Costco Executive Membership

[JB2K]

Is it worth it? I live about 35 minutes from Costco, have a good bunch of grocery stores and a Walmart oh, and a BJ's nearby. I don't ever drive down to the town that the Costco is in--but I'm wondering if I should. I was reading about their different memberships, and got to wondering if it was really that great a deal? I've saved on rental cars, eyeglasses and tires, but what about the food?
What do you guys think?

I was in a similar boat when I moved to my neighborhood -- the closest Costco is about a half hour away, while the nearest Sam's Club is about 10 minutes away.

Given that all three of the big warehouse club chains more or less carry the same food merchandise, I made the switch to Sam's Club and don't find myself missing anything in particular...

Of course, others have their own opinions -- Costco caters to the person who makes more than $50K per year while Sam's Club does not (which is evident by where Costco positions their store locations). Some people also choose their club store based on their political slant, since Sam's Club is owned by Walmart (which isn't really an issue for me) while Costco has been known to contribute to progressive causes.

Also, if you are using credit/rewards cards, Sam's Club accepts MasterCard and Discover, while Costco only accepts American Express.

CAVEAT: I have a close family member who is a contractor for Costco, and has subsequently drank the Costco Kool-Aid (and thinks of it as the only store to shop at - period). As for me, my 10-minute trip still beats the 30-minute drive...

Good luck on your choice.

 

[descovy]

I was in a similar boat when I moved to my neighborhood -- the closest Costco is about a half hour away, while the nearest Sam's Club is about 10 minutes away.

Given that all three of the big warehouse club chains more or less carry the same food merchandise, I made the switch to Sam's Club and don't find myself missing anything in particular...

Of course, others have their own opinions -- Costco caters to the person who makes more than $50K per year while Sam's Club does not (which is evident by where Costco positions their store locations). Some people also choose their club store based on their political slant, since Sam's Club is owned by Walmart (which isn't really an issue for me) while Costco has been known to contribute to progressive causes.

Also, if you are using credit/rewards cards, Sam's Club accepts MasterCard and Discover, while Costco only accepts American Express.

CAVEAT: I have a close family member who is a contractor for Costco, and has subsequently drank the Costco Kool-Aid (and thinks of it as the only store to shop at - period). As for me, my 10-minute trip still beats the 30-minute drive...

Good luck on your choice.

Question... because I grew up on Costco, and have never been in a Sams Club. I always figured that Sam's Club sold Wal-mart stuff... only in bulk. Is the stuff different than Wal mart "Great Value"?

For example, I seek out Kirkland brand items (such as paper towels) because I like them best. Is there an equivilant at Sam's Club? (specialty brand that can't be found at Wal-Mart)

Funny about Costco catering to the over $50k crowd. Growing up in Eastern Washington, Costco was all the rage with us small town farm families. (certainly not "upper crust" sort of people) Our nearest Costco was 80 miles away in Spokane and probably our favorite store as it catered to the small town lifestyle... as in stock up while you're in town! Then again, I don't remember Wal mart showing up until close to 2000. not sure if there's even a Sam's Club in the area (been living in TX since '99)

 

[kacaju]

I have an executive membership and my check back was for 92.18. I shop often and also buy most of my gasoline there. .

Our costco is now building a gas station. Does Costco gas take cash?? We just got a Sam's Club with a gas station and I was surprised to find out they do not take cash

 

[zscfan]

Costco gas stations never take cash, only debit, American Express and Costco gift cards.

 

[disneyfan55]

That's good to know you would think cash would be accepted. I wonder what that's about? The Costco by us does not sell gas and I've never purchased at another Costco so I was unaware.\

Also, one thing I don't like about Costco is that they don't take any coupons except their own. We had a trial membership to BJs and used it a week ago. I think they take mfg. coupons not sure though. I found the 2 BJs we visited to be less organized than Costco and prices varied.

 

[bettymae1121]

For me, their Exec. Membership doesn't make sense, we only spend an average of about $1000 a year there. But the $50 basic membership is more than worth it. Costco sends out coupon packs about 6 times a year or so, and just in coupon savings I make back my membership fee, all for stuff I'd buy anyway. I just saved $36 this past Sunday just in coupons, never mind the savings realized by them having the best prices to begin with.

Because it's just DH and me, we don't buy a lot of food there other than a few pantry staples and things like meats, which can be frozen (they have the best price anywhere around here for organic ground beef). We do get paper products, linens, batteries, health & beauty (espeicaly vitamins) laundry supplies (I love their cheap bulk baking soda so I can add it to my wash!) movie tickets, halloween/Chrismas candy, christmas cards, and probably a few other things I'm forgetting.

My favorite deal there was their 10 pack of high quality wash clothes. I use them in place of paper towels and just re-wash them. I got two 10 packs for just a bit more than their mega pack of Bounty towels and they'll last me for years. I've had them for over a year now and they are still as good as new. Great for the enviroment and my pocket book, since I don't need to buy paper towels anymore (I just keep a roll on hand for emergencies rather than going through a roll every few days).

 

[Swimalie]

That's good to know you would think cash would be accepted. I wonder what that's about? The Costco by us does not sell gas and I've never purchased at another Costco so I was unaware.\

Also, one thing I don't like about Costco is that they don't take any coupons except their own. We had a trial membership to BJs and used it a week ago. I think they take mfg. coupons not sure though. I found the 2 BJs we visited to be less organized than Costco and prices varied.

