BajaNomad

Mexico Costcos

grace59 - 11-21-2013 at 09:24 PM

I'm not really familiar with the types of items sold in Mexico's Costcos. I am wondering if they sell Kirkland brand items....most specifically Kirkland's Nature's Domain Dog Food (I feed my dog the Salmon and Sweet Potato) and the Kirkland American Vodka. I mean dog food and vodka...what more do you really need? Thanks!;D

Costco

J.P. - 11-21-2013 at 10:36 PM

We have a pretty good Costco in Ensenada and they sell Kirkland Brand. Having said that they in no way compare to the Costco in the States for variety of goods. Even in the San Diego area the stores differ in variety. The stores in up scale areas offer a better selection and quality of goods.

Hook - 11-21-2013 at 10:47 PM

I go to a Costco in Mexico in a city of around a million people. I am told it is the fastest growing city in Mexico. Hermosillo.

They do NOT have the Nature's Domain dog good and they do NOT have the Kirkland Vodka.

But it is amazing how many Kirkland items they have added in the last six months. In the last six months, they have had the Kirkland Tequila, Cote du Rhone, Old Vine Zin, Pinot Grigio, Sonoma Chard, NZ style Sauv Blanc, French Bordeaux and a Cali Cab (not sure the region).

Still no La Brea Rosemary Olive bread or natural peanut butter, though....:mad:

They do have all the conventional Kirkland dog food; the adult, the mature and the puppy food.

Here's the biggest Costco/Mex mystery; why is there never any Costco butter WITH salt in a country that puts too much salt in everything else?

oxxo - 11-22-2013 at 03:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by grace59
I am wondering if they sell Kirkland brand items....most specifically Kirkland's Nature's Domain Dog Food (I feed my dog the Salmon and Sweet Potato) and the Kirkland American Vodka.


I see you are in San Felipe. Your nearest Mexican Costco will be in Mexicali. They will not have Nature's Domain Dog Food or Kirkland vodka, although they will have many other Kirkland brands. The best option for getting the items you seek is the US Costco just across the border from Mexicali in El Centro, CA.

Bob and Susan - 11-22-2013 at 05:26 AM

geeezzz....Kirkland is just the store brand name for Costco

Kirkland=Costco

for example
one day the kirkland brand soda could be pepsi...the next coke

don't get me wrong Costco works hard to have quality products branded as Costco but the name means ONLY that you bought it at Costco

the same with gas...shell Texaco and chevron are the same company...ie same gas...

don't be fooled by marketing

mcfez - 11-22-2013 at 07:02 AM

With all do respect......

The dog food (and most anything else) can / is manufactured by many companies that will package for Kirkland...under the guidelines of Costco. That dog food for example is certainly not manufactured by only one factory.

Many labels on the grocery shelf is the result of this .....Safeway to Ralph's

COSTCO (Kirkland) Dog Food

bajaguy - 11-22-2013 at 07:09 AM

Several types of Kirkland dog food, including Nature's Domain are manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods:

http://www.dogfoodinsider.com/kirkland-dog-food-review.html

http://www.naturesdomainpetfood.com/faqs

[Edited on 11-22-2013 by bajaguy]

BajaNomad - 11-22-2013 at 07:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
shell Texaco and chevron are the same company...


You've said this before, but this is not so. As previously pointed out:

1997:
- Shell and Texaco merged their western and midwestern USA marketing and refining business into a new venture called Equilon.
- Shell and Star Enterprises (a joint venture of Texaco and Saudi Refining) merged their eastern and southeastern USA marketing and refining business into a new venture called Motiva.

2001:
- Texaco and Chevron merge into ChevronTexaco. Texaco is required (and does) divest itself from the Equilon and Motiva ventures.
- ChevronTexaco licensed the Texaco brand to Equilon and Motiva through June, 2006 (essentially) - which gave Equilon and Motiva time to rebrand their Texaco stations to Shell.


And Kirkland is Costco's private brand for various products. They've communicated over time that the Kirkland branded items are intended to be of fairly high-quality, as well as high-value.

CortezBlue - 11-22-2013 at 08:00 AM

Per the below quote, Kirkland is a Costco product.

