One thing I really miss about America is the BIG sizes. I am not talking about food, the one thing us Americans are famous for doing in a BIG way. I am talking about stuff. Everything. This photo is a box of detergent. You may notice that it says "Value Size" on the side of the box. Right. This is not what we would call value size in America. It's 2 kilos (that's 4 lbs). I put this child size cup next to it so you could get some perspective. I wish I had one of those huge VALUE size Tide boxes from Costco right about now. You know the ones that are like 20 pounds and you need two hands to lift it? Now that's what I call value size.
It's amazing that the concept hasn't traveled to Australia. I mean, I try to buy a liquid soap refill for my bathroom and guess how big it is? 400 mL. That's only enough to fill the soap dispenser twice. What about dishwasher soap? It's tiny. It does like 10 loads. Bags of chips? It's got about 25 chips in it. You wouldn't believe it. These things I am talking about here, that IS THE SIZE. There is no other size. There is no Costco or other place that you can get a bigger size. It's such a strange concept to get used to. You don't realize how Super size is just the norm for us in America. It's always an option.
Take today, for example. I needed to buy Ashley some socks. Now, if I were in America, I would go down to my local Target store and find a pack of 6 pairs of white socks. Easy. Just your basic white socks. Probably $8.99 a pack or something. You could find the same at Walmart, Old Navy, Gymboree, Mervyn's, any number of places. Oh no. I have been to those places types of places here. You can't find them. You can find socks alright. But you have a choice of a two pack of pink and orange striped socks for $10.00 or individual purple socks for $5.95 each. I don't understand why this is so hard. I finally found a three pack of pink, pink dots, and pink stripes (heaven forbid she wants to wear another color) for $12.95 on sale from $16.95.
Here's another funny example. Boys' underwear. Only bikini cut. No tighty-whitey type undies at all. You know how in America they will always be that style, but maybe with Superman or Sponge Bob on the backside? Well they don't have them at all here. They only have the bikini type ones and they might have a cartoon on the front or near the waist. Austin refuses to wear them. I refuse to buy them.
Ok, just one more. Diapers. I get a "bulk" pack of 44 Huggies diapers for $20.95. If I buy the 88 pack, it's $40. You would think there would be a discount for buying the bigger size, but no. I am used to buying Huggies diapers at Costco in a box of 150 for like $30. This is painful.
I have to say I was very pleased to see a news report last night on TV about Coles-Meyer, a big corporation here that owns Kmart, Target, and some other stores. The report was saying that Coles aims to open more "one stop shopping" type places (they showed an image of Walmart). They mentioned that they want to bring more "American style" stores to Australia which are large, warehouse style with better lighting, lower prices, and bulk sizes. WOO HOO! It was so nice to feel like my opinion was somehow acknowleged. So it's not just me who sees this giant void in the retail market of Australia. Let me know when you'll be open because I am lining up! Super Size me!
What kinds of things do you love buying in bulk? What is your favorite Costco item?
4 comments:
That's ANOTHER deal breaker. I don't know how you can afford to buy anything there. What's up with bikini-cut underwear for boys? I guess they're training them early for those lovely speedo suits at the beach eh? Yikes. Do you need me to hook Austin up with some undies? What size and cartoon would he prefer? Poor kid.
I love buying laundry detergent, Dial soap refills, pretzels, crackers, basically anything at Costco. I like feeling like we're stocked for awhile.
Oh bummer. Super size items are definitely an American thing. I can't believe how much you have to pay for diapers. yikes!
Hmmm, what do I like to buy at Costco? (are you torturing yourself by asking that question??) I like the big bottles of kids' vitamins, huge packs of Charmin, diapers, wipes, soap, paper towels, romaine hearts, croissants, fruit snacks, granola bars, gum, books, I could go on...
Yeah, I guess I am torturing myself with this question... but it's all good memories. I am ALMOST over the mourning period where Costco is concerned. Target is another story.
I went to Costco yesterday and thought of you many times while there. I don't know how I'd get by without them, and has anyone told you Rob, that a brand new Costco is opening in just two weeks across from Super Wal-mart in the Meadows Shopping Ctr. in AF?
I'm so excited to be able to access all the possibilities in such a short time! No more leaving a full day at Mom's and filling the trunk and getting home at 8:30 only to have Pop get out of bed to come help me! I can do it all in daylight hours! I cry for you.....
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