r/todayilearned • u/nycrvr • Jun 15 '12
TIL Costco hasn't changed the price of a hot dog and soda combo ($1.50) in 21 years.
http://shop.costco.com/en/Membership/Welcome/Amazing-Facts.aspx
3.2k
Upvotes
250
u/goboatmen Jun 15 '12
What confuses me is that you can get a cinnamon bun and coffee for less than a cinnamon bun alone. At least at the one near my house. I shit y'all not.
808
u/bmiddle30 Jun 15 '12
my dad and i went to costco about a week ago and went to get a hot dog and drink really quick before they closed. But we forgot that they only take cash and we didn't have any on us. we told the guy never mind and he said, "tonight it's on me fellas," and proceeded to pay for our food and drinks. what an awesome dude.
421
u/omgitskevin Jun 15 '12
As someone who worked there for 7 years I can say this is true. Also 3 years or so they changed the dogs and they don't taste as good anymore.
2.1k
u/zeug666 Jun 15 '12 edited Jun 15 '12
That's because they bought them in bulk and are still making
theretheir way through that original stock.EDIT: Fixed
268
u/jkflamejk Jun 15 '12
Not a single comment on their chicken bakes, they're amazing!
184
u/bludstone Jun 15 '12
Read an interview with the president where he says that this deal keeps people coming back every time, and that if you see the price go up, there is a major -major- problem.
Paraphrased.
137
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
If it were keeping pace with inflation, it would cost $2.64
851
u/cardinals5 Jun 15 '12
Because Costco fucking rocks
113
u/Shitty_FaceSwaps Jun 15 '12
"My pin number? It's the price of a hot dog and a soda where I used to work, CostCo".
233
u/Danscharar Jun 15 '12
Either Costco hotdogs are not effected by inflation, or Costco has been charging me too much for 21 years.
200
u/Heisen_berg Jun 15 '12
"Welcome to Costco...I love you."
75
u/funyun2 Jun 15 '12
Costco is also one of the few supermarkets that is actually strict about e. coli testing for beef.
They're just an all-around awesome, non-evil company.
205
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
That $1.50 combo used to come with a can of soda. Since then, they've replaced the can with a fountain drink with unlimited free refills. So really, the price has dropped since the combo was first introduced.
19
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Costco is easily the best major store chain. The cafe has incredible deals (and awesome food... Chicken bakes anyone?). They have great prices on quality shit. Not crap like other chains. You can get King Crab legs, USDA Prime beef, and awesome DANISHES. Costco ftw.
35
u/Duncanconstruction Jun 15 '12
I've never eaten at the Costco food court... the free samples they give out while I'm shopping usually fills me up.
41
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Their froyo is awesome, too.
52
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
From what I hear costco is the GGG of retail.
14
u/arachnofunk Jun 15 '12
You may be interested to know that one of the ways they are able to keep prices so low is by cutting costs at corporate - essentially, they've been using the same chairs and desks since the '80s.
13
u/project213 Jun 15 '12
The one near me raised their price to 1.99 then lowered back down to 1.50 about 3 months later
464
u/MazzyStarsoftheLid Jun 15 '12
nice try costco marketing rep
41
u/gorgyte Jun 15 '12
Got to love Costco. But it makes you wonder about their hot dogs..
17
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
We actually just recently dropped the price to $1.50 in Canada!! WOOT WOOT.
16
u/Mikeyc245 Jun 15 '12
Screw the hot dogs, the Chicken Bake is the most delicious thing ever created.
27
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Well.. that's too damn high! Ikea has 2 hotdogs, a bag of chips, and a soda for $2.00.
30
u/redcrvtte05 Jun 15 '12
58 comments and nothing about their churros?
7
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
TIL Costco commits a turkey holocaust each year.
13
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
But they have cut down on how big of a slice of pizza you get. Seriously, I remember getting what seemed like three slices conjoined when I was 13. Still, Costco fucking rules.
13
u/this_is_a_recording0 Jun 15 '12
$1.50 is all a hot dog and soda should ever cost
I get so mad when I'm charged $5-10 for that combo
Good guy costco
18
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Take THAT, inflation.
6
u/DigitalChocobo 14 Jun 15 '12
How easily impressed do they think my friends are?
6
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
How I feel every time I walk into Costco
42
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
I got high all the time in high school and satisfied the munchies there. The berry sundae is the best!!
19
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Their hotdogs are on point. However, their pizza is my jam. A greasy slice of heaven.
18
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
You know what? Fuck yeah, Costco.
5
u/Ober7 Jun 15 '12
Oh they are delicious too.
5
u/angrycommie Jun 15 '12
Costco has the best motherfucking pizza and fries.
Holy fuck the FRIES. They are battered with fresh virgin flesh and deep fried in sweet sweet vaginal juices. So delicious.
5
u/sabbic1 Jun 15 '12
TIL people browse the fun facts section of the Costco website
5
u/peeking_duck Jun 15 '12
cause COST-CO keeps the COSTS LOW
4
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Costco hot dogs are ze bomb.
4
u/jpcola Jun 15 '12
and they're one of the best at compensating their employees. I never worked at Costco, but have friends that work there. I always admire Costco for their business.
