prastogi said:tinyace said:jeffd said:A few months ago they started putting one UPC code in all the coupons, so that any coupon would automatically hit all couponed items. It was great, I noticed and asked the cashier, they were surprised I noticed. They no longer had to keep the whold book at the register, just one active coupon would suffice. I love it, and hope they don't go back! I just keep a coupon in my wallet, just in case.

Here in California, since the beginning of the year, coupons have rung up automatically when the items were scanned. I think us Californians are just lazier

not true for all locations and cashiers.... if you go to the one in santa clara, they insist on actual coupons! the sunnyvale location is much better

Burbank, CA Costco also requires coupons.

Can anyone tell the fine print on the tire coupon? I'm asking because my car needs 2 front tires, and my wifes car also needs 2 fronts (both of these are recently purchased used cars, and evidently the former owners didn't beleive in tire rotation).

I'm wondering if I can use the coupon over two different cars, and possibly two different size tires (one is a corolla, the other a scion xb). Anyone ever try that before?

imatwinkie said:Pssst...I work there.

The coupon policy changed a bit recently because first they upgraded the system so that one coupon activates all coupons. Since it made it so easy on everyone, cashiers just put one coupon barcode at their register and scanned it for every customer. But then, so I was told, the manufacturers saw a huge spike in redemption percentages and wasn't too pleased, so the cashiers are back to asking for the coupons. At our Costco, they require that you cut out the coupons you're using or hand over the whole book. The reason behind that is currently the system doesn't know how to limit a coupon being used multiple times by the same member. It can only apply item limits per transaction, not per member or household. I'm sure some of you members have noticed that and maybe took advantage of that. Management isn't too concerned unless it's abused. Also there will be a coupon book every month for the rest of this year...and I'm guessing next year too if the economy stays in the dumps.

The last couple of times, the cashiers tossed the coupons (one for each item) into the trash cans after scanning only one of them.

I expect in part that this economy has caused Costco to modify its business practices somewhat and in part business practices change as times change. It appears that Costco has gone to a more frequent coupon distribution system than in the past.

Coupons along with 'trading stamps', 'frequent shopper'/'rewards' cards, special sale prices, rebates, etc. have long been recognized as a way to draw customers to a store (warehouse). Note that many of the items in Costco coupon books are for the Costco sizes of items that are 'couponed' in newspapers flyers, in store ads, etc. and that Costco presumably is working with manufacturers to give its members equivalent benefits.

As the coupons have increased in volume I expect Costco is taking advantage of its excellent computer/inventory systems to determine the most efficient system to process them and over time will standardize among its warehouses. As both systems and people are involved it does take some time.

The new system is noticeably improved over previous ones where the cashier had to determine whether a coupon was limited to one, multiples, unlimited, and scan the coupon the appropriate number of times.

Fortunately, it does not appear that anyone has a significant problem with the current system of processing the coupons.

At some point it would not be surprising to see Costco provide the 'coupon information' to its members and use the membership card much as other stores use their 'frequent shopper' cards/numbers to reduce paper handling and other costs.

To answer your question. Yes. Not everyone is FW-savvy.

I believe that the American business philosophy has always been make the most money from one item/service versus the Asian business philosophy of making very little of one item/service but do it in volume. The lower price/volume technique will draw the buyers in while they slowly increase the price to make more later.

imatwinkie said:Pssst...I work there.

The coupon policy changed a bit recently because first they upgraded the system so that one coupon activates all coupons. Since it made it so easy on everyone, cashiers just put one coupon barcode at their register and scanned it for every customer. But then, so I was told, the manufacturers saw a huge spike in redemption percentages and wasn't too pleased, so the cashiers are back to asking for the coupons. At our Costco, they require that you cut out the coupons you're using or hand over the whole book. The reason behind that is currently the system doesn't know how to limit a coupon being used multiple times by the same member. It can only apply item limits per transaction, not per member or household. I'm sure some of you members have noticed that and maybe took advantage of that. Management isn't too concerned unless it's abused. Also there will be a coupon book every month for the rest of this year...and I'm guessing next year too if the economy stays in the dumps.

This sounds like a very good explanation. One exception, likely that 'manufacturers' were not 'too pleased' with large volume use by one individual of a coupon with a quantity limit when the coupon was intended to influence someone to try a product and buy additional units at regular price. Thanks for the info.

Is the price including the installation fee? Thanks.

Agent9 said:Where do I find the laptop?

$100 Off Of Toshiba Laptop # 419785 online only

You should find it at costco.com by July 13th.

Coupon shows on-line price of $699.99 - $100.00 off = $599.99 July 13 - August 2, 2009.
Does not say S/H included; some coupons in the book do say that for items at costco.com.

Specs shown on coupon are
Toshiba 15.4" Laptop Computer
Intel T6400 2.0 GHz, 3GB Memory
250GB Hard Drive
Webcam, face recognition
Coupon also includes logos for MS Word/Excel/PP - does not say whether trial versions or full versions included. May be the later as HW specs appear similar to the warehouse PC in last coupon book $100 less.

Perhaps a FWer who bought the warehouse one during the last two weeks, or who saved the last coupon book, can compare the specs and add to this info for you.

doctorman said:I stopped buying new tire long time ago

just go to the junk yard mechanics and they change each tire labor and tore and everything for just 20- 25$

very good tires..

I hope you're kidding. Tires are probably the most important part of your car. If they fail, bad things will happen. Even tires with relatively new treads are more likely to fail if they are old. Check the DOT date to see when they were made. Anything more than five years old should be tossed. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the tires you bought are ten years old.

Costco is great for tires . The prices our the "sale" tires are good . They are very thorough with the installation . The only problem that have is the wait . They want you to go in the store and spend your $ . I am waiting for the cyclical at Costco or Sam's on
BF Goodrich tires for my not so nice car .