BJs or Costco?

[dakcp2001]

The last few years we have done very well at BJs with coupons and buying in bulk. But we have moved and there is a Costco much closer. It is more expensive to join. Do they have good coupons? Anyone familiar with both and can offer some advice on comparing prices? We usually buy ground beef, chicken, paper products, pet food, and frozen food at the warehouse stores. I am not I interested in SAMs.

 

[MillauFr]

Our family likes Costco. They have high quality products at low prices. They charge a $110 membership fee but it ends up being free for us because they give you an additional 2% back on all purchases. Last year they sent me a check for $125. The local newspaper wrote an article on their meat processing factory and it sounded like it was as clean as a hospital. Stark contrast from the rest of the industry.

 

[CAGirl]

I have been to both and prefer Costco...wish we had one closer. Anyway they do periodically send out coupon books. The online ordering I have done around the holidays is also very good.

 

[wiigirl]

LOVE Costco

 

[Megkel]

I have both and prefer Costco. When the commissary was closed for the government shut down we went to Costco to buy our meat. My Mom is the cheapest person I know, has five kids and has had a Costco membership since it was called Price club.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

My Mom used to go to BJ's where she lived, there was no Costco near her. She has since moved in with my sister and now goes to Costco. I recommended Costco for her prescriptions and she said they are so much cheaper for her now. She likes Costco selection better and much prefers Costco.

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

We belong to both. BJs is actually within walking distance and the reason we have a membership there in addition to Costco.

If I had to choose only one it would be Costco. They have more variety, better prices, and more unique items. Their return policy is very very generous. The pharmacy is the least expensive anywhere.

Their Rotissere Chicken is great -- ex-large pizza at $10 bucks is a steal and great for a quick dinner/lunch to grab on the way out.

They do have their own in-house coupons … and just recently you don't have to have the actual coupon at checkout. There is a Costco app that has all the coupons and the cashier has a 'master coupon' that will automatically deduct any coupons.

That said, Costco does NOT accept manufacturer coupons. However, I have never found that to be a problem b/c the prices are less anyway.

If you get their executive membership it's $100 a year but you get 2% back in a check each year. Additionally, if you sign up for the Costco Amex card you get an additional 2% back each year -- plus a larger percentage on purchases other than Costco (I don't recall the exact percentages but it's more than the standard 1% for gas and restaurants). Either way, the membership pays for itself and if ever you are not satisfied they will refund that current year's membership fee.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I go to both and prefer BJS they accept mfg. coupons and you can couple them with the BJS coupons. When it time to renew they send an email showing how much I saved over the last 12 months. BJS is not as crowded as Costco.

 

[mrsstats]

I belong to both (well actually all 3) but if I had to pick one over the other it would be Costco over BJ's. I find it cleaner, more variety and you can't beat the chickens.

 

[Jimsig]

BJ's also allows you to use multiple manufactures coupons per bulk item. Say you are buying Crest toothpaste that comes in a pack of 4. You can use 4 coupons from Crest to lower the price.

 

[Gracie09]

We belong to both. BJs is actually within walking distance and the reason we have a membership there in addition to Costco.

If I had to choose only one it would be Costco. They have more variety, better prices, and more unique items. Their return policy is very very generous. The pharmacy is the least expensive anywhere.

Their Rotissere Chicken is great -- ex-large pizza at $10 bucks is a steal and great for a quick dinner/lunch to grab on the way out.

They do have their own in-house coupons … and just recently you don't have to have the actual coupon at checkout. There is a Costco app that has all the coupons and the cashier has a 'master coupon' that will automatically deduct any coupons.

That said, Costco does NOT accept manufacturer coupons. However, I have never found that to be a problem b/c the prices are less anyway.

If you get their executive membership it's $100 a year but you get 2% back in a check each year. Additionally, if you sign up for the Costco Amex card you get an additional 2% back each year -- plus a larger percentage on purchases other than Costco (I don't recall the exact percentages but it's more than the standard 1% for gas and restaurants). Either way, the membership pays for itself and if ever you are not satisfied they will refund that current year's membership fee.

So you can double dip the executive % back with the amex % back? We asked at our Costco a few times about this and they looked at us like we had 6 heads.

 

[mnrose]

Yes, you can "double up" the cash back from a Costco executive membership with the Costco Amex cash back. You get two different checks...ours just came. The Amex one is always much bigger because it includes purchases beyond Costco. Between the two of them, I got back over $600 this year. A tidy savings. Of course, I also LOVE Costco and shop there probably too much. And, ALL our charges go on the Amex (which we pay in full each month)...unless we are at a place that doesn't accept Amex.

 

[stargaze98]

We used to be Costco but now are BJs. I like BJs better and the number one reason is I spend a lot less money then Costco. I could never get out of Costco under $100 and I do it all the time with BJs. They have tons of coupons they send in the mail and ones you can only get in the store when you walk in, and yes stack with manufacture ones. I feel BJs is more to the point. The one I go to has only a small section of clothes and seasonal. Keeps me from buying crap I really don't need. And I love BJs Deli, half the price of the grocery store. And I almost always get a coupon on the bottom of my receipt for my next trip like $5 off $50.

 

[DawnM]

Costco.

We get about 90% of our groceries, toiletries, dog food, etc....there.

 

[Judique]

Is Costco open today? I need to do a Costco run.

Costco is my favorite place to shop. I get the best prices without worrying about coupon deals. At our Costco they scan their coupons without you even asking.

 

[pjlla]

Have had both memberships and definitely prefer Costco. We were BJs members from about 1990 through 2007 or so, but then we no longer got a free membership (had a BIL who worked for them), so we dropped it, rather than pay for it OOP.

DH got our first Costco membership about 3-4 years ago.... because he wanted to buy something in particular there. But even though the nearest one is an hour from our house, we have continued with our membership. Even just going once a month is worth it. .....................P

 

[aprilchem]

We used to be Costco members but switched to BJ's and I like it much better. Our Costco does not accept manufacturer's coupons and is never open when I have time to get there (they close at 6 on Saturday and Sunday). They only take debit cards, checks, and cash, so we can't get the credit card rewards that we can get at BJs.

I've found that prices are generally a bit lower at our BJs vs. Costco, especially since I can use multiple coupons on one item.

 

[Judique]

We used to be Costco members but switched to BJ's and I like it much better. (snip) They only take debit cards, checks, and cash, so we can't get the credit card rewards that we can get at BJs. snip

Costco takes any American Express - not just their own. Also, you can use a Visa to buy Costco cash cards online at Costco.com and get rewards on your Visa for buying the cards.

 

[rdsx28]

I also have all three cards. I like Sam's the least. I find they are very limited in what they offer. Costco is awesome for different things that you may not find at BJ's BUT the negatives as mentioned are no manufacturer coupons are excepted and no credit cards. Bj's deli is terrific and you can use store coupons plus manufacturer ones and they do accept CC and I agree in general their prices are a bit lower as well. I guess it just depends on your personal preferences.

 

[Lita]

We used to be Costco members but switched to BJ's and I like it much better. Our Costco does not accept manufacturer's coupons and is never open when I have time to get there (they close at 6 on Saturday and Sunday). They only take debit cards, checks, and cash, so we can't get the credit card rewards that we can get at BJs. I've found that prices are generally a bit lower at our BJs vs. Costco, especially since I can use multiple coupons on one item.

I love being able to double up on store coupons and manufacturers coupons. I made out like a bandit when my children were in diapers. I currently have both a BJs and a Sam's Club membership. No Costco near us. I find that one store does not meet our needs.

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