As groceries are getting more and more expensive, bulk shopping at costco for shelf stable foods and things I can freeze are becoming more and more tempting. If you go to costco with the knowing what foods to store for a for a long time and how to store them it is absolutely worth it, especially when it means you don't have to go shopping very often.
This is true! If you go in with the mindset of freezer-stocking and/or keeping up with already established cooking habits Costco is a dream, it's just when you go in hungry and get tempted by those samples that they getcha 😈
Be very, very careful about ultra processed "shelf stable" foods. Might be cheap and convenient in the short run but will damage your health in the long run. Look at most people at Costco, obese, on scooters and in general poor health. I would say that 97% of food sold at Costco and every other major foot store in unhealthy and dangerous to your health. Now, if you are into highly processed vegetable seed oils, sugar, carbs, petro chemicals, animal waste in your food. Fine with me. Farm raised fish are feed a diet of poop mixed in with their regular feed, coloring and other weird stuff. Petrochemicals are in food colorings, preservatives and whatnot. Carbohydrates/ sugar in excess are in just about everything. If you consume more than 20g carbs per day, you are probably eating too much.
I'm a zoomer/millenial cusper and I love Costco. I can't justify spending a lot of money on clothes I'm going to just sweat in and the workout wear I can find at costco is actually better than some more prestigious brands I've used in the past. Sometimes you can find nice cashmere sweaters at a steep discount too, just have to know what you're looking for and be patient. Inspect the stiching and the construction but normally it's pretty good for how much it costs. And when I work out in particular, I don't care what I look like.
Glad to hear you're going through the effort of inspecting construction and making sure the quality is there for these items. Sometimes you can find some Kirkland branded items at the thrift even, because they tend to last. Thanks for sharing here, hope to see you for the next one! 🤩
less talked about is the heartbreaking phenomenon of getting hooked on an incredible costco clothing product only for them to stop selling it and you're never able to find anything quite like it for the price again :(((
They are made for Costco and the manufacture will adjust for the price difference in the quality of the material used and in less workmanship. What is sold in Costco won't be sold elsewhere.
@@kauaiboy5o, absolutely not what happens. Costco even has its own lab to test quality even of the toilet paper. Costco has loyalty clients that only grows, their price adjustment comes from quantity, not lower quality. Plus, you can bring anything back to Costco, do you think if they sell low quality product with the return policy they have they would still around? So, Costco buys huge amount of everything, sometimes, actually, often times the factory is producing only for Costco because the quantity they buy for some seasonal items. Manufactories die to be a Costco supplier but their quality needs to pass Costco lab quality control. Costco even has supima cotton t shirts. I have many for over 5 years and they still looking like new, only softer.
I bought 2 Kirkland logo crewneck sweaters 2 years ago and they are by far the thickest and most warm sweaters I own. They’ve washed well and are still going strong
I can honestly say, the Kirkland signature items ive bought in the past (jackets/pants/shirts) have out lasted any thing from any cheap/medium price store Just shows how much markup is applied to labels
One thing which is more important than I think Levi realizes (at this stage in his life) is the convenience of costco clothes. When you have kids/seniors in your life you need to take care of you don't always have time for the hunting required to buy second-hand or even the time to go to a store specifically to pick up that new sweater you need or whatever. Costco clothes in my experience are consistently solid quality at a good price and you can buy what you need without too much brain power devoted to the purchase when you're swamped. The number one reason to get costco clothes is that it's easy. It is disappointing to hear that they aren't open about their supply lines though!
The buyers at Costco do a great job of sourcing popular well made items at great prices. It's always great shopping there because the price is fair. Compared to marked up prices everywhere else and then waiting for sales or looking for discount codes. You can stop there and not worry about having that feeling that you got ripped off.
I've been wearing a softshell jacket I got from costco for like 8+ years at least. I've been wearing the same wool socks for 8 years but they are starting to wear out (I only wear them in winter). I bought some merrino blend wool socks this year to phase some of the ones that have been wearing out. Costco certainly operates on that impulse buy mentality, but if you rely on them for providing products like cheese, beef, and other products I can't find elsewhere like in a country where I live, Taiwan, then having a membership makes sense. If I can get decent outdoor gear as well, then I'm cool with it. I've definitely been susceptible to Costco's hidden treasure scheme, but by being aware of it, it's easier to use the tool for what it's worth.
Good that you know what their marketing tactics are and how they get you to buy more than you need, you've definitely got a leg up on a whole bunch of other consumers. We're a fan of merino wool especially when it's ethically made, since its so long lasting and sustainable to produce. Happy you've found a system that works for you, thanks for sharing here! Hope to see ya in the next one 🤙
I do just that ...randomly purchase clothes at Costco when I am shopping for other things. Surprisingly I have yet to be disappointed in my impulse purchases. I seem to wear them more often than my actual sustainable - conscience brands clothing. I find it weird, but I keep going back.
I find their offerings focus on basics and multi-use quality sportswear. Sure those things can be found elsewhere for varying cost/quality but not at the sensible price and solid quality Costco offers.
I used to buy my basics at Uniqlo but now their stuff has gotten expensive, so Costco and thrift stores are where I hunt for good deals for the past couple years!
I bought a 50$ puffer jacket made with real down (RDS certifed 650 power fill down) and it performs as well as my 250$ Mountain Hardwear puffer. The Coscto one is about 100g heavier thought
I must admit I have succumbed to impulse purchase clothing at Costco, however for 12 years now I have never found a longer lasting, better fitting pair of Jeans than Kirkland Signature's 12.99 base model. I have bought Carhartt jeans which wore out first, diesel jeans which did not fit as well and needed tailoring, whatever I could find. My daily outfit is Costco jeans and a collared shirt I also bought from Costco. None have worn out prematurely, although many were impulse buys. I'm a millennial, and I either know exactly what I want (I recently began using Injinji toe socks and have transitioned all my socks to Ijinji) or know that generally a basic version will be enough for me (before that I was Kirkland Signature crew socks for 10 years).
While I try to buy from nicer brands like Patagonia when possible, Costco's cold weather clothing is ridiculously comfortable and inexpensive. I love my fleece sweater and thermal underwear I got from there for like $15 each. Their return policy is one of the biggest reasons I buy clothes from there, I can wear them for MONTHS before returning them if I dislike them at all.
Hmm, wonder what their policy is with returns behind the scenes since so many big companies accept returns only to chuck 'em after... Might have to be it's own episode!
@@FutureProofTV Goes in the dumpster. I had a friend that dumpster dived Costco dumpsters for returned goods or stuff that doesn't sell until Costco started locking the dumpsters. He got TVs, tables, etc. from the dumpster.
Bought cargo pants from Costco for hard working use in 2018. Still use them almost daily today. Some of my best clothes are from Costco. Outlived a lot of other brand name trash.
Once you unclog your brain from the mentality of “buy more” when at Costco (which is hard) you can see some real savings. Just your basics and everyday needs stack up. A box of garbage bags that’ll last you 2 years and costs you $15, compared to buying a box every 3-4 months that costs you $12, you wind up saving around $40 a year in garbage bags alone. Which isn’t insane, but the point isn’t that you’re saving millions, it’s that you are saving anything.
Kirkland stuff has NEVER failed me in any capacity, I've only been buying their stuff since around 2015 and I still own and wear regularly every clothing item I've ever gotten from them, that's how good I think they are.
Never clicked on a video faster. I’m a millennial who loves Costco so much that every single friend of mine sent me that sheng wang bit as soon as it came out.
