Buying in bulk( BJS Sam's Costco)

[dakcp2001]

What do you buy in bulk or at bulk club stores? To save money or for convenience?

We buy:
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Canned tomatoes
Tomato Sauce
Snacks
Kitty litter
Giant sack of kitty crunchies ( my finicky cat likes Purina One)
Milk (cheaper)
Gas

 

[tvguy]

Nothing anymore. Used to go to Price Club (remember them?) and Sam's Club, because we didn't have any Walmarts in California. Now I can get sane sizes of products at Walmart for about the same price per item per ounce without buying the year's supply size.

Speaking of Costco, I wonder what's up with the class action suit against them......the miffed members who found a LOT of items were cheaper at Walmart, and you don't have to pay a membership fee.

 

[Coconut36]

Nothing anymore. Used to go to Price Club (remember them?) and Sam's Club, because we didn't have any Walmarts in California. Now I can get sane sizes of products at Walmart for about the same price per item per ounce without buying the year's supply size.

Speaking of Costco, I wonder what's up with the class action suit against them......the miffed members who found a LOT of items were cheaper at Walmart, and you don't have to pay a membership fee.

Huh? I have never heard of the bold..a gender bias suit and one in regards to fuel (in areas where it was sold at high temps) but nothing on the price thing..how would that even be possible? Buyer beware and all that. I don't recall anything in my membership that says "has the lowest prices anywhere (or guaranteed)".

 

[dakcp2001]

How would that be a sue- able offense? It seems it is the consumers choice to buy where they want, if they didn't shop around that is on them.

 

[tvguy]

How would that be a sue- able offense? It seems it is the consumers choice to buy where they want, if they didn't shop around that is on them.

I have no idea what is in the membership agreement, but if I was paying to join, I would expect prices to be lower than a store where there is no membership fee. I mean, what's what you pay a membership fee for, right?

 

[dakcp2001]

I have no idea what is in the membership agreement, but if I was paying to join, I would expect prices to be lower than a store where there is no membership fee. I mean, what's what you pay a membership fee for, right?

No one forces you to join. You still have to do your due diligence. I am guessing some things there are priced better than other places, just like BJS. At BJS there are some real bargains like milk, tomato sauces etc, but other things, frozen foods are where they get ya! Just because you buy a membership does not mean you can stop using your brain.

 

[LBIJim]

I used to belong to BJs for several years, but discovered that almost everything could be found cheaper when supermarkets had sales. BJs was always cheaper on milk, some deli items, some meats, and perhaps a few other items, but not enough to justify the membership fee. One supermarket or another was ALWAYS cheaper for paper products, and cases of Coke or Pepsi or other beverages.

BJs often had lower prices for health & beauty items, but I didn't like having to buy in such large quantities.

I'm not aware of any lower price guarantees at the warehouse clubs. But I think they'll refund your membership fee if you're not satisfied.

Jim

 

[Coconut36]

I have no idea what is in the membership agreement, but if I was paying to join, I would expect prices to be lower than a store where there is no membership fee. I mean, what's what you pay a membership fee for, right?

No..not really. The idea is lower cost because you buy in volume..nowhere is the idea that they are "THE" lowest price out there and it is used a ton by small businesses. I have found that in general Costco prices are equal to the sale prices in the store. When it comes to meats and toiletries it works out better cost wise. Also nobody forces you to buy a given item at Costco..if you feel milk or cheese or eggs or meat is priced better at a different store..you buy it there and not at Costco.

There is no requirement that everyone in the world must have a Costco membership..if you do not feel they offer the prices you want or are not interested..you do not sign up!

I can't find anything about a class action regarding prices...can you please provide a link to that class action? I have a very very hard time believing people are suing (and that it made it to a class action) over prices being higher than other places.

 

[sasywtch]

From listening to a radio person, Costco has good warranties on electronics but otherwise, I have yet to see anything (food wise) that I can't get a WinnCo cheaper except for sourdough bread. My BF does like the meat at Costco though. Oh wait, I know........the polish sausage dogs sold outside for a dollar. Those are good.

 

[mrsklamc]

Bulk flour/sugar/rice are MUCH cheaper here. Rxs not covered by insurance may be cheaper (but you don't have to be a member for that either.)

 

[SpecialK]

Meat, fish, butter, organic eggs, coffee beans, k-cups, rotisserie chicken - cheaper at Costco.

Paper products, paper plates, detergent etc. - around the same price but more convenient.

 

[Southernmiss]

Sams membership paid for by my work Family of 6

Gas
Sugar
meats-cheaper and better quality
granola bars/type snacks for the kids
single packet pistachios
cashews
chips
bread
laundry det
dishwasher det
tortillas
noodles
ramen noodles
freezer snacks for the kids-white castle burgers, egg rolls, pizza rolls
fresh produce
salads

 

[Disney Doll]

Mostly non-perishables. It's only DH & I so huge bottles of sauce or huge jars of mayo don't make sense for us.

