Just joined Bjs wholesale club!!

[christa112]

That is the membership we have. It is defintely worth it. It pretty much pays for itself.

We shop Bj's too.......i am due to renew my membership next trip. i am thinking of upgrading to the one that earns cash back, anyone have this type? I am just wondering if its worth the $80, i probably spend at least 200 a month at bj's prob more.

 

[MissMichelle]

I have posted before that I may be biased since I am a customer service manager at our BJ's and have been with them since they opened this store almost 5 years ago, but I buy quite a few items there. Paper products are #1. We also have great "rebate" sales as unless an item is discontinued we don't have actual sales. But when an item has a rebate (instant or mail in) it is usually a significant amount. Pair that with a manufacturer coupon and often a BJ's coupon and you get a steal. You HAVE to know your prices in order for most things to be a bargain but BJ's is reducing a lot of their packaging sizes to accomodate small familes/singles so that is a new bonus.
Anyone who is ever in the area stop by and say HI!

 

[mountdew1]

New tires alone will usually help pay for a serious dent in the membership. The free lifetime balancing/rotation is nice. My fiancee just got hers tires rotated at a tire shop, (Not BJ's bought tires) and was charged 30 bucks for the rotation/balancing. That's almost the renewal cost.

 

[jmsaj]

Here is Massachusetts, sometimes you can use multiple coupons for each item. For example, say you buy a three pack of toothpaste. The package consists of three tubes each in a separate box but with shrink wrap around it all of them so it is in one big package. The rule is that if you could sell each of these tubes individually, you could use three separate coupons. Many of the bjs workers don't even know this. I often have to call over a manager. So just to reiterate, if you open the big package and inside there are several smaller ones each packaged individually like in their kleenex, toliet paper, butter etc. you can use more than one coupon!

Just went last week. Purchased the 12 pack of Dove soap and tried to use multiple coupons (save on package of 6). It would not take the coupons; the clerk came over and told me that BJ's has stopped that policy because they and the manufacturer lost too much money. Have you been recently? and if so, maybe the clerk was wrong. Thanks!!

 

[LorieR]

I have the reguar BJ's master card with no annual fee. I use that for BJ's purchases; I believe it is 1.5% back on purchases at BJ's. When I reach $20 they include a check with my statement (they used to mail them separately but just changed it recently - I almost shredded my check ). The check is payable to BJ's and I present it at the register the next time I shop!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Another good deal with BJ's is if you have the Executive Membership so that you get checks for cash back based on your spending. They used to send the checks out once a year, but now we get checks every six months. We buy a lot for our home and business, so those cash back checks are really nice.

 

[MissMichelle]

Just went last week. Purchased the 12 pack of Dove soap and tried to use multiple coupons (save on package of 6). It would not take the coupons; the clerk came over and told me that BJ's has stopped that policy because they and the manufacturer lost too much money. Have you been recently? and if so, maybe the clerk was wrong. Thanks!!

this ONLY works if the item has more then 1 barcode. For example, as another poster mentioned you can break apart the toothpaste because they are all individual boxes like you'd buy in the supermarket. Stores can resell them so we take multiple coupons on the item. If the soap was a large box of 12 but the bars we all in 1 box then they can't take more then 1 coupon.
Hope I am clear enough. Any questions just ask

 

[marcyinPA]

I shop BJ's every month or so. I buy my Cascade, laundry soap (whichever is cheapest!), batteries, Ocean Spray cranberry juice (this is SO much cheaper at BJ's than it is in the store!!), toothpaste, Pantene hairspray, etc.

Their lunchmeat is a lot less expensive and the Wellesly Farms brand is very good. I like their turkey breast...it's the nice, dry turkey. Not that disgusting slimy stuff!

 

[npmommie]

I have the reguar BJ's master card with no annual fee. I use that for BJ's purchases; I believe it is 1.5% back on purchases at BJ's. When I reach $20 they include a check with my statement (they used to mail them separately but just changed it recently - I almost shredded my check ). The check is payable to BJ's and I present it at the register the next time I shop!

So i could have the regular $45 membership and get cash back this way at BJ's..........i am looking for a way to make the membership fee close to zero! as in cash back!

 

[beccasmom]

We have a membership deal where I work where we get a yearly membership for $35/year and have 3 additional months added, so it is a great deal. And we live only 2 miles or so from our BJs, so it is very convenient. You do need to know your prices. And I have to bring someone brawnier than me when I purchase water or other beverages. I have never tried Costco...there are none close to us anyway....but I did shop at Sam's Club when I was visiting family in Pittsburgh and really was impressed. The closest one to us is in the city and the sales tax is higher than the 'burbs. We do not have a Super Wal-Mart close by either, unfortunately. Our BJs does sell tires, but no gas.

 

[rockin_rep]

Contacts prices are really cheap as well. DS's contacts were $79 at the optical store, but only $39 at BJ's.

Wow, thats quite a savings! Do you mind me asking what brands they carry? TIA!

 

[DMickey28]

I tried to use two coupons this weekend but I think I screwed up and there were people behind me. I bought DH's deoderant, a 4 pack and had two $1 off 2 coupons. I used one but then tried to use the other one and it was already past that screen! Oh well .. it was just under $7 for 4 rather than $7+ for two at Target or Walmart. Much better deal.

