Costco Membership, budget or not?

[Gigi22]

Just received an offer in the mail, and I'm tempted to join. We are moving to a new place that is close to a Costco. We're in Canada, so I don't think there is a travel agency at Costco, darn. Other than the TA, how do you find Cosco? Are there good deals? (Never been to one).

 

[havaneselover]

I go a few times a month. They send out coupon books with what's on sale. I usually buy rotisserie chicken, vanilla, ground beef, windex, Pam cooking spray, cetaphil moisturizer, dog food, prescriptions for my dogs, etc. it's not my favorite place but it does help my budget.

 

[mjkacmom]

I spend enough at costco that my membership is free. Costco and Amazon are my two favorite retailers.

 

[North of Mouse]

Just received an offer in the mail, and I'm tempted to join. We are moving to a new place that is close to a Costco. We're in Canada, so I don't think there is a travel agency at Costco, darn. Other than the TA, how do you find Cosco? Are there good deals? (Never been to one).

In the past have been a member of all three of the warehouses here (Sams, BJ's, Costco) and have not found them cost cutting for our family. I'm a mostly cook from scratch type person - don't care for a lot of packaged foods - also, with double (mostly) coupons and sales at our other main stores, we do much better.

A big thing with the warehouse stores are the multiple packaging of items which a lot of people will 'assume' is a good deal and don't break it down by 'item' price, also the convenience factor of buying some things in bulk - usually misleading. Occasionally, it might be a good deal, but I've nearly 100% done better with the sales and Q's - (and, 'not' having to pay to shop - membership fee).

Lots of housewares (not all) are made expressly for them (like outlet stores) and the quality is 'not' all the same - same goes for 'brand name' clothing.

 

[msmama]

I'm a family of 2 (me and my son) and I love my costco membership. So it's useful even without a large family, I'd say.

I buy all my paper products there - toilet paper, paper towels, etc. I buy toothpaste, deoderant, razor blades, all the stuff that can add up if you buy it at the grocery or drug store. And it means I buy that stuff once or twice a year. That said, cutting down on trips is the best way for me to cut down on my budget!! I am not the kid of person that can walk into a store and ONLY buy what I need (which is a downside to costco, lol) so cutting down on trips in general works for me.

The Kirkland brand stuff is always very good quality stuff, too.

We also get snacks for lunches there and I buy several Xmas presents there each year. I'd say its worth a shot, and if you don't like it, you can always no re-sign up next year!

 

[Disney Dynamite]

I LOVE Costco! We buy all sorts of things there, but my favorites are the fresh fruit, chicken breasts, Sonicare toothbrush heads, coffee and vitamins. A lot of their take and bake meals are really good as well, and our Costco offers beautiful fresh cut flowers for a reasonable price. They also have nice household items sometimes, and we once found some amazing, inexpensive shorts for my husband. They do offer good deals. As havaneselover said, they send out booklets advertising their deals, so I tend to keep an eye on those.

 

[robinb]

I love Costco and I suspect that I actually save money on most of the stuff I buy, but certain things tend to jump into my mega-cart while I'm not looking. FWIW, I believe that they have a money-back guarantee on memberships. If you don't find you are using it enough you can cancel.

 

[JenzyHP]

If you need allergy medicine and willing to use generic, the savings there pays for your membership. Many of the medicines are cheaper. I love Costco and we shop mostly there. Some things are more so we go to Kroger for little staples.

 

[tinkerbell313]

The items made for specifically for Costco are NOT outlet items. When Costco enters into an agreement with a manufacturer to make a product, it is written in the contact that the item has to be manufactured equal to or better than the name brand item.

We like Costco as we do lots of cooking from scratch. They have lots of organic products as well as grass fed meats and dairy products. This is important to me for health reasons.

If you know if another family, split the cost of the membership with that family. That will cut the cost of the membership. Although you will most likely save the cost of the membership in the items you buy.

I don't know about gas in Canada, but Costco has a higher grade gas and is less expensive.

Also, they treat their employees very well with paying higher wages, benefits to part time employees and good benefits. Their employee retention is very high.

 

[Madteaparty001]

I do 80% of my shopping at costco. I do not have a big family and I cook mostly from scratch. Can I save more money couponing at my local grocery store? Probably. I go to costco for a few reasons.

1. Samples: around noon they do samples of some of their products, this is great for keeping kids distracted and happy.
2. Food court: $1.50 for a hot dog big enough to split with some one and a large drink with refill? Yes please.
3. Quality: Kirkland brands often rank very high when tested against other brands and products, look up Kirkland Extra Virgin Organic Olive Oil.
4. Price: I find their prices comparable to sale prices at my local grocery store, example is $3.68/lb for 88/12 ground beef.
5. Customer Service: I have never encountered a rude or unhelpful employee yet, and I've shopped there for years. I was 3rd in line at my local grocery store and waited 30 minutes. I was 6th in line at costco, didn't wait more than 5 minutes.
6. Costco Guarantee: if you are unhappy with any product you purchased you can take it back, anything. Even your membership.

