He stood motionless on the cement floor as he stared at the price tag: $499.99, almost 33 percent below the suggested retail price of $745. He took a minute to remind himself that this wasn't a personal attack, just a business technique. But still, he says, "They're not the kind of business partner I'd like to have."Costco officials won't comment specifically about their dealings with Packasport, but top brass don't deny that their company often obtains products by using what it euphemistically calls "diversion." "Our goal is to bring high-quality products to consumers at the lowest price," says Richard Galanti, Costco executive vice president and chief financial officer, from his Issaquah, Wash., office. "We try to buy directly from manufacturers, but in instances where they refuse, we buy through a third party -- legally." Galanti estimates that about 4 percent of the goods in Costco are diverted, but a number of retailers are convinced that the figure is closer to 12 percent.