BJ's raising membership fees $5 and $10 depending on level starting in 2025

[Jimsig]

Basic going to $60 and the Plus+ going to $120 starting Jan 1, 2025

BJ's Wholesale Club hikes membership fees for first time since 2018

Not surprising after Costco did it.

 

[JBRB828]

BJ's also have items costing a lot more. Example, I've been buying a 46 oz canister of Cafe Bustelo Espresso coffee for $17.99 for two years. The other day I went past it and they raised it to $19.99! C'mon $2.00 ??? Luckily, I bought one 3 weeks ago....it lasts my DH about 4 months. Also, my granola went up $3.00 !!!

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Figures since I just signed up for BJs this year after decades being exclusively a fanboy of Costco. I'll always love Costco the most but BJs has slowly taken quite a bit of my shopping away from them. As always must know your prices. I'll still sign up I can make that 5 bucks extra back in a few coupons.

 

[reddog21]

People actually pay full price for a basic membership??

 

[_19disnA]

As always must know your prices.

I agree. Have been to Costco a few times when visiting relatives out of town and many items are a gimmick to get you to buy a huge quantity. If 1 roll of paper towels cost $1 at my local grocery store, the exact brand at Costco is packaged as 10 rolls for $10.......so no savings but takes up a LOT more space. Things like herbs/spices are sold in 1lb containers and unless you use huge amounts of them, they likely lose their flavor before you use them up. No bargain if you end up tossing some of it in the trash. My general impression is there are a few items where you can actually save and not have to buy 6 months worth, but clearly not every product is a bargain.

They are building a new BJ's near where I live. I assume they will send out some sort of discount offer to locals to get you to join. Assume they are basically the same as Costco.

 

[RivShore]

People actually pay full price for a basic membership??

I see "new" member discounts all the time. Have you seen any for continuing members?

 

[reddog21]

I see "new" member discounts all the time. Have you seen any for continuing members?

I have never paid more that $25 for a membership as an on going memeber

 

[MICKIMINI]

There is a discounted membership for veterans. DH has it, sorry can't remember how much it is!

 

[Jimsig]

They are building a new BJ's near where I live. I assume they will send out some sort of discount offer to locals to get you to join. Assume they are basically the same as Costco.

A big difference is that BJ's will allow you in without a membership so you can actually compare prices before you decide if you want a membership.

 

[_19disnA]

I noticed on their website there is a 1-day no cost 'pass', but you still have to signup to their website to do that. Will probably use that to look when this new store opens before deciding to pay for an annual membership.

 

[focusondisney]

I have never paid more that $25 for a membership as an on going memeber

So, how do you get that price? No one I know gets a discounted renewal.

 

[Frwinkley]

BJs annoys me. I have a membership (never paid more than $25). I can't stand the whole coupon thing. I much prefer Costco--no coupons, just things on sale. We usualy "shop the sales" and load up.

There are very few things we buy at BJs (I love their Hazelnut ground coffee) and coffee creamer is always a good deal.

 

[RivShore]

BJs annoys me. I have a membership (never paid more than $25). I can't stand the whole coupon thing. I much prefer Costco--no coupons, just things on sale. We usualy "shop the sales" and load up.

There are very few things we buy at BJs (I love their Hazelnut ground coffee) and coffee creamer is always a good deal.

How are you only paying $25 as an on-going member?

 

[Frwinkley]

How are you only paying $25 as an on-going member?

I’m not. My DH and I switch off. One year the account is is my name using my email and I cancel. We then make the account in his name using his email, the following year.

 

[eticketplease]

They are building a new BJ's near where I live. I assume they will send out some sort of discount offer to locals to get you to join. Assume they are basically the same as Costco.

When a new location was being built in our area we never received a promotion in the mail. They did have one on the radio though for those of us who still use one .

Basically it gave you X amount of rewards after sign up based on the tier you signed up for. In the end it was slightly better than the ones that are always on Groupon.

In terms of comparing to Costco, I find their groceries to be a little bit more manageable when it comes to the amount you have to purchase. BJ’s also has a deli so you are not limited to getting prepackaged meat and cheese. For clothing Costco is much more upscale with brands I feel. The rest are about equal.

 

[RivShore]

In terms of comparing to Costco, I find their groceries to be a little bit more manageable when it comes to the amount you have to purchase. BJ’s also has a deli so you are not limited to getting prepackaged meat and cheese. For clothing Costco is much more upscale with brands I feel. The rest are about equal.

Agreed on BJ's and groceries. Their deli prices are usually great and we find we can almost eliminate a grocery store trip with them, which we can never do with Costco.

 

[RivShore]

I’m not. My DH and I switch off. One year the account is is my name using my email and I cancel. We then make the account in his name using his email, the following year.

We have played that game with Sam's, which we don't go to often, but have not bothered with BJ's. We shop there enough that we don't want to deal with the hassle of new cards and lost purchase history and possible return issues. If only they gave us continuing members something...

 

[_19disnA]

When a new location was being built in our area we never received a promotion in the mail.

Just got a large postcard in the mail from BJ's as they are building a store in the area. It mentions a '$40 welcome reward' but never explains what that is. If they offer you a bunch of coupons on items you will probably never buy, then not worth much. Might try to 1-day free membership offer to see if they sell things worth buying once they open.

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

Maybe hold off a day on doing this weeks ShopRite gift card offer. Offer did not print on receipt in CT this morning.

 

[eticketplease]

Just got a large postcard in the mail from BJ's as they are building a store in the area. It mentions a '$40 welcome reward' but never explains what that is. If they offer you a bunch of coupons on items you will probably never buy, then not worth much. Might try to 1-day free membership offer to see if they sell things worth buying once they open.

They will give you a new coupon book yes but the welcome reward can be used on anything. Only catch is you don't get any money back so you would need to spend $40 to get full advantage of the reward. The rewards can be used for gift cards so even if you just bought a $50 Disney GC you could use it.

When mine was opening our membership date was set to the date of the club opening but we could use nearby clubs in the meantime which means I received an extra 2 months for free basically.