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  1. #1
    Senior Member JohnDoe2's Avatar
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    Blame Canada: Border battle over Costco in Wash.



    August 14, 2012 8:14 AM

    Blame Canada: Border battle over Costco in Wash.

    By Michelle Millman
    Play CBS News Video

    (CBS News) BELLINGHAM, Wash. - A border battle is brewing north of of Seattle where some U.S. residents say they're tired of sharing a local Costco with their Canadian neighbors and are calling for American-only shopping hours at the retailer.

    Taking advantage of their country's strong dollar, Canadians are stocking up on everything from gas to groceries.
    "We come down here a couple of times a month and we save a fair bit of money," said Vancouver resident Rob Weeks.

    But some locals are fed up with the cross border bargain hunting.

    Last month, a Facebook page popped up urging Costco to hold shopping hours just for Americans.The page has received more than 2,900 "Likes" so far. The page includes photos of long lines, bad parking jobs and video of shoppers clearing out several gallons of milk in a matter of seconds.

    "...the INFESTATION of Canadians in Bellingham has downright gotten out of control..." one user posted. Another one writes, "I say we boycott Costco until we get the treatment we deserve."

    "I'd say our first reaction to it was a bit surprised," said Kep Oplinger, president and CEO of the local chamber of commerce. "And then as we read some of the postings rather appalled that people would say some of the things that they have on the page."

    "Watken County's economy really is reliant upon Canadians coming and shopping and recreating here," Oplinger said. "We shouldn't be limiting access to retail stores based on nationality."

    Bellingham's mayor says the city's rate of growth of taxable retail sales was almost double the state average from 2010 to 2011 - much of it due to people from Canada.

    "To be perfectly honest we would be in a world of hurt right now if we didn't have the Canadian shoppers down here," Bellingham resident Jori Hall said. "And I don't think people realize that."

    Monday, a second Facebook page emerged welcoming Canadian shoppers to the area.

    Costco says it's doing everything it can: hiring local off-duty police to control traffic, beefing up staff and expanding store hours.

    "I know it is kind of crowded here I would like for them to expand," Hall said, "but to have American-only hours kind of sounds a little bit outdated."

    Costco doesn't plan on changing its policy anytime soon. But the company is in talks with the town to open a new, bigger location.

    For more on this story, watch the full report in the video above.

    Blame Canada: Border battle over Costco in Wash. - CBS News
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  2. #2
    Senior Member JohnDoe2's Avatar
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    Sounds like they need to build some Costcos in Canada.
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  3. #3
    Senior Member JohnDoe2's Avatar
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    Border war: Costco customers in Washington blame Canada for shopping hell

    Published August 15, 2012
    FoxNews.com

    Costco shoppers in Washington state are ready to start a border war with Canadians, who they say swarm the big-box store like locusts, leaving empty shelves, long lines and no place to park.

    A Facebook page called “Bellingham Costco needs a special time just for Americans” was created last month for shoppers of the big-box store in the Washington city just 17 miles south of the U.S.-Canada border. Canadian consumers have apparently flocked south to stock up on cheaper staples like milk, gas and other items at American prices.
    “We shouldn’t be limiting access to retail stores based on nationality.”
    - Kep Oplinger, Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry

    “The lines are crazy,” the Facebook group’s description reads. “The overcrowding is causing some to be rude. We just want to go shopping like everyone else, not go on an adventure.”

    The page, which has been “liked” by more than 4,000 users, features rants by shoppers who blast the crowded aisles thanks to “milk madness” and others who threaten to boycott the store should company officials not create a “special time” for only American shoppers.

    Other users, however, have criticized the page’s unnecessarily caustic tone and say the real issue is a need for a larger store. Kep Oplinger, president and CEO of Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry, told CBS News he was “rather appalled” by some of the Facebook postings and said the region needs its Canadian influx.

    “Watken County’s economy really is reliant upon Canadians coming and shopping and recreating here,” Oplinger told CBS News. “We shouldn’t be limiting access to retail stores based on nationality.”

    A Costco spokesperson told CBC News that the company would like to expand the Bellingham store by installing more lines and pumps at its gas station, but there’s no room at the current site. A senior VP told CBC News the store isn't looking to change its policy on shoppers — and that anyone with a membership can shop at any Costco store in the world.

    Border war: Costco customers in Washington blame Canada for shopping hell | Fox News
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