All I can add is that there's a world of difference between towels that are dried with softener sheets and those that aren't. Much more than a "slightly softer" effect.

spinynorman99 wrote:All I can add is that there's a world of difference between towels that are dried with softener sheets and those that aren't. Much more than a "slightly softer" effect.

The scent alone is a deal-breaker for my family. Absolutely hate it. However, if there is animal product in fabric softener and it made your clothes smell like bacon, perhaps it'd be a different story.

=R=

I prefer softening sausages, with my teeth. Since we all love a good brat, I'd note that the Costco on 14th and Ashland was serving Usinger's brats instead of the usual Polish at the little cafe. I didn't get one, so shocked was I to lose part of my Costco ritual, but next time I'll give it a whirl.

mtgl wrote:I prefer softening sausages, with my teeth. Since we all love a good brat, I'd note that the Costco on 14th and Ashland was serving Usinger's brats instead of the usual Polish at the little cafe. I didn't get one, so shocked was I to lose part of my Costco ritual, but next time I'll give it a whirl.

same with the costco in mettawa (vernon hills). looks like polish is out, brats are in. they changed the bun too (and use the same bun for hot dogs and brats).

the loss of polish sausage, and the changeover from coke to pepsi, has made me like costco less.

mtgl wrote:I prefer softening sausages, with my teeth. Since we all love a good brat, I'd note that the Costco on 14th and Ashland was serving Usinger's brats instead of the usual Polish at the little cafe. I didn't get one, so shocked was I to lose part of my Costco ritual, but next time I'll give it a whirl.

Segue of the (new) year, so far?

And yes, the Polishes are being sunsetted in this area, at least.

Hi,

I prefer the natural casing Usinger brat over the Polish, which wasn't very distinctive from their hot dog.

Regards,

the brats seem a bit smaller than the Polish. Kind of wish the ice cream bars come back as well.
Now, let's get back to discussing dryer sheets!

mhill95149 wrote:Now, let's get back to discussing dryer sheets!

Only if they smell like bacon!

=R=

I'm waiting for the the new Uni scented dryer sheets cuz, Uni is the new bacon don't cha know.....

Back somewhat closer to the point, which *I* get, Cathy. We are at most about 3/4 of the way through just the first roll of a two-pack of plastic wrap that we bought at Costco ... Let's see ... nope, no idea when we bought it. Baboo thinks it was about nine months ago; I think it's been more than a year.

Katie wrote:Back somewhat closer to the point, which *I* get, Cathy. We are at most about 3/4 of the way through just the first roll of a two-pack of plastic wrap that we bought at Costco ... Let's see ... nope, no idea when we bought it. Baboo thinks it was about nine months ago; I think it's been more than a year.

I suggest you get to wrappin'!

Katie wrote:Back somewhat closer to the point, which *I* get, Cathy. We are at most about 3/4 of the way through just the first roll of a two-pack of plastic wrap that we bought at Costco ... Let's see ... nope, no idea when we bought it. Baboo thinks it was about nine months ago; I think it's been more than a year.

I finally started my second roll after who knows when I bought it.

I once bought the commercial size plastic wrap, I never finished it. I learned my cousin is a plastic wrap fiend. I bought her one of those joking, "I expect to inherit back." Three months later she asked for another one. I finally gave her my long in the tooth plastic wrap, because I knew I was never going to finish it.

Thanks, Katie, for understanding.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

I prefer the natural casing Usinger brat over the Polish, which wasn't very distinctive from their hot dog.

Regards,

Me too. I love the Usinger brats but never would buy them their because the package size is too big.

All the fabric softener talk reminded me of a Wired Magazine article about the ingredients of fabric softener: http://archive.wired.com/science/discoveries/magazine/16-12/st_whatsinside

Cathy2 wrote:I once bought the commercial size plastic wrap

How does the costco plastic wrap compare to Saran Wrap, our go to brand for wrap? Thanks.

blunt wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:I once bought the commercial size plastic wrap

How does the costco plastic wrap compare to Saran Wrap, our go to brand for wrap? Thanks.

Not as clingy as classic Saran, but better than Glad.
We have had problems with durability of the box with the long lifespan of these enormous containers, but the wrap has been top-notch.

