DIALOGUEletters
Debate goes on
In response to the Contrary to media reports, there has never been any
Subscription
changes
December Debate, corporate decision to refrain from using “Merry
“Should people Christmas” or “Christmas” in our warehouses or litera-
ture. Here’s our official policy: Costco Wholesale believes Membership Number
make New Year’s strongly in providing our members with excellent mem-
resolutions?” ber service. We encourage our employees to greet our
Business Name
members and make them feel welcome in our ware-
houses. Costco does not have a policy dictating which
YES. Resolutions work when you frame them with greetings our employees should use either in our ware- First Name Middle Initial
a plan. But a person without goals doesn’t succeed houses or in our printed material. It is likely that our
at anything, unless it's a fluke or happenstance members will be welcomed with many different greet-
(like lottery wins). The first of the year or of any ings in our warehouses during the holiday season.” Last Name
“season” is a great time to commit or recommit Various marketing pieces we distribute use the
yourself to doing better. term “Holiday Season,” but these are intended to cover Address
Rhonda Sherwood, via e-mail both the Thanksgiving and Christmas selling periods,
which, from a retailing and marketing standpoint,
NO. Because life is dynamic, constantly changing, have come to be a single season.—Ed.
even a really noble New Year’s resolution made on
January 1 could be redirected by January 2. Better to Delicious discovery City State
thank God for whatever progress we have made, I have been ashrimp importer for
regardless of whether we feel we’ve completely 26 years. So, I read with interest the
achieved a particular goal or not. article titled “Quite a Catch” [Buying Zip Code
Peggy Hoyme, Chino, California Smart, November 2005]. Due to indus-
try abuses, consumers who buy cooked
Phone
YES. The only reason people don’t keep New Year’s or raw shrimp from traditional grocery chains
resolutions is they have not made it personal. You have no idea of what good shrimp tastes like.
need an attainable goal, a clear vision of why you I happened to be in my local Costco on the E-mail Address
want it and an idea of how you will feel if you Mondaybefore Thanksgivingandnoticedadisplayof New address Delete
achieve it. Then, when the going gets tough, you shrimp in the road-show kiosk. I bought 2 pounds
can quickly picture the end result in your mind and cooked and served them to five friends before our
and make a commitment to follow through. Thanksgiving dinner. The shrimp flew off the plate.
Charlotte Fischer, Lancaster, PA Everyone asked what kind of shrimp I served and why
only a seafood importer can get this quality of shrimp.
Odds and ends I explained that all shrimp come out of the water with the potential to taste this good. The trouble
Costco and Christmas comes with the way it is processed: Too much time Mail to:
Don’t miss out on the latest
news and product information
from Costco—include your
e-mail address on this form.
Information will remain
strictly confidential.
I’m distressed that Costco would fall prey to the without refrigeration, poor handling, chemical Subscription Department
political correctness of removing “Christmas” from abuse, poor grading and short weights have ruined The Costco Connection
P.O. Box 34088
the Christmas holidays. The idea portrays a simplistic consumer’s perception of value. Seattle, WA 98124-1088
response to an agenda that goes against the tradition I enjoy all of my trips to Costco, but this was
of the vast majority of Americans, to say nothing of exceptionally nice because I see an industry that I E-mail:
customerservice@costco.com
the legal designation of Christmas. Please reconsider care very much about being led by example into
the action in coming years. Merry Christmas. marketing quality at affordable prices. Fax:
Richard E. Carlson, Meridian, Idaho Mike Downing, Bellevue, WA (425) 313-6718
Please allow four to six weeks for processing.
Take a cure, pedicure, haircut and color. Valerie Wosk,
second look owner of Eyestyles, contributed new glasses.
Here’s Harris (center) with
her new look, surrounded by
Larson (left) and the Halo
team.—Ed.
WE OFTEN HEAR from members who have
been featured in The Connection, but the call
from Mary Harris was a bit unusual. Mary and
her husband, Larry, co-owners of Matanuska Before
Gardens in Wasilla, Alaska, were featured on the
cover of the May 2005 issue. They were
selected to receive one of Costco’s Phoenix
Awards, for their comeback story after their
nursery was destroyed in a windstorm.
The cover caught the attention of Ramona
Larson, owner of Halo, a one-year old salon in
nearby Anchorage. She invited Harris in for a spa
day and complimentary makeover—facial, mani-
After
PILI GODDARD
Do you have
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Readers are encouraged to
submit letters to our editors
on any topic or issue
covered in The Connection.
Please include your full name
and phone number or
address. Send all letters to:
Dialogue, The Costco
Connection, P.O. Box 34088,
Seattle, WA 98124-1088; fax
to (425) 313-6718; or e-mail to
dialogue@costco.com. The
editors reserve the right to
edit letters for publication.
