Has Costco australia come up with any official reason for not having their product lines and prices posted on their website? I'm trying to find if they're still carrying dual shock 4 controllers and what price they are and have come up empty on their website.
In this day and age, I'm finding it absolutely absurd that they don't have this sort of information on their website. How else are people going to be able to make planned and informed decisions on what to buy. Grrrrr
I suppose a theory of theirs maybe that if you don't have a set shopping list, you'll be likely spend more on impulse buys.
Another reason I won't pay to be a member. Discouraging comparison shopping is lame. They claim to have good prices, prove it.
Yes, as though a company with $100 billion in annual revenue needs to prove something to someone who might spend $500 there per year.
The membership fee is completely refundable so just go in and if you see something cheap then buy it otherwise refund your membership and be on your merry way!
As an example of a good price, the game of thrones book set is about $35 or something - far, far cheaper than you'd be able to find elsewhere.
On top of this they apparently offer a lifetime guarantee for all their kirkland branded products. I've read of some guy using a frying pan for years and absolutely destroying it, then returning it for a new one without any questions. I've read of another person who bought flowers which died in a couple of days and they were given a new bunch.
I agree - it's probably to do with their contracts with suppliers who have to give them their cheapest price.
Anyway, it helps to go shopping at costco with a phone. I was about to buy a camera there, and it has been $25 cheaper on ozbargain. Costco has the cheapest "every day" price, not the cheapest specials.
Threads like this make me LOL because it shows that some people don't understand simple business plans. Costco's intent with their expansion into Australia is to build stores and get people in the doors, not to build a website. There are thousands of members that are OK with that and in their minds they are more than happy if you don't want to be a memebr and shop there because the checkout queues can bet long enough at times. It took years before they offered a significant website in the UK after their expansion there so don't hold your breath. Even then both the USA and UK websites only focus on big ticket items whereas you still have to go in store to see prices on groceries or find some of the more unique stuff they have.
Yes, Costco does prey on people impulse buying in some areas and their store is set out to encourage people going on a 'treasure hunt'. But every store, including most succesful online stores, work on getting people to impulse buy.
FWIW, I spend a lot of time at Costco and typically they cannot be beaten on price. There have been some exceptions. Davo1111 mentioned a deal on a camera and I have been in that situation. I was about to buy a camera there last year when they had $100 off on it. No other price advertised online was quite down to their price. However I walked into a camera store in the Mebourne CBD after visiting several others that could not beat Costco and they gave me a deal $75 below Costco's price. If it was much less that $75 I probably would have bought the camera at Costco anyway because they offer a pseudo lifetime warranty with their satisfaction guarentee. Beyond that buy I make most other major electrical purchases at Costco not only because of the guarentee but also because they are normally the cheapest. I do a quick search on the internet when I am in store, including Ozbargain, to see if there is a cheaper price but they are yet to be beaten.
Speaking on behalf of all Costco members you have my blessing to stay away from Costco. We don't need more people clogging up the checkout queues.
CG
lol…and the hot dog queues too ;)
FWIW, I spend a lot of time at Costco and typically they cannot be beaten on price.
If this is true, they should advertise their prices.
The pricing I have seen, an occasional flyer somebody has scanned, has had prices that were good, better than Coles/Woolies regular prices, but not as good as specials.
Got a PS4 controller on special from Target for $79 last weekend.
Thanks for the heads up Jay43. I'm still jonesying for a cheaper deal. :)
Don't go to this type of place. Only makes money due to idiots who walk out with these extra products. At least in other countries they publicise their products on their website.
As you can see, in the US, they do not resort to this. Full product lists: http://www.costco.com/
But I AM a member and I have been for almost 4 years! True, I am actually thinking of refunding my membership because my savings in the last couple of years have been less than the renewal fee. I used to save so much on dog food that everything else was just gravy. But since my local petbarn and whenever coles and woolies have sales beat them, I haven't been going so much. Just like some people, I compare with catalogue specials and find that I get ahead with the catalogue specials too.
I'm just annoyed because its so hard to find out if a particular item is available in store. I live on the Central coast and a trip to Auburn is still a bit of a drive.
How else are people going to be able to make planned and informed decisions on what to buy. Grrrrr
How is that the businesses problem? Spoon fed society and first world problems.
Wow you certainly made me sound like a whinger.
I was just venting, as it's got me really peeved. This is considering every major retailer I patronize has at least a semblance of website pricing.
Trade agreements with the suppliers probably, prevents them from advertising the prices of certain items. You have to remember their quite new to the market, and don't have much clout yet.
Whatever the reason, it makes price matching them difficult.
Maybe you get up and go in to the store.