I am squarely in the Costco demographic and I have bought Costco clothing. So here is my take. They are a phenomenal value for staples like underwear, performance T shirts, base layers, and socks. For example, their 32 cool performance underwear and T shirts are comparable to higher end brands like Under Armor and Duluth buck naked underwear. Compared to those name brands, the 32 cool performance underwear fabric feels just a little lighter than the Duluth, but almost identical to under armor. But over the last 4 or 5 years, it has held up comparably to the name brands at about 1/5 to 1/10 the cost. The 32 cool performance T shirts are such a good deal at around $4 to $5 a shirt, that I tossed my old cotton T shirts and logo T shirts I used to wear in the summer in favor of these. they don't work as well for working out on extremely hot days as Under Armor, but they are phenomenal as base layers in both winter and summer, and they hold up for years and many washings. The other thing that is phenomenal is the Kirkland wool performance socks. 4 pair for $12, and they are as good or better than boutique brand wool socks that sell for $30 a pair. I have also done well with fleece type sweaters, sweatshirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts and joggers I have not liked their dress shirts or jeans so much, though I did buy a nice flannel shirt recently that has been my go to this winter on cold days. .
I bought a cashmere sweater from a consignment store once and took it home and noticed the label said Kirkland Signature. It’s pretty nice! Feels like it’s going to hold up!
Every other trip there is something in the clothing aisle that snags me. The selection is limited, but it's hard to beat the quality to price ratio. The best things to buy at Costco are items that have the highest markups at other stores.
That's true that their prices are unbeatable! Sometimes its worth balancing in your head what the intention is behind a clothing purchase though, whether or not you're buying it because you need it or just because it's inexpensive. $5 for a tshirt you didn't need is still $5 wasted in our book. But we're glad to see this conversation opening up on the subject here!!
I shop mostly second hand now, but I 100% still love and wear the shall/sweater I got at costco ~15 years ago, other than some light pilling it is in exellent shape.
While watching this, I'm wearing an Eddie Bauer hoodie I bought at Costco for $20! (I'm also an older millennial.) Overall, I think you raise some interesting points. Personally, I want to buy products that are high-quality but also get a great deal in doing so. I recently bought five shirts directly from Patagonia (partly because of its praise on this channel), but mainly because they were on sale - and I needed some new t-shirts.
hahaha is it the full zip one with the chest pocket?! i bought that too $18 before tax here in Canada, need it something to slip on when i go off to the gym, I notice the name brand clothes are mostly the cheaper quality then what you would normally find.
Hot tip that somebody else commented here already is to inspect the seams of the items you're planning on purchasing to make sure the construction quality is there. This can be applied at any store but we recommend taking a look at your local thrift store and see what's up, sometimes there's some high quality name brand stuff that ends up in there. Also, for Patagonia specifically, even if you purchase their stuff secondhand you can send them in to their warehouses for repair! Thanks for sharing here, Jesse 🤘🤘
@@Schumanized Lucky i got a pair of Champions shorts a year ago whole damn thing turned into shit and wont stay in its shape, but when i got another pair or champion shorts the quality of it was so much different.
Despite being someone who has a few gore tex jackets from TNF, Nikelab ACG, Costco apparel never ceases to amaze me, especially the Kirkland signature products, the Kirkland Signature Tech pants are 100% water proof exceptionally breathable and stretchable, and only cost like $21. The value there is unmatched. I have a pair of Nikelab ACG cargos that cost me $180 and in a lot of ways perform worse than the Kirkland tech pants…
I'm no longer a Costco shopper, but I think one key factor is that Costco has a reputation for making sure the products in their store are high quality/the best of that item. If a water flosser is sold at Costco, the version there is trusted to be a top model in that category. Same with clothes, there's only a few jackets available, and buyers don't have to sort through ten, twenty different types.
I still don't get how you think people just over purchase and waste items from Costco. You buy food and you eat it until there is almost none left. Then you go to Costco and get more. You buy garbage bags, plastic cling wrap, condiments, shampoo, toothpaste and use them until there is almost none left. Then you go to Costco and get more. You buy appliances and electronics and use them until they no longer function properly and are outside their warranty. Then you go to Costco and get more. Last trip bought 4 steaks, sealed two in Food Saver bags (bought it at Costco). Bought 5 heads of Romaine for the price of 2 in a regular store, gave 1 to a neighbor. Got milk at a good price. got medicine at a good price. Got some chipotle dip. Got out of there. Everything else I could want was in stock at home from Costco or elsewhere. Didn't think the toilet paper or napkins was a deal, so I hit Walmart next door and went home.
my teenage brothers have convinced me we are the only costco members who can manage to consume the insane amount of food they sell in bulk. like i can’t imagine how anyone without two ravenous teenage boys (and 3 average consumers lol) wouldn’t end up with so much waste
We discuss this further in our other Costco video but that's definitely one of the biggest issues we've encountered while researching the company, it's very very easy to create waste when purchasing here
I've never regretted my clothing buys from Costco. Their wool blend Kirkland socks they put out every year are fantastic. As you pointed out the return policy is fantastic so if you mess up and grab the wrong size you can simply take the item back and get zero hassle about returning it.
There are entire Costco Facebook groups where people post what’s new or on sale. Quite useful at times! There’s a thriving local community here somehow.
I'm a Gen-X'er, and for a really long time, I had a "no clothes from Costco" personal policy, as I found their quality to be crap and everything was way oversized. One time, I purchased a raincoat (maybe Columbia brand, not sure) that came with rain pants. I never used the pants, but used the coat only once before deciding to return it. I returned it without the pants by mistake, and they took it back no questions asked for the full price. My "no clothes from Costco" policy has recently been broken when I saw Banana Republic stuff there for 1/3 the cost of retail. I've never bought Kirkland brand clothes and probably never will.
The only Costco product I've ever had was a Kirkland signature tank top that I got secondhand, and honestly, it lasted really well! It was soft and comfortable, and even though it was used when I bought it I still got a ton of wear out of it, so I guess that's a vote in the favour. Also, it was dirt cheap, cause its a cheapy brand at a thrift store, so super good value for money. I dont think I'd ever go out of my way to buy costco stuff, but if I see it secondhand I'll consider it.
I bought some Costco socks 8 pairs for 20 bucks. Made in USA, cotton/polyester blend. Feel higher quality than Uniqlo which is where I normal get my basics.
I have been buying clothes from Costco for the last 12-15 years and surprisinglyI most of their stuff is the most durable and better quality in our wardrobe. My wife as a Lulu Lemon fangirl just stop buying from them in favor of the Costco clothes, as she swears are more durable. I also swear I have some work clothes that are 10+y/o and are still in really good shape. And don't get me started on underwear and socks... the elastics are inmortal!!! I guess, in the end, Costco clothing last longer and that is kinda good for the environment?
i have a difficult time relating to the costco movement. there is no bulk store within reasonable driving distance from my place; for the people who love it, i think it's difficult to see how confined their locations are to suburban affections and sensibilities :) you can buy bulk food from your local farmer esp winter roots/storage crops.. just a lil plug
We 100000% agree here, we go deeper into the reasons we're not super fond of Costco in our other video but this is such a great point, it's not like you can't buy in bulk in other ways ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
83% of Americans live in urban areas. So for most people, buying in bulk from their local farmer is not an option. I’m in Connecticut. There is no such thing as a bulk farmer. Just small farm stands that are a novelty at 3x retail price. Plus with about half of urbanites living in apartments, storing root vegetables is also not practical.
I started shopping at Costco for clothes when I was still in high school, sometimes all they had was generic stuff, but then other times you could get a Puma hoodie for $10. I found some great deals and really enjoyed the “treasure hunt” experience that Costco provides, still do!
