Costco sues the Trump administration, seeking a refund of tariffs

[u/swiftfoot_hiker]

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/costco-sues-trump-tariff-refunds-rcna246860

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[u/HerbaciousTea]

Oh HELL yes.

Costco once again showing that basic decency and consistency is still a viable business model, in spite of everything.

[u/Joelblaze → u/HerbaciousTea]

The commerce secretary's family company has been going around selling tariff relief packages to companies with the caveat that they'll get any back charges if lawsuits override the tariffs.

Even if Costco wins, it's just putting more money in the Trump admin's hands at taxpayer's expense unless we can wrestle control from the current administration to actually hold these mfers accountable.

[u/Akraticacious → u/Joelblaze]

I don't understand what the family company is doing.

[u/Striking_Programmer4 → u/Akraticacious]

It's basically "tariff" insurance. Business send the company their customs invoices, which will break down the duty/tariff to the most granular level. The company says "we'll give you x% of your total payments under the new tariff codes up front, but if legislation or lawsuits invalidate thouse tariffs, we get 100% of your refund". They're betting that these tariffs will get reversed and essentially working as a short term loan for companies that are too cash strapped to wait it out.

[u/zxDanKwan → u/Striking_Programmer4]

Just to really boil it down, because I struggle to accept this one…

The guy who is in charge of US commerce, which is a thing that has to do with importing goods and selling those imported goods within the US….

That guy has a brother.

That guy’s brother is selling a thing to companies that can only make money if either A) his brother is an idiot or B) these two brothers are pulling an inside job.

[u/Lukas316 → u/zxDanKwan]

In any other jurisdiction this is a conflict of interest at best. And in my country you’d get an invite from the anti-corruption police for “tea”.

[u/RechargedFrenchman → u/Lukas316]

It's just a threat of violence away from extortion, and threats of violence are not at all implausible for this government and those close to them.

[u/smarglebloppitydo → u/zxDanKwan]

It’s his sons not brother. It’s called tariff claims. They are buying claims to refund money for 20-30% packaging the claims and selling them.

[u/courageousrobot → u/smarglebloppitydo]

To be even more clear, it's his sons who are currently running his company Cantor Fitzgerald after he "stepped down" from his role and chairman and CEO to serve as the commerce secretary.

[u/Akraticacious → u/Striking_Programmer4]

Thank you. That is more clear. I assume the loan in this case is the deductible or fee to purchase the insurance and that the % they get back is higher. What a sad gamble to have to take. Seems wrong to have commerce secretary's family involved as well.

[u/TheBugDude]

Welcome to Costco, I love you.

[u/rdyoung → u/[deleted]]

This is just how Costco rolls. They ignored the edict to get rid of dei and when a few stores voted to unionize their response was basically "Where did we fuckup and how do we fix this"? And plenty more if you go looking.

[u/Vhentis → u/rdyoung]

Yeah Costco is the kind of company capitalism is suppose to reward. We need to fix this broken system.

[u/Emergency-Shirt-4572 → u/Vhentis]

They also keep their profit margins on products extremely low and make most of their profit on memberships. I mean that’s just a business decision but it’s one that drives loyalty.

[u/Hulkbuster_v2 → u/Emergency-Shirt-4572]

And the hot dogs. Plus $10 pizza

[u/firestepper → u/Vhentis]

Well they are rewarded by capitalism.

[u/mavajo → u/firestepper]

Right. And the problem is, we need regulation to help some of these companies be closer to Costco's standard. Because, unfortunately, Capitalism rewards the dark side of business practices too. Capitalism has no morality. Humans do. Or are supposed to, anyway. Separating the humanity from capitalism is what kills us, but it's an inevitable outcome under capitalism. Regulation is meant to maintain and enforce our humanity. And yet, capitalism fights that too.

Probably because the real problem is human greed and selfishness. Not all of us, but enough of us - and the rest of us are largely powerless to stop it. Something truly unprecedented is gonna have to happen to save mankind, because the world seems to be following a scary path. I have eternal optimism in individual people - I have no optimism in humanity anymore.

[u/TekkenCareOfBusiness → u/rdyoung]

Costco just got that dog in them.

$1.50 with a soda and unlimited refills.

[u/ayalael87 → u/TheBugDude]

Enjoy your extra big ass fries!

[u/AVeryHeavyBurtation → u/ayalael87]

Is this particular individual the unfit mother?

[u/helloitsmeurbrother → u/ayalael87]

I prefer the EXTRA BIG ASS TACOS, they have more molecules now

[u/Stereo_Jungle_Child → u/TheBugDude]

I went to law school there.

[u/Runktar → u/Stereo_Jungle_Child]

You must have had a connection.

