I'm Approaching a Dishwasher Pod Crisis

[SecondAttempt]

A long, long time ago, I worked for a megacorp that did business with Price Club (predecessor of Costco), and this was definitely part of their model. I remember being in a meeting once where someone was joking with Sol Price about how they couldn't find their favorite product any more and couldn't he as CEO do something about it. His serious response was that this was actually a business strategy. If members thought something might not be there next time they came, then they'd buy it now instead of waiting and possibly changing their minds. Even if they definitely wanted it, he'd rather make a sale now than later. Letting a few items go out of stock or having them available seasonally helped create that sense of urgency.

The other thing he liked to do was rearrange things so you couldn't just home in on the one item you were looking for and ignore everything around it. He figured if you had to scan the entire aisle looking for Cheerios, you might notice the Chex and decide to get both. I don't think that strategy carried over once they merged with Costco though, or at least I don't notice it in my local warehouses.

I own Costco stock and whatever they are doing seems to be successful to the bottom line so I am not complaining about that.

But I may not be the typical Costco shopper because I find those practices annoying. Their prices simply are not THAT good so if I have to work hard to find what I want...F-it. There have been plenty of times in the last year when I stopped on the way home from work for a chicken and a list of a dozen or so items and went home with a chicken and a bottle of gin because I couldn't find the rest of the list!

With Home Depot I have an app that tells me which aisle and bin an item is in. Costco seriously needs to get rid of this idiotic and antiquated idea that customer confusion sells more product!

 

[Koolau]

I own Costco stock and whatever they are doing seems to be successful to the bottom line so I am not complaining about that.

But I may not be the typical Costco shopper because I find those practices annoying. Their prices simply are not THAT good so if I have to work hard to find what I want...F-it. There have been plenty of times in the last year when I stopped on the way home from work for a chicken and a list of a dozen or so items and went home with a chicken and a bottle of gin because I couldn't find the rest of the list!

With Home Depot I have an app that tells me which aisle and bin an item is in. Costco seriously needs to get rid of this idiotic and antiquated idea that customer confusion sells more product!

Yeah, if you don't go once a week, it can be difficult to find stuff at Costco. Still, the savings in our area are hard to pass up.

I look at the "failings" of Costco as just part of the price of Paradise so YMMV.

 

[Jerry1]

With Home Depot I have an app that tells me which aisle and bin an item is in. Costco seriously needs to get rid of this idiotic and antiquated idea that customer confusion sells more product!

I agree with this wholeheartedly. It may be by design, but I find the one major lacking of Costco is that I can’t check their inventory online. As mentioned, I can go online at Home Depot and make sure they have what I’m after and if not at my nearest store, then find out if there’s what I’m looking for at a close by store. I’m not really into the treasure hunt mentality that Costco seems to impose.

 

[Koolau]

I agree with this wholeheartedly. It may be by design, but I find the one major lacking of Costco is that I can’t check their inventory online. As mentioned, I can go online at Home Depot and make sure they have what I’m after and if not at my nearest store, then find out if there’s what I’m looking for at a close by store. I’m not really into the treasure hunt mentality that Costco seems to impose.

Yeah. It's a pain. Most stuff, I already know where Costco hides it, but if something I don't usually buy needs my attention, it's a real pain to find.

A lot of the store empl*yees don't know either. What's up with that?

 

[FLSUnFIRE]

Obligatory controversial Technology Connections video link!

I always enjoy his videos and am amused by his snarkiness. He and I use the same dishwashing detergent too! Under $5 a box and my 18 year-old dishwasher performs well.

 

[target2019]

I own Costco stock and whatever they are doing seems to be successful to the bottom line so I am not complaining about that.

But I may not be the typical Costco shopper because I find those practices annoying. Their prices simply are not THAT good so if I have to work hard to find what I want...F-it. There have been plenty of times in the last year when I stopped on the way home from work for a chicken and a list of a dozen or so items and went home with a chicken and a bottle of gin because I couldn't find the rest of the list!

With Home Depot I have an app that tells me which aisle and bin an item is in. Costco seriously needs to get rid of this idiotic and antiquated idea that customer confusion sells more product!

We've shopped at COSTCO maybe one time in 9 years. Before that I'd go once a month, after work. But aftera layoff the store was too much of an unfriendly drive.

Soon after, a BJs went in, 5 minutes away. It is very difficult to stick to your list. Going each month means more unnecessary items purchased.

I've evolved to shopping online in the comfort of my office. When convenient, I put in the order and drive there. Someone brings the cart out, and we're back home. Spend was $250.

If we both walk through the store the spend is close to $500.

It is what it is!

 

[tulak]

I’m done with dishwasher pods and bought liquid detergent.

I’ve been using the Costco KS pods and have had multiple failures this week, with pod residue in the detergent dispenser. It looks like the coating doesn’t completely dissolve. Nothing is blocking the dispenser and it’s happened with light loads.