Costco clothing for me as a 28yo is me buying clothing that I already knew I wanted but either did not want to spend the time to find or had not spent time figuring out exactly what I want. I stop buy while at Costco to see if what’s there matches with what I had in mind and I know I probably won’t find a better price to quality ratio. If I end up liking said things, I can either just keep stopping by at Costco to see if something similar is there or I finally know enough to go looking at other brands, it really helps at discovery.
I find it so interesting when people talk about Costco because where I’m from, Sam’s Club functions the same way. They also have these discounted brands and marketing strategy but aren’t talked about as much as Costco.
Very good analysis on how the buying experience is totally different. I shop at Costco, but I also shop at REI and don’t hesitate to spent $100-$200 for pants or a jacket that I honestly intend to use on outdoor trips where having gear that I can rely on matters. If I find something I like at Costco not only will I buy it right away, I’ll buy one in every color knowing I can return it if I end up not using it. If I see something I like at REI there’s a good chance I’ll wait until the end of the season to see if I can get it on sale, unless I actually need it now which is rare. The mental calculations I make are completely opposite
I worked for the North Face for 9 years. I can guarantee Costco's Gerry brand is every bit as good as the 10x cost items at The North Face DTC retail shops.
I've been buying clothing at Costco since I was 29yo, I'm 38yo female. It's 3 miles from my house and I hate shopping. I've bought clothes for my husband and as gifts for my niece and nephew for years too. Whenever our clothes wear out, Costco is our first stop. Some of the best vests, jackets and winter coats and socks have come from Costco and the clothes hold up very well. It's saved us hundreds of dollars on items we planned to purchase. We still try to practice mindful shopping.
The Costco clothes I’ve gotten (solely as gifts from my MIL) have been amazing. The fit for a curvy woman is *chefs kiss* and I’m here for it. I don’t like buying ANYTHING new, let alone fast fashion, but since my MIL’s love language is gifts, I’ll accept a comfortable sweater (or 7) that I actually enjoy wearing.
Sometimes the quality is there for Costco clothing. My wife tried some pants from there and they fell apart pretty quickly, as did a pair I bought. So no more pants for us. I think we both have jackets that we've been pleased with. It's hit or miss
We've seen a few comments mentioning that the quality isn't consistent, but one that really stuck out mentioned inspecting the seams of items before purchasing to verify construction quality and that seems like a good bet especially when it comes to hit or miss brands like these
i saw the large print kirkland signature logo on a sweatshirt and immediately bought it. it’s so soft inside and doesn’t pill if u take care of it and air dry. drippiest sweatshirt on the market i stg
I’m a millennial, I purchase most clothing from costco, and I don’t buy clothes often. Bought a Woolrich “carhart-style” jacket from Costco four years ago, literally the best standard winter jacket I have. I also own one Patagonia puffer vest for spring/fall and a Patagonia parka for super cold winter days. Haven’t owned any other jackets since for the last five years. Costco socks, underwear, pants, sweaters all rock. Imo, if someone is buying a new shirt/pants every other week from Costco, they’re probably the kind of person to do the same thing at Walmart, Targét, Marshals, or old navy. Both Walmart and target have grocery options too to draw in weekly shoppers. Hell you can buy clothing from Amazon for even less than costco sometimes, with FREE returns. The friction of pressing a BUY NOW button online vs driving to costco and whipping out your debit card is way lower. And you’re more likely to not return an online purchase due to the friction of physically returning it. Ethics aside on Kirkland brand, I don’t see any glaring issues with Costco’s clothing business model. Imo it’s good in a small way for the point you presented in your video: brands don’t have to burn last seasons merch/styles.
I’m not a regular Costco shopper but I’m a long time one having shopped the original San Diego Price Club store before Costco bought them out. They’ve always sold clothing, not fashionable clothing but high quality stuff. I’ve had cotton t-shirts last more than ten years and they are the only place I buy merino blend socks. My strategy to not spend a lot there is to go by bus and only buy what I can carry. If I have a serious need for something bigger I order online and have it delivered. It’s prevented many an impulse purchase.
I got a red plaid winter coat from Costco in my last year of middle school. It lasted me until I graduated college and i continued getting compliments on it the entire time i wore it. I loved that jacket, it kept me warm and was the perfect fit for me.
I work in the fashion/ costume industry and as a millennial I shop there. AND because my fashion school teacher used to work with the Costco Factories and they actually have the highest quality checklist. That's why my mom's Costco jacket have last 25 years and still looks great and unbroken.
Levi, also a millennial and I buy basics like board shorts, tee shirts, and a hoodies (I live in Honolulu) while wearing my patagonia better weather sweater and mountain hardware bouldering pants. I’m buying these items only when I need them and not browsing for clothes that I don’t need. The clothes that I’ve bought from Costco have lasted longer than my quicksilver, north face, and topo designs. Do I prefer name brand clothes? Sure. Do I ever buy lululemon full price? No, I always go to the sales rack or look online for the best deal and there’s never a guarantee where that might be. Costco is sometimes a good place to start.
I can assure you that patagonia shoppers most certainly do buy clothing and other merchandise from costco and vice versa. Costco members are far more diverse than one would think. it's like assuming patagonia buyers rarely eat mcdonalds haha (they plenty do).
26 year old here, a bunch of my friends love costco, and we rock our Kirkland Sweaters all the time. $22.00 CAD and better quality than brands that cost 5 times as much. Can't complain.
I also taken Kirkland brand merino wool socks to the top of Mt Denali, grand Tetons, Mount Rainer, Mount Shasta, and Cho Oyu. I still have all my toes and didn't get trench foot
I purchased Costco clothes. I didn't go to Costco to buy something like toilet paper and think, "hey I could use some socks." I, literally, looked at my closet and thought, "I need some socks." While I was at Costco I saw they had the socks I needed and bought them. Same thing with the Costco t-shirts I'm wearing. Costco isn't the only place I shop for things. I recognize that sometimes Costco isn't the cheapest. I tend to think about what I need before I need it. Then when I'm surfing online, at the mall or at Costco I'll look for the things I need. When I see something go on sale, I buy it. Additionally, having 20 black t-shirts is fine for wearing day to day or around my home. But if I'm looking for something nice then I'll buy that too. No reason you can't have both. Similar to running a company. I need people to do repetitive, low skill work. I'm not hiring 4,000 people at $300/hour. I'm looking for the lowest price. I'll out source that to a company in India for $35/hour. I need something which is unique and gives me an edge over the competition then I'm talking to that boutique consultancy who will give me a team of 8 researchers for $300/hour. Sometimes you just need the lowest price. Sometimes you need that thing which is unique.
Kirkland Brand merino wool socks are fantastic for the price. They also sell great golf equipment at a huge discount. I think one of the underrated aspects of Costco business model is removing the paradox of choice. They give you 1 or 2 options on a product so you don't waste your time and mental energy trying to research for the absolute best product. You know it going to be of relatively good quality and at a great value
My cousin has on the cutest little Easter dress and sweater I couldn’t believe when my cousin told me she got it from Costco! It was so elegant 😂 I do remember getting trendy stuff from there as a kid too though but it was mostly sportswear
I'm a millenial. Most of my clothes over the last few years, for casual or active wear come from Costco. Most items last me 5+ years with almost weekly wear and wash. It's durable, and more affordable than other retailers. But I havent tried Costco brand clothes.
Growing up I was always ashamed to wear clothes from Costco, when I was 18 I found an Orvis jacket, super proud to wear anything from Costco. Quality at a lower cost
I have 6 white, Kirkland dress shirts. They are exposed to bleach and wine stains regularly. They are several years old, remain clean and presentable, and the collars still hold their shape. Good value for the price.
