Perhaps this is the difference in where we live. I live in New York. Never is anything more than an expensive small gourmet grocery store or a pharmacy possibly

Perhaps this is the difference in where we live. I live in New York. Never is anything more than an expensive small gourmet grocery store or a pharmacy possibly "on the way." Things also tend to be much more expensive than average here. Costco is out of the way and would probably require the rental of a car, or paying for a taxi. Returning something to Costco would be a big hassle compared with just leaving a UPS package for my doorman. Further, I don't have the apartment space necessary for Costco quantities. I prefer to buy smaller quantities (even at higher per unit prices) if it means that I don't fill up my small apartment with paper towel rolls.