BJ's or Costco

[LattNJ]

Looking to join one of them. Difference of about 5 minutes in distance from my house, difference of $5 for membership cost. We started juicing tons of fruits and vegetables, so I specifically am looking for bulk fruits and veggies at the moment. Also in the near future I need new glasses/contacts and according to people I work at it is far cheaper than going to Pearl Vision. Which store do you like best?

 

[karice2]

I am a member of both but I have a slight preference for BJ's since they also accept coupons. Costco cakes are really good though.

 

[Sheree]

I am a member at BJ's, but prefer Costco. Much bigger stores and more items

 

[KristinU]

I'm a member of both - BJ's is way closer for us, but I prefer Costco for lots of stuff. Costco seems to have a better selection of organic shelf-type stuff (peanut butter, almond butter, quinoa, olive oil, etc...) But BJ's seems to have a better selection of organic fruits and veggies (Costco doesn't carry organic apples, which surprises me every time)...and since fruits and veggies are what you're after I'd probably lean toward them. Then again, you didn't specify organic or not. Personally I go for organic for the "dirty dozen" and then other fruits and veggies if convenient. You might want to go scout out both and make a choice based on what you see at your local stores?

 

[princess barbara]

When my son first got glasses at age 4, we went to BJ's. Good selection as well as service. A couple of years later, we moved and are no longer near one.

 

[Judyat]

We belong to both BJS and Costco. Bjs is closer so we tend to get there more. We also belong to Sams. Each has advantages but we find that having BJS closest we get there the most. So I think if you have to pick one go with the closest since you'll tend to get the more.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

Looking to join one of them. Difference of about 5 minutes in distance from my house, difference of $5 for membership cost. We started juicing tons of fruits and vegetables, so I specifically am looking for bulk fruits and veggies at the moment. Also in the near future I need new glasses/contacts and according to people I work at it is far cheaper than going to Pearl Vision. Which store do you like best?

I belong to both and in my opinion Costco is better. (The only reason I belong to BJ's is because my sister put me on her membership.)

BJ's always offers 60 day free trial memberships. So I would join Costco and go to BJ's on a freebie.

Costco is highly rated in Consumers Reports for eye glasses and cheaper than going to Pearl Vision, Lenscrafters, etc.

 

[mrsstats]

We belong to all 3. For fresh fruits I would pick Costco over BJ's. I think the are fresher and the store by me seems cleaner. Can't say anything about glasses.

 

[MineMail]

We belong to both, but prefer BJ's because of the coupons but also because of the customer service. (They accept manufacturer's coupons as well as their own coupons. Costco only takes their own coupons.) Their store brands are both fine and the pricing is okay, given the size/quantity they sell.


The meat department at BJs will do some simple butchering at no charge (cutting a roast into chops, for example) - the Costco butchers are always too busy. Ditto for the cheese department - if I buy a block of Locatelli Romano, BJs will grate it for me, Costco doesn't offer that service.

I've bought eyeglasses from BJs and the customer service was very good. I tried the two-in-one lenses (distance+reading) and hated them. BJs took them back and gave me a credit towards different glasses, which they rush-ordered at no extra charge.

Many times, I have asked customer service for something at Costco (like Universal tickets) and been told they were out of stock. Later, I would find a display in the store with exactly what I wanted, in stock!

I rarely buy produce at Costco because of the package sizes - the food would spoil before we could use it all. I find BJs has smaller (but not supermarket-sized) packages in meat, produce, and staples. If you buy something that's individually packaged/UPC'ed (like their three-pack of ketchup), you can use the manufacturer's coupons for each item.

BJ's furniture and clothing selections are more to my taste, but that could be a neighborhood thing. Different stores will have different items to select from, whereas Costco is whatever they're advertising in their booklets.


One last note: Costco's hours are more limited than BJs. DH and I always liked to shop on Saturday nights and Costco would close at 5pm. BJs near us always opened earlier than Costco, so that helped us decide initially to go with BJs instead of Costco. When we moved, we found that Costco's closer, so that's why we have a membership now, but I'd rather go to BJ's.

 

[North of Mouse]

We belonged to BJ's club last year and my DH & I both bought eye glasses there and neither of us were happy. I had them redo mine and they were frameless and had rainbow halos around the sides - drove me nuts. Got the framed ones next time, still didn't fit properly, so gave up and went to non-chain optomitrist and love my frameless ones now. My Dr. said there are definitely different grades of processes and mine were the el cheapo and I got what I paid for The lady that fitted me there was great and very friendly, but it was where they sent them to be made was the problem. We didn't renew our membership because I do better with sales and couponing at my local Harris Teeter and Lowes.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I have belonged to both Costco and BJs. Yes, BJs takes coupons. And mine also has a deli, where they slice cold cuts to order (sweet).

BUT, Costco stands behind everything they sell. PERIOD. You can return items 2 years later, for a full refund, for example, if you are dissatisfied. They extend the manufacturer warranty on electronics like computers and high def TVs. (they are now exempt from the unlimited return policy). If you lost your receipt they can find the purchase in their computer.

Also, good travel discounts, esp. on rental cars.... and we like the Costco tire center better than BJs tire center.....

BOTH are good choices though.