I live in Hawaii where certain Aloha Shirts are used for professional attire. I used to buy them at Costco because they were $20 each whereas the known Aloha shirt brands would charge anywhere from $80-$100+. I’m really surprised Costco maintained their prices for their Aloha shirts but I’m even more surprised 2nd hand retailers are selling them for $15 to even $20 for used which is not much different than brand new whereas the more expensive brands really depreciate in value from $80-$100 to $25-$30 at used stores. I’ve been cutting back my spending on clothes since we still have a hybrid schedule and I only come in the office twice a week. I also have a lot of clothes and able to wear the more worn out ones at home so i will only buy new clothes unless the price has been slashed significantly!
Patagonia isn't as enviromental focused as you think they just seem so based on their mission statements. Most of the brands you mentions only charge what they can based on their notoriety. Lululemon, patagonia, Eddie Bauer (I used to date his daughter in HS btw), and etc charge more based upon their name. The more "highend" they become and the "higher-class" they are considered the more "knockoffs" are a better buy for the most part
as a member of GenZ I have reached a point in my adult life that loves shopping for clothes at costco! I have an upcoming winter trip in January and dont have a coat so as soon as I saw costco start to sell some I bought one. It was like $20 as well
Boomer here who owns both Patagonia and Costco 'outdoor' clothing. I find these different products and quality for different uses. I have always assumed the 'name brand' products were designed for Costco and were similar in quality to outlet store versions with lighter weight fabrics, simpler & straighter stitching, etc., with the cut being "fuller" (aka: American Sizing). I find the clothing from Costco needs a lot of minor repairs from unraveled stitching, along with having lower quality coils zippers (non-YKK) on some of the products that wear out after a few seasons. These days I have a very difficult time paying full retail for any major outdoor brand of clothing knowing the insane mark-up these brands expect. That said, some of my Patagonia outdoor gear is older than @FutureProof.
I've gotten some of my absolute FAVORITE stretchable adidas pants from Costco, and some of them on a really decent sale I'd go so far as to say I have a few I got for around $10 and the nonsale were around $14. Got the black with white stripes AND a really nice dark grey with black stripes of that same stretchy comfy material. So honestly don't sleep on Costco clothes no matter how good that one comedians joke slapped in that Netflix special lol
I’ve had Costco hiking boots and hoodies and quilted plaid jackets that have lasted years. The work gloves are hard wearing and better priced than most, which is important when I’m chopping firewood and hauling trees around. Function over fashion every time. And yeah, I’m in my 60s, so you got that right too.😂
"Costco is one of those stores that gets you to spend way more than your thinking of spending" My dad: buys a cat tower, a 10lb bag of gummy worms, 2 RC helicopters and a bunch of other random shit
I'm an old millennial and go to Costco at least once a month. My mom made me addicted to Costco when I was a kid in the 90s 😆, we went to Costco as a family. I Def. Just bought 2 sweaters and 2 joggers from Costco I Def probably did need. I was only supposed to go the Costco to buy eggs and mangos 🥭 haha. I spent like 200 when I was supposed to spend like 25 bucks. I have yo limit my Costco trips but I love it.
I think I’m multiple types of shoppers. The clothing I get at Costco is definitely reactionary simply as I have no idea what they’ll have in advance. But it’s also low risk stuff, like casual clothes (lounge pants, hoodie, etc….) that you can’t really get wrong. Whereas the more performance/oriented/technical apparel (Eg hiking) I’ll research a lot to determine a final choice. Of course if Costco just happens to have a brand like Under Armor or Columbia, that’ll catch my eye for sure for as you mentioned, the Costco price can often beat the outlet prices of those brands.
This video helps explain why perhaps I’m now seeing my local hyvee selling clothing and toys when the aldi across the street is well aldi & the cub down the road next to the walmart & across from a costco sells only food or their disposable food-related products.
Yes it’s easy to create waste when buying in bulk but: Costco clothing is good quality (from what I’ve buy: sweatplants, crewnecks, light base layer vest (banana republic brand🎉)! And flannels! Socks are great value too for my boyfriend (works in a restaurant and goes trough his pairs like nothing😅!) For food: you need to be cautious: we fairly eat the same base ingredients but remixed at each grocery so buying in bulk what we eat often has been great for us. Or we split the package for 2 families, example: toilet paper, frozen croissants, bottled water (when we need some), fruits, etc. It’s possible to shop at Costco and be cautious about your wallet, the environnment and not over-consuming😊
Having lived in Ventura I can tell you that Patagoinia gives clothes away to programs all the time. They also have their own discount stores. They have no need to sell to Costco
4:47 you're kinda wrong Future Proof, at least in Australia that is. Costco here is most definitely visited by: i) working adults ii) young family iii) migrants/expats/foreign students
I love Costco! I for the first time got a membership 6months ago. Never looking back. I am 3rd oldest of 8 and hand-me-downs were the regular. I do think that if my parents went to Costco they would have saved a whole lot more. I payed $20 for my jeans that would otherwise be $60. I also bought some khakis for work and a few other type of items. All comparable quality for 3x less than the big box stores.
We buy clothes from Costco when we need them but it’s not like we go there specifically for the clothes. That being said…i just got a pair of Kirkland joggers that are heaps better than my expensive ones. And knowing how Costco does quality for their Kirkland brand really puts me at ease when I need jeans or jackets or whatever.
Anyone I know who buys Costco clothing isn’t trying to be fashionable. They prioritize function and price.
Like engineers and old people 🤠
@@ropro9817 ...or anyone else who has better things to spend their money on than fabric.
I just buy the sweaters socks and under garments... the shirts and pants not so great
@@ropro9817 the outdoors folks are very frugal
@@MayTheSchwartzBeWithYou you sound real engineer-y and old-y right now
As groceries are getting more and more expensive, bulk shopping at costco for shelf stable foods and things I can freeze are becoming more and more tempting. If you go to costco with the knowing what foods to store for a for a long time and how to store them it is absolutely worth it, especially when it means you don't have to go shopping very often.
This is true! If you go in with the mindset of freezer-stocking and/or keeping up with already established cooking habits Costco is a dream, it's just when you go in hungry and get tempted by those samples that they getcha 😈
Be very, very careful about ultra processed "shelf stable" foods. Might be cheap and convenient in the short run but will damage your health in the long run. Look at most people at Costco, obese, on scooters and in general poor health. I would say that 97% of food sold at Costco and every other major foot store in unhealthy and dangerous to your health. Now, if you are into highly processed vegetable seed oils, sugar, carbs, petro chemicals, animal waste in your food. Fine with me. Farm raised fish are feed a diet of poop mixed in with their regular feed, coloring and other weird stuff. Petrochemicals are in food colorings, preservatives and whatnot. Carbohydrates/ sugar in excess are in just about everything. If you consume more than 20g carbs per day, you are probably eating too much.
I'm a zoomer/millenial cusper and I love Costco. I can't justify spending a lot of money on clothes I'm going to just sweat in and the workout wear I can find at costco is actually better than some more prestigious brands I've used in the past. Sometimes you can find nice cashmere sweaters at a steep discount too, just have to know what you're looking for and be patient. Inspect the stiching and the construction but normally it's pretty good for how much it costs. And when I work out in particular, I don't care what I look like.
Glad to hear you're going through the effort of inspecting construction and making sure the quality is there for these items. Sometimes you can find some Kirkland branded items at the thrift even, because they tend to last. Thanks for sharing here, hope to see you for the next one! 🤩
less talked about is the heartbreaking phenomenon of getting hooked on an incredible costco clothing product only for them to stop selling it and you're never able to find anything quite like it for the price again :(((
What a mystery! I can’t imagine how a store that sells quality stuff at low prices could possibly do well!
it's a mystery alright.. overprice merchandise everywhere else.
