Heading to BJs tomorrow

[la79al]

We're going to BJs tomorrow for the first time of actually buying anything. What specifically should we pick up? In other words, what would actually be a good deal? We have plenty of shelf and freezer space. TIA!

 

[shelly3girls]

The first thing you need to do is go to customer service and ask them for any coupon books available. There are two different books they mail out. A smaller size one with tons of coupons comes out every month. A bigger magazine style on comes out not quite as often. The coupons are great! I save 10-20% off my shopping with them. Below is a list of items I find to be consistently cheaper than the grocery store especially when using a BJ's coupon. We shop mostly name brands so I cannot compare to store brand prices.

lunch meat
paper products
detergent
produce
meat (Perdue chicken, ground beef, steaks)
soda
juice
books
movies
pasta
shampoo/conditioner
over-the-counter drugs (allergy meds, aleve, motrin)
sunblock
cereal
snacks

 

[a1tinkfans]

well, my *hint* is to purchase what you Know you will actually need/use. No sense in Buying a perceived great bargain if you do not already use it....It is easy to get caught up in that "oh, always wanted to try that" but remember it is BULK size/$ and it can add up fast

I really like Bjs, I actually also go to costco, I get different things at each.

Happy Shopping!

 

[Swimalie]

Our BJ's is about 30 min away so we don't go as often but I can tell you that their sheet cake is awesome! Probably not something you need tomorrow but if you do in the future, I highly recommend it. I'm excited that they are building a BJs in my town We go to Costco more often since it's much closer.

 

[KTSMOM]

I always buy their Perdue Natural chicken breasts. They come in a 12 pack and they are by far a better deal then the grocery store prices, even when the grocery store puts them on sale.
Also I find that the Edey (sp?) frozen fruit bars are a much better deal at BJ's as well.

 

[seashoreCM]

I find that I have to use coupons at BJ's, Sam's Club, etc. in order to beat grocery store prices in my area. However I buy store brands a lot and that may make a difference.

 

[HappyHappy]

Our BJ's has great prices on deli meats and cheese. Ours has big turnover so always fresh. I like how you can use a manufacturer's coupon WITh a BJ's coupon when available and if there are multiple items in a pack you can use multiple coupons.

 

[LBIJim]

The first thing you need to do is go to customer service and ask them for any coupon books available. There are two different books they mail out. A smaller size one with tons of coupons comes out every month. A bigger magazine style on comes out not quite as often. The coupons are great! I save 10-20% off my shopping with them. Below is a list of items I find to be consistently cheaper than the grocery store especially when using a BJ's coupon. We shop mostly name brands so I cannot compare to store brand prices.

lunch meat
paper products
detergent
produce
meat (Perdue chicken, ground beef, steaks)
soda
juice
books
movies
pasta
shampoo/conditioner
over-the-counter drugs (allergy meds, aleve, motrin)
sunblock
cereal
snacks

The only items I find worth it consistently are milk, eggs, some deli and produce, and sunscreen. About half the time meat is a better deal at BJ's. Almost everything else I can find cheaper on sale at various supermarkets. BJ's everyday prices might be cheaper, but they can't beat the sale prices at supermarkets. Coupons in the books/magazines or in the store help sometimes.

Two things I find ridiculously overpriced at BJ's are soda and paper goods. Even with BJ's coupons, some supermarket can always beat their prices.

I do like the prepackaged Perdue chicken breasts, however. These are more convenient even though they might be higher priced than "loose" chicken breasts at the supermarket.

Overall, the prices are good enough to make the membership fee worth it. I don't doubt they may have great prices for certain other items, but I don't use them. Also rarely use manufacturer's coupons, which might make a difference.

Jim

 

[linnell]

We go to BJs about once a month to restock our diapers/wipes (only a few more months of that hopefully!), which with a coupon are a very good deal and one case is about 30 days worth for us. Whenever I go, I usually buy one of the rotisserie chickens for dinner that night, because they are really good. The deli counter has some really good deals. I find cereal can be a good price too. My son has a casein (dairy) free diet, and they also sell cases of Silk Soy milk drink boxes, which are super convenient for us when we're out at a restaurant.

The one thing that I spontaneous buy there is books, they have a nice selection of cookbooks, and I'm bad about buying them. They also have some novelty kids books and activity books which I'll pick up for my kids.

 

[clori]

I just want to add that you can combine manufacture coupons with bjs coupons. Also if you buy a three pack package of something you can use 3 manufacturer coupons on it. I am just an occasional shopper there but do love their sheet cakes and prices. I get kids birthday cakes there etc. I will admit though that since I get a free membership thru my nephew's employment there I don't feel that I need to get my membership back in savings. The biggest thing stopping us from doing more shopping there on packaged goods is that you may get a variety pack but not like all the varieties.