My guess about them not accepting cash for gas would have to do about man-power. If they accepted cash, they would have to keep a safe at the gas pumps, have another employee out there, etc. By not accepting it, they can lower costs which is something they like to do.

 

[JB2K]

Question... because I grew up on Costco, and have never been in a Sams Club. I always figured that Sam's Club sold Wal-mart stuff... only in bulk. Is the stuff different than Wal mart "Great Value"?

Sam's Club, though owned by Walmart, doesn't sell anything "Walmart-specific" (unless, of course, it's a national-brand product).

For example, I seek out Kirkland brand items (such as paper towels) because I like them best. Is there an equivilant at Sam's Club? (specialty brand that can't be found at Wal-Mart)

Yes - the "house brands" for Sam's Club are "Member's Mark" and "Bakers and Chefs" -- completely different from Walmart's "Great Value". IMO, the Member's Mark stuff is of comparable quality to Costco's "Kirkland Signature" (I wouldn't be suprised if both clubs contract-out to the same manufacturer).

Of course, there are some exceptions, as I know Costco has dual branding on some of their exclusives (a good example is "Kirkland Signature" and "Newman's Own"). Never seen anything like that at other stores...

Funny about Costco catering to the over $50k crowd. Growing up in Eastern Washington, Costco was all the rage with us small town farm families. (certainly not "upper crust" sort of people) Our nearest Costco was 80 miles away in Spokane and probably our favorite store as it catered to the small town lifestyle... as in stock up while you're in town! Then again, I don't remember Wal mart showing up until close to 2000. not sure if there's even a Sam's Club in the area (been living in TX since '99)

That is, of course, because you are in Washington state, which is home base for Costco (I imagine they saturated that market a looooooooong time ago). Walmart/Sam's, on the other hand, didn't even have a presence on the West Coast until sometime in the 1990's.

My statement was geared towards Costco's newest stores/territories -- and the $50K thing was gleaned from Costco, themselves.

 

[JB2K]

That's good to know you would think cash would be accepted. I wonder what that's about? The Costco by us does not sell gas and I've never purchased at another Costco so I was unaware.

It's to keep expenses down. Sam's Club does the same thing at their pumps.

Also, one thing I don't like about Costco is that they don't take any coupons except their own. We had a trial membership to BJs and used it a week ago. I think they take mfg. coupons not sure though. I found the 2 BJs we visited to be less organized than Costco and prices varied.

Both Costco and Sam's Club operate on the same business model -- and part of that model is NOT to accept manufacturer's coupons. I know BJ's Wholesale is an exception, since from my experience they do accept manufacturer's coupons.

 

[JB2K]

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[50sjayne]

For me, their Exec. Membership doesn't make sense, we only spend an average of about $1000 a year there. But the $50 basic membership is more than worth it. Costco sends out coupon packs about 6 times a year or so, and just in coupon savings I make back my membership fee, all for stuff I'd buy anyway. I just saved $36 this past Sunday just in coupons, never mind the savings realized by them having the best prices to begin with.

Because it's just DH and me, we don't buy a lot of food there other than a few pantry staples and things like meats, which can be frozen (they have the best price anywhere around here for organic ground beef). We do get paper products, linens, batteries, health & beauty (espeicaly vitamins) laundry supplies (I love their cheap bulk baking soda so I can add it to my wash!) movie tickets, halloween/Chrismas candy, christmas cards, and probably a few other things I'm forgetting.

My favorite deal there was their 10 pack of high quality wash clothes. I use them in place of paper towels and just re-wash them. I got two 10 packs for just a bit more than their mega pack of Bounty towels and they'll last me for years. I've had them for over a year now and they are still as good as new. Great for the enviroment and my pocket book, since I don't need to buy paper towels anymore (I just keep a roll on hand for emergencies rather than going through a roll every few days).

I make up for my fee just in samples. I like that Costco is very Blue as well-- they are 'good guys' As a union steward I don't go to the dark lord Walmart--haven't for 5+ years and don't miss it one bit. Costco quality is amazing too--their choices in what they carry and their brand both. Gas is always the cheapest in town.

 

[Judique]

Our costco is now building a gas station. Does Costco gas take cash?? We just got a Sam's Club with a gas station and I was surprised to find out they do not take cash

No cash. I did not even notice until my son pointed this out, as I always use a reward credit card. My son shares my membership and sometimes buys gas by getting a Costco Cash card inside. He finds this inconvenient when he just needs gas, so he's just as happy to go to Wawa for gas - price is comparable as they are very close by.

 

[mjkacmom]

My guess about them not accepting cash for gas would have to do about man-power. If they accepted cash, they would have to keep a safe at the gas pumps, have another employee out there, etc. By not accepting it, they can lower costs which is something they like to do.

I don't think so. Here in NJ, the gas is pumped by attendents, same as any station here, and the guys keep a wad of bills on them at all times.

 

[Swimalie]

I don't think so. Here in NJ, the gas is pumped by attendents, same as any station here, and the guys keep a wad of bills on them at all times.

In Oregon, where gas is pumped by attendants, it's non-cash only. Same as all other Costco stores.

 

[sticker231]

I don't think so. Here in NJ, the gas is pumped by attendents, same as any station here, and the guys keep a wad of bills on them at all times.

NJ Costco gas stations do not take cash. They have attendants, NJ law, but only accept debit, Amex, or Costco cash card.