They are made for Costco and the manufacture will adjust for the price difference in the quality of the material used and in less workmanship. What is sold in Costco won't be sold elsewhere.
@@kauaiboy5o, absolutely not what happens. Costco even has its own lab to test quality even of the toilet paper. Costco has loyalty clients that only grows, their price adjustment comes from quantity, not lower quality. Plus, you can bring anything back to Costco, do you think if they sell low quality product with the return policy they have they would still around? So, Costco buys huge amount of everything, sometimes, actually, often times the factory is producing only for Costco because the quantity they buy for some seasonal items. Manufactories die to be a Costco supplier but their quality needs to pass Costco lab quality control. Costco even has supima cotton t shirts. I have many for over 5 years and they still looking like new, only softer.
You'd be surprised how many of us millennials love going to Costco
I bought 2 Kirkland logo crewneck sweaters 2 years ago and they are by far the thickest and most warm sweaters I own. They’ve washed well and are still going strong
I can honestly say, the Kirkland signature items ive bought in the past (jackets/pants/shirts) have out lasted any thing from any cheap/medium price store
Just shows how much markup is applied to labels
One thing which is more important than I think Levi realizes (at this stage in his life) is the convenience of costco clothes. When you have kids/seniors in your life you need to take care of you don't always have time for the hunting required to buy second-hand or even the time to go to a store specifically to pick up that new sweater you need or whatever. Costco clothes in my experience are consistently solid quality at a good price and you can buy what you need without too much brain power devoted to the purchase when you're swamped. The number one reason to get costco clothes is that it's easy. It is disappointing to hear that they aren't open about their supply lines though!
The buyers at Costco do a great job of sourcing popular well made items at great prices. It's always great shopping there because the price is fair. Compared to marked up prices everywhere else and then waiting for sales or looking for discount codes. You can stop there and not worry about having that feeling that you got ripped off.
I've been wearing a softshell jacket I got from costco for like 8+ years at least. I've been wearing the same wool socks for 8 years but they are starting to wear out (I only wear them in winter). I bought some merrino blend wool socks this year to phase some of the ones that have been wearing out. Costco certainly operates on that impulse buy mentality, but if you rely on them for providing products like cheese, beef, and other products I can't find elsewhere like in a country where I live, Taiwan, then having a membership makes sense. If I can get decent outdoor gear as well, then I'm cool with it. I've definitely been susceptible to Costco's hidden treasure scheme, but by being aware of it, it's easier to use the tool for what it's worth.
Good that you know what their marketing tactics are and how they get you to buy more than you need, you've definitely got a leg up on a whole bunch of other consumers. We're a fan of merino wool especially when it's ethically made, since its so long lasting and sustainable to produce. Happy you've found a system that works for you, thanks for sharing here! Hope to see ya in the next one 🤙
I do just that ...randomly purchase clothes at Costco when I am shopping for other things. Surprisingly I have yet to be disappointed in my impulse purchases. I seem to wear them more often than my actual sustainable - conscience brands clothing. I find it weird, but I keep going back.
I find their offerings focus on basics and multi-use quality sportswear. Sure those things can be found elsewhere for varying cost/quality but not at the sensible price and solid quality Costco offers.
I would bet money that's the way most of us end up with Costco clothing in our carts honestly
Same dude!
I used to buy my basics at Uniqlo but now their stuff has gotten expensive, so Costco and thrift stores are where I hunt for good deals for the past couple years!
It’s funny that TH-cam recommended this video to me because I just started going to CostCo and I love it lol.
I bought a 50$ puffer jacket made with real down (RDS certifed 650 power fill down) and it performs as well as my 250$ Mountain Hardwear puffer. The Coscto one is about 100g heavier thought
I buy quite regularly at Costco. Insanely good deals on clothing, and the quality is top notch.
Their Kirkland men's boxer briefs are trash, though. Never guys those again.
I must admit I have succumbed to impulse purchase clothing at Costco, however for 12 years now I have never found a longer lasting, better fitting pair of Jeans than Kirkland Signature's 12.99 base model. I have bought Carhartt jeans which wore out first, diesel jeans which did not fit as well and needed tailoring, whatever I could find. My daily outfit is Costco jeans and a collared shirt I also bought from Costco. None have worn out prematurely, although many were impulse buys. I'm a millennial, and I either know exactly what I want (I recently began using Injinji toe socks and have transitioned all my socks to Ijinji) or know that generally a basic version will be enough for me (before that I was Kirkland Signature crew socks for 10 years).
While I try to buy from nicer brands like Patagonia when possible, Costco's cold weather clothing is ridiculously comfortable and inexpensive. I love my fleece sweater and thermal underwear I got from there for like $15 each. Their return policy is one of the biggest reasons I buy clothes from there, I can wear them for MONTHS before returning them if I dislike them at all.
Hmm, wonder what their policy is with returns behind the scenes since so many big companies accept returns only to chuck 'em after... Might have to be it's own episode!
@@FutureProofTV Goes in the dumpster. I had a friend that dumpster dived Costco dumpsters for returned goods or stuff that doesn't sell until Costco started locking the dumpsters. He got TVs, tables, etc. from the dumpster.
I own 8 wrangler long sleeve shirts because it was 5 bucks for a 2 pack. They really get ya.
They do be getting ya!
Bought cargo pants from Costco for hard working use in 2018. Still use them almost daily today.
Some of my best clothes are from Costco. Outlived a lot of other brand name trash.
Once you unclog your brain from the mentality of “buy more” when at Costco (which is hard) you can see some real savings. Just your basics and everyday needs stack up. A box of garbage bags that’ll last you 2 years and costs you $15, compared to buying a box every 3-4 months that costs you $12, you wind up saving around $40 a year in garbage bags alone. Which isn’t insane, but the point isn’t that you’re saving millions, it’s that you are saving anything.
Kirkland stuff has NEVER failed me in any capacity, I've only been buying their stuff since around 2015 and I still own and wear regularly every clothing item I've ever gotten from them, that's how good I think they are.
Never clicked on a video faster. I’m a millennial who loves Costco so much that every single friend of mine sent me that sheng wang bit as soon as it came out.
I am squarely in the Costco demographic and I have bought Costco clothing. So here is my take.
They are a phenomenal value for staples like underwear, performance T shirts, base layers, and socks.
For example, their 32 cool performance underwear and T shirts are comparable to higher end brands like Under Armor and Duluth buck naked underwear. Compared to those name brands, the 32 cool performance underwear fabric feels just a little lighter than the Duluth, but almost identical to under armor. But over the last 4 or 5 years, it has held up comparably to the name brands at about 1/5 to 1/10 the cost.
The 32 cool performance T shirts are such a good deal at around $4 to $5 a shirt, that I tossed my old cotton T shirts and logo T shirts I used to wear in the summer in favor of these. they don't work as well for working out on extremely hot days as Under Armor, but they are phenomenal as base layers in both winter and summer, and they hold up for years and many washings.
The other thing that is phenomenal is the Kirkland wool performance socks. 4 pair for $12, and they are as good or better than boutique brand wool socks that sell for $30 a pair.
I have also done well with fleece type sweaters, sweatshirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts and joggers
I have not liked their dress shirts or jeans so much, though I did buy a nice flannel shirt recently that has been my go to this winter on cold days. .
32⁰ isn't a costco brand. They're an actual base layer company, they just don't brand themselves as a sports gear (under armor) or work gear (Duluth)
@@alphaspursncowboys fair enough, but they seem to constantly be on sale at Costco, and seemingly no place else.
Wow, I have to check out those wool socks! I recently purchased a pair (one pair!) of Smartwool socks for $24.00 at REI.
