Costco?

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Does anybody have experience with Costco or similar establishments? How exactly does it work? Are you buying in bulk? Is it even worth it for a single person?

 

[eduk8r26]

We only have 4 in our family, and we shop there all the time. It's not just food and paper goods. They've got electronics, dvd's, books, kitchen stuff, appliances, you name it. Personally I think it's worth it.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

You have to pay and be a member to shop there, right? How does that work? Do you just walk in and tell them you want to be a member? Can you look around first before deciding? I tried looking on their website but it just online shopping. No info.

 

[honugirl]

Not exactly sure on the sign up process, but I believe they have individual memberships. I'm a member at Costco. It's pretty good for a lot of stuff. I really like their jeans and I buy books and movies there all the time. I tend not to buy a whole lot of food there just 'cause I really don't eat that much, but some stuff can come in handy like cereals and other canned goods. They have a good selection of frozen stuff too. And if you go at the right time, they give away tons of samples which means you don't have to eat lunch... If you go to the snack stand too they have hot dogs and a coke for a $1.50. Can't beat that for lunch! They're the good Hebrew National dogs too...

 

[jlima]

You have to pay and be a member to shop there, right? How does that work? Do you just walk in and tell them you want to be a member? Can you look around first before deciding? I tried looking on their website but it just online shopping. No info.

I believe you can ask for a guest pass at their customer service/membership desk. Just walk in and ask.

Depending on what you buy, the cost of a membership can pay for itself in a few visits, or just one visit. For instance, if you are shopping for a big ticket item like a TV, and the one at Best Buy is $600 and the one at Costco is $525, then you're getting a better deal at Costco. They sell computers, printers & lots of electronics; and you can usually get pretty good deals.

We buy generic medicine like their store brand of Tylenol and multivitamins; and I also buy their store brands of hand soap and shampoo/conditioner. Their bread is usually a good deal. You have to buy two loaves at a time, but I put one in the freezer and use the other when I buy it. Some of their produce items are incredible deals, like celery hearts and romaine lettuce. They also sell wine, beer & liquor. I think it's definitely worth it.

 

[buckylarue]

We looked at both Costco and Sam's Club when they first came to our area, and decided on Sam's Club, because it seemed to fit our shopping items better. There are just 2 of us, but we buy a lot of stuff there; bulk items like dried pasta & rice, canned fruit and vegetables, frozen veggies, crackers/cookies, baked goods, and meat & seafood. We did buy a small chest freezer, and split up the meat into meal-sized portions before freezing. (We also freeze some of the bread & bagels so we don't need to shop so often.) It works out great for us; the things they don't have, we get at Target.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Do either of these stores accept coupons?

 

[Green Tea]

Costco doees not take regular coupons but they send their own which are very good.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I know you can ask for a guest pass at SAMS. Costco is a little more picky, however I would ask. They probably do it as well.

 

[happygirl]

I don't think it would be worthi if for one person. Everything is in bulk

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't think it would be worthi if for one person. Everything is in bulk

Well there are some things you can get there that you cannot in a reg. store. Meds like Claritin 90tbs for 34.49 which gives you 10 extra tabs. Target was 17.89 for 40 tabs. Both my dd's are on it so it is worth it to me, it gives them 5 days of meds. For one person taking it that is 10 days extra.

ETA....now I had to do the math. If I use the 3 dollar off coupon Target it becomes around the same price. However I always forget the coupon. That will make me remember it.

I also love the foil sheet packs and disposable food gloves, cannot live without them.

 

[happygirl]

Well there are some things you can get there that you cannot in a reg. store. Meds like Claritin 90tbs for 34.49 which gives you 10 extra tabs. Target was 17.89 for 40 tabs. Both my dd's are on it so it is worth it to me, it gives them 5 days of meds.

I also love the foil sheet packs and disposable food gloves, cannot live without them.

I guess I was thinking more along the lines of foodl

 

[clgwli]

I know you can ask for a guest pass at SAMS. Costco is a little more picky, however I would ask. They probably do it as well.

Ours does and we even get mailers for others to have a guest pass as well.

I would look around Sams or Costco to see if it would fit for you. There are a lot of non perishables that are at a good price as well as frozen foods. In addition all the other items they sell are definitely worth it. I would check out the websites to see what else you can buy because we have used that as well.

We've done both Sam's and Costco. Costco works better for us even though they are much further away. I felt Coscto's customer service was far superior. But I can tell you for sure every person is different and every family is different too with what they prefer and use.

 

[clgwli]

I guess I was thinking more along the lines of foodl

I've done this before with just one or two of us and it is worth it a lot of times. We don't do a whole lot of produce there. But cereal, soft drinks, juices, frozen dinners/pizzas, snack/breakfast bars, even the yogurts and some dairy we eat before they expire. A lot of items are packaged in sections so you don't open it all up at once.

Or some things like condiments are bought in multiples so that you only open one container at once and have one or two for later. It isn't always just ONE BIG TUB if you know what I mean

 

[merryweather20]

I don't think it would be worthi if for one person. Everything is in bulk

I'm one person and it was worth it for me

I saved more than $140 on my Air conditioner alone. Not everything is in bulk, books, DVDs magazines aren't. Plenty of the food comes in reasonable sizes 4-packs etc.

I buy pineapples and fresh-cut flowers there because theirs are alot nicer, but the same price as at the grocery store.

 

[happygirl]

It looks I stand corrected

 

[bicker]

We are members, primarily because it is the only place we can get this great cat food that our cats love and are not allergic to.

We do find, though, that we don't save money, overall. While some things are less expensive, and I suppose if you're really disciplined shopper you can save money, if you are at all casual about your shopping, you'll invariably end up spending as much (if not more) shopping at these places, due to over-buying, or buying things that you probably would do without.

 

[Carys]

I'm a single household member here in Asia and just renewed, worth every dollar. Have bought everything from desk chairs, pyrex bake and store dishes, Kate Spade sunglasses, bulk paper plates and plastic spoons, to pallets of sparkling water and toothpaste there. There are all sorts of brands I find there which aren't available in the local stores which is great for expats. I find buying cleaning products in bulk convenient. Cat litter is a great buy here. It's also worth it for meat, because you know you're not getting something dodgy, and it's great for picking up large items for entertaining, such as sushi platters and huge salmon fillets. Overall, I've found it's paid for itself easily. Here though their stocking can be pretty irregular so if I see something I wish to purchase I buy it the first time I see it, because I've learnt it often will be sold out and not restocked the next time I go back!

Maybe find a friend who has a membership, go along for a look-see, see what you'd buy and compare the prices to your local stores to see whether there is a decent savings margin where you live.

 

[klj27]

We joined Costco because of their optical department. Their glasses are so much cheaper than lenscrafters or at an optician. The costco is about 25 minutes away and Sams is only 5 minutes, but Sams didn't have an optical department.

We also got our cell phones there and saved hundreds of dollars! We got two blackberry pearl flips and a gravity for only $70. When I priced them on the tmobile website it would have been over $500 and then a $200 rebate. They also came with free car chargers, free bluetooth and you don't have to pay the activation fee if you sign up at costco.

 

[ols386]

Yes, we go to Costco. I don't think we really save money by going there, though. It's just the two of us, but maybe if you have a large family, it would be a savings, buying in bulk.

I heard on the evening news last night, that some of that hamburger they sell, is being recalled, due to contamination.