Wow I am impressed w/all the fact finding on my former employer. I still own stock in Costco and I get a copy of the yearly report. If anybody wants a copy let me know. You should actually invest the time in selling yourself.
Intresting facts.
-The memberships pays for the sallaried employees (Management). (I know this because when sales were down they wanted everybody to go home.)
-The markup varies per department. (Electronics, Jewlery, and Candy are the highest @ about 10-15%)

Wow that's a surprise, Electronics? Must be those ML they're selling!

What I don't understand (assuming that ML didn't open Costco directly) is why a huge corporation would buy to resell expensive items from anywhere except the mfr or US importer? Is it that easy to get Costco to buy things? Does a white van pull up at Costco headquarters and some guy with a tattoo and saggy jeans sell them speakers out of the back door?

Somethings missing here. Why would a huge entity like Costco deal with anyone except the prime source for a product?

Good point. Maybe ML is just denying the whole thing but really selling direct! They wouldn't be the first company to have officer's telling white lies to protect the company!