 

[scrapquitler]

What do you buy in bulk or at bulk club stores? To save money or for convenience?

We buy:
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Canned tomatoes
Tomato Sauce
Snacks
Kitty litter
Giant sack of kitty crunchies ( my finicky cat likes Purina One)
Milk (cheaper)
Gas

KCups, toilet paper, kitty litter, cat food, laundry detergent, dishwasher tabs, fabric softener, ziploc bags, saran wrap, some snack foods (like granola bars), bottled water, garbage bags, splenda packets, green olives, ketchup, frozen waffles, frozen stuffed shells, milk (much cheaper at BJs), eggs, American Cheese (like $3.99/lb vs 6.99 at the grocery store), hot dogs.

And I always buy a couple rotisserie chickens when I'm there, too

 

[momof1princess]

we've been sam's club members for over 10 years, and usually go every 2-3 months (it's an hour drive for us). we buy:

90% lean ground beef
toilet paper
lunch meat
bacon
snacks (100 calorie packs, usually)
splenda
can of mixed nuts (DH LOVES these)
plastic spoons (DD15 takes her lunch almost every day)
quaker chewy bars
spaghetti (MUCH cheaper to buy in bulk)
zantac (members mark-sam's brand)
ibuprofen
allegra or zyrtec
laundry detergent
clorox
clorox wipes
AA batteries

what we get for the in-laws when we go:

grape juice
cranberry juice
splenda (packets)
sirloin roasts and 90% lean ground beef
coffee

 

[newt2]

Definitely meat. The quality of meat at Costco is far superior to the grocery stores around here and Walmart can't compare to them. Only Whole Foods and dedicated butcher shops have better, but Costco charges what the grocers do when they put it on sale.

I'm sure I can get most of the other things I buy there for similar prices as Costco if I shop around. The key there is that I have to shop around to do it. I'd much rather just go to one place and get it all. I don't have time for a trip to costco for meat, a trip to Safeway for groceries and a trip to Walmart for everything else.

Going to Costco this afternoon actually.

 

[teacherlisa1978]

Getting ready for my weekly Costco trip right now. The thing we always say is if given the choice, and Costco sells it, buy it there. The quality is always superior and they stand behind their products. The only problem is you fall in love with something and they quit carrying it. (Recently, apple sauce pouches and Monterey jack and cheddar string cheese!).

Today we are getting
Milk
Dog food
Eggs
Dip for a party tomorrow
Apples
Pineapple
Grapes
Bananas
Diapers
A couple of frames
Gummy vitamins
Kirkland brand zyrtec

In the summer we love their salt and pepper chips and the sparkling lemonade. I do probably half my Christmas shopping there!

And we will end with a hot dog and sometimes a $1 latte...and maybe gas and a carwash! My two year old loves going to Costco with me!

 

[TifffanyD]

Here's what we buy:

Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Dishwasher tablets
Laundry soap (sometimes)
Spaghetti sauce (sometimes)
Frozen chicken
Sandwich cheese
Frozen broccoli
Vitamins and other OTC's
Liquor
Sandwich thins
Fresh fruit (sometimes... but I'm the only one who eats it)
Lunchmeat
Yogurt
Baked pizzas from snack bar

other things too, I'm sure

Nothing anymore. Used to go to Price Club (remember them?) and Sam's Club, because we didn't have any Walmarts in California. Now I can get sane sizes of products at Walmart for about the same price per item per ounce without buying the year's supply size.

Speaking of Costco, I wonder what's up with the class action suit against them......the miffed members who found a LOT of items were cheaper at Walmart, and you don't have to pay a membership fee.

But then you have to shop at Walmart...

 

[Piglet4Ever]

We currently belong to Sam's club and we love it. When we move back out to WA we will end up joining Costco again because we don't have a Sam's by our house. We buy

Power Bars (for hubby)
Toilet paper
paper towels
soda (coke products)
mixed nuts
water
soup
cheese sticks
kodak picture paper (for computer)
kodak printer ink

 

[jennylyn_b]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakcp2001

How would that be a sue- able offense? It seems it is the consumers choice to buy where they want, if they didn't shop around that is on them.

I have no idea what is in the membership agreement, but if I was paying to join, I would expect prices to be lower than a store where there is no membership fee. I mean, what's what you pay a membership fee for, right?

Low price is not the onky reason to be a member for us. Costco stands behind their products and gives full refunds, plus ours has a great selection and I have priced things and they are often much cheaper. The pharmacy is also one of the cheapest and you do NOT have to be a member to use that either!


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