I'm not a Wal-Mart apologist, but if you order from and therefore accept the worker conditions at Amazon, I'm not sure Wal-Mart is any different.
This is definitely true. For me, at least, the difference is that there are several alternatives to Walmart where there really isn't another Amazon. In this example, Sam's and Costco basically have the same types of stuff and same model, but one treats employees much better than the other.
I'm not a Wal-Mart apologist, but if you order from and therefore accept the worker conditions at Amazon, I'm not sure Wal-Mart is any different.
This is definitely true. For me, at least, the difference is that there are several alternatives to Walmart where there really isn't another Amazon. In this example, Sam's and Costco basically have the same types of stuff and same model, but one treats employees much better than the other.
Outside of niche items, I would bet a majority of Amazon items are available elsewhere or very comparable. There's nothing special about most of the assortment, other than providing the ultimate convenience for people who can't/won't go buy their own things.
Again, not a Wal-Mart apologist. What's kind of interesting is that Wal-Mart ends up moving the needle the most when it comes to things like organic produce and human rights factory audits for overseas goods, because of their huge purchasing power. At overseas trade shows that my company attends, vendors will advertise that they are Wal-Mart factory audit compliant, because it's a big selling point that they can meet the WMT requirements.
This is definitely true. For me, at least, the difference is that there are several alternatives to Walmart where there really isn't another Amazon. In this example, Sam's and Costco basically have the same types of stuff and same model, but one treats employees much better than the other.
Outside of niche items, I would bet a majority of Amazon items are available elsewhere or very comparable. There's nothing special about most of the assortment, other than providing the ultimate convenience for people who can't/won't go buy their own things.
Again, not a Wal-Mart apologist. What's kind of interesting is that Wal-Mart ends up moving the needle the most when it comes to things like organic produce and human rights factory audits for overseas goods, because of their huge purchasing power. At overseas trade shows that my company attends, vendors will advertise that they are Wal-Mart factory audit compliant, because it's a big selling point that they can meet the WMT requirements.
I agree about the items themselves! But the experience of using Amazon for yes, convenience, is not something you can get elsewhere. I definitely have been trying to use alternatives when it is possible to do so, but going to a bunch of stores takes time and transportation. Shopping at Costco vs Sam's when both are nearby doesn't really change the amount of effort.
Are you a "Gold Star" Costco member? If so, no cash back. If you are an "Executive Member" you get 2% rewards back. There is a price difference in memberships, and you really need to spend several thousand/year to make up the $120 membership fee for Executive. They do have something about refunding part of the membership fee if you don't make it back in rewards. Someone correct me on that. I couldn't find it on the Costco website.
Yes, this.
it really pays off when you use it for big ticket items (HVAC, cars, tires, vacations, generators, mattresses, etc). But even when we have years where we don't buy those, we still get a couple hundred back just from general purchases. I don't use it for my weekly groceries, and shop there maybe once a month, and before I host an event (family Christmas, snacks for a team, whatever). But we've always gotten money back.
We do most of our grocery shopping at Costco and try to get all of our gas there. We have the credit card with the executive membership and end up with about $600/year back. Oddly its 2 separate checks - 1 for Costco and 1 from Citibank. When we were buying diapers/pull ups it was bigger since that is such a huge expense.