If you're a Costco shopper, you know that the center of the store is the spot where you can find home furnishings --- everything from sofas to outdoor furniture.

We bought a beautiful Sligh tall case clock a few years ago for $1,800, a price not too far above wholesale. (Most of what we saw in regular stores were about $5,000.) It was a special event, "The Clock Roadshow," and they delivered the timepiece as well as balanced it. Even more amazing -- this was Labor Day.

For those of us with this kind of positive furniture shopping experience, we've been waiting for Costco to expand its home stores. But right now it looks unlikely. HFN, a trade publication for the home furnishings industry, reported recently that five years after opening its first Costco Home, the company is still testing the concept. The first store in Kirkland, Wash. was followed one in Tempe, Ariz. Combined they do more than $100 million in sales. The stock is 70 percent furniture. The rest floor coverings, housewares, bedding and home decor.

Shoppers can still buy a variety of furnishings, like the photo at right, from www.costco.com, but most of us like to sit on the furniture and check the quality before ordering. What Costco needs is feedback from customers. Do you want to see a Costco Home in South Florida? Start a campaign. Let them know that you want to see more of the kind of savings we found with the clock.

-- C.V.S.

P.S. This photo is from www.costco.com and features a two-pack of Veronica microber chairs for $699.99.