Costco Does It Again, I Should Learn By Now

Hotch

Seems every time we find an item they carry, that item will be discontinued in a few months or a year. For instance bottled water. We like the Nestle Splash fruit flavored water. Went to Costco this weekend, none on the floor or racks. I assumed they ran out. Went back today same thing. So I asked about it and was told DISCONTINUED. Well that was not expected. So I asked who had the most in stock that is somewhat close by.

So off to the Southlake store I went. 42 cases later......




So here is 1,344 pounds of water



Should keep us for a bit.

caliking

And SWMBO thinks I'm a hoarder. Can't wait to show  her this

Botch

Liquid assets.  
 
So I'm not the only guy this happens to; as soon as I find something I really like, whether its cheese, or a car brand, or underwear, or beef jerky, or a tool company, or socks, they somehow find out and immediately change, discontinue, drop, go bankrupt, or the dreaded "New and Improved".  
Just a couple months ago I found a snack, they were like Rice Chex but bigger (1" x 1" or so and puffier) with a cheese flavoring on them, I instantly liked them and they became my favorite snack.  Not even a few weeks later, they were on sale, "Discontinued", and I bought the remaining 4 bags.  They're gone now.  Bastids!!    

Hotch

caliking said:

And SWMBO thinks I'm a hoarder. Can't wait to show  her this

If you like have her give me a call. I will sell her on the reasoning behind this.

Shelly's comment when I sent her the pics:

"OMG...and you bought it all...how much was that and where in the heck are you going to put it?"

My reply:

"42 x $7.99. All over."

Her reply:

"Well OK..."

I think I'm good for now.

Hotch

Botch said:

Liquid assets.  
 
So I'm not the only guy this happens to; as soon as I find something I really like, whether its cheese, or a car brand, or underwear, or beef jerky, or a tool company, or socks, they somehow find out and immediately change, discontinue, drop, go bankrupt, or the dreaded "New and Improved".  
Just a couple months ago I found a snack, they were like Rice Chex but bigger (1" x 1" or so and puffier) with a cheese flavoring on them, I instantly liked them and they became my favorite snack.  Not even a few weeks later, they were on sale, "Discontinued", and I bought the remaining 4 bags.  They're gone now.  Bastids!!    

Yes sir I feel your pain.
Now if I find something I like or it fits great, especially clothing, I go back and load up ASAP!

WeberWho

I understand where you're coming from. I could have bought 1 replacement tongs but just a matter of time before that one went missing. 

tikigriller

Costco only buys the stuff that is not that popular. Once it becomes popular, the supplier raises the prices, so Costco moves on to the next "new and improved" item.  The only thing at Costco you can be pretty sure will always be there is all  the Kirkland stuff.

stlcharcoal

There's a couple things that I really liked there that they no longer carry at our stores.  The big jar of Dave's Famous Pickles, Bobak's Veal Hot Dogs, Bosco Sticks, etc.  I really like the beer battered halibut, but they only have that during Lent at our stores.  It's really expensive in Feb, then the price drops like crazy around Easter--then I load up the deep freeze.

There are a few things I buy every time I'm there for the kids.  It's going to be a bad day if they ever discontinue:  Annon's NY Pizza slices, the uncooked tortillas, the cilantro-lime tilapia, the Empire Kosher chicken strips, and the E.D. Smith low sugar preserves.  I always make sure I have an extra bottle of the Kirkland balsamic vinegar on hand too--that's pretty good stuff for the price when you go through a lot of it. 

stv8r

My local grocery store (Redners) sometimes has 6 packs of Splash for 2/$3 which equates to 30/$7.50 so all is not lost....yo just need to check local store ads when you run out lol.....in a few years

Jstroke

My store carries Cabot extra sharp cheddar cheese. It is the reason I joined. If they stop carrying it, it's pretty simple. I'm done.

tjv

I do propel from sams or costco, 

Jstroke said:

My store carries Cabot extra sharp cheddar cheese. It is the reason I joined. If they stop carrying it, it's pretty simple. I'm done.

our local Walmart carries Cabot cheeses, great for cold smoking.

t

Hans61

That's funny!

johnkitchens

You are good until that 41'st case is gone. Then you are going to be like a castaway on a deserted island with no freshwater! 