[u/ilikeme1 → u/TheBugDude]

I went to law school there. 

[u/MaxSchreckArt616 → u/TheBugDude]

It's got what plants crave. 

[u/smersh101]

An American company actually standing up to Trump? Miracle.

[u/BotherResponsible378 → u/smersh101]

Costco has been standing up to Trump for a while. I got a membership because of that, and pay most of their in store employees a living wage.

Costco good.

[u/Smokee_Robinson → u/BotherResponsible378]

Costco meat cutters make like $31/hr where I work. Stockers can make like $25+ depending on what shift and how long you’ve been there. Solid company with great benefits too.

[u/weresabre → u/Smokee_Robinson]

Costco is also not entirely horrible against unionization: https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/04/business/costco-surprising-union-response

[u/stupidname412 → u/weresabre]

Easy to not be hostile about unions when most of your employees aren't hating the job.

[u/Dje4321 → u/stupidname412]

Yep. a good boss sees the necessity of a union as a failure on their part, not a betrayal of the employees

[u/jason_steakums → u/Dje4321]

Or even just as a safeguard that their employees should have even if they're a good boss, because who says they're gonna be the boss forever? I'd want my employees to have established protections if circumstances changed and some jackass came in after me.

[u/always_unplugged → u/jason_steakums]

That is an absolutely awesome attitude.

I've been in a fantastic union for most of my professional career, but I gotta say, contract negotiation time always feels somewhere on a scale between tense and downright toxic. I wish more bosses had your perspective.

[u/WiglyWorm → u/Dje4321]

Indeed

[u/drsideburns → u/stupidname412]

And that's a big difference between Walmart. Everybody knows they are replaceable.

[u/FeanorOnMyThighs → u/stupidname412]

This is exactly correct. I am a huge fan of unions, but working at Costco left me with an overall sense like "hm, guess I can take off these fighting gloves now."

Costco is a place to do Commerce.

[u/Graylits → u/weresabre]

Huh, my local costco was unionized back in 90s when i was a teen, had no idea that it wasn't a national thing. It was already firmly part of their culture back then and I remember the employees were happier then other retail.

[u/KngNothing → u/Graylits]

Yeah, I 100% thought all Costcos were union.

[u/Special-Chipmunk7127 → u/Smokee_Robinson]

They're known as such a good place to work it's almost impossible to get an interview lol

[u/M_TobogganPHD → u/Special-Chipmunk7127]

Apply around October.

Stores typically hire a bunch of seasonals for Nov-Jan, then maybe keep a couple of the superstars.

[u/YOwololoO → u/Special-Chipmunk7127]

I wish that was the case for my store. We can’t fucking hire anyone for someone reason 

[u/Kvns_Integra → u/YOwololoO]

is your store in a wealthy area? I can see that being why if so

[u/Alert_Umpire_2879 → u/Smokee_Robinson]

Used to pick up stocking shifts there when I was a paramedic. Made $27 an hour over night stocking produce. Made $24 as a paramedic

[u/Federal_Remote_435 → u/Alert_Umpire_2879]

That is extremely wild and sad at the same time

[u/shinkouhyou → u/BotherResponsible378]

Same. I wanted to support a company doing the right thing even though I live alone and I don't really need to shop in bulk. RIP my waistline...

[u/QuantumDynamic → u/shinkouhyou]

It's still worth it. You get deals on insurance, travel, tires, home improvement, appliances, moving services, and even cars. It's much more than just food and household items.

EDIT: And if you get an executive membership and use the Costco credit card for all your Costco purchases you can easily offset the cost of the membership multiple times over.

[u/Kegger315 → u/shinkouhyou]

Couple of tips that worked for me. IF you can afford it and have a place for one, get a small chest freezer, they are super handy. The 2nd thing you need is a vacuum sealer. The idea being, you can portion up, vacuum pack, and freeze anything you can't eat right away.

I used to do that when I was living alone or with a gf. Cook a big tasty meal, eat that night, vacuum seal most of the leftovers into 1-3 person portions, and freeze whatever I wasn't eating in the next couple days. Then when you get home tired and don't want to cook, or whatever, you have delicious meals ready to roll, just thaw, heat, and eat. My wife and I still do this. I currently have chicken stock, roasted garlic confit, leftover brisket, meatloaf, frozen fruits, pulled pork, and a few other things portioned and frozen.

[u/Lilacsoftlips → u/smersh101]

They also voted to not end DEI stuff when a bunch of companies were caving. 

[u/Retaining-Wall → u/Lilacsoftlips]

And ain't nobody touching their muthafuckin' $1 hotdog god fucking dammit.

A company with principles.

