Costco Connection - February 2012

In response to the December
Debate, “Is it OK to thank people
by email?”
Debate goes on

MEDIA BAKERY

YES. I am 83 years old, and my hand shakes a bit, making my handwriting very difficult to read, so I think email is marvelous. I’ve not seen this mentioned before—I’m sure I’m not alone!

Tig Pennock
Prescott, Arizona

NO. I love it when I get a letter in the mail. It tells me about the person who sent it because he or she took the time to sit down with pen and paper and write a note, address an envelope and put a stamp on it, rather than sparing only a moment to send a quick email.

Mary Wonacott
Boise, Idaho

Member comments

Hail to the chief

Your cover story, “The empire built on values,” [January 2012] has more information on the value of ethics than most college courses. Mr. Sinegal established a standard that should be emulated in all companies and government organizations.

Joel Goodman
Centennial, Colorado

“The empire built on values” further reinforced what my husband and I already knew for certain: Costco is the very best place for our son, Benjamin, to be employed.

Ben is 37 years old and has Down syndrome. After graduating from high school he was employed at various restaurant jobs until 2006, when he became a Costco employee. We could write a book about what a wonderful opportunity this has been! His co-workers are an extended family, and the members are a large community of friends. To say he loves his job is a gross understatement.

Just a year ago we moved from Minneapolis
to Raleigh, North Carolina. We were so grate-
ful that Ben was granted a transfer here. When
Jim Sinegal visited Raleigh recently, Ben was
thrilled to report that “Mr. Sinegal shook
hands with me and remembered me from the
Minneapolis store! How cool is that—the CEO
remembers me!”
We wish we could thank Mr. Sinegal
personally for being at the helm of such a
great organization for these past years. We
wish Mr. Jelinek the very best as he continues
to lead Costco in maintaining the high stan-
dards that make for happy consumers and
employees!

Jane Zempel
Cary, North Carolina
Bully for Borghese

I am so happy to read that the Kirkland Signature™ Borghese line of products will be back [“A beauty-full new year,” January 2012]. I’ve turned many friends on to these, and I absolutely love them. They are not perfumey/ cosmetic-smelling like other brands, but, rather, are light, clean, effective and affordable.

Jeannie Ianelli
Seattle, Washington
Phone bill scams

After reading David Horowitz [“Beware of phone bill scams,” January 2012] there are a few things that need to be added. With slamming and the way the phone company does its billing cycle, the first 30 days may have passed before you realize that you have been “slammed,” and you may be on your own in trying to get the phone company to do anything. Rather than wait for your bill, if you have Internet access, it is a good idea to check your phone account regularly [online].

Ed Washington
Modesto, California
Costco Concierge Services

I just wanted to let you know how happy I have been with Costco Concierge Services [“At your service,” Buying Smart, December 2011]. I purchased a Magnavox 42-inch LCD four years ago, but not until this past week did I try to install an SVGA cable from my computer to the TV. I called Magnavox technical support and was told that my model had been discontinued and they did not have any way to help me. I decided to call the Concierge Services. One of the support personnel there solved my dilemma within five minutes! Not

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ered in The Connection. Please include
your full name and phone number or
address. Send an email to dialogue@
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The Costco Connection, P.O. Box 34088,
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; DIALOGUEletters

only was he extremely knowledgeable but also very polite and personable and stayed on line with me until I was certain that everything worked perfectly. I will never buy any electronic device anyplace but at Costco, just for the peace of mind knowing that their technical support is there to help.

Al Fox
Santa Maria, California
Now we’re cooking!

Your magazine and annual cookbook have inspired my husband, myself and a whole bunch of our Costco-loving friends to start an annual “Costco Cookbook Party.” We hosted our second one a couple of days ago.

We all run down to Costco in November, get a free cookbook, and then we all start picking out something to make. A day is scheduled in December to get together to cook and eat the chosen recipes from the new cookbook.

This year there were 34 people invited and 16 recipes on the menu—everything from appetizers to desserts. It starts midday and lasts into the evening, with everybody having loads of fun, all centered around the fabulous food.

Amy Winterstein
Arvada, Colorado

To view and download the free current and past The Costco Way cookbooks, go to Costco.com and click on “Costco Connection Magazine.”—Editor

WHAT DO you think of this issue of The Connection Tell us and you could be one of five winners of a $50 Costco Cash card! Take a moment to complete our anonymous reader feedback survey by going to Costco.com and searching “Costco Connection Magazine.” Click “Reader Survey” on the welcome page. Upon completion, you will have the option to enter the drawing.