Costco or Bj's, help me decide!!

[minnieandmickeymouse]

I am going to be getting membership to one of them, just don't know which one yet. I have been to costco and I really like it there.

The costco is the same distance from the Bj's, but the Bj's is in NH, and would be tax free on anything we bought.

We have a big family with 4 kids to feed, and I like the choices and prices of their meats.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Costco. Of course I'm in Costco country and we dont have BJ's here.

I can be at about 4 different Costcos in 30 or less (the closest is about 10 minutes). I've heard they are building another one with in that range as well.

 

[Christine]

Where I live, Costco is SOOOO much better than BJs in every way.

 

[cinmell]

I belong to BJ's. Costco doesn't have a few of the items I like to buy at BJ's. Also, BJ's will accept BJ's coupons & manufacturer coupons for the same product. For example, on Tuesday, I was able to use 1.50 manufacturer coupon and a $3.00 BJ's coupon for a box of Pampers diapers. $4.50 off the box wasn't too bad.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Where I live, Costco is SOOOO much better than BJs in every way.

gotta agree... especially the $1.50 hot dog and soda! I'll be making my weekly trek to Costo later on today. And we used to belong to BJ's. Gave it up for Costco.

 

[Hedy]

We've had both (at sometimes at the same time.) I prefer BJ's, myself, but would rather Costco than nothing. Our BJ's has a deli, which you might use. Also, I've found BJ's to have good prices on electronics (we're getting a small TV from there, and I got a printer there for $10 less than every other brand was selling it for.
Also, you can use non-AmEx credit cards at BJ's, which you couldn't (IIRC) at Costco.
A lot depends on YOUR local warehouse-I'd ask around.

 

[GJM]

I have both - I just started going to BJ's - from BJ's I get the mini muffins my DS likes, and they have a deli counter which I like, plus they have packages of meat that are not huge.

I like Costco for other reasons - the Poland Springs water is cheaper, they have there own brands items which comes out to be cheaper.

The BJ's by me is also so much less crowded - Costco always has long long lines!

 

[UKVermonter]

I am going to be getting membership to one of them, just don't know which one yet. I have been to costco and I really like it there.

The costco is the same distance from the Bj's, but the Bj's is in NH, and would be tax free on anything we bought.

We have a big family with 4 kids to feed, and I like the choices and prices of their meats.

Just remember if you go into NH and use a credit card any purchase can be caught by the Vermont tax people if the audit BJ's and your name comes up being from Vermont you are told to pay taxes on out of state puechases.

 

[minnieandme]

Since you say you won't pay any taxes at BJ's, I'd say go there. BJ's also takes manufacturer coupons, plus they also mail you a booklet of coupons. They have coupons in the store as well so you'll have even more savings.

 

[minnieandme]

Just remember if you go into NH and use a credit card any purchase can be caught by the Vermont tax people if the audit BJ's and your name comes up being from Vermont you are told to pay taxes on out of state puechases.

You can easily solve that problem by paying cash

 

[DMickey28]

I have done both and am on the fence as well.

In IL we only had Costco. I would get chicken/beef and paper products there but their dry goods where geared more towards restaurant food service.

Now in FL we go to BJ's because I was dying to go to a BJ's. My mom's in MA has Near East Rice in bulk but we don't here. All we have is Rice a Roni in Chicken and Brocolli and Cheese. The meat selection doesn't seem to be as great at my BJ's here, and the frozen bags of chicken breast include that little bitty rib meat on the bottom that I am always having to trim off. They do have a better selection of produce and great selection of cheeses.

I actually think I might switch back to Costco. They are about the same distance for me. First I am going to try another BJ's closer to work but further from my house.

I suggest going to each one with a guest pass and finding out what it is you would most likely get there and scope out the items!!

Oh I also like the hot dog/snack portion better at Costco.. the Bj's I go seems a bit on the older side and ranky so we never get food in the snack area.

 

[thewishfire]

My family belongs to both, and we prefer Costco. I like the store and selection a bit better.. plus they have wonderful meats. The only plus seems to be the no-tax at the BJ's by you. If you don't consider it a big issue, I'd go to Costco.

 

[CJBaby]

I love Costco!

However, I think you should decide by comparing which brands they each carry. I originally went to Costco b/c they had my brand of Olive Oil and other brands that BJs didn't carry. The other important reason was that the Costco near me is much nicer than BJs. Costco has since dropped my OO brand, but the Kirkland paper towels make up for it

 

[Magickndm]

We belong to both and I like them both for different reasons.
BJ's selection on personal products, shampoo, soaps and such, seems to be a little bigger. It also seems like BJ's is geared towards normal sized families and not just industries. Here at least you can use any credit card, at Costco you cannot.
Costco's own line of products are wonderful. I've even read in Consumer Reports that they are as good, if not better than brand names. We buy their water there, they used to have their line of Gator Ade but stopped making it. We also use their brand of medicine (Advil, Excedrin). My husband buys our tires from there, seems to be the best prices around.

 

[mrsstats]

I belong to both plus Sams. I would pick Costco over BJ's any day of the week. Costco is cleaner. Meats & fresh foods look better at Costco. I will not buy meats or fresh foods at BJ's. However, other items are fine.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I love Costco. There are two BJ's closer to me than Costco, but the gas at Costco is cheaper than BJ's and I love the Costco supplies and stuff.

I've bought a pre-lit Christmas tree, dozens of gifts, roses (2 dozen for $14.99), huge shrimp, delicious pork chops, french green beans - fresh and tons of other stuff.

BJ's is good, but no-body can beat Costco's gas (at least in this area).