5 ms·

This was an interesting read. I had to think of The Wirecutter. Do some tests and then present "the best X". (I've heard quite some criticism over the Wirecutte

by wink 8y ago

This was an interesting read. I had to think of The Wirecutter. Do some tests and then present "the best X". (I've heard quite some criticism over the Wirecutter and don't want to argue, for lack of real knowledge). When I'm well invested in a topic, I might research for hours and then buy "the best", but for thing where I just want a "not shitty" option (say, an umbrella maybe?) I like this model. I wish there were more sites like that, where I can trust the opinion/result enough to not have to research for myself.

alexhutcheson 8y ago
I think that’s a big part of the appeal of Costco. For most items, you only have one or two choices, and they are fairly reliably good, so you don’t have to think too much about it.
- michaelbuckbee 8y ago
  I didn't make the connection to Costco, but you're absolutely right as Costco also has a similar set really good guarantees.
  - mikeryan 8y ago
    That includes the Kirkland house brands, Kirkland and Trader Joes seem to not cut corners on putting out house labeled products.
    - larrik 8y ago
      Except for batteries. Kirkland batteries last a while, but they leak practically every time.
      - ekovarski 8y ago
        Very true, best not leave Kirkland batteries in a device as pretty much all of them leaked.
  - cmurf 8y ago
    Electronics excepted, 90 day return policy, which also includes major appliances. https://customerservice.costco.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1191 https://customerservice.costco.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1... I can vouch for coverage for minor electronics: I was able, without complaint or even a question from Costco, to swap out a Braun electric toothbrush that failed somewhere around year 1. The replacement is going on ~5 years. (The brushes are frigging expensive compared to a manual toothbrush, that's where the money is, give away the battery+motor for free!)
    - ben1040 8y ago
      When Costco reduced the electronics return period to 90 days, they also started extending the manufacturer warranty to 2 years, so they still have your back more than most retailers do. They just cracked down on people returning computers and TVs several years after purchase, and getting a free upgrade.
      - cmurf 8y ago
        When was this? I bought a TV barely a year ago and it's a flat 1 year warranty with paid upgraded warranty. And then a number of years ago my mom bought an Apple iPod which failed within 6 months and Costco shrugged, said it wasn't covered beyond 90 days at all.
- nickpsecurity 8y ago
  That's what Ive been telling people past few weeks. Got a Costco membership a month or so ago. Thoroughly assessed store before that. When I explain non-food/bulk parts, I tell them to imagine if you wanted Amazon-like experience that fit in a single, walk-in warehouse. The only strategy that makes sense is to pick the best or a few of each category of product. They have everything from work shoes to pillows to containers to a diesel generator. People will occasionally want some of that stuff. The already go to Costco. They know its prices are low. So, maybe they just grab some of it while there. And finish saying Costco was doing this before Amazon existed. On the groceries, they need to carry more smaller portion sizes, though. Walmart and Kroger are price waring so much that Costco costs more on most stuff. Making sizes of stuff like ketchup or spices comparable, but maybe still in little packs, could shift more sales to them. Hammacher already does this where the types of items are same as Walmart and Amazon: just differentiated on vetted quality. Costco can do similar with quality and price, which they already do a bit.
distances 8y ago
Unbiased tests are very popular in Germany [1]. So much so that good placement in a test often ends up included in the product packaging itself, as it's a good booster of sales. I find this to be a great concept. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiftung_Warentest https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiftung_Warentest
forapurpose 8y ago
> where I can trust the opinion/result enough to not have to research for myself I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Consumer Reports. They are run by non-profit consumer advocates, they are very careful about editorial independence (they buy all products at the store rather than accept freebies, there is no advertising in their print publication, etc), and they have labs, scientists, and scientific testing. They have a track record going back to 1936. The only drawback I find is a lack of detail in their reports; they keep it pretty simple.
- specialist 8y ago
  Long time CR subscriber. Love them. They're a UL [https://www.ul.com https://www.ul.com] for consumer goods and services. Sadly, CR has struggled to make the transition to digital / online. thewirecutter.com is now my go to review site for most small ticket items. I continue to hope that CR adapts. Independent labs remain worthwhile, needed.

