As a matter of fact, I nearly bought an $800 treadmill on impulse D:

This post was mentioned on Twitter by GreenestDollar: How Costco Primes Us To Spend More Money
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I shop at Costco about twice a month. It is a rare occasion that I forget about the food samples en route to the store. Free food and “trying it before you buy it” have triggered purchases I might not have anticipated making. While the quality has never failed me, I am sometimes leery about unfamiliar brands. Costco addresses this with their samples and (sometimes) knowledgeable sample givers.

Friendly, unobtrusive, and accessible staff make my shopping experience painless. For a store that sells such a wide variety of products, I’m always impressed by my ability to find an associate nearby who can answer my question. While restocking items, their palettes are never blocking the flow of customer traffic and the manner in which they carry on, alone and with one another, suggests a sense of pride and enjoyment. I feel like Costco cares about my experience and has taken noticeable measures to ensure my return. Long cash register lines are sometimes irritating, however considering the bulkiness of many products, the lines move relatively quick.

Once I’ve spent my 1-2 hours in the $200 store, as we affectionately refer to it in my house, we wait in line to have our cart and receipt looked over. Ever notice the wall of additional services provided to members on your right-hand side? Travel, auto purchase, tires, flooring, window treatments. I’m probably missing a couple. If Costco has done right by you while shopping in the store, you’re sure to infer that the quality and value stretches beyond the confines of the big box store. I, myself, have perused a brochure or two!

Great post, Heather!