Coca-Cola Co. and Costco Wholesales Dispute

According to Yahoo.com Finance, Coca-Cola drinkers will no longer be able to buy their favorite drink at Costco Wholesales. On November 17th, Yahoo posted an article explaining that the pair are fighting over prices (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Costco-nixes-Coke-products-apf-2225277826.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=6&asset=&ccode=). As shoppers continue to struggle with the recession taking place, retailers want to help their customers by giving them low prices. But that has been creating tension between product makers like Coca-Cola Co., who are working hard to maintain profit margins while meeting retailer demands.

“Beneath this surface of harmony, it’s a dogfight out there,” Gerry Khermouch, editor of Beverage Business Insights, said Tuesday at an investor meeting held by the soft drink maker at its hometown of Atlanta.

I can understand Coca-Cola Co.’s argument, but I do not necessarily agree with it. I like the idea that Costco Wholesales are giving back to their customers and that they understand that many people are struggling right now. Costco has been aggressive in putting up signs on store shelves and notices on its Web site and I think that is a very promising way of promoting this sale. At this point in time, Costco does not plan on taking down any Coke or Diet Coke products from the shelves, but they do not plan on restocking the shelves once the product is sold out, either.

“Costco is committed to carrying name brand merchandise at the best possible prices. At this time, Coca-Cola has not provided Costco with competitive pricing so that we may pass along the value our members deserve,” said a message on the company’s Web site labeled “Price Alert!”

Motorcycle Awareness Response

I am writing in response to Marto96′s blog. He wrote a response to Ryan (Eastie64) in which Ryan explained that he thinks there should be an awareness class for drivers of motorcycles. Marto96 agreed with this saying that his brother got into an accident and although, fortunately, he is still alive, this accident may not have happened if there was an awareness class before these drivers are put on the rode. Ryan says that “there is an ongoing issue with people getting in motorcycle accidents because other drivers arent aware of seeing them in time.” He thinks that a good solution is to have everybody that is taking the permit or licence test for either a car or bike, to take a course on motorcycle and other dangers class additional to the drivers education program. I think that this would be a good idea as well because many times, although I wouldn’t like to admit it, I have not seen a motorcycle on the road as I am driving. My cousin, Jason, got into a motorcycle accident two years ago and was in the hospital for weeks because of his injuries. Granted, the accident was his fault, but as he was falling to the ground, another car hit the bike and it then hit Jason. It was a traumatizing experience and I am happy that he is all right to this day.

Because of this experience with Jason, I wish that there were more awareness with drivers driving with motorcycles near them and I would like to see everybody that is taking the permit or licence test for either a car or bike, take a course on motorcycle and other dangers class additional to the drivers education program. I think that would be a very good start to an excellent change.

Jon and Kate Plus 8

Most people constantly hear about the drama happening with the hit television show, Jon and Kate Plus 8, even after it’s been taken off the air. Whether it’s through the television, the Internet, magazines, or through others, many of us love the gossip. But for the Gosselin Family, this drama and this entertainment is their everyday life and their constant, most difficult battle.

On Monday nights, my mom and I would grab a bag of popcorn, sit on the couch, and wait for Jon and Kate Plus 8 to begin. We were obsessed, to say the least. So, inevitably, seeing Jon and Kate’s relationship fail on national television was devastating. But it didn’t break our hearts to see Jon walk away from Kate. Of course, we both felt bad, having seen their relationship at its best and worst, but we felt for the eight children that didn’t have a clue what was going on.

In an interview by NBC’s Natalie Morales aired on November 2^nd, Kate got personal and honest. Kate stated that unlike herself, the kids took the divorce fairly well. The sextuplets, being five years old at the time, didn’t understand what was going on. Mady and Cara, eight years old, did understand though. Kate remembers Cara burying her face into her as she told her and Mady basically saying, “I’m not surprised.”

For Kate, though, the divorce wasn’t easy. I felt for Kate because she didn’t just have the divorce to go through. Tabloids were constantly exploiting her and the children, claiming Kate of stealing money and becoming a monster. But Kate held her ground and stayed strong. She didn’t let the tabloids get to her because she knew there was nothing she could do about them. She states in the interview that she has never exploited her children and that she would never put her children in harm’s way. The children have not had such an easy childhood and I hope that someday all members of the Gosselin family will endure peace and happiness.