I recently had the same problem with boots. I like Georgia Boots. I have fortunately been able to get the same pair for the last four or five times, but now they are gone! I had to roll the dice on a different pair. 

GregW

All warehouse clubs that I know of operate like that. As soon as I find something that I like they stop carrying it.
This is a reason that they will never be successful in supplying to the food business. Restaurants need suppliers with product consistency. 

Jeremiah

@johnkitchens I've been the same way with these. I've been buying them for 6-7 years now. New pair once a year. One year I got a bad pair, sent them back with the 30'day return policy, and tried red wings, a $260 mistake. If they ever quit making these I'm in trouble.  https://www.timberland.com/shop/mens-pro-work-boots/mens-timberland-pro-titan-6in-soft-toe-work-boots-24097214

CTMike

@jeremiah,

I wear those exact boots for work also, very comfy, and reasonably priced. 

johnkitchens

These are the boots I decided to go with, http://www.georgiaboot.com/georgia-work-boots/georgia-giant-steel-toe-work-boots/G6374.html?dwvar_G6374_color=20

Ozzie_Isaac

Horchata Rockstar Energy Drink.

Tried it this weekend and loved it.  3 stops on the way to work this morning and nobody had it.  Read online it may be discontinued.   Luckily SWMBOAATEWSMNS found 5 cans near her.

buzd504

Botch said:

Liquid assets.  
 
So I'm not the only guy this happens to; as soon as I find something I really like, whether its cheese, or a car brand, or underwear, or beef jerky, or a tool company, or socks, they somehow find out and immediately change, discontinue, drop, go bankrupt, or the dreaded "New and Improved".  
Just a couple months ago I found a snack, they were like Rice Chex but bigger (1" x 1" or so and puffier) with a cheese flavoring on them, I instantly liked them and they became my favorite snack.  Not even a few weeks later, they were on sale, "Discontinued", and I bought the remaining 4 bags.  They're gone now.  Bastids!!    

I just found out my favorite local seasonal beer is over until next year.  My local beer store called the distributor and ordered 5 cases for me on the spot.

theyolksonyou

Hotch said:

caliking said:

And SWMBO thinks I'm a hoarder. Can't wait to show  her this

If you like have her give me a call. I will sell her on the reasoning behind this.

Shelly's comment when I sent her the pics:

"OMG...and you bought it all...how much was that and where in the heck are you going to put it?"

My reply:

"42 x $7.99. All over."

Her reply:

"Well OK..."

I think I'm good for now.

This very conversation could happen at my house. Sign of a long married couples. 

DaveRichardson

@Hotch - man I saw you mentioned Southlake Costco and I forgot you werein TX.  There's a Southlake area near me that's in Atlanta, AND they have a Costco.  I was about to offer up 1/4 of the space left in the garage from my recent cleanout IF the EBU (Estrogen Based Unit) wasn't soo agreeable to your purchase!

Toxarch

Supposedly, if you see a large asterisk in the corner of the Costco price label, it is a discontinued item. So if you like it, you better stock up right away.
Also, Costco has a policy of telling the vendors the price, quality, and packaging they want on any item in their store. You either agree or you don't sell in their store.

Begger

That has happened to me MORE times than I can remember.   Wife says 'we will get it next time'.    She knows full-well it's gonna be GONE by than.
I picked up the Marx Brothers DVD on site and couldn't be talked out of it.   The first 5 movies are some of the funnies EVER.   If you MUST have it, GET IT.
Chances are it is a one-off and will be GONE next visit.

Other instances too numerous to remember.    When I saw my favorite SOAP in stock I bought a 6 month supply.   Sure enough!   No MORE.   

The competition for Floor Space is Killer.   If you don't MOVE stuff, you don't get invited back.    Some items are SEASONAL, so if you need to, stock up for the Off Season, like it do with 4 bean salad which I put on my dinner salads.  

northGAcock

No better with the Wallmart cousin. The carried a 20 ounce clear plastic cup that was perfect for tailgating. All of a sudden poof. 

Skiddymarker

Truly a man of conviction, sees what he wants and goes to great effort to get it! Well done! My financial guru has always said stay invested in bottled water and cell phone companies, today few can exist without one and/or the other. Living where we do, we hardly ever buy bottled water, the stuff from our taps is much better, we are very fortunate.