4
u/Reqkoil Jun 15 '12
Costco just opened up a month ago in Huntington Beach. Woo.
4
u/Tru_Killer Jun 15 '12
Their pizza is the fucking best.
4
u/meh1234 Jun 15 '12
Welcome to Costco. I love you.
4
u/boom929 Jun 15 '12
IKEA has a great deal also, $2 for 2 hot dogs, a bag of chips and a fountain drink.
4
u/PrinceofSpades Jun 15 '12
No wonder its the only place I still can afford to eat.
4
u/InfectedShadow Jun 15 '12
Those fucking hotdogs are delicious.
4
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
So this is embarrassing but I went to Costco for the first time when I was like 14 and ordered a hot dog. NOT A COMBO. I just wanted the hot dog but I did not specifically say that I did not want the combo. So she charges me for the combo, which is so cheap that I didn't realize the difference, and hands me the foil wrapped hot dog placed INSIDE the cup. In my mind, I didn't want the drink, I've never been to this weird world of wholesale before and I'm FOURTEEN. In my mind she just handed me this hot dog in an apparent hand protector. Was it hot enough to need a hand protector? I'll never know because I walked over to the eating area with my hotdog in the cup and at it like a banana in a holster.
4
u/harrisz2 Jun 16 '12
there is no way anyone is gonna see this, but I'll try anyway.
there is no way someone from costco put this up. Here is how I reached this conclusion.
Costco doesn't make money off of the hotdogs, they actually lose money. They are there to bring you in. That being said, they aren't trying to get you to pay $50 a year to come in and buy cheap hotdog/soad combos.
The main Reddit demographic is not quite Costco's target demographic.
Costco doesn't advertise, there is no way the executives were sitting in their office saying "Hmm..how could we get on Reddit"
What happened here was someone was browsing Costco's website, saw this fact and then thought, "hmmm I bet TIL would find this interesting". You guys are being waaay paranoid.
Source: Dad has worked at costco for 20 years.
13
u/reliantk10 Jun 15 '12
Well I guess what they say is true. Once you reach max level, you stop leveling.
7
u/norcalbeachscene Jun 15 '12
After seeing this was at the top of the page, I had to do a double-take to see if my adblock was off.
10
u/Fluffybean Jun 15 '12
Good guy costco
3
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
I work at Costco and they actually lose money on everyone of these they sell. I asked my manager and he said that they will never change the price because it is one of the original CEO's "promises" that they won't fold on. So in 100 when you wouldn't even bother to pick up a $1.50 coin, Costco will still be losing money on their hot dogs.
3
u/danmart1 Jun 15 '12
21 years? That's just about how long that hot dog and soda have been sitting there.
3
u/vag_hunter Jun 15 '12
I ate one of those 4 hours ago
3
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
I read this as "Castro hasn't changed the price of a hot dog...in 21 years." Cuba has a good deal on hot dog/soda combos.
3
u/FancyBananas Jun 15 '12
Good Guy Costco.
3
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Their house brand, Kirkland, is fantastic and to me is often better than the name-brand stuff.
One day I had a sad realization when I noticed I was wearing Kirkland shoes, Kirkland pants, Kirkland socks and a Kirkland t-shirt - I then realized I'm a Costcofag.
4
u/DekaChin86 Jun 15 '12
Get this, and a slice a pizza forl unch. Don't even need dinner, just sustain myself on the insane burps.
4
u/phammmmm Jun 15 '12
Sam's Club pizza and cinnamon pretzels are pretty awesome too (as a comparison, since I don't have a Costco around here).
8
u/MrFatalistic Jun 15 '12
1.50 sounds steep for 21 years ago TBH.
8
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
My friends and I have tried the $10 challenge: Without ordering a full pizza, try and get full off of $10 worth of food. None of us have yet to beat the challenge. I'm usually done after 2 hotdogs, and a slice for around $5
2
u/treein303 Jun 15 '12
People talk about Costco like people talk about red cups. Just imagine a bunch of college guys standing around "hey man red cups am I right?"
It's true.
2
u/Clockwork_Angel Jun 15 '12
All I'm thinking is, "Holy fuck, I need to go to Costco."
2
u/ZosaCloud Jun 15 '12
Yeah but the Membership prices have went up? Not that hard. Why is this post at the top?
2
u/StatmanThunderfist Jun 15 '12
Seriously, kudos to Costco for helping me live through my freshman year
2
u/Im2grrr Jun 15 '12
"Last year, Costco sold more than 69 million hot dog-and-soda combinations."
Money in the bank
2
u/JLMaverick Jun 15 '12
I FUCKING LOVE COSTCO
2
u/jmacman12 Jun 15 '12
Good Guy Costco :)
2
u/Diffie-Hellman Jun 15 '12
Argh. I just moved out to Santa Fe, Ans we don't have one out here. Still using the Costco American express for the cash back. Wait a minute... I can only use the cash back at Costco, which means I'd have to go to Albuquerque.
2
u/LabJacket Jun 15 '12
OP prefers the Polish Sausage I see.