Kirkland Signature is Costco's store brand, otherwise known in the retail industry as an "own-brand," "house brand" or "private label." It is found at Costco's website, Costco warehouses and on Amazon.com and is trademarked by the company. The name derives from the fact that Costco's corporate headquarters was located in the city of Kirkland, Washington between 1987 and 1996.[42] Costco has a wide variety of changing inventory, known for carrying products for a time, then discontinuing them or using them as seasonal products.
Costco introduced Kirkland Signature as its house brand in 1995. The idea was to identify categories in which a private label product could provide brand name quality at discounted prices.[43]
To counteract the consumer confidence problem common in store branding, Kirkland Signature sometimes relies on co-branding. According to Costco, while consumers may be wary of same-store-branding, they are less likely to be wary of brands that they are familiar with and trust.

Bob and Susan - 11-22-2013 at 08:00 AM

so just to make this clear...for us simpletons

shell and Texaco merged
Texaco and chevron merged

do Equilon and Motiva refine gas?
or are they holding companies to avoid a gas monopoly

it really seem to me they are still the same
the money is just too big

the branding is just marketing

Hook - 11-22-2013 at 08:03 AM

Marketing can't change how high in quality AND what a good value nearly all Kirkland Signature products are. Discerning shoppers know this. Their new lines of Signature wines are just another example.

The cashews, the breads, the bacon, the pine nuts, the extra fancy mixed nuts, their meats, their line of wines and spirits, their dog food...........the list goes on and on.

Sure, you can pay less. That's all some people are interested in. But it would be tough to find a better value on high quality products than Kirkland Signature products.

For some items, I'm not sure I could even find higher quality. Those extra fancy cashews are the best I've had anywhere. Just can keep 'em in the house.........;D

[Edited on 11-22-2013 by Hook]

MitchMan - 11-22-2013 at 08:41 AM

Been a member of Costco in Orange County, CA for years. Being a cheap SOB, I go to Costco to buy certain key products that are well priced. Over the last 8 years, the Costco stores around me have been discontinuing many of those key items for me and raising the prices of other key items: Gallon Kikkoman soy sauce, energy bars, beef base, eggs, sheepherders bread, raisins, toilet paper, whole chickens, 2 lb sharp Tilamook cheddar cheese, 1 lb smoked salmon, walnuts, chopped clams, Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup, honey.

It used to be that if the only thing you bought from Costco in one year was a set of tires, the savings on that would pay for the Costco membership. Not so any more as my family was able to buy tires twice from other sources that were cheaper than Costco.

While savings are still available on other items, that list is getting smaller every year as better savings for many of our key items are found at Target, Big Lots, Trader Joe's, Smart and Final, and Walmart.

My wife and I save all of our Costco receipts and we analyzed the last two years and determined that the savings are not adequate to cover the cost of the annual Costco membership fee.

I harbor a fierce loyalty to Costco, but there is a growing conflict with what the facts are showing.

Elena La Loca - 11-22-2013 at 08:41 AM

LOVE all the free advertising discussions like this generate. Keep it going! My stock's at $124 today!

oxxo - 11-22-2013 at 10:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MitchMan
Gallon Kikkoman soy sauce, energy bars, beef base, eggs, sheepherders bread, raisins, toilet paper, whole chickens, 2 lb sharp Tilamook cheddar cheese, 1 lb smoked salmon, walnuts, chopped clams, Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup, honey.


Don't call me "honey."

Quote:
as better savings for many of our key items are found at Target, Big Lots, Trader Joe's, Smart and Final, and Walmart.


I would rather pay a bit more at Costco than shop at a couple of the sweat shops listed above who don't pay a living wage or minimal health benefits. More and more of our grocery budget is being spent at Trader Joe's (relatively good wages, terrific benefits, excellent prices, plus they make healthy profits) these days when we are in residence in California.
Quote:
My wife and I save all of our Costco receipts and we analyzed the last two years and determined that the savings are not adequate to cover the cost of the annual Costco membership fee.


We have the type of Costco card that gives us a rebate once a year. If the rebate does not cover the cost of the membership, Costco rebates that difference too! Our membership costs us nothing and sometimes less than nothing.

DENNIS - 11-22-2013 at 10:23 AM

From my perspective, and since Sam's Club has joined Costco here in Ensenada, I prefer shopping at Sam's. Products are different for the most part, and seem to be more size friendly.
I have to guess at this, but the different products are probably an agreed upon inventory between the two stores to avoid price wars which diminish profit.

NoNoNo.....don't want to do that.

sequoyah - 11-22-2013 at 10:34 AM

I went to the one in Ensenada yesterday and they had lots of Kirkland products, but wasn't looking for the ones you are asking about.

I did get some new tires (reasonable deal) and those scrumptious chocolate truffles that they sell in US Costcos.

They also had those excellent hot dogs out front.

I try to patronize local businesses but the need for tires brought me in.