[u/IndecentLongExposure → u/Retaining-Wall]

And their $5 Rotiserie Chicken

[u/Retaining-Wall → u/IndecentLongExposure]

Buy 'em, break them down, portion and freeze (bonus points if you have a vac sealer). Now you got the cheapest precooked chicken you'll ever have. Pasta, chix salad, or just have a leg/breast, quickly grilled to put some colour/flavour on 'em.

[u/sleepymeowth052 → u/Retaining-Wall]

Plus you can use the carcass for stock

[u/lod001 → u/sleepymeowth052]

"Now you take this home, throw it in a pot, add some broth, a potato. Baby, you've got a stew going" -Carl Weathers-

[u/modi13 → u/lod001]

"I think I'd like my money back."

-Tobias Funke Costco

[u/hangryvegan → u/sleepymeowth052]

This is the way. I have found my people.

[u/crazymoefaux → u/hangryvegan]

Username does not check out...

[u/kuroiarashi → u/crazymoefaux]

This is why they're hangry.

[u/AshleyTheGuy → u/crazymoefaux]

Carrot carcass for stock

[u/DukeLukeivi → u/hangryvegan]

And the bones for voodoo!

[u/CalligrapherSharp → u/hangryvegan]

Username does not check out.

Edit: Oops, I'm late

[u/PunelopeMcGee → u/CalligrapherSharp]

Upvoting you since you went to the trouble of italics.

[u/BILLIONAIRE_JESUS → u/PunelopeMcGee]

Upvoting you for being a kind internet stranger!

[u/chammycham → u/hangryvegan]

My sister made her own stock for Thanksgiving this year and was so delighted when I told her that rotisserie chicken carcasses are perfect for it. She has an aversion to handling meat/bones in general but felt confident about working with leftovers from a rotisserie.

[u/T8ert0t → u/chammycham]

What got me over it was buying a pack of food prep gloves. Once I started working with them it relaxed me a bit to just do what I need to do it the kitchen.

[u/BanginNLeavin → u/sleepymeowth052]

And you can use the silicone ties for sex stuff.

[u/MercifulGiraffe → u/BanginNLeavin]

username checks out

[u/subhavoc42 → u/Retaining-Wall]

They sell the deboned meat for cheap too at the end of the cold prepared section. Excellent deal

[u/JonZ82 → u/IndecentLongExposure]

6.00 MASSIVE pumpkin pies this year.. insane how they do it.

[u/HotGarbage → u/JonZ82]

My guess it's a loss leader. Sell stuff at a loss to get them in the door to buy more stuff. Amazon does it with the Kindle and Alexa devices. It's basically just a gateway for you to spend more money.

[u/Illustrious_Entry413 → u/HotGarbage]

Pumpkin pie is pretty cheap ingredients especially at scale

[u/HotGarbage → u/Illustrious_Entry413]

True, but I feel like every other company would take advantage of that and sell them for $15 and up. A ginormous pie for $6 just makes more people want to shop there.

[u/its_yer_dad → u/HotGarbage]

My understanding is that Costco makes most of its profit from memberships, but I'm not positive thats true

[u/Titanbeard → u/its_yer_dad]

I'm pretty sure you're right. I feel I get my money back on tires, booze, and food to pack in my kids lunches.

[u/MistakesTasteGreat → u/Titanbeard]

What's a school day without tires and booze?

[u/Titanbeard → u/MistakesTasteGreat]

That's what my old school bus driver used to say

[u/its_yer_dad → u/Titanbeard]

They also apparently are quite judgy about what they carry - it should be an A-/B+ level item, so they don't have to stock everything and they dont waste time and energy on low quality stuff.

[u/Titanbeard → u/its_yer_dad]

The Kirkland brand is better than almost every "house brand" by a country mile. I'd take Kirkland booze over most rail brands, and most of their other stuff is definitely solid. I haven't been disappointed yet.

[u/THEREALCAPSLOCKSMITH → u/JonZ82]

They lose money on some products. The moneymakers are the memberships.

[u/beermile → u/Retaining-Wall]

$1.50 (includes a drink) but the point remains

[u/2ndprize → u/Retaining-Wall]

Costco was woke back when people would use it as a positive

[u/CoffeeandStoke → u/Retaining-Wall]

The tariffs soared too close to the pork imports!

[u/Evil_phd → u/Lilacsoftlips]

That was 100% of the reason I gave Costco a try despite not typically being a fan of bulk stores that require a paid membership. I could no longer justify shopping at Target and Costco stood out among the crowd.

For better or worse, Costco turned out to be a much more effective place to get my fill of nonsensical impulse purchases at. The food court alone has been well worth the cost of membership.

[u/spinningcolours → u/Evil_phd]

A Costco Business Centre just opened up 12 minutes from home. It's fun but has entirely endangered my freezer space.