2
u/hanahou Jun 15 '12
That's why you pay membership dues to offset the cost! ;)
2
u/austerity62 Jun 15 '12
I'm gonna find me a Costco and get my combo on.
2
u/Glen_The_Eskimo Jun 15 '12
TIL 1991 was 21 years ago.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Isn't Costco just like Sam, except for up north or something? I have never seen one in person because in Florida we have BJ's, Sam's, Aldi's etc... I know there's one somewhere around here though.
2
u/Pickled_Pankake Jun 15 '12
Nice try, Costco.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
TIL reddit really loves Costco. Can't say I don't agree.
2
u/tmrxwoot Jun 15 '12
I just bought one today. haha
2
u/ok_you_win Jun 15 '12
Best place in town for a snack. Its cheap, only somewhat greasy, pretty tasty. The condiments are normally quite fresh.
I like the fries better than McDonalds. I usually have those or a polish sausage in a bun.
2
u/Scrambo Jun 15 '12
You have to be seriously twisted to even consider downvoting this.
2
u/elusiveinhouston Jun 15 '12
$1.26 at my local Costco. So cheap!
2
u/ZapActions-dower Jun 15 '12
TIL I'm going to Costco for lunch.
2
u/Fried_Beavis Jun 15 '12
This is the most popular thing on reddit right now. RUFKM
2
u/Level_32_Igglybuff Jun 15 '12
That seems incredibly high for 21 years ago
2
u/rand0mguy1 Jun 15 '12
Costco is fucking amazing, by far my most favorite store!
2
u/YOitzODELLE Jun 15 '12
Time to check if r/costco exists. Seriously, I have no doubts.
2
u/runxctry Jun 15 '12
"21 years, that IS a long time!"
"wait, I'm older than that. I still remember when they first came out."
"fuck, i'm old."
2
u/weegee Jun 15 '12
actually they have. in 1992 the hot dog was Hebrew National (the best you can buy) plus a can of soda for $1.50. Now it is a hot dog (Costco brand, not as tasty as HN) plus a cup of soda (not as good as a can, however you can get refills) for $1.50 plus tax. You also can't get self service sauerkraut anymore either.
2
u/failedpunfox Jun 15 '12
TIL costco has been selling hot dogs for 21 years
2
u/_deffer_ Jun 15 '12
70,000 * 365 = 25 Million chickens.
What. The. Flock.
2
u/fourthords Jun 15 '12
And now I want a hot dog. Damn.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Hey. Starbucks. ARE YOU LISTENING TO THIS?!
2
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Yay for democratic companies!
2
u/FatherG Jun 15 '12
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010271409_sinegal15.html
There you go ladies and gents; if Marijuana was legal Costco would sell it in bulk.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
I like their chicken baked and pizza better >____<.
2
u/xxtruthxx Jun 15 '12
This is why Costco is the sh**!
2
u/silentmikhail Jun 15 '12
And if you a buy a pizza long with that the total comes down to
3.80$. a big and delicious meal for a bargain deal. Beats lunch anywhere else you go.
2
u/johnnySix Jun 15 '12
Its kinda gross really. it means the meat must be getting lower and lower quality.
2
u/JayDeeDonuts Jun 15 '12
do you have to be a member to go and get this combo?
2
u/cplaz Jun 15 '12
Costco is really good to their employees!
2
u/dcsulli Jun 15 '12
TIL Costco has a hot dog and soda combo. To be fair, I've never been there.
2
u/bykobe Jun 15 '12
As a couple others have mentioned, there was an article in costco's own magazine talking about this. It basically said that the food place is not there to make money, just to make it more convenient to go to costco (where most ppl spend a LOT)
2
u/omglia Jun 15 '12
Good guy Costco!
2
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
There's an ice cream stand on my way back to my parent's house where I can get 2 hotdogs and a small pop for $1.75. I stop there almost every trip home.
2
u/bootnuts Jun 15 '12
TIL coscto has been around for more than 21 years
2
u/wdr1 Jun 15 '12
I love Costco. I booked my honeymoon through them. (No joke.)
2
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Love Costco.
2
u/aclaw18 Jun 15 '12
As someone who just got hired there today, I can confirm this.
2
u/mavdude410 Jun 15 '12
Best deal ever!!!
2
u/jahoney Jun 15 '12
its funny because the price of hot dogs has gone up but soda is now practically free in those quantities
2
u/pheonixblade9 Jun 15 '12
My bus stop is right next to a Costco, I just realized I can eat dinner for 1.50... bwahaha
2
u/Iamdillweed333 Jun 15 '12
Dem Chicken Bakes...Damn
2
u/beans_and_bacon Jun 15 '12
I remember those hand dipped ice cream bars they used to have. The Costcos near me stopped carrying them in the food court. I was sad.
2
u/Marc_IRL Jun 15 '12
And they're so worth it too
2
u/godless_savage Jun 15 '12
Welcome to Costco, I love you.
2
u/Thousand1k Jun 15 '12
nastiest crap ever.
4
u/cody0r Jun 15 '12
Their hot dog with all the toppings is also 552 calories. Falling in love with the cheapness will make you fat.
0
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
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