Boxco

This business (Costco) has enjoyed a love affair with the American people since its founding in 1983. The opportunity to garner discounts on virtually every purchase, regardless of its necessity, resides within the helix of the shopping public’s DNA. According to Wikipedia, Costco is now the second largest domestic (USA) retailer with a total of 632 outlets in 8 countries including 33 in Mexico. Yes, that means there is one in Puerto Vallarta. Despite its huge nature, the company acts in a responsible manner as to its policies and employee treatment. Just in passing, the largest domestic (USA) retailer—Walmart remains infamous for doing neither of either.

Remember when a trip to Costco meant total purchases of $100, and then it somehow jumped to $250 and now—who knows? We enter to be instantly seduced by the latest and greatest in electronics. A right turn escorts us toward the beckoning aisles of appliances, tools, athletic workout equipment, automotive condiments etc. etc. etc. We (as men) are doomed. Think Ahab and the Great White Whale. Ok, you know the drill.

Mexican Costco is way more dangerous. Take all the above items, throw them into your basket and march through the checkout line. Naturally, your reference point is that Costco is the greatest of all discount houses on the planet, well, in Mexico maybe not so much. Here’s why. All those prices you saw on the shelves earlier, well guess what boys and girls, at checkout time your total will be adjusted by a whopping 16% for IVA. This is the Mexican version of VAT or value added tax. Chances are you won’t notice it, as you extract multiple 500 peso bills or your credit card (yes, Costco Mexico does accept credit cards) from your wallet and pass them to the cashier. It’s only play money, right?

Apparently, the Mexican government successfully negotiated with all the American box stores (Home Depot, Walmart/Sam’s Club, Costco, Office Depot, Staples) this tax feature while local super markets, and they are super, do not assess this tax. Stores like Mega and Soriano are giant grocery stories with electronics departments, appliances, and nearly everything offered by Costco. My point here, is not to assess which is better, it is to alert the traveler that you may want to do some price shopping before offering up your welcomed piece of plastic.

I shop Costco virtually once a week for wine, tequila, coffee, tuna and the odd jug of desiccant. My march  past the cashier is generally succeeded by lunch. All the usual suspects are present: hot dogs, packaged salads, chicken rolls and pizza. I order two hot dogs plus my free drink and proceed to the condiment area. Awaiting me are onions, mustard, ketchup but then there is the regional favorite---jalapenos. Alas, I craft my feast and return to the food court seating, some of which includes umbrellas. I have never understood why you have umbrellas indoors at a food court? Are there really ultra-violet ray emitting overhead lights?

After lunch, I and my cart pass the Receipt Review Technician and exit. I hail a cab and am wisked to the bus or directly to Los Muertos Pier. Having departed Yelapa at 8:30 ish, I open my door to Casa Azul and greet Nikki at roughly 12:30.  Sometime that afternoon, I will unpack my treasures; there is no rush. Life is good.