Back when Saran was a Dow brand, growing up in Midland, MI with a Dow-employed parent meant that you could have your dad buy multiple rolls at 25 cents each at the company store for a "school project" and use them to wrap the living f$&@ out of your ex-girlfriend's Chevy Beretta.

JoelF wrote:

blunt wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:I once bought the commercial size plastic wrap

How does the costco plastic wrap compare to Saran Wrap, our go to brand for wrap? Thanks.

Not as clingy as classic Saran, but better than Glad.
We have had problems with durability of the box with the long lifespan of these enormous containers, but the wrap has been top-notch.

I much prefer Costco's brand, particularly because of the sheet slicing mechanism. I find that ordinary Saran wrap is often difficult to get out of the package . . . perhaps just me.

The sheet slicer on the costco plastic wrap works great on dryer sheets too! Sometimes you only need to give half a sheet.

Today the Lincoln Park Costco had loads of frenched rack of lamb for $5.99/lb., the sell by date on them is 1/21, so I guess they're eager to get rid of them.

HI,

I bought the same item* at three different Costco locations with the variance in cost reflecting local taxes:

Mettawa: $150
Bloomingdale: $151.29
Chicago - Lincoln Park: $153.87

*It was on sale, I just happened to pass these locations.

Regards,

Hi,

Costco in Mettawa has whole lamb hanging the freezer section. This is processed to halal standards with a cost of $3.59 pp.

Regards,

Where Costco makes it's marks with me, a new user due to our move, is in keeping the same pricing profile on most of their product one would find in the lower 48. Case in point, here in Juneau 90/10 ground beef can run from $5.99-$6.99 in the local supermarkets. Costco - $3.99, pretty much what I'd find "back home". As a bonus, their lunch counter slings a pretty tasty beef brisket sandwich too.

Speaking of brisket, most (all?) Costco meats are available in cryovac as they were shipped in. Obviously no trimming has been done, but sometimes that's good, like for brisket!
Prices, which they will probably have to look up, can be dramatically less.

I'm not sure about Jelinek as CEO. First I noticed on the Costco documentary that where they used to say their maximum margin was 12% was changed to 14%, and then 15%.

But nothing like what I saw last weekend in Glenview: a booth of people hawking Cutco knives. Disturbing to see grossly overpriced "distribution oriented" product in Costco. Not sure if they were trying to get their usual $100 plus for a $2 dollar knife, but less than 50 feet away were the sets of 5 or 6 Kyocera ceramic knives, which are a great kid's and casual cook set for less than $30.

I decided to make a special trip down to the Costco at 7300 S. Cicero, understanding that they are now a different type of Costco, (aimed towards serving businesses, including restaurants), and hoping that they would sell inexpensive cooking supplies. Well, be warned that their hours are now different too, and they are closed Sunday. At least it gave me a good excuse to have some fantastic birria at Zaragoza . . . so not all was lost.

If you happen to swing by a Costco on the west coast, Sriracha Popcorn is highly recommended:

BR wrote:I decided to make a special trip down to the Costco at 7300 S. Cicero, understanding that they are now a different type of Costco, (aimed towards serving businesses, including restaurants), and hoping that they would sell inexpensive cooking supplies. Well, be warned that their hours are now different too, and they are closed Sunday. At least it gave me a good excuse to have some fantastic birria at Zaragoza . . . so not all was lost.

Interesting. I have not been in that Costco in a few years (others are much closer to me), but would be interested in seeing what they offer. Has anyone been their since the change? Updates? Comments?

i_openr wrote:I'm not sure about Jelinek as CEO. First I noticed on the Costco documentary that where they used to say their maximum margin was 12% was changed to 14%, and then 15%.

https://ycharts.com/companies/COST/gross_profit_margin

spinynorman99 wrote:

i_openr wrote:I'm not sure about Jelinek as CEO. First I noticed on the Costco documentary that where they used to say their maximum margin was 12% was changed to 14%, and then 15%.

https://ycharts.com/companies/COST/gross_profit_margin

Hi,

Just from memberships alone, they rake in several billion dollars according to an article I read. I do recall the 15% above cost for the products as well.

Regards,