MitchMan - 11-22-2013 at 10:48 AM

OXXO,
All great points. Excellent post, especially about the sweat shop factor.

Didn't know about the type of Costco membership where they rebate...going to look into that one.

DavidE - 11-22-2013 at 11:19 AM

Brand for brand, many items I find in Wal-Mart for less money.

I don't remember encountering a Kirkland Signature product that I counted as being merely "ordinary" quality.

I would rather add salt to butter than to fight it other way round...

But for ordinary stuff my first choice is Sam's Club. I keep in mind nothing I buy in Mexico has a warranty in the USA and verse visa. Not even tires or batteries.

The thing I miss the most is OTC and Rx pharmaceuticals. Tylenol, cold and flu products, blood pressure monitoring stuff, even razor blades either aren't available in Costco Mexico or are a hell of a lot more expensive.

I sure like the light-bulb rebates for some lighting products. But the Feit® brand that Kirkland loves so much is garbage.

DENNIS - 11-22-2013 at 11:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by sequoyah
I went to the one in Ensenada yesterday and they had lots of Kirkland products,


If you want to test the "Truth in Advertising" principals in Mexico, buy a couple of the frozen entrée items in the freezer and see the difference between the cover picture and the finished product. You'll be taking second looks into your oven to see if you left something in there.

These misrepresentations predate NAFTA when food processors had no competition and could have their way with the shopping public.

DENNIS - 11-22-2013 at 11:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
The thing I miss the most is OTC and Rx pharmaceuticals. Tylenol, cold and flu products, blood pressure monitoring stuff, even razor blades either aren't available in Costco Mexico or are a hell of a lot more expensive.




Yeah....the OTC pharmacy products are an area where Kirkland is under-represented.

EnsenadaDr - 11-22-2013 at 11:24 AM

Yes, McFez, I hear Trader Joe's does the same thing, the manufacturer has to agree to take his name off and put Trader Joe's name on the product, this was told to me by the manager of the Grossmont Trader Joe's in La Mesa.
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
With all do respect......

The dog food (and most anything else) can / is manufactured by many companies that will package for Kirkland...under the guidelines of Costco. That dog food for example is certainly not manufactured by only one factory.

Many labels on the grocery shelf is the result of this .....Safeway to Ralph's

bajaguy - 11-22-2013 at 11:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by oxxo

We have the type of Costco card that gives us a rebate once a year. If the rebate does not cover the cost of the membership, Costco rebates that difference too! Our membership costs us nothing and sometimes less than nothing.





The Costco rebates are not applicable to purchases made in Mexico. Canada, yes, Mexico, no

J.P. - 11-22-2013 at 12:10 PM

I hauled Commodities (Groceries) for about ten years after I retired from my trade. When you get into the food chain you would be amazed by who owns who. Nestles is one of the biggest. They are especially big in pet food.
I will never set foot in a Sam's Club and judging from the parking lot at the one in Ensenada a whole lot of people feel the same way.

baja stores

captkw - 11-22-2013 at 12:15 PM

When are we going to get a "Trader Jose's" ??:cool:

[Edited on 11-22-2013 by captkw]

DENNIS - 11-22-2013 at 12:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by J.P.
I will never set foot in a Sam's Club and judging from the parking lot at the one in Ensenada a whole lot of people feel the same way.



Wait till after Christmas and continually as Costco memberships expire one by one.

oxxo - 11-22-2013 at 01:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MitchMan
Didn't know about the type of Costco membership where they rebate...going to look into that one.


It is the American Express Costco Card. We pay our bill each month so there is no monthly fee, just the annual Costco membership fee, which is guaranteed to be rebated. The rebate is 1% to 3% depending on the item. We just received our annual rebate check yesterday. Just like clockwork.

No, Costco does not offer rebates on items purchased in Mexican Costco stores. The Costco franchise in Mexico is owned by the same people who own Mega/Comercial Mexicana businesses. Occasionally you will see Kirkland products at Mega.

grace59 - 11-22-2013 at 09:51 PM

Wow, thanks for all of the replies. I know that I can get the items (dog food and vodka) in El Centro, but was wondering if they were available in Mexicali/Rosarito as that would save a trip across the border.
I have a dog that has an adverse reaction to high grain levels in dog foods and when I did some research on the internet to find a grain free alternative, I found that the Costco Nature's Domain got great ratings...since I have a Labrador I can't afford the tiny 50 dollar bags that they sell at Petsmart.
Living in Washington where the tax on booze is high, I tried the Costco Vodka and found it to be very good....it's really reasonable in California....for example the 13 dollar bottle of Kirkland Vodka in California...costs me 28 dollars here in Washington...Ouch! Again, thanks for all of the replies.

