Do you really save at Costco??

[momtofour]

I have been really reevaluating what I spend my money on.... thanks to this board!! Last year I spent over $8000 at Costco and other than groceries, (no meat) I can't really think of anything I bought there. Don't get me wrong, I love the store. However, I am beginning to question if in the end, I save any money at all. What are others feelings about these stores?

 

[tinkerbell13]

I think I do, but I still think you have to watch what you buy there, I would never buy my DD sundress there because they have better selection and sale prices at Mervyns. But I have bought Christmas and easter dresses that were a great price.
I have a teenage boy and girl and I just can't beat the food prices. Most of what I buy is not bulk for us! It goes pretty fast.
I also just bought DD some Levis that the lowest price Anywhere else was 26.99 and I got them for 19.99. I rarely buy movies there either, all the Disney movies releases are so cheap at walmart the first week, around $14 compared to $19. Oh and I love the towels! $5.99 for nice big soft ones!

 

[hockey mom]

You really have to know your prices. We have a big grocery chain that matches Costco's prices without the membership fee. The other draw is the selection of different items like halloween and Christmas decorations.

 

[SusanD]

I have wondered the same thing. My answer is that we get more for less, buy better quality sometimes and have the convenience of more prepared items. I doubt we would buy these items if we had to pay full price.

 

[hookedup]

Here is my 2 cents:

You do save if: you know the prices and buy things that are truly good savings. Some things really are but many aren't. The bulk sizes often are if you use them wisely and don't waste purchased food.
Many special things that Costco gets are good deals (like a Coach bag or crystal) but if you buy them as total splurge purchases then you sort of defeat the purpose of saving money there.
Finally many items at places like Wal-Mart are better deals then Costco, especially on lead price items or loss leaders. So once again you need to know prices and how to shop wisely to really save.

Costco has a great return policy and I always feel very confident buying things there because I know if I am not satisfied I can take it back no questions asked.

 

[starwood]

The last time I was there I bought 100 .37 stamps for $36.75. I saved a quarter! Right into the cruise fund

 

[strasfamily]

It never saves me money! I just go in for a couple of things I need that I know I can get cheaper there, and end up coming out with $100 worth of stuff!

I decided not to renew my membership. I am just not disciplined enough, so it is better for me to pay a little bit more at the grocery store so I don't end up buying the stuff I don't need.

 

[PatricenPete]

We buy 35 bottles of Poland Springs water for $5.35 - that alone makes the membership fee worth it for us!!!!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I love Costco and share an Executive Membership with my mom. The 2% rebate adds up really fast and we've gotten enough back to cover the cost of the membership. I have gotten better about choosing what to purchase. For instance, I don't buy a lot of the produce because it spoils before we can use the large quantities. We have another one that just opened a few days ago with a gas station. That alone will probably save some $$$.

 

[*Flower*]

Our Costco just started selling the postage stamps also.

Do they charge tax on the stamps? If they do, it would be a better deal at the post office........

 

[CarolA]

The Gas alone is a good deal for me. I also buy the crates of water. I don't know if I save on some stuff but the bulk is worth it. For example I buy paper towels, toliet paper, and laundry detergent there. BIG supplies so I don't have to worry about running out or finding a sale!

I actually find that the produce is sometimes so much cheaper then my Grocery that it is worth it even though it will go bad. (I bought a pound of blueberries this weekend for less then the itty bitty containers at my local Kroger!)

No tax on stamps, but I use so few that 100 would last me forever, (I pay almost ALL my bills online!)

 

[mudnuri]

We shop at Costco for groceries about every 5-6 months. not very often, but we usually spend about $6-700 each time. What I buy, generally are the bulk packages of kids snacks, for school lunches, meat, chicken, toilet paper papertowels etc.

We do also go at christmas time, and generally get a lot of shopping done there...

We have a business account it's a business expense, so no $$ out of my "pocket"..LOL

Brandy

 

[momxx5]

I am pretty picky on what I buy there. I have to say I watch prices everywhere and usually only buy things we need.

FYI - The new Princess DVDs are at Costco - 3pk for $31.99. The same tapes are $14.99 each, so basically you are getting one tape free. Since I would be buying them anyways this was worth the trip.

 

[maximom]

But I don't just buy everything in sight and pretty much have a certain list of things that are COSTCO items.

For instance I buy a 700 ct pkg of Splenda for $12.35. The last time I checked at the grocery store a 200 ct pk was nearly $5.00 so that is a bargain. Eggs and milk are cheap too as well as ham and turkey.

I could go on and on. My friends call me the "costco" cheerleader.

Now, that being said I must admit I have never paid for a membership, even though I would.

I received a free one when they opened a new Costco near me. It was good for a year. Since I purchase office supplies, I asked my boss if they would renew for me if bought the supplies while I was there and they did. They save enough in ink cartridges to pay for the membership.

As a side note, I go about every other week. When I had a Sam's card I went there maybe once a year!

 

[HookedOnDiz]

On a some what related note about Costco... if you live in New Jersey you do not have to be a member to buy gas from them... by state law they have to sell you gas even if you're not a member.

 

[tinkerbell13]

The same is true for the pharmacy. I'm not sure what states it is true for though, I know it is in California. Anyone can fill a prescription there.

 

[Tsi2quick]

I know its not Costco but we have a membership to SAMs and it saves us money as long as you know what you are buying. On some things such as drinks (cola) you can probably get it cheaper when a gas station or drugstore has a sell so we pass on those generally. We generally buy our meats there as you can get a good deal in bulk which is what we do. There are only 2 of us but we divide the large portions of meat up and freeze the individual portions so it keeps for a while. Example would be buying the large amounts of hotdogs. Great deal but if you kept them in the refridgerator you would need to eat about 4 a day to keep them from going bad. We just put them in packs of two in the freezer and as we want them just thaw them out and heat (grill!).

Also, buying large amounts of dish detergent or washing powders and paper goods can save you money as well. My theory is, if you are going to use it anyways (like toilet paper) why not buy a bunch of it at a cheaper price?

We steer clear of clothing, electronics and produce generally. You can find much better deals on any of that stuff, online or in stores/produce stands around town.

 

[crisi]

I wish we had a costco. I use Sam's

I agree you have to know what you are buying. Produce CAN be a good deal - I got a great deal on strawberries this Spring - and have a daughter that can live off strawberries. She got to eat them for three days, and I still have a bunch frozen for waffles and pancakes. Milk is always a better deal than at the grocery store - although I won't go out of my way and deal with the hassle of Sams for just milk.

I go once a year and stock up on dishwasher detergent, etc. I think laundry detergent is just as cheap on sale at Target, but if it isn't on sale anywhere when I need it, Sam's Club is often cheaper.

A girlfriend pays her membership each year just in Cheerios. Their liquor store is also a good deal - not much for variety - but I save on some of the staples (for us, Mike's Hard Lemonade - we aren't a beer household, so I don't know).

I also pay for my membership in gas. Here, Sam's Club sells gas to everyone - but members get a discount off the price.

 

[PrincessDadx2]

We save quite a bit. Our executive membership pays for our fee in rebates and gas is usually .10-.30 cheaper than the stations by my house.

We buy all our staples and find milk, bread, cheese, butter, etc. are much cheaper. We don't buy junk food like baked goods, pies, muffins, candy, chips, etc. - you can spend a fourtune on that. I like not having to run around to multiple stores.

The prices are not the best, but I feel that the value is the best. We get good quality at fair prices. If you want cheaper stuff you can do better elsewhere.

 

[TDC Nala]

If I buy one package of toilet paper there, it lasts about four months.