Did Costco Break the Buck (Fifty)?
Aug. 20th, 2023 03:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
canyonwalkerOn one of the discussion groups I follow about Costco someone posted this picture with an ominous comment about prices increasing due to inflation.
Folks who are not Costco regulars might look at this picture and shrug, "So what?" Or possibly even figure, "Hey, a big hotdog and a fountain soda for $1.99, what a bargain!"
But Costco regulars know that Costco is famous for its $1.50 hotdog combo and for refusing to increase the price— not just for many years but for many decades at this point. The price hasn't changed since the 1980s. Moreover, Costco's CEO has said in interviews that when he floated the idea of raising the price several years ago, Costco co-founder Jim Sinegal threatened, "If you raise the effing hot dog, I will kill you."
But hey, inflation has been high the past 18 months now, hitting rates not seen since the 1980s. So, did Costco finally give in and decided to "Break the buck" (fifty)?
While a few people in the discussion group start to panic others shouted "Photoshop!" I did a few seconds of web searching and found the truth. It turns out neither is the case. (1) Costco has not changed its price. (2) The $1.99 sign is real. It's in Australia, and the price is in AUD. In fact in AUD it's a bargain.... $1.99 AUD is worth $1.27 USD at today's exchange rate. Those lucky Australians! 🤣
Just to emphasize the point I took this picture (above) when I was coincidentally shopping at Costco today. As you can see, the sacred hotdog combo is still $1.50.
If there's anything we've got to talk about with these prices it's that $9.99 roast beef sandwich. That's $0.04 more than a whole pizza! ...And not a small pizza, either. Costco sells an 18" monstrosity (most shops call a 16" or even a 14" pie "large") for $9.95.
Folks who are not Costco regulars might look at this picture and shrug, "So what?" Or possibly even figure, "Hey, a big hotdog and a fountain soda for $1.99, what a bargain!"
But Costco regulars know that Costco is famous for its $1.50 hotdog combo and for refusing to increase the price— not just for many years but for many decades at this point. The price hasn't changed since the 1980s. Moreover, Costco's CEO has said in interviews that when he floated the idea of raising the price several years ago, Costco co-founder Jim Sinegal threatened, "If you raise the effing hot dog, I will kill you."
But hey, inflation has been high the past 18 months now, hitting rates not seen since the 1980s. So, did Costco finally give in and decided to "Break the buck" (fifty)?
While a few people in the discussion group start to panic others shouted "Photoshop!" I did a few seconds of web searching and found the truth. It turns out neither is the case. (1) Costco has not changed its price. (2) The $1.99 sign is real. It's in Australia, and the price is in AUD. In fact in AUD it's a bargain.... $1.99 AUD is worth $1.27 USD at today's exchange rate. Those lucky Australians! 🤣
Just to emphasize the point I took this picture (above) when I was coincidentally shopping at Costco today. As you can see, the sacred hotdog combo is still $1.50.
If there's anything we've got to talk about with these prices it's that $9.99 roast beef sandwich. That's $0.04 more than a whole pizza! ...And not a small pizza, either. Costco sells an 18" monstrosity (most shops call a 16" or even a 14" pie "large") for $9.95.
