Costco Preparing to Begin Selling iPhone and iPad as iTunes Store Gift Cards Return [Updated]

[1Zach1]

Coke did. I haven't seen an all-Pepsi Costco since late 2009.

The food stand is all Pepsi at my local Costco. They still sell Coke products in the store, but the change over to Pepsi at the food station is only a few years old if I am remember correctly. Was all Coke before that.

 

[nutmac]

If you don't make back the $55, they will refund you the difference.

True, but they stopped mailing the check (gift card), at least for me. I had to stop by the store and wait in membership services line to ask and get the check. Had I forgotten about it, I would not have gotten the differences back.

 

[lewisd25]

Costco will also be selling Apple TVs with $15 iTunes card included.

 

[jknight8907]

Coke did. I haven't seen an all-Pepsi Costco since late 2009.

Yeah, I thought you meant in the food court. We definitely have Coke for sale in the store.

 

[jknight8907]

Whilst that is quite dodgy, he has been paying his fee each year, and on top of that, the money he paid 4 years ago has been invested and reinvested. Costco aren't losing out on this, they have their ways.

Obviously they were losing out, as they changed their policy.

 

[SPUY767]

If I recall correctly, the breakup was reported to be about Costco selling Apple products with a discount, or a least a bigger discount than Apple wanted in major retail. Even then, the discount would be like $20 on a $200 iPod.

Costco won't mark up an item for sale above 18% over cost. Apple wanted Costco to charge more than that to keep up the brand image.

 

[Venada143]

The thing is, executive membership costs $110, $55 more than standard "gold star" membership. So you need to spend $2750 per year (excludes gas, food, alcohol in some states, travel, and several others) to recoup the difference. Spending $2750 is easily doable in some households, especially if you are planning on buying big ticket items likes TV. But I typically don't spend nearly enough to justify getting executive membership.

As a Costco employee - I can say that food most certainly counts towards your 2% executive reward

 

[nutmac]

As a Costco employee - I can say that food most certainly counts towards your 2% executive reward

Sorry I meant food purchased at the food court.

 

[gcksexton6]

Thanks Deelron. I will definitely be checking out the iPhone 6 at Costco. 3 months is definitely better than Apple's 2 week (I think) return policy!

Even though Costco will honor 90 days on return of the phone, they still have to abide by the 14 day day trial period put in place by the carriers, if you don't return your phone within 14 days there is no way I th computer systems to reverse your contract upgrade. Therefore even even though there is a 90 day return policy on electronics, it is I still 14 days on reversals.... however they will still still replace any equipment within 90 days no question. so asked, so yes. .. still a HUGE advantage.

 

[alent1234]

I'm thinking Apple needs the additional retail outlets more than Costco needs to carry Apple products. I guess we'll all see how it plays out.

In the meantime, I'll be buying my next iPad at Costco so long as they carry it in the configuration I want.

costco isn't offering any awesome discounts on android phones so no reason to go there. same when iphone comes out. easier to order it online or buy it from anyone of the retail stores that will offer a larger discount and be closer to home

 

[LessO2]

Here in San Diego, I saw $100 of iTunes GCs (4 X $25) for $84.99 at the Mission Valley Costco yesterday.

 

[Konrad9]

The food stand is all Pepsi at my local Costco. They still sell Coke products in the store, but the change over to Pepsi at the food station is only a few years old if I am remember correctly. Was all Coke before that.

Ah, my misunderstanding. A little irritating in the ones that don't keep the coke vending machine close to the food court.

 

[BruiserB]

$100 in cards was $94.99 at my Costco yesterday....was expecting a lower price.

 

[flynz4]

I seem to recall the divorce was over selling iPADs when they first came out (which Costco wasn't offered even though gong-shows like walmart and target were allowed to sell them).

I wonder how long this agreement will last, and if it is in other countries too. As others already mentioned, Costco likes to "have its way" with vendors and methinks Apple just won't ever be in the mood to bend over.

-Iamthinking

That is my understanding as well. Costco is the one that pulled the plug on Apple.

Costco sells to a different demographic than Walmart... and that demographic is closer to the one that will generally shop at an Apple Store. So Apple offered the iPad to Walmart (to increase its reach into a new market)... but refused to offer it to Costco. Evidently, Apple felt that the Costco crowd would buy from Apple stores... where they make higher margin.

So, Costco pulled all Apple products from their stores.

My knowledge is 2nd hand.

/Jim

 

[HarryWarden]

$100 in cards was $94.99 at my Costco yesterday....was expecting a lower price.

Same price at mine and yeah, I was hoping/expecting a lower price. That's not enough of a discount to really make it worth it as my app purchasing has slowed and I never rent/buy movies or music from iTunes.

 

[weespeed]

That is my understanding as well. Costco is the one that pulled the plug on Apple.

Costco sells to a different demographic than Walmart... and that demographic is closer to the one that will generally shop at an Apple Store. So Apple offered the iPad to Walmart (to increase its reach into a new market)... but refused to offer it to Costco. Evidently, Apple felt that the Costco crowd would buy from Apple stores... where they make higher margin.

So, Costco pulled all Apple products from their stores.

My knowledge is 2nd hand.

/Jim

Yes and when they pulled the plug on Apple, they discounted everything. Gift cards, iPods, etc cheap.

Costco does not cave into vendors, its the other way around. They don't pull the same tactics that walmart does, but if they cannot get the best price for an item for their members they will not sell it.
Heck Costco is the number one wine seller in the world.
With hat kind of buying power, Apple would be foolish to keep their products out of Costco. I would say Apple caved.

 

[flynz4]

Yes and when they pulled the plug on Apple, they discounted everything. Gift cards, iPods, etc cheap.

Costco does not cave into vendors, its the other way around. They don't pull the same tactics that walmart does, but if they cannot get the best price for an item for their members they will not sell it.
Heck Costco is the number one wine seller in the world.
With hat kind of buying power, Apple would be foolish to keep their products out of Costco. I would say Apple caved.

Costco is quite a success story. Walmart and others sell crap cheap. By contrast, Costco sell mostly high quality stuff, at really good prices.

Minor gripe (and I understand why): You need a fire department with "jaws of life" to open Costco packaging.

/Jim

 

[xsubmariner]

Surprise! I've heard we're getting laptops! I believe it when I see it, but it's in the works.

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Here in San Diego, I saw $100 of iTunes GCs (4 X $25) for $84.99 at the Mission Valley Costco yesterday.

They were on "instant off $10" for awhile at the beginning.

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Apple tv should be a good seller too. That with a $15 iTunes gift card for under $100...