Comments on: Costco: King O’ The High Road http://www.wineoffensive.com/blog/the-gluttons-manifesto/costco-benefits-walmart-employees/ anecdotes for the gourmet proletariat Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:22:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: The Wine Offensive » Blog Archive » Costco, Liquor Board, & More Important Things To Think About http://www.wineoffensive.com/blog/the-gluttons-manifesto/costco-benefits-walmart-employees/#comment-21196 Sat, 02 Jun 2007 20:22:22 +0000 http://www.wineoffensive.com/blog/the-gluttons-manifesto/costco-benefits-walmart-employees/#comment-21196 [...] See the ball, people. The state is the bad guy in this. And, yes, Costco is one of the good guys. But I’ve already spoken of this. You can disagree if you like. If you like to be wrong. tags: costco, seattle weekly [...] […] See the ball, people. The state is the bad guy in this. And, yes, Costco is one of the good guys. But I’ve already spoken of this. You can disagree if you like. If you like to be wrong. tags: costco, seattle weekly […]

]]> by: Christophe http://www.wineoffensive.com/blog/the-gluttons-manifesto/costco-benefits-walmart-employees/#comment-7844 Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:00:41 +0000 http://www.wineoffensive.com/blog/the-gluttons-manifesto/costco-benefits-walmart-employees/#comment-7844 Everyone has a point. But don't forget one simple truth: Not everyone shops at Costco. Everyone has a point. But don’t forget one simple truth: Not everyone shops at Costco.

]]> by: fishy http://www.wineoffensive.com/blog/the-gluttons-manifesto/costco-benefits-walmart-employees/#comment-7761 Tue, 05 Dec 2006 20:01:57 +0000 http://www.wineoffensive.com/blog/the-gluttons-manifesto/costco-benefits-walmart-employees/#comment-7761 I have to agree with Mags on this, You are the reason people come to small retail places, you and me and Mags. People who can answer questions. actually have tasted what is in the store. We rule this shit you know, Costco will never be able to carry all of the really interesting stuff. No pity party here just understand you are better and then do it. I have to agree with Mags on this, You are the reason people come to small retail places, you and me and Mags. People who can answer questions. actually have tasted what is in the store. We rule this shit you know, Costco will never be able to carry all of the really interesting stuff. No pity party here just understand you are better and then do it.

]]> by: Dan Cochran http://www.wineoffensive.com/blog/the-gluttons-manifesto/costco-benefits-walmart-employees/#comment-7759 Tue, 05 Dec 2006 18:47:33 +0000 http://www.wineoffensive.com/blog/the-gluttons-manifesto/costco-benefits-walmart-employees/#comment-7759 Your article touched on THE major problem for today's workers; with the top management obsessed over their stock price on Wall St, they have COMPLETELY forgotten one basic fact: if workers aren't being paid a living wage, the economy won't sustain itself for long. Henry Ford knew this. He was once asked why he paid his workers more than the industry average. His reply? "I want my workers to be able to buy my cars, too." Your article touched on THE major problem for today’s workers; with the top management obsessed over their stock price on Wall St, they have COMPLETELY forgotten one basic fact: if workers aren’t being paid a living wage, the economy won’t sustain itself for long.
Henry Ford knew this. He was once asked why he paid his workers more than the industry average. His reply? “I want my workers to be able to buy my cars, too.”

]]> by: Maggie http://www.wineoffensive.com/blog/the-gluttons-manifesto/costco-benefits-walmart-employees/#comment-7717 Mon, 04 Dec 2006 21:50:37 +0000 http://www.wineoffensive.com/blog/the-gluttons-manifesto/costco-benefits-walmart-employees/#comment-7717 Linda - thanks, and I feel your pain. I do. I've been there. But I don't think Costco is killing small wine shops; and I've torn hair out over this. I don't buy this arguement anymore. It's false. The fault is ours because the hard, simple truth is: wine is not worth an extra trip for most people. Exhibits A and B: I know more than a few Washington WINEMAKERS who were hooked on a $14 Trader Joe's Barolo a few years back. Now they knew damn well Barolo doesn't cost $14, but they bought it, lots of it. It wasn't important enough to them to not buy it and continue to support the small, local wine shops, EVEN THOUGH they are small local wineries. That is insane. But that is not Costco's fault. When I was the buyer for a specialty food store, THE OWNER of the store would pick up wine deals he found at Costco, instead of going through me because it was a few dollars cheaper THAN HIS OWN STORE. The Marchesi di Barolo 1996 comes to mind specifically. Does that blow your mind like it did mine? Maybe. But that is not Costco's fault. We have to do our part to make a special trip for wine as important as a special trip to the flower store or bakery. That is our job, not Costco's. We must get the support of like minded independent distributors and importers. If we can't compete on Veuve, we have to take a stand and stop carrying it. Distinguish ourselves as a supporter of grower champagne, distinguish our selection from that of Costco's. Loss of business is not Costco's fault. Linda - thanks, and I feel your pain. I do. I’ve been there. But I don’t think Costco is killing small wine shops; and I’ve torn hair out over this. I don’t buy this arguement anymore. It’s false.

The fault is ours because the hard, simple truth is: wine is not worth an extra trip for most people. Exhibits A and B:

I know more than a few Washington WINEMAKERS who were hooked on a $14 Trader Joe’s Barolo a few years back. Now they knew damn well Barolo doesn’t cost $14, but they bought it, lots of it. It wasn’t important enough to them to not buy it and continue to support the small, local wine shops, EVEN THOUGH they are small local wineries. That is insane.

But that is not Costco’s fault.

When I was the buyer for a specialty food store, THE OWNER of the store would pick up wine deals he found at Costco, instead of going through me because it was a few dollars cheaper THAN HIS OWN STORE. The Marchesi di Barolo 1996 comes to mind specifically. Does that blow your mind like it did mine? Maybe.

But that is not Costco’s fault.

We have to do our part to make a special trip for wine as important as a special trip to the flower store or bakery. That is our job, not Costco’s. We must get the support of like minded independent distributors and importers. If we can’t compete on Veuve, we have to take a stand and stop carrying it. Distinguish ourselves as a supporter of grower champagne, distinguish our selection from that of Costco’s. Loss of business is not Costco’s fault.

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