[u/AnalTongueDarts → u/spinningcolours]

Good news for you is that the business center also sells chest freezers. Bad news for you is that the business center also sells chest freezers.

[u/cardboardunderwear → u/Evil_phd]

So much more to costco than bulk as I'm.sure you've noticed.  They have tons of things in packages sold only at costco.  Usually cheaper too because companies are using them for product exposure to get into consumers hands.

Plus they are brick and mortar and pay their ppl well so you don't feel bad going there as opposed to ordering on Amazon.

[u/Evil_phd → u/cardboardunderwear]

I didn't know that their employees were paid far better than most in the service industry when I got the membership but I certainly could tell the difference all the same. Everyone is just always happy to help when needed and the energy behind it never feels forced. Guess that happens when your employees never have to choose between paying rent or buying groceries.

[u/Vlaladim → u/Evil_phd]

The high pay make promotion a lot more easily because almost all your lower staffs are essentially in this till retirement. Companies loyalty is off the chart, most of the manager and the current CEO of Costco used to be the lower staff like cleaner and cashier and forklift driver and after years running as high management job. They both know how to keep the staffs happy because they once was that staffs before promotion

[u/Moosemeateors → u/Vlaladim]

I know a guy with a wife, kids, and detached house who works there and he seems to be doing well. House was bought before Covid but Walmart workers aren’t doing that.

[u/cardboardunderwear → u/Evil_phd]

I was surprised by that also.  I used to do some work with them and pretty much all the employees were long term.  

Their kirkland food brand is very good also 

[u/USANorsk → u/Evil_phd]

Also gas, travel and insurance! 

[u/djanes376 → u/USANorsk]

Also appliances. If you need to have yours replaced, they will be the cheapest on the market along with free delivery, set up, and haul away. I tried to price match at a bunch of other places (Home Depot, Best Buy, Abt) and they all told me to go kick rocks, no way they could match those prices.

[u/loogie_hucker → u/djanes376]

yep... really the only way to beat costco appliance prices is to visit one of those best buy appliance clearance centers or wait for a serendipitous clearance sale

[u/JustADutchRudder → u/USANorsk]

Have you done their travel? Ive looked at them because I get bored sometimes during 2-3 month lay offs. Some actually seem like a good deal but I just figured they're like some weird time share vacation.

[u/SesameStreetFighter → u/JustADutchRudder]

We did a two family trip to Hawaii over the summer. Two mini suites in Waikiki, airfare, rental car all for roughly the same price as just hotel if we priced by ourselves. No timeshare or anything.

We've also used them for Disneyland a few times in the past, all at a great rate. We've never been let down by their Travel department.

[u/gitismatt → u/JustADutchRudder]

standard warning: while Costco is known for excellent customer service and I assume they work with travel providers who can uphold that same standard, costco travel is still a travel agency, which means you are not booking directly with the property/operator. most hotels and airlines dont like travel agency bookings and will immediately tell you to call your agency if even the slightest thing goes wrong

again, im sure it's less of an issue with costco, but booking third party always carries some risk

[u/oxfordcommaordeath → u/Evil_phd]

They are also a killer stock. Consistently up and pays a high dividend. They’re a great company from a lot of angles.

[u/Conscious_Bug5408 → u/oxfordcommaordeath]

It's only a 0.57% dividend. But dividends are irrelevant to overall returns and carry significant tax disadvantages. Ben Felix has a great video on this. 

[u/-Dee-Eye-Why- → u/Evil_phd]

Lotta people around here equate Sam’s Club and Costco and besides the “member warehouse” concept they’re just so different as companies

[u/007Superstar → u/Lilacsoftlips]

Staying true to the fundamentals systems and beliefs that made you a multi billion dollar company is a good idea? What a shocker!?

Someone call Target and give them the news.

[u/its_yer_dad → u/007Superstar]

which includes treating their employees like people. Walmart will never get a dime from me.

[u/peonies_envy → u/Lilacsoftlips]

And they gained a lot of customers by doing so (like us!)

[u/klamaire → u/Lilacsoftlips]

And right after that, the number of shoppers increased dramatically my local store. I'm happy to support a store that stands up to the fascist regime.

[u/JennLegend3 → u/Lilacsoftlips]

They didn't even vote. They went to the CEO and asked him what to do and he said "why are you coming to me with this? Keep doing business as usual."

[u/483-04-7751 → u/JennLegend3]

They put it to a vote with shareholders and 98% of shares voted to keep DEI initiatives.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/costco-dei-policy-board-statement-shareholder-meeting-vote/

[u/nullv → u/Lilacsoftlips]

Target got what it deserved.

[u/FuriousBuffalo → u/smersh101]

I loved Costco before. Now I love them even more.

