My Idea for a Column

A look at "Costco" one of the retail giants and endless money pitts. What drives people to pay $50 to have a membership to shop where you buy items in such bulk it lasts a year, spend no less than $100 every time you shop there, stand an endless time in line, and blow your diet because you never get out without buying a hot dog from their snack bar.

My three sources:
1. Shopper at costco:
2. Manager
3. The gate keeper "door employee"

Questions:
1. What makes someone want to shop at Costco so much that you pay $50 for a membership?
2. Does anyone ever leave without spending at least $100?
3. What are the door employees trained to do when someone who does not have a membership card tries to enter the store?
4. Why every time someone tries to buy in item they purchase a couple of weeks before it is not in the same place.
5. How much revenue is generated for the Albany Costco in membership fees and what is their marketing strategy.
6. What is it about their hot dogs at the snack bar that they are so darned good (okay that six but I was really curious)
7. Why don't they ever have an express lane?

Three Links
Costco Albany Store
Purchasing a membership card
Where to buy those hotdogs

ON CAMPUS

The door opens a swish of warm air blows out into the cold. Enclosed rooms and open spaces are filled with desks and chairs, some occupied and others vacant. The two floors are adjoined with an elevator and a flight of stairs.

Entering the ground floor one notices an elongated wood desk, behind it houses the knowledgeable ones who can assist, for they usually have the answers.

Climbing the flight of stairs the eyes catch a glimpse of a figure talking quietly on their cell phone making sure not to disturb the upper floor occupants. Straight ahead three computers with a white paper sign tacked above them remind everyone to "PLEASE SIGN IN." Typing a student identification number on one of the keyboards keeps the government funding of this building and its occupants.

Numerous faces are pointed down at a variety of books and papers -not many smiles shining here. Floating about, the sound of whispers and serious conversations, are mostly in the form of statements and questions. In the background a "tap tap tap" as words fill monitors, there are deadlines to meet.

Groups and individuals gather to expand their minds, utilize the computers, take tests, and receive help on troublesome assignments. This is a sanctuary of wondrous books and educational tutorials. It hosts the memories of special people of the past and the great minds of the future.

Of all the buildings on the LBCC campus, this is the place where the soul feels the conviction of being a student.