by wink 8y ago

alexhutcheson 8y ago

I think that’s a big part of the appeal of Costco. For most items, you only have one or two choices, and they are fairly reliably good, so you don’t have to think too much about it.

michaelbuckbee 8y ago
I didn't make the connection to Costco, but you're absolutely right as Costco also has a similar set really good guarantees.
- mikeryan 8y ago
  That includes the Kirkland house brands, Kirkland and Trader Joes seem to not cut corners on putting out house labeled products.
  - larrik 8y ago
    Except for batteries. Kirkland batteries last a while, but they leak practically every time.
    - ekovarski 8y ago
      Very true, best not leave Kirkland batteries in a device as pretty much all of them leaked.
- cmurf 8y ago
  Electronics excepted, 90 day return policy, which also includes major appliances. https://customerservice.costco.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1191 https://customerservice.costco.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1... I can vouch for coverage for minor electronics: I was able, without complaint or even a question from Costco, to swap out a Braun electric toothbrush that failed somewhere around year 1. The replacement is going on ~5 years. (The brushes are frigging expensive compared to a manual toothbrush, that's where the money is, give away the battery+motor for free!)
  - ben1040 8y ago
    When Costco reduced the electronics return period to 90 days, they also started extending the manufacturer warranty to 2 years, so they still have your back more than most retailers do. They just cracked down on people returning computers and TVs several years after purchase, and getting a free upgrade.
    - cmurf 8y ago
      When was this? I bought a TV barely a year ago and it's a flat 1 year warranty with paid upgraded warranty. And then a number of years ago my mom bought an Apple iPod which failed within 6 months and Costco shrugged, said it wasn't covered beyond 90 days at all.
nickpsecurity 8y ago
That's what Ive been telling people past few weeks. Got a Costco membership a month or so ago. Thoroughly assessed store before that. When I explain non-food/bulk parts, I tell them to imagine if you wanted Amazon-like experience that fit in a single, walk-in warehouse. The only strategy that makes sense is to pick the best or a few of each category of product. They have everything from work shoes to pillows to containers to a diesel generator. People will occasionally want some of that stuff. The already go to Costco. They know its prices are low. So, maybe they just grab some of it while there. And finish saying Costco was doing this before Amazon existed. On the groceries, they need to carry more smaller portion sizes, though. Walmart and Kroger are price waring so much that Costco costs more on most stuff. Making sizes of stuff like ketchup or spices comparable, but maybe still in little packs, could shift more sales to them. Hammacher already does this where the types of items are same as Walmart and Amazon: just differentiated on vetted quality. Costco can do similar with quality and price, which they already do a bit.

distances 8y ago

Unbiased tests are very popular in Germany [1]. So much so that good placement in a test often ends up included in the product packaging itself, as it's a good booster of sales. I find this to be a great concept. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiftung_Warentest https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiftung_Warentest

forapurpose 8y ago

> where I can trust the opinion/result enough to not have to research for myself I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Consumer Reports. They are run by non-profit consumer advocates, they are very careful about editorial independence (they buy all products at the store rather than accept freebies, there is no advertising in their print publication, etc), and they have labs, scientists, and scientific testing. They have a track record going back to 1936. The only drawback I find is a lack of detail in their reports; they keep it pretty simple.

specialist 8y ago
Long time CR subscriber. Love them. They're a UL [https://www.ul.com https://www.ul.com] for consumer goods and services. Sadly, CR has struggled to make the transition to digital / online. thewirecutter.com is now my go to review site for most small ticket items. I continue to hope that CR adapts. Independent labs remain worthwhile, needed.