Costco Connection - August 2005

Sherpa fleece, which makes for a warmer sleep, make but thin inner lining that I easily tore apart with my sure it has a soft, deep pile. (All Costco dog-bed fab- hands and no cedar shavings. Price tag: $79.99. rics are preshrunk for convenience; 100 percent cot- Retailer B offers a 42-inch-round dog bed. The ton is not used and the Sherpa fleece is extra thick.) label indicates a 100 percent polyester top and bot- Tough zippers. Good zippers are crucial, tom with 100 percent polyester fill. I found accurate because without a zipper there is no way to remove measurements, dog-paw-print fabric with no cord-the outer cover for cleaning. (If there is no zipper, I ing, 3-inch side-wall gussets, soft but thin Sherpa suggest not buying the bed.) The best zippers are fleece on one side, YKK nylon zipper, 6. 5 pounds of YKK nylon zippers, with their identifying YKK fill, no mention of new or reused materials, a very stamped on the pull-tabs. YKK zippers are self- thin zippered inner lining that I poked open with repairing and won’t rust. All Kirkland Signature dog just one finger and no cedar shavings. Price tag: beds have YKK nylon zippers that are fabric-covered $64.99. forscratchprotection. Costco Kirkland Signature offers a 42-inch- Kim provides some final thoughts about my round dog bed. The label mentions a zippered original question on value. “Bargain dog bedding is cover, durable jacquard fabric, extra-thick Sherpa no bargain if the pet never sleeps on it,” she says. fleece, 7 pounds of virgin fibers, gusseted side walls “The same holds true for expensive dog beds: They and washing instructions. I found accurate mea-are not worth the price if quality is ignored.” surements, elegant patterned jacquard, substantial braided cording, 4-inch side-wall gussets, thick and Next step: Sniffing out value super-soft Sherpa fleece on one side, YKK plastic After my conversation with Kim, I decided to go zipper, 7 pounds of plump, virgin fill, a tough woven dog-bed shopping. Here’s what I found when I com- poly/cotton lining that needed scissors to open and pared three large dog beds, all of which had Sherpa blended cedar shavings. Price tag: under $25. fleeceononeside. Who’s the leader of this pack? Costco—yet Retailer A offers a 36-by-36-inch-square dog again! C bed. The label reports that the cover is removable, the inner pillow is machine washable and the nylon zipper is rustproof. The top fabric is acrylic, while the bottom is polyester. I found accurate measurements, nice fabric pattern, thin, braided cording, 4-inch side-wall gussets for support, bumpy and thin Sherpa-style fleece on one side, no YKK zipper, 7 pounds of fill, no mention of new or reused materials, a well-made

The Costco
dog bed
selection

Sweet dog dreams, for less

Round Size Price*

Retailer A 34" $69.99

Retailer B 52" $89.99

Costco 42" $19.99

Throw Size Price

Retailer A 30" x 60" $24.99

Retailer B 60" x 60" $49.99

Costco 54" x 64" $13.99

*Prices based on surveys in June 2005 online and at Seattle-area stores; Costco prices may vary by region.

The ultimate test: Rosie the Lab loves Costco’s round dog bed.

IRIDIO PHOTOGRAPHY

In Costco warehouses, the dog days of August are when spring/ summer dog beds are moving out and fall/winter dog beds are appearing. All spring/summer dog-bed outer covers are made of prewashed, washable, yarn-dyed (to hold color better) polyester or poly/cotton jacquards. All fall/winter fabrics have the same properties but are offered in sturdy chenille jacquards with coordinating polyester chiffon and/or Sherpa fleece.

Costco may be the first manufacturer in the industry to offer washable jacquard and jacquard chenille dog beds. They are simply gorgeous.

All Kirkland Signature dog beds are backed by Costco’s 100 percent guarantee, with assorted colors, fabrications and styles available. Here’s the Costco lineup.