The 32⁰ lightweight mesh undershirts are absolutely my jam for when I have to dress presentably.
Just tell me they actually sell 100% wool socks and I'll go tomorrow. Cold and sweaty feet are the worst.
I bought a cashmere sweater from a consignment store once and took it home and noticed the label said Kirkland Signature. It’s pretty nice! Feels like it’s going to hold up!
Every other trip there is something in the clothing aisle that snags me. The selection is limited, but it's hard to beat the quality to price ratio. The best things to buy at Costco are items that have the highest markups at other stores.
That's true that their prices are unbeatable! Sometimes its worth balancing in your head what the intention is behind a clothing purchase though, whether or not you're buying it because you need it or just because it's inexpensive. $5 for a tshirt you didn't need is still $5 wasted in our book. But we're glad to see this conversation opening up on the subject here!!
I shop mostly second hand now, but I 100% still love and wear the shall/sweater I got at costco ~15 years ago, other than some light pilling it is in exellent shape.
While watching this, I'm wearing an Eddie Bauer hoodie I bought at Costco for $20! (I'm also an older millennial.)
Overall, I think you raise some interesting points. Personally, I want to buy products that are high-quality but also get a great deal in doing so. I recently bought five shirts directly from Patagonia (partly because of its praise on this channel), but mainly because they were on sale - and I needed some new t-shirts.
hahaha is it the full zip one with the chest pocket?! i bought that too $18 before tax here in Canada, need it something to slip on when i go off to the gym, I notice the name brand clothes are mostly the cheaper quality then what you would normally find.
Hot tip that somebody else commented here already is to inspect the seams of the items you're planning on purchasing to make sure the construction quality is there. This can be applied at any store but we recommend taking a look at your local thrift store and see what's up, sometimes there's some high quality name brand stuff that ends up in there. Also, for Patagonia specifically, even if you purchase their stuff secondhand you can send them in to their warehouses for repair! Thanks for sharing here, Jesse 🤘🤘
Got a pair of Eddie Bauer shorts for $20 almost a year ago and they still rock🔥🔥
@@Schumanized Lucky i got a pair of Champions shorts a year ago whole damn thing turned into shit and wont stay in its shape, but when i got another pair or champion shorts the quality of it was so much different.
Despite being someone who has a few gore tex jackets from TNF, Nikelab ACG, Costco apparel never ceases to amaze me, especially the Kirkland signature products, the Kirkland Signature Tech pants are 100% water proof exceptionally breathable and stretchable, and only cost like $21. The value there is unmatched. I have a pair of Nikelab ACG cargos that cost me $180 and in a lot of ways perform worse than the Kirkland tech pants…
I'm no longer a Costco shopper, but I think one key factor is that Costco has a reputation for making sure the products in their store are high quality/the best of that item. If a water flosser is sold at Costco, the version there is trusted to be a top model in that category. Same with clothes, there's only a few jackets available, and buyers don't have to sort through ten, twenty different types.
I still don't get how you think people just over purchase and waste items from Costco. You buy food and you eat it until there is almost none left. Then you go to Costco and get more. You buy garbage bags, plastic cling wrap, condiments, shampoo, toothpaste and use them until there is almost none left. Then you go to Costco and get more. You buy appliances and electronics and use them until they no longer function properly and are outside their warranty. Then you go to Costco and get more. Last trip bought 4 steaks, sealed two in Food Saver bags (bought it at Costco). Bought 5 heads of Romaine for the price of 2 in a regular store, gave 1 to a neighbor. Got milk at a good price. got medicine at a good price. Got some chipotle dip. Got out of there. Everything else I could want was in stock at home from Costco or elsewhere. Didn't think the toilet paper or napkins was a deal, so I hit Walmart next door and went home.
my teenage brothers have convinced me we are the only costco members who can manage to consume the insane amount of food they sell in bulk. like i can’t imagine how anyone without two ravenous teenage boys (and 3 average consumers lol) wouldn’t end up with so much waste
We discuss this further in our other Costco video but that's definitely one of the biggest issues we've encountered while researching the company, it's very very easy to create waste when purchasing here
Meal prep.
This isn’t an issue if your buy non-perishables and frozen products. You can also shop with a friend and split up the groceries and the cost.
My household of two uses up our Costco food every time! Their produce is so high quality it will last several weeks.
Very true.Costco’s food quality is quite a bit higher than many smaller grocery ( only) stores.This seems like a strange reality,but it is true.
“High Fashion” with Zoolander in the background is pure gold.
I've never regretted my clothing buys from Costco. Their wool blend Kirkland socks they put out every year are fantastic. As you pointed out the return policy is fantastic so if you mess up and grab the wrong size you can simply take the item back and get zero hassle about returning it.
There are entire Costco Facebook groups where people post what’s new or on sale. Quite useful at times! There’s a thriving local community here somehow.
I'm a Gen-X'er, and for a really long time, I had a "no clothes from Costco" personal policy, as I found their quality to be crap and everything was way oversized. One time, I purchased a raincoat (maybe Columbia brand, not sure) that came with rain pants. I never used the pants, but used the coat only once before deciding to return it. I returned it without the pants by mistake, and they took it back no questions asked for the full price. My "no clothes from Costco" policy has recently been broken when I saw Banana Republic stuff there for 1/3 the cost of retail. I've never bought Kirkland brand clothes and probably never will.
The only Costco product I've ever had was a Kirkland signature tank top that I got secondhand, and honestly, it lasted really well! It was soft and comfortable, and even though it was used when I bought it I still got a ton of wear out of it, so I guess that's a vote in the favour. Also, it was dirt cheap, cause its a cheapy brand at a thrift store, so super good value for money. I dont think I'd ever go out of my way to buy costco stuff, but if I see it secondhand I'll consider it.
I bought some Costco socks 8 pairs for 20 bucks. Made in USA, cotton/polyester blend. Feel higher quality than Uniqlo which is where I normal get my basics.
I have been buying clothes from Costco for the last 12-15 years and surprisinglyI most of their stuff is the most durable and better quality in our wardrobe. My wife as a Lulu Lemon fangirl just stop buying from them in favor of the Costco clothes, as she swears are more durable. I also swear I have some work clothes that are 10+y/o and are still in really good shape. And don't get me started on underwear and socks... the elastics are inmortal!!! I guess, in the end, Costco clothing last longer and that is kinda good for the environment?
i have a difficult time relating to the costco movement. there is no bulk store within reasonable driving distance from my place; for the people who love it, i think it's difficult to see how confined their locations are to suburban affections and sensibilities :) you can buy bulk food from your local farmer esp winter roots/storage crops.. just a lil plug
We 100000% agree here, we go deeper into the reasons we're not super fond of Costco in our other video but this is such a great point, it's not like you can't buy in bulk in other ways ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
My sister goes into town once a month to buy bulk from Costco. They don't know anyone local that sells toilet paper, etc in bulk
83% of Americans live in urban areas. So for most people, buying in bulk from their local farmer is not an option. I’m in Connecticut. There is no such thing as a bulk farmer. Just small farm stands that are a novelty at 3x retail price. Plus with about half of urbanites living in apartments, storing root vegetables is also not practical.
I started shopping at Costco for clothes when I was still in high school, sometimes all they had was generic stuff, but then other times you could get a Puma hoodie for $10. I found some great deals and really enjoyed the “treasure hunt” experience that Costco provides, still do!
Costco clothing for me as a 28yo is me buying clothing that I already knew I wanted but either did not want to spend the time to find or had not spent time figuring out exactly what I want. I stop buy while at Costco to see if what’s there matches with what I had in mind and I know I probably won’t find a better price to quality ratio. If I end up liking said things, I can either just keep stopping by at Costco to see if something similar is there or I finally know enough to go looking at other brands, it really helps at discovery.