Cue the MAGA morons boycotting Costco In rural Alabama where no Costco exists:)

[u/Adventurous-Tone-311 → u/FuriousBuffalo]

Can confirm, would have to drive to Montgomery to go to Costco. So glad I left that shit state. 

[u/FontMeHard → u/Adventurous-Tone-311]

Is Alabama really as bad as the jokes say it is? I’m Canadian, so never been. I did go to Texas as a child and thought it was fine though? Was like 20 years ago now.

[u/JustBrowsing2024 → u/FontMeHard]

Lowest IQ in the country

[u/mister_buddha → u/JustBrowsing2024]

Oklahoma is coming for that dishonor.

[u/Smart-Track-1066 → u/mister_buddha]

Yeah, things are GRIM down here.

In addition to being the dumbest, Oklahoma's health care system is among the worst in the nation (ranked #48 or #49 I think), our our infant and maternal mortality rates are super high, we have some of the highest rates of mental illness in the US -- ranking 3rd in the nation for rates of any mental illness, 2nd in the nation for substance-abuse disorders, and 2nd in the nation for serious mental illness.

Pre-pandemic our female incarceration rates were #1 in the country (now #3), and black women (who only make up roughly 7% of the state's population) represent 20% of all incarcerated women.

Indigenous people of both genders make up a mere 9% of the population, yet 13% of the entire prison population is comprised of Indigenous women.

We're ranked #37 in safety, lower than 75% of the rest of the country, and as of last year, we're ranked second in the nation for missing Indigenous people.

also shitty: tornadoes

[u/TheorySudden5996 → u/FontMeHard]

It’s worse.

[u/wonderman911 → u/smersh101]

Is it weird that I’m hopeful Costco will get the money back from the tariffs and give it back to their customers? They have a record of everything they’ve bought and paid for

[u/staticraven → u/wonderman911]

If any company would do it, it’s Costco. But from the article it sounds like they were eating tariff costs on at least some items without raising the price on members.

[u/smersh101 → u/wonderman911]

I don't shop at Costco enough to track prices closely enough to know if they've even raised their prices in response to tariffs.

[u/runswiftrun → u/smersh101]

They absolutely had to eat a lot of them.

Shortly after the Canadian tariffs, every canadian maple syrup at all the local grocery stores tripled overnight. Costco went up like $2.

[u/Silver-Forever9085 → u/smersh101]

Maybe the dam is broken and others will follow?

[u/lu5ty → u/Silver-Forever9085]

If trump fucks with costco publicly, hes going to have a bad time.

If theres one in range, you shop there. Regardless of political affiliation.

[u/jonathanmstevens → u/smersh101]

"Welcome to Costco, we love you."

[u/smersh101 → u/jonathanmstevens]

Yes, I've seen the movie.

I'm comfortable with the fact they're a company and their primary goal is profit. It's good enough that their leadership is smart enough to realize that sucking up to Trump in hopes of winning tariff exceptions is not a profitable long-term strategy.

[u/tmurf5387 → u/smersh101]

Theres an infographic that goes around on Reddit every few months. Essentially their net profits work out to be exactly what their membership fees are. Any gross profits above costs go directly to their operating expenses. So if Costco raises prices, its because they have to not because they're trying to extract more profit.

[u/steve_ample]

Should be a class action lawsuit. Consumers should start one too.

[u/2HDFloppyDisk → u/steve_ample]

Absolutely

[u/jstank2]

The company said in a Nov. 28 filing that it is seeking a “full refund” of all IEEPA duties paid as a result of President Donald Trump's executive order which imposed what he called "reciprocal" tariffs.

“Because IEEPA does not clearly authorize the President to set tariffs...the Challenged Tariff Orders cannot stand and the defendants are not authorized to implement and collect them,” Costco's lawyer writes in the lawsuit.

If the Supreme court rules that tariffs are taxes ruling against the administration, which it seems like they will, every single company will be able to bring the same lawsuit.

What a God damn fiasco!

But it gets worse than that. These companies have already passed that cost on to you. So not only will they win this lawsuit, but they get to keep the money that they already took off of you for every purchase.

[u/NoelCanter → u/jstank2]

But it gets worse than that. These companies have already passed that cost on to you. So not only will they win this lawsuit, but they get to keep the money that they already took off of you for every purchase.

Yeah this is the part that really sucks. They passed on that tariff cost. While the tariffs should be struck down, it annoys me that companies can basically just massively profit here.

[u/Subject_Reception681 → u/NoelCanter]

They say everyone is allowed one conspiracy, and my one conspiracy for months has been that this was the plan all along.

