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June 19, 2006
Get your Goldschlagger cheaper
This article claims membership is not required to buy alcohol at CostCo, Sam’s Club, and BJ Wholesale Club. It has something to do with the repeal of 1930’s Prohibition laws and making sure everyone has easy access to cheap booze to protect the common good. Or something like that.
Supposedly, you can go to any of the stores, tell them you’re not a member, and they will sell you the stuff at membership prices to help you get drunk cheaply. I don’t belong to any of those stores and don’t drink much anyway, but I still wanted to find out if this would work. So Saturday I wrote to customerservice@costco.com:
Is Costco membership required for the purchase of alcohol in California? According to this article, it isn't:
http://yahoo.smartmoney.com/dealoftheday/index.cfm?story=20060616
However, when I went to your store today in Redwood City, CA, the assistant manager claimed I needed a membership card and wouldn't let me buy wine since I'm not a Costco member.
Okay, so I lied about going to the store. CostCo wrote back in six hours (impressive):
Dear Brian,
Thank you for emailing Costco Wholesale. You need to be a Costco membership to make any purchase at Costco.
Sincerely,
Grace M.
Executive Service
customerservice@costco.com
The article says, “Don't expect to find an employee who has heard of this policy. So ask to speak with the manager as soon as you enter the store.” Apparently, Grace M. at CostCo hasn’t heard of this policy either (not impressive).
Good luck, you lushes.
Posted by brian at June 19, 2006 06:04 AM