Costco's milk container - I got a reply

[disneydreamersx4]

ON the other thread about what you buy at Costco many of us commented about our frustration with Costco's milk container spilling all over. I emailed them and here is the reply so It looks like they are working on re-designing it


Dear Lisa,

We appreciate you taking the time to email Costco Wholesale.


Regarding our stackable milk containers, we recognize that these containers are different than the milk containers we previously used. The handle and pour spout are “offset” intentionally. The jug is designed with a “tilt and pour” feature to resemble a pitcher. It is designed to sit on the counter and tilted forward to pour the milk.

We are currently testing a reconfigured design of the current milk jug. The changes include an adjustment to the mouth of the jug so that the milk will flow smoother and a flip top cap that will be easier to open and eliminate misplaced caps.

While this improved jug is still in the testing phase, we hope to provide this new design to all of our U.S. warehouses in the future.
We appreciate the input you have provided and will pass your comments on to our buying staff.


Thank you,

Sue
Costco Wholesale Corporation

 

[VAfamily1998]

Interesting, I've never tried to sit it on the counter and lean forwards...

Thanks for writing the letter and passing on the response!

 

[wmharley]

That doesn't work. We've tried it. It dribbles down. My wife hates getting that milk because of the design.. rarely will we get it.

 

[apnep]

Can someone post a picture of this milk jug? I don't know what the heck you are talking about? It must not be in all the warehouses yet because I just see the regular gallon jug that's in every supermarket...

Thanks!

 

[LisaNJ25]

Can someone post a picture of this milk jug? I don't know what the heck you are talking about? It must not be in all the warehouses yet because I just see the regular gallon jug that's in every supermarket...

Thanks!

 

[Royal Oak Family]

I am so glad I found this post! People think I am crazy for not buying milk at costco. I hate the way it always dribbles down the sides of the jug and leaves a ring of milk in the fridge. You can always avoid the ring if you are willing to hose down the jug with water after every pour....but who wants to do that?

 

[Mama Steph]

Is "misplaced lids" a real problem with milk? lol

 

[Mom2micayla]

Wow, those are interesting. We don't have them in our Costco's here in Tucson. Just bought the 2 pack yesterday and it is still the traditional bottles. I don't think I'd like that design at all. Hope they don't end up out here (although I'm sure they likely will in time).

 

[disykat]

I've seen the new jugs at Walmart as well. I'm getting used to them and don't dribble anymore.

 

[apnep]

Those are ugly. Nope, they are not in our Costco stores yet. I'm in Texas. Wondered what the fuss was about...thanks for posting.

 

[Samar]

Thank goodness those things are not in our store! lol

 

[allison443]

The reason Costco started using these was because they can be shrink-wrapped as a group in a stackable bundle with no need for using those plastic milk crates. Supposedly they have a savings by not having to deal with milk crates anymore.
I hate it though, it always spills.

 

[justwinnie]

I watched news programs and dreaded getting the bottle at my costco. However, after reading more about it and getting used to it, I don't mind so much. And I don't spill it either. We go through 4 - 5 gallons a week so it's a huge savings to buy from costco!

Read this for more info about the milk container.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/business/30milk.html

And costco isn't the only store that is using this type of milk jug.

 

[cheshireqt]

Our Costco got those hateful bottles last year. They fit nicely in the fridge door because they are narrower, HOWEVER the design of the mouth is horrible. There is absolutely no way to not splash milk, or dribble it onto the counter, and believe me I tried everything before giving up and going back to buying milk at the regular grocery store!
Thanks OP for registering your concern with Costco, I think the redesign has a lot to do with the fact people do let them know their frusteration, I know they have been getting a lot of negative mail regarding this issue from our area over this last year

 

[thunderbug548]

Not positive but a few months ago I think our Costco got some of the new jugs. They look exactly the same on the outside but the spout/opening had an extra piece of plastic on the inside (after you open the lid) which made pouring so much easier! I haven't seen them since though.

 

[grumpyskirtgirl]

Wow! Those are crazy looking!! They haven't hit any of our CostCo's in Sacramento, CA yet.

I wondered what everyone was talking about when discussing the shape.

 

[Swimalie]

We got those in our store about 5 years ago (we lived near a flagship store). I stopped buying milk from Costco then and wrote them to tell them why. It is cheaper for me to buy milk from another store (I can get it for $2.69 a gal at Wegmans) than Costco's that spill for the first half of the jug. And yes, I did set it on the counter to pour. It still spilled. I can't stand the new designs and I won't buy them until they change them back.

 

[Brer Shay]

The reason Costco started using these was because they can be shrink-wrapped as a group in a stackable bundle with no need for using those plastic milk crates. Supposedly they have a savings by not having to deal with milk crates anymore.
I hate it though, it always spills.

It's also a space savings for them, which is important in a warehouse setting. Maybe I'll try them again once the redesign goes through.

 

[dahrjo]

Our Costco has had them for a long time. I thought it was my kids fault it always dribbled!! Sorry kids!

 

[My3kiddos]

Sams Club has those and I hate them! My dad used to be the dairy supplier for Sams Club here locally and the reason they changed to that brand (who came up with that container from my understanding) wasn't to reduce cost and clutter due to milk crates, it was because they got a better bid from that supplier. Makes sense if they have Sams Club and Costco. Actually before their milk didn't come in crates (at least here it didn't) it came on wire shelves that were on wheels that were supplied by the dairy distributor, so when milk ran low the stockers just had to push a new one in.