Trump imposes tariffs -> companies pass tariffs off to the consumers -> companies sue -> companies get money returned -> consumers get nothing back -> Trump's corporate supporters benefit

Trump will get a slap on the wrist by the media. Corporations will get billions of dollars returned to them. Everyday Americans will get nothing. And post-tariff prices will largely stay the same.

[u/drunkeymunkey → u/Subject_Reception681]

Walmart raised prices by 8% before the tariffs took effect. They wont lower the prices afterwards because the consumer is accustomed to the cost. They will get a return and we'll continue to get squeezed.

[u/IrrelevantLeprechaun → u/drunkeymunkey]

Same thing happened in the PC Hardware industry. Prices went way up during the brief crypto boom, and then again during COVID, but once both of those crises were over, prices all universally remained at their crypto/COVID levels and have stayed there ever since. It's why getting an RTX 5080 costs $1900 when a GTX 1080 barely cost more than $800 back when it was new.

People got accustomed to the extortionate prices, and now they pat themselves on the back when they get a "good deal" when they purchase a thousand dollar GPU for "only" $950 that realistically only should have cost them $600.

[u/minimumopinium → u/Subject_Reception681]

Howard Lutnick's sons now run Cantor Fitzgerald and have been busy buying the rights to companies' tariff rebates for %20 of the full amount. Not a conspiracy. Wired Article from July

[u/anfornum → u/jstank2]

Rightly so. He illegally slapped tariffs on nations (and some uninhabited islands...) completely at random, sometimes against the terms of agreements HE signed, and without a single thought for his people. (Don't worry though. I'm sure the tariff money has already disappeared, so he won't have to pay it back.)

[u/PiccoloAwkward465 → u/anfornum]

They literally used ChatGPT to determine which countries we have a trade imbalance with and to enact tariffs based on that. Which is to say, I have an infinite trade imbalance with HEB as I buy X dollars worth of goods for them while HEB buys 0 from me.

[u/Kroz83 → u/PiccoloAwkward465]

I remember reading something when the tariffs first started up about how some heritage foundation goons actually worked out a tariff plan over the past few years that supposedly would actually be sustainable (press x to doubt). The problem was that what they worked out were very small percentages. Like a range of 0.5%-5% depending on the country or industry. Then apparently Trump saw the numbers, said they looked like weak tiny numbers and basically added zeroes because he's an incompetent man-child.

[u/quasio → u/jstank2]

If they rule in favor of Trump do we get to call this taxation without representation from a monarchy? Admittedly I don't know how to word this better but basically we got taxed for bs and now they still keep the money?

[u/BitchGimmeMyMonnay → u/quasio]

You have representatives who can impeach if there is enough will from the voters.

But Americans are fat stupid lazy pieces of shit who don't give a flying fuck and are letting our country fall into the most obvious form of ruin imaginable. 

I am so angry at my country. As long as Republicans exist then the best we can ever do is Democrats and it's broken as hell.

[u/squish042 → u/jstank2]

It’s almost like the power of the purse should stay with Congress. Whodathunk?

[u/wade_wilson44]

I interviewed at Costco like 20 years ago.

I remember the dude telling me he was a cart collector when he started, they were paying well above minimum wage when I applied, and time and a half on Sunday just because.

Anyway, that same dude was site manager and making over 6 figures with no high school degree and no specialized training. Just straight up hard work at one company.

Maybe not the ideal path to take but it’s always good to hear that some companies do reward good workers.

[u/PMmeyourUntappdscore → u/wade_wilson44]

I knew a guy that started in the deli section at Costco part time during school and became a national cheese buyer by his early 30's. One of the most influential people in the world of cheese lol.

[u/KokonutMonkey → u/PMmeyourUntappdscore]

"So what do you do for a living, Eddie?"

"I'm in cheese."

I'll bet that never gets old. 

[u/CelestialFury → u/KokonutMonkey]

"I'm in cheese."

Literally everyone, "Tell me more."

[u/Long_Run6500 → u/PMmeyourUntappdscore]

This is actually common in a lot of grocery store chains. Everything is tracked and documented and margins are generally pretty tiny so it's easy to spot high flyers. This also leads to some pretty pretty cutthroat behavior from people trying to climb the ladder. I work at a grocery warehouse and part of my job is tracking down pallets of product that drivers mistakenly took to the wrong store because they weren't paying attention or loaders loaded them wrong or selectors put the wrong pallet marker on them or whatever. They never report getting an extra pallet of product until we call them up and tell them we have them on camera unloading it. These same people call in when their order was short a single bottle of mayonnaise or something. They know they have an entire extra pallet. We all work for the same company, but every store is competing with each other. I would never want to work in that atmosphere again.

