another layer. Then you're supposed to leave it alone for 24-48 hours to decompress.

24 hours later, we finally got to try it. It wasn't totally decompressed yet, but it was already pretty soft. It got better from there, and now it's totally sweet. My butt just melts into the foam.

In conclusion, I love it. It converted my super hard mattress into a marshmallow. The unpacking/installation was insanely difficult in that it took a lot of man-strength, but once installed it's wonderfully accepting of your body. I give it a highly-touted five boogers out of five nose-picks.

COSTCO FACTS AND FIGURES

2007-02-02T09:18:00.000-08:00

This is probably a little outdated, but most of the facts still hold true from this article about the opening of Costco Nashville:

-Was once called Price Club.
-Costco became the first company ever to grow from zero to $3 billion in sales in less than six years.
-Costco's closest competitor, Wal-Mart-owned Sam's Club, has two hundred more stores than Costco, yet routinely earns more than $1 billion less in revenues each year.
-Purchases made at Costco's website do not require a membership, however a 5% surcharge is added to purchases made by non-members.
-Only American Express cards, PIN-based debit cards, cash, and checks are accepted.
-Costco doesn't have a public relations department.
-The corporate jet is not used unless it is filled to capacity.
-A recent estimate puts Costco's pay at 42% higher than Walmart-owned "Sam's Club".
-The membership fee is fully refundable at any time.
-Costco is well known for its hot dog stands.

RICE WORKS - BROWN RICE CHIPS $5

2007-02-01T18:13:00.000-08:00

I recently had a chance to interview one of my faithful readers Laura. She tried out the Sweet Chili Brown Rice Chips by Rice Works that she bought at Costco Montebello.

jimmy: what can you review?
laura: brown rice chips
laura: chili brown rice chips
laura: those were good
laura: they are very addicting
laura: even though they are spicy
laura: steven was eating them
laura: sweet chili
laura: is good
laura: and it's 1/3 less fat than regular chips
laura: hahah
jimmy: how much was it?
laura: 499
jimmy: $4.99
laura: four hundred
jimmy: can you take a picture of it?
laura: we already ate all of it
jimmy: how about of the empty bag?
laura: ok, i'll find it in the trashcan maybe
jimmy: thanks

There you have it, Laura loves the sweet chili brown rice chips. Go and get yours today!

OTHER NOT-AS-AWESOME-AS-MINE REVIEWS

2007-02-01T14:08:00.000-08:00

To back up my love for the Costco Polish Sausage, I found a public review of the food court at Costco Goleta. Rave reviews such as "Costco hotdogs are heaven in a bun" and "thats hot" agree with my passion for their food. lemonjelly from santa barbara had this to say:

"I like the polish dogs, I like playing with the onion and relish extruder, I like sitting outside and watching people push pallets of 5 lb tuna tins out of the warehouse. I love the churros! I don't like that you can't bring your ginormous drink into Costco with you, but, well, it was a 20 oz refillable and I didn't *need* to refill it. Not many other eating establishments offer frozen yoghurt these days either. Julia Child liked a good Costco hot dog and we all know she was a pretty hardcore food chick."

I also found a not-so-exciting review of the Costco Photo Center photos. It only received a "2 out of 4 boxes" rating, so I don't think they liked it a lot.

"Costco Photo Center has free shipping for 4 x 6, an easy to follow ordering process and below the average pricing. But, they were also one of the few that messed up a print bad enough to make us want to send it back."

SHOE RACK - $23

2007-01-31T11:01:00.000-08:00

On Monday I picked up a Interlocking Shoe Organizer from Costco Yorba Linda during my lunch break. I also got a Polish sausage(I can never resist the temptation). Back to the shoe rack. They had a floor model and it looked great. I wanted to touch it to see how sturdy it was but they placed it too high for my reach. It was cheap enough so I brought it home. I got around to installing it last night and I started off putting in the connectors all wrong. Luckily I double checked after connecting only three panels. The connectors are tough to install by hand. I had to assert a good amount of pressure to get it in place. After a couple of rows my hands grew tired, so I grabbed a hammer to finish the job. I ended up hitting one connector on the wrong spot and cracked it a little. It's a good thing they included many spare connectors and panels for people like me. Handsome people. This rack can be configured in many different combinations, but I initially chose to do the most popular one of 4x4 for 16 cubicles. Since there were spare panels left, I thought it'd be cute to install one more up on top, you know, to be unique.

It took about 20 minutes(wife and dogs watching the whole time) to install and after I was done, the shoe rack got the stamp of approval from the wifey. It looks really nice and it feels sturdy to boot. It fits her smaller shoes just fine, whereas my bigger shoes(you know what they say about people that wear big shoes) required one shoe to be placed sideways, which is perfectly acceptable.

I give the shoe rack a rating of 4 polish sausages and a coke. It fell short of the perfect 5 polish sausages because it was a little difficult to install. Once done, however, it is a thing of beauty.

WHAT IS COSTCO REVIEWS?

2007-01-31T08:56:00.000-08:00

Hi. You're reading this because you want to know what Costco Reviews is. It is a blog that I created to share my reviews of Costco products with my friends. We are frequent shoppers at Costco and this is a good way to tell each other about the good (and bad) things at Costco. Sometimes the items at Costco disappear quickly so that spreading the information quickly is important. It would be cool to also hear from others around the country about their opinions of Costco and their products.

When you comment, please also add what kind of membership you have at Costco:

EBM = Executive Business Member
EGSM = Executive Gold Star Member

BM = Business Member

GSM = Gold Star Member

ACC = American Express Consumer Card

ABC = American Express Business Card

Just append to the end of your comments like this:
m:GSM