BajaNomad - 11-22-2013 at 11:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
make this clear...for us simpletons


Certainly!
Quote:
shell and Texaco merged


Shell and Texaco merged some resources together to work with one another (a.k.a. "joint ventures"). Shell and Texaco remained independent entities however.
Quote:
Texaco and chevron merged


The companies Texaco and Chevron merged to become a single entity. The FTC told Texaco that in order to approve and complete the merger, they could no longer work with Shell. Texaco then removed themselves from their arrangements in working together with Shell.


Quote:
do Equilon and Motiva refine gas?


They sure did:

Equilon operated primarily in the western US, and had 4,500 Shell-branded gasoline stations, 4,500 Texaco-branded stations, four refineries, a lubricants business, and a pipeline and terminal network. The refineries were located in: Bakersfield, CA., Wilmington, CA., Martinez, CA., and Anacortes, WA.

Motiva operated primarily in the eastern US and had 4,800 Shell-branded gasoline stations, 8,200 Texaco-branded stations, four refineries, and a network of terminals. The refineries were located in: Convent, La., Delaware City, DE., Norco, La., and Port Arthur, TX.
Quote:

it really seem to me they are still the same


Sorry to be the bearer of news indicating otherwise. :saint:






[Edited on 11-23-2013 by BajaNomad]

bajajudy - 11-23-2013 at 08:26 AM

Here in Los Cabos, we have a membership that last trip meant we had to pay nothing for the items we bought. The card is black and I don't know what it is called. It is a Mexican membership.
VODKA.....the Kirkland brand here that says made in France, is said to be Gray Goose. A friend of a friend who works for Costco told me this.

Vodka

dpwahoo - 11-23-2013 at 08:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by grace59
I'm not really familiar with the types of items sold in Mexico's Costcos. I am wondering if they sell Kirkland brand items....most specifically Kirkland's Nature's Domain Dog Food (I feed my dog the Salmon and Sweet Potato) and the Kirkland American Vodka. I mean dog food and vodka...what more do you really need? Thanks!;D
Yesterday, I went to the ensenada costco. Couldnt find the 13.00 dollar bottle of kirkland vodka, just the tall skinny, bottle. better quality. I think 260.00 pesos. I believe they have a lot of the dog food, but maybe not all the special varities.:cool:

Elena La Loca - 11-23-2013 at 09:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by oxxo
We just received our annual rebate check yesterday. Just like clockwork.


Costco AMEX rebates are found in the back of your February statement from AMEX. You must have gotten your 2% reward for being an Executive Member which comes with your membership renewal notice (usually two months prior to your membership expiration date). Thanks for your continuing contributions toward my retirement.

bajajudy - 11-23-2013 at 09:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by dpwahoo
Quote:
Originally posted by grace59
I'm not really familiar with the types of items sold in Mexico's Costcos. I am wondering if they sell Kirkland brand items....most specifically Kirkland's Nature's Domain Dog Food (I feed my dog the Salmon and Sweet Potato) and the Kirkland American Vodka. I mean dog food and vodka...what more do you really need? Thanks!;D
Yesterday, I went to the ensenada costco. Couldnt find the 13.00 dollar bottle of kirkland vodka, just the tall skinny, bottle. better quality. I think 260.00 pesos. I believe they have a lot of the dog food, but maybe not all the special varities.:cool:


Tall skinny bottle with red bottom=Gray Goose

jimgrms - 11-23-2013 at 12:24 PM

My son and i shared a basic membership,He convinced me that the executive card would be better ,and we would get a rebate , So i paid for the upgrade. and he got all the rebates ,some how that wasn't at all what i was expecting, but he allows me to pay for the renewal.s

DavidE - 11-23-2013 at 02:58 PM

Tilt that puppy a few times and you ain't gonna care where that damned vodka came from :)

Hook - 11-23-2013 at 04:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jimgrms
My son and i shared a basic membership,He convinced me that the executive card would be better ,and we would get a rebate , So i paid for the upgrade. and he got all the rebates ,some how that wasn't at all what i was expecting, but he allows me to pay for the renewal.s


I think you are learning the distinction between a rebate and a reprobate.

He gets the rebate.........and you are left with a reprobate. :lol:

laventana - 11-26-2013 at 07:53 AM

for those addicted to costco here is a forum for you..

http://addictedtocostco.com/

[Edited on 11-26-2013 by laventana]