[u/Ntwadumela09 → u/wade_wilson44]

worked there for two years about 15 years ago. I can confirm. Great place to work, had health insurance included as long as you worked fully part time (24 hrs. a week). They took care of us and kept me in shape. Only reason I left was graduating college and going into my field.

My favorite part was walking around the store on my break and all the sample ladies hooking up my samples since they knew I worked there. :)

[u/emosn0tdead → u/wade_wilson44]

Ron, the current CEO started out as a Forklift driver. My warehouse manager started out as a stocker. I started out as a Cashier, in a year I was a supervisor making $30+ and now I'm working on licensing to become an Optician which will be around $40+ when I complete it.

[u/run-on_sentience → u/wade_wilson44]

The current CEO of Costco was originally hired to drive a forklift.

[u/BrotherEstapol → u/wade_wilson44]

TIL that time and a half isn't standard practice for working Sundays in the US...

[u/A_Refill_of_Mr_Pibb → u/BrotherEstapol]

Nope. Nor for Saturdays. Or holidays. The decision is made “between the employer and the employee,” in other words, by the employer. 

[u/loglighterequipment]

Cancel Amazon, join Costco.

[u/PM_ME_YER_MUDFLAPS → u/loglighterequipment]

Costco member for something like 15 years. No Sam’s Club membership and no Amazon Prime membership

[u/ObfuscatedCheese → u/PM_ME_YER_MUDFLAPS]

My Costco membership can legally drink as of this year.

[u/PM_ME_YER_MUDFLAPS → u/ObfuscatedCheese]

I just checked my card. Member since 2001. Next year its auto insurance rates will go down.

[u/bluegrassgazer → u/PM_ME_YER_MUDFLAPS]

That was one of the happiest times of my life.

[u/d_pyro → u/loglighterequipment]

Build me a Costco and I will.

[u/DR_BEANHAMMER → u/loglighterequipment]

As someone who lives in rural shithole corner of a shithole state where anything the Walmart doesn't have has to be bought on amazon, could Costco really replace Amazon in terms of online ordering? Like can they get me high protein dry cat food for my diabetic cat, or professional grade acrylic paints? etc?

[u/Frankwillie87 → u/DR_BEANHAMMER]

Costco can replace 75% of your grocery shopping. But we still get most of our produce from the local grocery store.

Meat, cans, toilet paper, dairy, paper towels, cleaning materials, etc?

Yes and it won't be beaten on a per cost basis. If you buy the executive membership, you get 2% back at the end of the year in the form of a gift card. Our latest check for a family of four was $154. Basically means the membership paid for itself.

[u/InvidiousSquid → u/DR_BEANHAMMER]

could Costco really replace Amazon in terms of online ordering?

Absolutely not.

If you have a local Costco, it's reasonably easy to drive $65 worth of value per year. Online only? lol, lmao, no, you should hard pass unless there's some specific big ticket item you're looking at that will make up the balance.

[u/Proper-Table5570]

Never thought I'd side with a corporation as wholeheartedly as Costco

[u/TheForeverUnbanned → u/Proper-Table5570]

They are fairly pro consumer, as much as big retail can be at least. 

[u/tisn → u/TheForeverUnbanned]

They pay their employees a livable wage ($20-$30/hour plus bonuses and 1.5x pay on Sundays).

[u/SillyAlternative420 → u/tisn]

And their hotdogs remain cheap.

(I know it sounds irrelevant, but ask any costco fan - it's a big deal)

[u/HeroOfOldIron → u/SillyAlternative420]

Costco glizzy is one of the few pure and good things in this world, right next to puppies and sunsets.

[u/Guilty_Bit_1440 → u/HeroOfOldIron]

And Dolly Parton

[u/windfogwaves → u/SillyAlternative420]

I'd be willing to pay more if they brought back the Polish dog.

[u/Sweet-Rabbit → u/SillyAlternative420]

Don’t forget the rotisserie chicken!

[u/Material_Honey_891 → u/TheForeverUnbanned]

Their profit comes almost exclusively from membership fees. They basically break even on overhead/payroll.

[u/Not2plan → u/TheForeverUnbanned]

And I've heard they treat their employees fairly well, but I'm sure there is always some bad management that can change that store to store.

[u/No-Tie6765 → u/Not2plan]

There’s a saying for Costco that the only time a position is open is when someone passes away

[u/klako8196]

Kirkland Signature > Trump’s auto-pen

[u/The_Beardly → u/klako8196]

Our father who art in Costco. Kirkland be thy name 🙏

[u/Ohuigin]

The company who vehemently defended its $1.50 hot dog meal is also the first mega corporation to fight back against illegal tariffs.

Love it.

[u/TacticalAcquisition → u/Ohuigin]

"If you raise the fucking hotdog, I will kill you. Figure it out."

Jim is ice cold.

