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The Enduring Enigma of Costco's $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

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Re: The Enduring Enigma of Costco's $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

#61

Post by adventured »

maerF0x0 wrote: post #54
dragonwriter wrote: post #13

> When California recently enacted a soft drink tax that would have raised the consumer's cost, Costco locations in the state switched the combo to include Diet Pepsi. The link supporting this claim refers to changes in San Francisco and Seattle locations as a result of city ordinances, not a statewide change in California.

Why dont they just remove the sugar from the syrup and offer packets or liquid syrup in containers like at coffee shops?

Because they'll just chase you around with laws regardless. That attempt to avoid the law through cleverness would generate news and sensationalism. That would spur a government response, because if there's anything politicians hate, it's attempts to circumvent their power. You're better off working within the system and trying to negotiate them down or into a different regulatory framework, than waving a flag at the bulls.

Re: The Enduring Enigma of Costco's $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

#62

Post by myself248 »

intopieces wrote: post #39
arkades wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have to be a member, or accompanying a member, to walk in the door. The hot dogs lie beyond the checkpoint.

Neither being a member or being accompanied by a member is required to walk in the door. You don't even need to be a member to shop there provided you have a Costco Cash Card [0]. As well, there are at least a few Costcos where the concession stand is outside [1] [0] https://www.costco.com/Costco-Cash-Card.product.10024438.htm... [1] https://www.google.com/maps/place/Costco+Wholesale/@37.25296...

So if I give my Costco-member friend $100 and ask her to buy me four $25 Costco Cash cards, would that let me make four trips without buying my own membership? That seems like all I'd need in a year...

Re: The Enduring Enigma of Costco's $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

#63

Post by ceejayoz »

aviv wrote: post #50
philwelch wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So you think Costco's master plan is to sell people hot dogs and soda at or below cost, just ordinary hot dogs , and as a result of eating one hot dog and drinking one soda when they do their monthly Costco trip, they will develop chronic illness and need to pick up prescription drugs there? Even if you're that much of a sociopath, there are much better business models.

Yes. The messaging from Costco is that it's OK to eat this way. It feeds the overall mentality of unhealthy members that this lifestyle goes inline with their over consumption of oversized foods at Costco generally. That there is nothing wrong with grabbing a hotdog, pizza, and soda on your way to pick up your blood pressure "medication" at the pharmacy once you're done stuffing yourself with the food causing your hi…

I suspect going around grumpy at the world thinking a hot dog is "borderline child abuse" gives you more stress-induced health issues than the occasional hot dog would.

Re: The Enduring Enigma of Costco's $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

#64

Post by intopieces »

myself248 wrote: post #62
intopieces wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Neither being a member or being accompanied by a member is required to walk in the door. You don't even need to be a member to shop there provided you have a Costco Cash Card [0]. As well, there are at least a few Costcos where the concession stand is outside [1] [0] https://www.costco.com/Costco-Cash-Card.product.10024438.htm... [1] https://www.google.com/maps/place/Costco+Wholesale/@37.25296...

So if I give my Costco-member friend $100 and ask her to buy me four $25 Costco Cash cards, would that let me make four trips without buying my own membership? That seems like all I'd need in a year...

This is accurate. You need only to have a costco cash card to get the Costco price on the goods in store. That cash card does not need to encompass the entire price of the transaction, as your credit card can make up the rest.

I've heard this touted as a "hack" but this makes absolute economic sense for Costco -- they get an advance on your purchase and get you into the store to potentially see the value in signing up.

Re: The Enduring Enigma of Costco's $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

#65

Post by tomlor »

One of my gripes about this price point is that they downgraded the buns they use with their hot dogs a few years ago. They used to be these tasty, substantial picnic rolls, but now they're bland and bready. I'd happily pay a few cents more to get the better buns.

The real kicker is that if you look at the photo of the hotdogs in their food courts (in SoCal, at least), the photos are of the old, picnic style buns and NOT what they are serving today - a bait-and-switch (bake-and-switch?) if you ask me...

Re: The Enduring Enigma of Costco's $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

#67

Post by intopieces »

maerF0x0 wrote: post #54
dragonwriter wrote: post #13

> When California recently enacted a soft drink tax that would have raised the consumer's cost, Costco locations in the state switched the combo to include Diet Pepsi. The link supporting this claim refers to changes in San Francisco and Seattle locations as a result of city ordinances, not a statewide change in California.

Why dont they just remove the sugar from the syrup and offer packets or liquid syrup in containers like at coffee shops?

The sugar is part of the recipe that people associate with the brand. It's why Coca-Cola works so closely with McDonalds to get everything right with their dispensing machines.

Re: The Enduring Enigma of Costco's $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

#68

Post by a_t48 »

thecosas wrote: post #51
biastoact wrote: post #10

It is not unlike Prime Video and Prime Music (among others). When you run a membership program you create offers that increase the perceived value of the membership and engagement with your ecosystem. Similar is Costco gas, people wouldn’t drive out of their way for the discount if they didn’t already pay the membership. And while you are there you might as well pick up four times the bread you need, more milk than y…

A few things you can do at Costco without a membership: * Eat at the food court * Buy alcohol (in certain states, see below) * Get an eye exam * Get your hearing checked * Fill prescriptions at the pharmacy States where you can buy alcohol w/o a membership: * Arizona * California * Connecticut * Delaware * Hawaii * Indiana * Massachusetts * Michigan * Minnesota * New York * Texas * Vermont P.S. Looking for a better s…

San Francisco's Costco does not let you into the food court.

Re: The Enduring Enigma of Costco's $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

#69

Post by spraak »

wtfreally wrote: post #28
aviv wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree. Adults have free will. I cringe though every time I see an adult feed their kids such nasty disease forming foods. Borderline child abuse.

How is Panda Express a "disease-forming food" Is all Chinese food "disease forming", in your downvoted opinion?

> in your downvoted opinion?

I think this is going against the rules or etiquette of HN

Re: The Enduring Enigma of Costco's $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

#70

Post by dragonwriter »

maerF0x0 wrote: post #54
dragonwriter wrote: post #13

> When California recently enacted a soft drink tax that would have raised the consumer's cost, Costco locations in the state switched the combo to include Diet Pepsi. The link supporting this claim refers to changes in San Francisco and Seattle locations as a result of city ordinances, not a statewide change in California.

Why dont they just remove the sugar from the syrup and offer packets or liquid syrup in containers like at coffee shops?

They could, and then a mandatory charge for sugar packets (like there is for grocery bags) would be legislated.
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