I find it so interesting when people talk about Costco because where I’m from, Sam’s Club functions the same way. They also have these discounted brands and marketing strategy but aren’t talked about as much as Costco.
Very good analysis on how the buying experience is totally different. I shop at Costco, but I also shop at REI and don’t hesitate to spent $100-$200 for pants or a jacket that I honestly intend to use on outdoor trips where having gear that I can rely on matters.
If I find something I like at Costco not only will I buy it right away, I’ll buy one in every color knowing I can return it if I end up not using it. If I see something I like at REI there’s a good chance I’ll wait until the end of the season to see if I can get it on sale, unless I actually need it now which is rare. The mental calculations I make are completely opposite
I worked for the North Face for 9 years. I can guarantee Costco's Gerry brand is every bit as good as the 10x cost items at The North Face DTC retail shops.
So many great points made! Keep the great content coming!
Thanks for the support ☺️☺️
I've been buying clothing at Costco since I was 29yo, I'm 38yo female. It's 3 miles from my house and I hate shopping. I've bought clothes for my husband and as gifts for my niece and nephew for years too. Whenever our clothes wear out, Costco is our first stop. Some of the best vests, jackets and winter coats and socks have come from Costco and the clothes hold up very well. It's saved us hundreds of dollars on items we planned to purchase. We still try to practice mindful shopping.
The Costco clothes I’ve gotten (solely as gifts from my MIL) have been amazing. The fit for a curvy woman is *chefs kiss* and I’m here for it. I don’t like buying ANYTHING new, let alone fast fashion, but since my MIL’s love language is gifts, I’ll accept a comfortable sweater (or 7) that I actually enjoy wearing.
Costco Clothing sure is iconic somehow. Keep up the good work, Future Proof. God bless you.
Love having you here, thanks for being a part of the team!!
This spot on. Over the years my whole wardrobe wetn from Louie V to Kirkland Sig babyyy
Sometimes the quality is there for Costco clothing. My wife tried some pants from there and they fell apart pretty quickly, as did a pair I bought. So no more pants for us. I think we both have jackets that we've been pleased with. It's hit or miss
We've seen a few comments mentioning that the quality isn't consistent, but one that really stuck out mentioned inspecting the seams of items before purchasing to verify construction quality and that seems like a good bet especially when it comes to hit or miss brands like these
i saw the large print kirkland signature logo on a sweatshirt and immediately bought it. it’s so soft inside and doesn’t pill if u take care of it and air dry. drippiest sweatshirt on the market i stg
Levi I have to ask, where did you get that shirt from? Its such a cool color and I've genuinely been wondering this for many videos now.
I’m a millennial, I purchase most clothing from costco, and I don’t buy clothes often. Bought a Woolrich “carhart-style” jacket from Costco four years ago, literally the best standard winter jacket I have. I also own one Patagonia puffer vest for spring/fall and a Patagonia parka for super cold winter days. Haven’t owned any other jackets since for the last five years. Costco socks, underwear, pants, sweaters all rock. Imo, if someone is buying a new shirt/pants every other week from Costco, they’re probably the kind of person to do the same thing at Walmart, Targét, Marshals, or old navy. Both Walmart and target have grocery options too to draw in weekly shoppers.
Hell you can buy clothing from Amazon for even less than costco sometimes, with FREE returns. The friction of pressing a BUY NOW button online vs driving to costco and whipping out your debit card is way lower. And you’re more likely to not return an online purchase due to the friction of physically returning it.
Ethics aside on Kirkland brand, I don’t see any glaring issues with Costco’s clothing business model. Imo it’s good in a small way for the point you presented in your video: brands don’t have to burn last seasons merch/styles.
I’m not a regular Costco shopper but I’m a long time one having shopped the original San Diego Price Club store before Costco bought them out. They’ve always sold clothing, not fashionable clothing but high quality stuff. I’ve had cotton t-shirts last more than ten years and they are the only place I buy merino blend socks. My strategy to not spend a lot there is to go by bus and only buy what I can carry. If I have a serious need for something bigger I order online and have it delivered. It’s prevented many an impulse purchase.
I got a red plaid winter coat from Costco in my last year of middle school. It lasted me until I graduated college and i continued getting compliments on it the entire time i wore it. I loved that jacket, it kept me warm and was the perfect fit for me.
I work in the fashion/ costume industry and as a millennial I shop there. AND because my fashion school teacher used to work with the Costco Factories and they actually have the highest quality checklist. That's why my mom's Costco jacket have last 25 years and still looks great and unbroken.
I rank the jogger and sweatpants I got from Costco my best purchase of 2022. Noted that I used to buy pretty high expensive outdoor and sports clothes
you're PUTTING MY FEELINGS INTO words of WHY I LOVE COSTCO..
😀😀 😲😲
Levi, also a millennial and I buy basics like board shorts, tee shirts, and a hoodies (I live in Honolulu) while wearing my patagonia better weather sweater and mountain hardware bouldering pants. I’m buying these items only when I need them and not browsing for clothes that I don’t need. The clothes that I’ve bought from Costco have lasted longer than my quicksilver, north face, and topo designs. Do I prefer name brand clothes? Sure. Do I ever buy lululemon full price? No, I always go to the sales rack or look online for the best deal and there’s never a guarantee where that might be. Costco is sometimes a good place to start.
I can assure you that patagonia shoppers most certainly do buy clothing and other merchandise from costco and vice versa. Costco members are far more diverse than one would think. it's like assuming patagonia buyers rarely eat mcdonalds haha (they plenty do).
26 year old here, a bunch of my friends love costco, and we rock our Kirkland Sweaters all the time. $22.00 CAD and better quality than brands that cost 5 times as much. Can't complain.
I love Costco so much, I bought their stock back in Dec 2014. Best decision Ive ever made. Thank you to all you shoppers!
I also taken Kirkland brand merino wool socks to the top of Mt Denali, grand Tetons, Mount Rainer, Mount Shasta, and Cho Oyu. I still have all my toes and didn't get trench foot
Costco is wonderful. Cheap and decent quality. Better yet, it’s the same brands year after year. So I can just grab what I know will fit and be good.
I purchased Costco clothes. I didn't go to Costco to buy something like toilet paper and think, "hey I could use some socks." I, literally, looked at my closet and thought, "I need some socks." While I was at Costco I saw they had the socks I needed and bought them. Same thing with the Costco t-shirts I'm wearing.
Costco isn't the only place I shop for things. I recognize that sometimes Costco isn't the cheapest. I tend to think about what I need before I need it. Then when I'm surfing online, at the mall or at Costco I'll look for the things I need. When I see something go on sale, I buy it.
Additionally, having 20 black t-shirts is fine for wearing day to day or around my home. But if I'm looking for something nice then I'll buy that too. No reason you can't have both.
Similar to running a company. I need people to do repetitive, low skill work. I'm not hiring 4,000 people at $300/hour. I'm looking for the lowest price. I'll out source that to a company in India for $35/hour. I need something which is unique and gives me an edge over the competition then I'm talking to that boutique consultancy who will give me a team of 8 researchers for $300/hour. Sometimes you just need the lowest price. Sometimes you need that thing which is unique.
Kirkland Brand merino wool socks are fantastic for the price. They also sell great golf equipment at a huge discount.