And definitely get the Executive membership, if it doesn't pay for itself they will refund you the difference.

 

[hsmamato2]

I cook from scratch for the most part,and buy organic when possible.... also GF and DF- I go to Costco about once a month for certain items that can't be beat- Organic eggs, GF bread that can't be purchased anywhere else at a great price,nut butters, both peanut and almond, organic dried fruits, raw honey,organic frozen fruit for smoothies,Organic brown rice, Organic unprocessed sugar, I also buy other items like fresh fruit and veggies which can be gotten anywhere there.... I have a Sams membership now too.... but I like Costco much much better.well worth the membership to get those things in bulk at one time. Hummus, I like the OG corn tortilla chips..... When I go, it's a BIG purchase day.Either way I got both memberships in deals that made them more than free....so no harm trying!

 

[hsmamato2]

I forgot to add, Avocado oil in big bottles, and any OG meat I can find at a decent price,I buy at Costco. Their Gr. Beef isn't a bad price,as are the whole chickens.

 

[elgerber]

Our savings on gas at our Costco more than pays for our membership. Also photo Christmas cards a great value. We also have a few other things we only get a Costco. We don't shop a ton there, but my husband and son drive fair distances to work, so it's worth it for us for the gas savings.

 

[CowgirlMama]

I really liked having a Costco membership, I also had Sam's but thought that Costco was a better store. I think with what you save over the year, it basically pays for the card.

 

[tasha99]

I cook from scratch too and I think Costco saves me money. I made spaghetti sauce to freeze last weekend--restaurant sized cans of crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce, ground beef, Italian sausage, garlic, onions, mushrooms--all from Costco in giant sizes made it easy for me to make 12 quarts cheaply.

We buy our meats, fish, dairy, produce, TP, and cleaning supplies there. Also some canned goods, but mostly only the super large food industry cans instead of packs of smaller ones. And gas. Using my Amex and having an executive membership, it more than pays for the membership cost.

 

[barkley]

we primarily use Costco for-meat (buy and re-package using an air sealer), otc meds (SO much less expensive per unit), some produce (not allot b/c it just doesn't get used fast enough to prevent waste in our house, but the big tubs of salad greens and baby tomatoes are much less expensive than any of our alternatives), and a few items that I just can't find anywhere else (ds loves madras lentils-they sell multi packs cheaper than per price package at our options).

you can always join, and if not satisfied they will refund your membership (prorated for the remaining portion of the unused year).

 

[nugov2]

I save a lot at Costco. As a couple of PP pointed out medicine and gas alone can be huge. I can get two large allergy relief for less than cost of one smaller bottle anywhere else. Gas was .30 a gallon cheaper than anywhere near me the last time I filled up. Not everything is cheaper, but you will find if you price per ounce/pound etc you will find the actual savings/cost. I do impulse buy there, but I buy lots of items that even with coupons cannot be beat IME by the pricing and quality of Costco. I try to go every other week, but there are times I do go every week. We go through tons of produce weekly for my family of 5 so sometimes the savings can be significant by driving to Costco so I will.

 

[tina.tina]

I have a Sam's membership. There isn't a Costco anywhere near where I live. We usually go to Sam's once a month. It's 45 minutes away from our home and we combine it with another trip that's required to save gas money. I buy meat, produce, frozen breakfast waffles for the kids, OTC medicine, pantry staples, tp, detergent, and shampoo on a regular basis. If I see something else I'm interested in, sometimes I'll research it to make sure I'm getting a good deal and buy it the next month. A few of the things I've gotten really excellent deals on: a huge box of french fries that will last us a year for the price of a few smaller bags at the regular grocery store, OTC allergy medicine- 6 mos for the price of 1 at another store, and $100 Rockport dress shoes for my DH for $9.99.

 

[nalajms]

2 years ago, we went from $700+ a month at Costco to $100 a week total for groceries. I found that we were spending WAY TOO much money buying bulk at Costco and not finishing the food. Yes, they are cheaper per item when compared to regular stores. However, when regular stores have sales, they always beat Costco prices.

Our membership ends in June. I plan to buy a $1000 Costco gift card and not renew our membership. You can get in and buy stuff with the gift card without membership. We currently buy: croissant, bagels, banana, watermelon and occasionally chicken.

 

[SUSIEQ]

I plan to buy a $1000 Costco gift card and not renew our membership. You can get in and buy stuff with the gift card without membership.

Is there an upcharge without a membership? Thanks.