COSTCO

[sjr]

I shop at Costco about twice a week because a lack of other stores real close. While at the Costco in Bloomfield Hills MI Sunday I was buying a Sanyo fridge for $149 and planning my next computer purchase. I can't stand WMT. I like Target, Best Buy, and Costco. I was looking for the Starbucks Frappuccino which was out of stock. I spoke to an employee about where it was at and he said the new product buyers at Costco were buying the wrong stuff. He told me that they had 27 skids (multiple months worth) of Glad Freezer bags. When it hits the store they must sell it at their location no returns. This Costco also only had only one skid of Windex spray (2 days worth), and no Starbucks Frappuccino. Earlier in March April they stopped carrying Ruffino their top selling red wine. This might have been due to contract negotiations. I like Costco it doesn't pay their employees poverty wages and rely on illegals to get the work done. I hope these bumps at my Costco are limited due to product buyers being assigned new stores. Well good luck hope these glitches are limited. Steve

[uth]

I wouldn't necessarily trust a low-level employee because they often pass on hear-say. I think this type of thing might be the fault of the store manager rather than corporate buyers. It could help researching Costco's same-store sales and inventory levels to see if there is a real problem.

[sjr]

The guy I talked to said a VP from corporate was there Friday to discuss the problem. The current manager has been there about 6-8 months the old manager Mark went to the Grand Rapids store. Steve

[JJ]

I love Costco too. I will always support them because they treat the employees well. This is important to me. I will never buy a Toyota due to there policy of hiring employees by contract. How can an employee feel secure about life when hired for 3 month stints.

[uth]

I know people who work on a contract basis and actually prefer it that way.

Being a full-time employee is not necessarily a guarantee of stability, speaking as someone who worked at a small tech company through the aftermath of the internet bubble :wink:

[sjr]

I have a part time job with benefits. My wife has a strong skill set and works as a information systems contract employe. We write off her car, gas, repair, car wash, car insurance, computer, internet, office equipment, and anything else thats applies. She makes about 2 to 2.5 times what she would make and is hourly and not salary w/comp time for overtime. She is able to save with a SEP account vs the lower limits of a 401k and 403B. The contracts vary and are unstable in relation to "normal" employment but how hard is it to remove an employe at will.

[JJ]

I understand that contracts can be good for a professional, but these workers (i know some of them personally) are factory workers. They would gladly trade in their job for GM etc anyday. Also please know this is my personal opionion and I am not speaking for everyone. :) I am also ticked at Sears , Home Depot and Volkswagon. I could tell some stories...I guess you can say I am a pro-worker, pro-consumer grouchy fart! :lol:
PS I also think CEO's make way too much money, while the underlings are not appreciated enough.

[sjr]

It's not that uncommon for union shops (or employers in general) including the post office to discard employes prior to 90 days. Its sad when employers incorporate this strategy into their hiring practices. This is unless the the employer is unfront to the employe explaining that this position is summer help or Christmas peak season but to delude new hires into thinking they are long term employes and fire them soon afterwards is wrong. I like Costco they seem responsible as an employer towards their employes, have good products, service, pricing, warranty of products, and make money. Take Care. Steve