I think one of the underrated aspects of Costco business model is removing the paradox of choice. They give you 1 or 2 options on a product so you don't waste your time and mental energy trying to research for the absolute best product. You know it going to be of relatively good quality and at a great value
My cousin has on the cutest little Easter dress and sweater I couldn’t believe when my cousin told me she got it from Costco! It was so elegant 😂
I do remember getting trendy stuff from there as a kid too though but it was mostly sportswear
Great video as always but bonus for the Paddington 2 clip
I'm a millenial. Most of my clothes over the last few years, for casual or active wear come from Costco. Most items last me 5+ years with almost weekly wear and wash. It's durable, and more affordable than other retailers. But I havent tried Costco brand clothes.
Growing up I was always ashamed to wear clothes from Costco, when I was 18 I found an Orvis jacket, super proud to wear anything from Costco. Quality at a lower cost
I just went to Costco today and got 3 cool Champion hoodies for like $14 each. All my friends that I showed on video call already want it!😂
More quality stuff from Futureproof (like Costco clothing apparently)
💪💪
The merino shirts at Costco are my go to for outdoor layers. They’ve done me well so far and have lasted and I haven’t been easy them.
Costco's pima cotton clothing feels so high quality. Probably have about 5 or 6 pima tee's from them that I wear almost daily in summer
I have 6 white, Kirkland dress shirts. They are exposed to bleach and wine stains regularly. They are several years old, remain clean and presentable, and the collars still hold their shape. Good value for the price.
Picked up two 32 Degrees pull over fleeces for $12 a pop before a NYC trip... Great product at an outrageous price!
I've been getting my casual work shirts at Costco for years. Yes, i'm a Polo and Nautica fan but the Kirklands do the job very well👌🏾
I live in Hawaii where certain Aloha Shirts are used for professional attire. I used to buy them at Costco because they were $20 each whereas the known Aloha shirt brands would charge anywhere from $80-$100+. I’m really surprised Costco maintained their prices for their Aloha shirts but I’m even more surprised 2nd hand retailers are selling them for $15 to even $20 for used which is not much different than brand new whereas the more expensive brands really depreciate in value from $80-$100 to $25-$30 at used stores. I’ve been cutting back my spending on clothes since we still have a hybrid schedule and I only come in the office twice a week. I also have a lot of clothes and able to wear the more worn out ones at home so i will only buy new clothes unless the price has been slashed significantly!
Patagonia isn't as enviromental focused as you think they just seem so based on their mission statements. Most of the brands you mentions only charge what they can based on their notoriety. Lululemon, patagonia, Eddie Bauer (I used to date his daughter in HS btw), and etc charge more based upon their name. The more "highend" they become and the "higher-class" they are considered the more "knockoffs" are a better buy for the most part
Patagonia as a company is a FofS virtue farming juggernaut.........but they make really solid gear
as a member of GenZ I have reached a point in my adult life that loves shopping for clothes at costco! I have an upcoming winter trip in January and dont have a coat so as soon as I saw costco start to sell some I bought one. It was like $20 as well
Boomer here who owns both Patagonia and Costco 'outdoor' clothing. I find these different products and quality for different uses. I have always assumed the 'name brand' products were designed for Costco and were similar in quality to outlet store versions with lighter weight fabrics, simpler & straighter stitching, etc., with the cut being "fuller" (aka: American Sizing). I find the clothing from Costco needs a lot of minor repairs from unraveled stitching, along with having lower quality coils zippers (non-YKK) on some of the products that wear out after a few seasons. These days I have a very difficult time paying full retail for any major outdoor brand of clothing knowing the insane mark-up these brands expect. That said, some of my Patagonia outdoor gear is older than @FutureProof.
I read somewhere that Costco makes their money on their memberships. Very little work for those so they can charge a cheaper price.
Got a pair of convertible cargo pants for outdoors adventures from them. Nice canvas, YKK zippers, I've got no complaints
I've gotten some of my absolute FAVORITE stretchable adidas pants from Costco, and some of them on a really decent sale I'd go so far as to say I have a few I got for around $10 and the nonsale were around $14. Got the black with white stripes AND a really nice dark grey with black stripes of that same stretchy comfy material. So honestly don't sleep on Costco clothes no matter how good that one comedians joke slapped in that Netflix special lol
Kirkland brand t-shirts are actually elite in terms of comfort, price, fit, and durability they've lasted me several years
I uh… I got those Eddie Bauer joggers at Costco. They actually cost less than $30 though.
I love the " songebob subtle y included. 😌😌😁😁
I’ve had Costco hiking boots and hoodies and quilted plaid jackets that have lasted years. The work gloves are hard wearing and better priced than most, which is important when I’m chopping firewood and hauling trees around. Function over fashion every time. And yeah, I’m in my 60s, so you got that right too.😂
"Costco is one of those stores that gets you to spend way more than your thinking of spending"
My dad: buys a cat tower, a 10lb bag of gummy worms, 2 RC helicopters and a bunch of other random shit
I’m actually watching this video while getting ready to go to Costco 😂
I'm an old millennial and go to Costco at least once a month. My mom made me addicted to Costco when I was a kid in the 90s 😆, we went to Costco as a family. I Def. Just bought 2 sweaters and 2 joggers from Costco I Def probably did need. I was only supposed to go the Costco to buy eggs and mangos 🥭 haha. I spent like 200 when I was supposed to spend like 25 bucks. I have yo limit my Costco trips but I love it.
I've never been to a Costco and didn't know that people went there for their house brands. Interesting.
costco has the best organic olive oil
I think I’m multiple types of shoppers.
The clothing I get at Costco is definitely reactionary simply as I have no idea what they’ll have in advance. But it’s also low risk stuff, like casual clothes (lounge pants, hoodie, etc….) that you can’t really get wrong.
Whereas the more performance/oriented/technical apparel (Eg hiking) I’ll research a lot to determine a final choice.
Of course if Costco just happens to have a brand like Under Armor or Columbia, that’ll catch my eye for sure for as you mentioned, the Costco price can often beat the outlet prices of those brands.
This video helps explain why perhaps I’m now seeing my local hyvee selling clothing and toys when the aldi across the street is well aldi & the cub down the road next to the walmart & across from a costco sells only food or their disposable food-related products.
Yes it’s easy to create waste when buying in bulk but: Costco clothing is good quality (from what I’ve buy: sweatplants, crewnecks, light base layer vest (banana republic brand🎉)! And flannels! Socks are great value too for my boyfriend (works in a restaurant and goes trough his pairs like nothing😅!) For food: you need to be cautious: we fairly eat the same base ingredients but remixed at each grocery so buying in bulk what we eat often has been great for us. Or we split the package for 2 families, example: toilet paper, frozen croissants, bottled water (when we need some), fruits, etc. It’s possible to shop at Costco and be cautious about your wallet, the environnment and not over-consuming😊
I got a Kirkland Signature softshell 7 years ago and is going strong. I hace even used it for mountaineering several times
Having lived in Ventura I can tell you that Patagoinia gives clothes away to programs all the time. They also have their own discount stores. They have no need to sell to Costco
4:47 you're kinda wrong Future Proof, at least in Australia that is. Costco here is most definitely visited by:
i) working adults
ii) young family
iii) migrants/expats/foreign students
I love Costco! I for the first time got a membership 6months ago. Never looking back. I am 3rd oldest of 8 and hand-me-downs were the regular. I do think that if my parents went to Costco they would have saved a whole lot more. I payed $20 for my jeans that would otherwise be $60. I also bought some khakis for work and a few other type of items. All comparable quality for 3x less than the big box stores.
We buy clothes from Costco when we need them but it’s not like we go there specifically for the clothes. That being said…i just got a pair of Kirkland joggers that are heaps better than my expensive ones. And knowing how Costco does quality for their Kirkland brand really puts me at ease when I need jeans or jackets or whatever.