Opening Day Madness at CostCo
Today we went along to the new CostCo. As it was the opening day we expected things to be a little busy and so left allowing plenty of time to get there for the opening at 8AM.
Oh boy, did we underestimate the popularity!
The usual 20 minute trip ended up taking the best part of two hours because there were so many cars trying to get into the parking lot and so many people milling about the entrance. Madness is the only way to describe it.
Once inside we were confronted with a sea of people!
Plus the queues for the checkouts were at least 30 people or so long. Despite finding quite a few things we wanted to buy, with lunch time & nap time rapidly approaching we decided to abandon our shopping, eat and leave.
The range of goods inside was a little disappointing, it consisted of a few American or International brands, a couple of local brands and the generic Kirkland brand. Being able to pick up English magazines, XXXX beer and 1KG lasagna put a smile on my face but it wasn't as good as I had hoped it would be. ￥80 for a cup of softdrink with free refills at the food court was pretty good value but many of the products inside were no cheaper than from Belc, Besia or Cainz Home for local goods. I'll be coming back for the things I can't usually buy otherwise.
I'm looking forward to going back when the initial buzz has died down. If I learned anything from today, it is to stay away from opening events in Japan. You'll be crushed by housewives scrambling to save 20￥ on a pack of eggs.
9 comments:
looks great, take pics when u go again and beware of killer housewives!
I will take more pictures next time!
For some reason, sitting in the car with stop start driving for about 2 hours really drained my energy for taking photographs to use when blogging....
OMG! I wouldn't even try to enter seeing that crowd.
Opening events anywhere are always a pain. I avoid any new opening event.
So, were there any teabags? ;)
Yeh, I hate those sorts of crowds. If it's something I can get elsewhere, I'd usually rather pay the extra money for less people around me.
@Lina, I've now learned that lesson for the future!
@Tornados28, in future I will too!
@Penguin, YEP! Check out today's post.
@Mel, well it won't stay that way. Then I can have quiet shopping on Thu-Fri without the crowds.
I went to the Ikea grand opening in Yokohama a year and a half ago; I nearly slit my writs with one of those Euro-style pizza cutters.
You mean while you were waiting to exit? Or accidentally?
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