I buy Tide sometimes, unless I can get a better deal at CVS with ECB's. I buy the big jug of Dawn and fill up my small one. I get trash bags. I buy cat litter and water cases. Spareribs, a whole pork and tenderlion are much cheaper if you have the room to split it up and freeze it. I buy bacon there as well, cheaper and good. Butter, Organic milk if I don't have a $1 coupon for Walmart.

I love BJ's. We are moving in a few weeks and I am desperately trying to use up the food in the freezer so I can defrost it when we move and start from scratch!! I can't wait to go on a HUGE BJ's shopping spree!!

 

[Cindy B]

Wow, thats quite a savings! Do you mind me asking what brands they carry? TIA!

I know they had Acuvue, but my son doesn't use those.

My son uses the Ultraflex brand.

 

[rockin_rep]

I know they had Acuvue, but my son doesn't use those.

Cool, thats what we use! Do you know if they're in stock, or do they have to be ordered?

We have a guest pass that i've been meaning to use, so this might be a great time to use it!

 

[Cindy B]

Cool, thats what we use! Do you know if they're in stock, or do they have to be ordered?

We have a guest pass that i've been meaning to use, so this might be a great time to use it!

I don't know if it helps, but I saw a huge glass case of acuvue's in our club. FWIW, it only took 3 days to get DS's contacts.

Go in with either a new RX or an original box. That way you can be sure that all the numbers are keyed in correctly.

 

[CTdiznymom]

Clark Howard did a segment on warehouse shopping today on Rachel Ray's show. This is from the shows website:

Do you get overwhelmed when you're shopping at a warehouse club, buy things you don't even need or wonder if you really got such a great deal? Kristan Cunningham and warehouse specialist Clark Howard share tips on how to best negotiate the popular warehouse clubs … you'll never shop the same way again!

Look for the codes. Knowing the warehouse clubs' secret pricing structures will help you make sure you’re getting the rock-bottom price. According to Clark, at Sam's Club, if there’s a "C" on the price tag, the item has been discontinued and if the item's price ends with a penny, it's been marked down. At Costco, look for an asterisk for discontinued goods and anything that ends with 97 cents for markdowns.

Buy private label items. Warehouse clubs' own private label products are sold at great prices. Clark's advice: Look out for Member's Mark at Sam's Club, Kirkland Signature at Costco, and the Berkeley and Jensen labels at BJ's.

Test it out! When it comes to beds, for example, Clark says, "You can't buy a bed without testing it!" So pull down the mattresses and test them out to make sure you're going to get a good night's sleep before you make your purchase.

Be careful with electronics. Warehouse clubs can give you a better return policy on TVs than electronics stores but you won't always get the best price. Clark explains that electronics stores may offer lower prices because unlike warehouse clubs, they tend to make more money on the warranties they sell you and not on the actual product.

Shop for just about anything. Everyone knows warehouse clubs sell paper towels, toilet paper and big jars of food, but keep in mind the variety of other goods as well: You can get gas for your car, a new couch, and even an engagement ring! And don't forget warehouse clubs' excellent prices for pharmaceutical products.

Go on an empty stomach! Warehouse clubs always have yummy food samples and great prices for a quick lunch or snack. Be sure to get your drink before you shop to take advantage of free refills!

Split a membership for cost-saving. You can share on both membership dues and the well-priced, super-sized items even if you don't have the extra storage space. If you are tight on room, pair up and share with a friend or neighbor so that you both can enjoy savings on multi-pack items.

And, don't forget Clark's number one tip:

Don't get a cart! What do you do if you get a shopping cart? You fill it! Shopping carts can lead to impulse buying. "I walk around with stuff in my arms," Clark says. "As I get tired I say, 'Do I really need that?'" Clark says it'll save you a fortune!

 

[npmommie]

And, don't forget Clark's number one tip:

Don't get a cart! What do you do if you get a shopping cart? You fill it! Shopping carts can lead to impulse buying. "I walk around with stuff in my arms," Clark says. "As I get tired I say, 'Do I really need that?'" Clark says it'll save you a fortune!

LOL he had me til this part!!! I have to get a cart, otherwise I will have wasted my time going there! BJ's is 30 min away, so I go once a month and I stock up for the month.......I usually spend $300.........but that is my big shopping for the month.........then I just get whatever is needed in between, like fresh veggies.

I agree about the private label brands, the berkely and jensen stuff is good

 

[GJM]

How can you not get a cart! I buy water at Costco and can't imagine carrying that around the store!

I know what I am getting and never impulse shop in the store.

I miss BJ's since moving to SC we don't have one here - but the Berkely & Jensen stuff is good! I love the ziplock bags! I miss the deli counter at BJ's.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

How can you not get a cart! I buy water at Costco and can't imagine carrying that around the store!

I agree. I'd be at the chiropractor all the time if I didn't get a cart. I just think of lugging cases of water and my 180 load box of Tide around and well...I'd be huffing and puffing just to make it to the register with that. I think as long as you have self control when shopping your okay.

 

[CTdiznymom]

LOL, I have to agree-you gotta get a cart! I think he was inferring to the people who run in for something specific, and end up with a cart full. I know I compile a big list before I even set foot in the store.

I also have a tip: If you or your spouse have a business of any kind, get a business membership and you can add family and friends to it at a considerable membership discount. Check the requirements as I did this awhile ago. My DH is an acct. so we brought in his business card and set up a business membership, and added 2-3 people on it. Whatever the fee is, we split it, and everyone went down and got their own cards. They renew them on their own as long as my DH renews his master membership first.