B.J's vs. Costco

[pixiemomma]

OK. I hate to grocery shop. ONce a month, except for the staples, really appeals to me. I'm thinking about joining either BJS or Costco. There are several of both near me. Which one does everyone here prefer and why?

 

[DawnCt1]

I have never been to BJs but there seems to be a Costco everywhere, which I like. When we go to Hawaii I like that I can buy groceries, soda, Hawaiian shirts, etc for the same price that I can pay at home. They carry the items I like, the meat is excellent and the milk is $2.15 per gal. Can't beat that!

 

[Aurora63]

Based on my very limited experience, I'd say Costco. The one time I went to BJ's, it smelled weird and seemed very messy. Maybe that was just this one store, but all the Costco's I've been to have been neat and clean with no weird smells. I know it's a silly factor but that's what I noticed!

 

[binny]

not exactly an unbiased opinion here because Ive never been to a BJs but I really love Costco!


I do a lot of my shopping there.

 

[kydisneyfans]

I voted for Costco-we have no Costcos here, and the BJs I have been to really stunk. We really do not see the draw to Warehouse clubs-stocking up on sale items at CVS and Meijer, at least in our area, is a much cheaper way to go.

 

[Stacerita]

I voted Costco. There are tons all over around here. Plus, they have really have the best hot dogs. And the one closest here also serves pizza. Yep, we go to lunch at Costco.

 

[Poohnatic]

I used to have memberships to Costco (always Price Club to me), BJ's and Sam's Club. All at the same time-two memberships were thanks to employers.

Much prefer Costco. My only gripe is that the one closest to me doesn't have gas. I was really spoiled in Maryland-the one 5 minutes from my house had it, as did the one two minutes from my store.

Suzanne

 

[sha_lyn]

BJs all the way. I've had a BJ's membership for about 5-6 yrs. Around 2 yrs ago people kept telling me thay like Costcos a lot better so I bought a membership when my BJ's expired. I ran out and quickl;y renewed my BJ's and rarely used the Costco.
Around the time the costco membership was expiring thay started carrying organic milk and frozen green beans. There were also a couple couple of items they carried that I could get cheaper than at BJs (tissues and capers, maybe 1 or 2 other things).
However by the end of last summer, BJ's started carrying organic milk, BJs gas was always cheaper and the traffic around costco became a nightmare.
I haven't been back in costco since aug or Sept and and membership ends in june. I might go there today since I will be right down the road from it, just to compare things before I let the membership expire. I also like the hrs at BJ's better. They open earlier and stay open much later.

 

[MAKmom]

I belong to BJ's. Costco has Crocs for $19.00 in some locatons & for that reason, if one was close to me I would dump BJ's.

BJ's does have organic fruit & vegtables now so thats a plus for me. I was not doing much shopping at BJ"S since we went organic. Holidays & Partys I do go to buy in bulk & non organic.

 

[momrek06]

This is an easy answer...BJ's as I have no COSTCO around me at all....!!!

I am open to try ANY store but that being said, I will not drive 25 miles to SHOP at a store. I believe that is where the closest COSTCO is to my house. I need convenience. Working all day and sometimes into the evening, I need my necessities at my finger-tips!

AND for the record...I am not even impressed with BJ's!

 

[buzzlady]

I have a BJ's and Sam's membership. I find that BJ's prices are higher than Sam's.

 

[Kimberly]

Really is so close. We have both in our area, and BJ's in Paramus has higher end electronics which makes it better to go to. But that's about the only reason, other than that, they're both about the same... but I do go tire shopping at Costco...

 

[Annette_VA]

We have a BJ's membership. Before BJ's opened we went to Sam's Club. I like BJ's so much more than Sam's. BJ's you can pay with whatever you want - cash, check, credit, debit. It always bugged me that Sam's only took cash or check.

Plus, BJ's takes coupons!! And, they have some awesome coupons in their fliers, too.

I'm not sure if Costco is like Sams in the coupon & payment methods, though. I haven't been in one since way back when when they were still Price Club.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I get a Costco membership for free so it's where I go. (In-laws have a small business and buy a business membership that includes us.) It's closer and more convenient than BJ's anyway.

Costco does not take Visa or MasterCard. They will take any debit card, cash, checks, or American Express (not sure about Discover).

If I didn't receive a free membership, though, I would try BJ's with the free membership passes I frequently get in mass mailings to see which I liked more.

You might want to try doing the same.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Costco, we dont have BJ's here. I live in Costco country- about 45 minutes from the corp offices. I can be at 4 different stores in under 30 minutes and they are building another one with in that area as well.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We have SAM's and Costco memberships, no BJ's around here.

I will have to say Costco is pretty nice, but their Bakery is lacking. So we shop both of them.

 

[pixiemomma]

Costco does not take Visa or MasterCard. They will take any debit card, cash, checks, or American Express (not sure about Discover).

Thanks for pointing this out. I normally use my Amex for groceries but it would stink to have a cart full of groceries and be without it.


I have been in both stores before but the thought of bulk shopping never appealed to me until recently when I relized how much I disliked frequent grocery store visits.

Is the meat in these stores fresh or frozen? Do you they regular sized boxes of things (cereal for exampe) or is everything in huge portions? Do they have delis?

 

[RadioNate]

Costco, hands down. I love that store. I haven't been to BJ's in ages (they don't have them here) but my mom goes to one. What I love about Costco is that most of the items are predictable and consistant not just what they got a good deal on that week.

 

[LoraJ]

There is a BJ's a few blocks away. Before we joined, we also checked out Costco. Costco was a little bit bigger, but just not worth the drive. We joined BJ's a few weeks ago and are addicted to it now.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I used to have memberships in both. They were about equal distance from my home. I found myself shopping at Costco 95% of the time. There were 2 areas I likes BJ's better for..... the meat department and toys at the holiday season.

Other than that I preferred Costco.

Plus, ya can't beat the $1.50 hot dog and soda combo at Costco!