But the point is that people aren’t being at all rational about it – there is something particular in the psyche of some people about gas prices. The same person wouldn’t dream of going to a different grocery store because the chicken is a dollar or two less per pound, or the salad dressing is $3.99 instead of $4.99, but he or she will spend a lot of time, energy, and yes, gas, pursuing a slightly better gas price.
And then that same person will walk into the mini-Mart and buy a $2.50 bottle of water or soda while the tank is filling.
What are the wine geek analogs? Corkage fees, shipping costs, I’m sure other things I’m not thinking of right now.
You don’t know my wife lol. There are always lists of products on sale at the various stores she/we frequent.
But the gas calculation is one I do as well. Our 25yo van that maybe gets 18mpg never goes to costco (frankly never goes more than 5-8 miles from home). But I’ll definitely try to plan costco fill ups for my accord around errands or travel that take me near a costco. I also have a costco citi credit card that gets me an additional 4% off gas, which is not nothing.
If supermarkets posted the price of chicken on big signs outside their establishments, people just might drive around looking for the cheapest price per pound.
Hey, I do this! I have a Safeway app on my phone, and get emails from them every week. Last week they gave me $10 off a $10 purchase, I kid you not. And they often put heavy discounts on products I buy. I sometimes walk out with a load of groceries, and a receipt that tells me I saved more than I spent!
You guys don’t understand. Just wait until Costco starts pricing their gas with a .97 at the end… Discounted gas will result in lines around the corner. LOL
Locally Costco is almost always the cheapest gas option so the 2 miles extra is worth it even if I don’t enter the store on that trip. Combine that with the 4% on the credit card and you have the sole reason for me to even HAVE a CostCo card. I’m not even exaggerating. I wouldn’t have been in on the '19 Bordeaux without big sign up gift card special and then the gas savings. I don’t have big family purchases to make and don’t find a ton of food options worth my time there given you have to buy in large quantities and I really try to avoid high calorie meals at home. I do purchase some things here and there but without the gas I could not justify the yearly membership fee. And the lines are rarely that bad unless you go at the wrong times.
That said, I do remember my dad going way out of his way for gas when I was young. Once I got old enough to start doing to math in my head I found it all silly. You don’t have to buy at the first available place but driving several miles to save several pennies per gallon ain’t worth it.
Yes, I also use the Kirkland Signature wines (CdR, Chianti Classico Riserva, and Rioja Reserva) for cooking wines (and will always default to the CCR for Italian dishes). They are usually all great values and good enough to actually have a glass or two while doing your cooking. For actual “drinking”, I would only buy the Barolo and Chablis. Strangely, and in contrast to your view and those of others, the Barolo has consistently been not just a “value” wine, but an extremely enjoyable wine that punches in for me as equivalent to any sub-$40 Nebbiolo. I actually prefer the lighter body, high acidity, and expressive rose and tar complexity, even over things like Vietti’s Perbacco and Produttori’s normale Barbaresco. Every time I see it I pick up 6-8 bottles and then quickly drink through them and wish I’d bought more. I have a similar view of La Ca Nova’s Barbarescos, which I also enjoy far more than their price point.
Couple new items in Boise of interest along with a couple that have been there a bit like 2019 Ferriere, Cos d’Estournel, Figeac. New arrivals like 2019 Md’A, Haut Bages Liberal, and 2022 Clos des Lunes Blanc.
I really like the Clos de lune d’argent, and that is a good price. Crossing my fingers that it comes to SoCal! (Or maybe not… Don’t need more wine before shipping season )
2020 Lafite Just dropped in Puget sound market. $679. Not near 2019 prices, but great price with provenance guarantee brick and mortar. Stoked to have gotten the Lafite OWC too! I’ve not bought any 2020 from Costco except this Lafite. Blew my load on 250 bottles of 2019 iconic grand cru and their second wines haha. 2020 prices are so much higher for the same quality vintage! Many agree 2019 to be better than 2020.
Ughhh…that 2020 Palmer price. Makes me feel like i scored the deal of the century with the 2019’s at $199. I know we’ve all said it multiple times now…but I’m certain that 15 years from now we will all be saying ‘why didnt we snag more 2019’s at Costco’
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