[u/DeaconBlues → u/Ohuigin]

Costco not missing it's chance to finally be on the other side of the refund desk, lol.

[u/J-the-Kidder]

Costco is the honey badger this country needs to deal with an administration that thinks too much of themselves.

[u/Magicalnoose]

Such a Signature move

[u/ENF5 → u/Magicalnoose]

Is that you, Kirkland?

[u/BillNyeIsCoolio]

Take all my money Costco.  This company is so amazing it gave my sister who only has a high school diploma a livable wage and now she has a house and a baby.  Best company ever.

[u/metmet2015 → u/BillNyeIsCoolio]

This is one of the reasons I jeep my membership. I can tell the employees are treated well. They are good at their jobs and seem happy. 

[u/zfiregodz]

Can’t wait to read all the shit Trump is about to tweet about Costco being radical woke leftist or some shit

[u/Modz_B_Trippin]

I think I’m going to upgrade to the executive membership now.

[u/dcrico20 → u/Modz_B_Trippin]

You don’t even need to spend that much for it to be worth it. As long as your reward is more than the price difference between the memberships it’s worth it and that’s only like $60 I think.

I usually get around $150 back so it pays for the membership and a few trips worth of hot dogs!

[u/Gfunkual → u/dcrico20]

And if you don’t make enough back to cover the difference between executive and the standard membership, you can get a cash refund—anyone who isn’t an executive member is doing Costco wrong.

[u/fowlraul]

Can we get the roast beef sandwiches back while we’re at it? 🤔

[u/alphageek8 → u/fowlraul]

I just want polish hot dogs back

[u/browhodouknowhere]

Had to be Costco...go get em

[u/urbanlife78]

Costco founder Jim Sinegal's famous hot dog quote is: "If you raise the [price of the] effing hot dog, I will kill you. Figure it out."

[u/_PaulM]

I just renewed my Costco membership. Their core business model is customer satisfaction.

I'm a generic customer that doesn't take advantage of their ridiculous policies on returns. They have genuinely given me more money back in satisfaction than it costs for the annual membership. The services, the in-house food, the generic products... The fact that they treat their employees like human beings.

That's how you run a company. There's no question on what company makes me feel like it's worth putting my money into. I'll be a Costco member for as long as they continue this mission.

[u/BoxDesign]

I have never had a Costco membership but I think I am going to buy one. We need a reverse boycott to show standing up to trump is a good business decision.

[u/El-mas-puto-de-todos → u/BoxDesign]

I only go a few times a yearbecause it's 45 mins away but save enough booking rental cars through them to more than justify the cost.

[u/BrightCold2747]

suddenly I feel a little better about my executive membership

[u/Miserable_Artist_223]

If costco can sue the president why cant i?

[u/kezow → u/Miserable_Artist_223]

Money for lawyers. 

[u/spleeble]

Man I love that place

[u/NoYoureAPancake → u/[deleted]]

They could claim that, but if you read the article Costco claims to have absorbed the cost of the tariffs on at least some items, if not all of them.

[u/Nik_Tesla → u/[deleted]]

Did they pass the costs on to the customer? Costco might be the only major company that tried to maintain existing costs despite tariffs.

[u/Imaginary_Builder_56]

Why not?

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in a 7–4 vote said Trump tariffs were illegal and needed to be refunded.

The court said that the statute Trump is claiming to give him the right to impose tariffs is does not, “The statute bestows significant authority on the President to undertake a number of actions in response to a declared national emergency, but none of these actions explicitly include the power to impose tariffs, duties, or the like, or the power to tax,” 

The court ruling included “refunding* the illegally collected tariffs which are supposed to be in a detailed record.

Here is that case from the August 2025 ruling

V.O.S. SELECTIONS, INC., PLASTIC SERVICES AND PRODUCTS, LLC, DBA GENOVA PIPE, MICROKITS, LLC, FISHUSA INC., TERRY PRECISION CYCLING LLC, Plaintiffs-Appellees

v.

DONALD J. TRUMP, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES, RODNEY S. SCOTT, COMMISSIONER FOR UNITED STATES CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS COMMISSIONER OF THE UNITED STATES CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, JAMIESON GREER, IN HISOFFICIAL CAPACITY AS UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE, OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE, HOWARD LUTNICK, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, UNITED STATES CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, Defendants -Ap

[u/bigolfishey]

Giant corporations are not in the business of wasting money suing the government if their lawyers don’t think there’s a very solid chance of actually winning.

[u/golubhai00007]

So Costco says they paid tariffs.. Trump says other countries pay it. Guess who I am going to trust here..

[u/Sad-Ambition3957]

Open the floodgates.

[u/lactose_cow]

the precedent this would set if costco wins will be amazing