Steak and Lobster for $9

Yes, you read that right, and it’s spectacular. We’re about to grill the last two bacon-wrapped sirloins from the six-pack we bought at Costco a couple of months ago for $11.99. We’re talking high-quality, tender beef. two bucks a pop. Coupled with a pair of $6.99 lobster tails wrapped and frozen from a special seafood sale weekend at Ralphs, the entire dinner for two clocks in at less than $20, even when you add a couple of baked potatoes (a 10-pound bag available at 99 Cents Only).

It’s all about perfecting the art of living large on a budget. Be advised, the steak six-pack isn’t always available at Costco – it’s hit and miss – but when you find them, it pays to stock up. They tend to sell out fast, understandably. Anyone have similar stories to share? We'd love to hear from you.

The King of Dollars

We must alert Costco devotees to yet another neighborhood bargain store, Dollar King, modeled after 99 Cents Only but bold (and upscale) enough to ask for that extra penny. One recently popped up practically overnight right down the street.

Some extreme values can be found here, such as a quality replacement for my lost sunglasses – an identical version, in fact, of my missing $12 shades for a mere buck. We loaded up (as were many others) on earthquake/nuclear apocalypse supplies including dollar tarps and rolls of duct tape (perfect for blocking radiation leaks), filter masks and goggles, gallon bottles of water and so on. Dollar King is a great source for household items: mops, buckets, high-quality welcome mats. And it’s a good place to pick up a quick bottle of rubbing alcohol or quadruple feature of bad sci-fi flicks on DVD. And you can get a three-pack of triple-header razors. Don’t have to remind the guys how overpriced these can be in supermarkets.

Nothing over a buck. And like 99 Cents, premium vehicles can always be spotted in the parking lot. Porsche and Jaguar are represented, along with the occasional Corvette and Mercedes-Benz AMG. It’s like a freaking car show. Gotta save enough to pay those high insurance premiums, I guess.

Tell Me Something I Don't Know

So of course Costco came out on top in customer satisfaction. Behold the recent press release below. Where else can you start out with Sun Chips appetizer, move on to Progresso Light soup, some Yoplait, then (as we move toward the freezer section) the main courses: a bacon-wrapped shrimp-and-steak skewer, chicken burrito, ham and, yes, beef brisket. This is how we spent our previous free lunchtime visit (Friday, by the way, which is apparently a heavy sample day, at least at the Los Feliz store.)

We left full, and with a basket full of bargains. Customer experience? Winning. Behold the recent study result below:


BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A new research report published by Temkin Group, The 2011 Temkin Experience Ratings, provides information about customer experience based on a survey of 6,000 US consumers who had recent interactions with 143 large US companies. Industry leaders Amazon.com, Kohl’s and Costco came out on top of the ratings in which only 24 companies or 16% of the total, received a “good” or “excellent” rating.
“The results show a significant lack of good customer experience. Research shows that customer experience directly correlates with loyalty, and most companies have a long way to go to earn their customers’ loyalty,” states Bruce Temkin, author of the report and Managing Partner of Temkin Group.
In a survey fielded in January 2011, consumers rated companies they had interacted with during the previous 60 days across the following 12 industries: airlines, banks, credit card issuers, health plans, hotel chains, Internet service providers, insurance companies, investment firms, personal computer makers, retailers, TV service providers, and wireless carriers.

Here Come the Brides

At long last, Costco has entered the wedding biz in a big way. Not only do they sell wedding dresses – and we’re talking designer creations from Vera Wang, no less – I’m guessing interested parties will be leaving with plenty of reception supplies in bulk.

Below is an excerpt from a recent Boston Herald story by Jill Radsken. Be advised that we’re planning a long-overdue return trip to our local Costco – just in time to snag free treats being rolled out in time for Easter. Complimentary ham, anyone?

Please come back often. We’ve been away far too long taking care of day jobs, but we’ll be posting here much more frequently. Stay tuned for amazing recipes and reviews.

According to the Costco Web site, brides can get that one-on-one attention. Though the launch of the Kirstie Kelly Signature dresses ($700 to $1,400) started exclusively in California and New Mexico, the company promises brides 30-minute on-site fittings.

As an unexpected wedding retailer, Costco is just the latest player in the competitive industry. After years atop the high-end bridal dress tier, designer Vera Wang recently launched a more affordable line (starting at $600) at David’s Bridal.

“The addition of White by Vera Wang establishes our leadership not only in exquisite gowns as a value, but true designer gowns,” said company vice president Brian Beitler. “This expands our opportunities with customers who may not have considered David’s Bridal.”

Take Ellie Scuccimarra — the recently engaged 30-year-old said she’s always loved Vera Wang dresses, but “couldn’t justify spending that much.”

The Quincy resident, who will wed in June 2012, said she doesn’t “need the tea and crumpet service,” and tried to get a deal at Filene’s Basement’s recent Running of the Brides. But she came up short, and ended up finding her dream dress, a Tara Keely by Lazaro, at Allegria in Belmont.

“My fiance almost fainted when I told him how much I’d spent,” she said. “But I decided if I fell in love with a dress, I’d do it.”

Rachel Leonard, fashion director for Brides magazine, said “those who can afford to are not afraid to spend the money,” but many brides want to explore every affordable option. She pointed to two other new lines, BHLDN (bhldn.com) from Anthropologie and Shopbop.com’s new wedding collection, as evidence that the market is expanding to appeal to women who aren’t “emotionally attached to the whole experience of purchasing of a gown.”

“I personally would want an experience of someone helping me with my dress,” Leonard said. “It’s a big deal, no matter how much you’re going to spend, or how big or small your dress budget is.
“It’s a moment,” she added.

For the full story: