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WDS in the News
Costco samples draw in customers
Reno Gazette-Journal
August 05, 2007
Welcome to the world of free samples at Costco starring your hosts, the cheery “demo ladies” (and a few gentlemen) who are waiting with open arms to feed you everything from dollops of vanilla ice cream in tiny cups featuring Barbie-sized spoons with a bit of brownie on top to smoked salmon on mini bagels and even strips of freshly barbecued tri-tip beef that still is hot from the grill.
Admit it, they’re the real reason many shoppers hit [Costco] each weekend, working their way from aisle to aisle, picking up tortilla chips and salsa here and a bite of hot quesadilla with gooey melted cheese there, each freebie just one bite away from the other.
Genevieve Smith, 70, has only been working for Warehouse Demo Services, the independent company that services Costcos in nine states, for almost three months.
On Thursday, she was passing out Jelly Bellys and wanted everyone to know that there are 49 flavors, no fat and only 40 calories per service. Few shoppers seemed to walk by her stand without stopping for a tiny sample cup filled with 10 colorful sweet jelly beans.
She admittedly was not a Costco junkie, she said, “just a senior citizen looking for some extra income,” when she landed a job passing out free samples. But it’s turned out great for her.
“It’s a fun job,” she said. “Customers are happy to have us around. Especially the kids. I’ve noticed that if the kids like a product, the parent will buy it.”
Admit it, they’re the real reason many shoppers hit [Costco] each weekend, working their way from aisle to aisle, picking up tortilla chips and salsa here and a bite of hot quesadilla with gooey melted cheese there, each freebie just one bite away from the other.
Genevieve Smith, 70, has only been working for Warehouse Demo Services, the independent company that services Costcos in nine states, for almost three months.
On Thursday, she was passing out Jelly Bellys and wanted everyone to know that there are 49 flavors, no fat and only 40 calories per service. Few shoppers seemed to walk by her stand without stopping for a tiny sample cup filled with 10 colorful sweet jelly beans.
She admittedly was not a Costco junkie, she said, “just a senior citizen looking for some extra income,” when she landed a job passing out free samples. But it’s turned out great for her.
“It’s a fun job,” she said. “Customers are happy to have us around. Especially the kids. I’ve noticed that if the kids like a product, the parent will buy it.”
“The work that we’ve done with WDS has been very positive. It’s a great way to build your business and we certainly have built a significant business just from Costco thanks to demos.”