 

[Jerry1]

I use the Cascade Advanced Power Liquid Dishwasher Detergent from Costco. We check our supply anytime it goes on sale. Never used anything else but it seems to work very well. We also use the Finish rinsing liquid. Our Bosch dishwasher has a separate dispenser for that which requires filling about every other week.

I also rinse my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. I just can’t bring myself to put them in the dishwasher with food on them. Accordingly, I never have to mess with the filter since there’s nothing to filter out.

 

[tulak]

I bought the same detergent from Costco. I rinse my dishes too. Long time habit and hard to break.

I’ve never used a rinsing agent. Do you notice a difference?

 

[Jerry1]

I bought the same detergent from Costco. I rinse my dishes too. Long time habit and hard to break.

I’ve never used a rinsing agent. Do you notice a difference?

Yes, I definitely notice the difference using the rinsing liquid. Glasses seem much more "sparkly".

 

[Texas Proud]

I’m done with dishwasher pods and bought liquid detergent.

I’ve been using the Costco KS pods and have had multiple failures this week, with pod residue in the detergent dispenser. It looks like the coating doesn’t completely dissolve. Nothing is blocking the dispenser and it’s happened with light loads.

Could it be your dishwasher is not working right?

I thought my dishwasher was working fine but something else was the problem... well, not... it finally completely broke so got a new one and now everything works great and I do not have to rinse the dishes... I do scrape off the 'stuff' but do not rinse off everything which I did on the old dishwasher...

 

[RetiredHappy]

I have never had any issue with Cascade Platinum pods. If the coating is not completely dissolving, it's either that Costco pods have problem or your dishwasher has problems.

 

[tulak]

Well, the dishes come out clean and changing from pods to detergent is cheaper than a new dishwasher. So I’ll blame the pods for now until proven otherwise.

 

[naggz]

I’m done with dishwasher pods and bought liquid detergent.

I’ve been using the Costco KS pods and have had multiple failures this week, with pod residue in the detergent dispenser. It looks like the coating doesn’t completely dissolve. Nothing is blocking the dispenser and it’s happened with light loads.

Did you select a "light load" option on the dishwasher?

If so, check the manual, as it might have specific instructions like not using the soap dispenser for that option.

 

[Texas Proud]

Well, the dishes come out clean and changing from pods to detergent is cheaper than a new dishwasher. So I’ll blame the pods for now until proven otherwise.

LOL... that is my kind of thinking...

I get overruled by DW way too often...

 

[Turbo29]

I use the Costco pods and never have a problem with any residues left over.

I do not use a rinse aid. There is come concern that they may not be totally innocuous.

Gut epithelial disruption caused by rinse aids

The item above mentions rinse aids used in commercial settings but the Jet-Dry sold for home use has the same alcohol ethoxylates in its ingredients.

I don't mind a few water spots so I figure why take a chance.

 

[Gumby]

I use the Costco pods and never have a problem with any residues left over.

I do not use a rinse aid. There is come concern that they may not be totally innocuous.

Gut epithelial disruption caused by rinse aids

The item above mentions rinse aids used in commercial settings but the Jet-Dry sold for home use has the same alcohol ethoxylates in its ingredients.

I don't mind a few water spots so I figure why take a chance.

I read the study. It found that there was evidence of damage with dilution factors below 1:40,000, which may be found in commercial dishwasher setups, like in restaurants. However, the home dishwasher dilution factor is 1:80,000 which was below the concentration level where any effects were noticed. As with many things, the dose is the poison. Additionally, my interpretation of their methodology is that you would only see the effects if you actually drank the dishwasher water. I'm not sure it holds if there is faint diluted residue on your water glass. But then, this is certainly not my area of expertise, so I welcome correction.


Link to study: https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(22)01477-4/fulltext

 

[oscar1]

A couple years or so ago, I bought some dishwasher pods/tablets at my local grocery store. Nothing fancy but gosh do they get the dishes sparkling clean. Was so good that I stocked up. But now, I only have a few pods left. Also, looks like the store doesn't carry them anymore. I hate when stores decide to remove a good thing.

Now what do I do? I've looked at Amazon and they have their own Amazon Basics brand. But reviews are mixed. Some say it's great, other say don't bother. The same with the brand from Sam's Club.

What's a person to do?

I have hit such a crisis since CVS stopped carrying my favorite store brand dental floss!

Costco!

 

[Music Lover]

The problem with dishwasher pods is that someone else decides the portion. We never use as much as recommended for almost very product because it's not necessary.

 

[TheCaptain67]

I agree with this wholeheartedly. It may be by design, but I find the one major lacking of Costco is that I can’t check their inventory online.

You can use sameday.costco.com to check availability. Prices are typically marked up 13-17% but inventory is spot on……