 

[dis-happy]

my weekly lists include:

milk
Organic whole milk***
string cheese
yogurt
shredded 4-cheese blend

International Foods French Vanilla Coffee for dh***
Cheerios
Lipton's chicken noodle soup*
Progresso soup
Healthy Choice micro meals (frozen)
Stouffer's Lasagne
frozen potstickers*


thin cut pork chops*
pork tenderloin
other meat as needed (although certain things I prefer to get at Costco)

Uno's fresh made pepperoni pizza!*

snacks for the kids include:
Goldfish crackers
pretzals
trail mix
fruit cups
microwave popcorn

Pediasure*** (love most of their other baby items too)
deodorant
Tide

fresh mini croissants
tortillas*


*these items I find to be a good deal and things I love
***really good deal, price can't be beat anywhere!


Have fun!

 

[kimmyann]

We have our set things that we buy only at bj's & have learned what are good deals vs bad deals there....the hard way.

Beef - I don't know where they get their beef from, but it is far better then any beef I can find at any of our local stores. We even buy the 3.99 lb steaks (which is very cheap) and every time we cook them on the grill they far surpass any steak at any restaurant, they melt in your mouth.

Milk
Eggs
Lipton tea bags
totino's pizza rolls
coffee
microwave popcorn when they send out the $5 off coupon
some seasonings (montreal steak seasoning, highly recommend)
country crock butter

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I love the Berkley and Jensen bread - 2 loaves for $3.50 (individually wrapped so you can toss one in the freezer.

The Berkley and Jensen Columbian coffee is the only coffee we will buy.
DH likes those Perdue precooked chicken strips - They are (i think) $9.99 for a 3 pack.
I also love the containers of Jack Daniels pulled pork.

 

[coolbeans]

I also love the containers of Jack Daniels pulled pork.

that's what we had for dinner tonite...

today i bought:
3 gallons of milk
bottle of wine
bottle of sangria
case of mountain dew 2 liters (6)
case of mountain dew mini bottles (24)
box of moon pies
two pack of steaks
strawberries, pound cake and whip cream (got suckered by the sample lady!)
case of pudding for the kids
box of starbucks ice cream bars
bananas
coffee (huge container)
one seedless watermellon
one tasty looking canteloupe
two pack of mashed potatoes
pack of pre-baked choc chip cookies
two 20 oz mountain dews for the road
total about $150

part of it was necessities and part was the fact that it was getting late and we were hungry...lol!!

 

[buzz5985]

We have our set things that we buy only at bj's & have learned what are good deals vs bad deals there....the hard way.

Beef - I don't know where they get their beef from, but it is far better then any beef I can find at any of our local stores. We even buy the 3.99 lb steaks (which is very cheap) and every time we cook them on the grill they far surpass any steak at any restaurant, they melt in your mouth.

Milk
Eggs
Lipton tea bags
totino's pizza rolls
coffee
microwave popcorn when they send out the $5 off coupon
some seasonings (montreal steak seasoning, highly recommend)
country crock butter

Went to BJ's today just for steak tips. The quality of the beef is just short of a butcher shop we frequent for special occasions. Also love the prepacked Perdue chicken breasts/thighs etc. Their Deli sells Dietz and Watson brand cold cuts. The Honey turkery at my local grocer store goes for $9.99/lb. BJ's has it for $5.99. There are Purdue already cooked Roasters' for $4.99 I think they are 3 pounds compared to my grocer store for a 1 1/2 for 3.99.

I love the Berkley and Jensen bread - 2 loaves for $3.50 (individually wrapped so you can toss one in the freezer.

The Berkley and Jensen Columbian coffee is the only coffee we will buy.
DH likes those Perdue precooked chicken strips - They are (i think) $9.99 for a 3 pack.
I also love the containers of Jack Daniels pulled pork.

I am going to have to try that coffee - that is another thing we always buy there - but normally the Folgers.

I buy - Charmin toilet paper, Bounty Paper towels, Puff's tissues but only with the BJ's coupons plus a manufactures coupon. Same with Tide, Dawn, Windex.

Mitchum deodorant, tooth paste, BJ's brand vitamins, BJ brand shampoo's (Matrix knockoff), BJ brand advil, advil pm.

Some of the clothes are a good deal. DVD's used to be a deal - but sometimes you can find cheaper at Target.

I have a very old Palm pilot - with a free program called handy shopper. I have entered prices over the years of my local grocery store and there is a comparison page in the program. It's cool because it takes into cosideration the quantity of the product (48 oz bottle compared to the 120 oz bottle) and will tell the better value. Because of it I don't buy milk, eggs, cream, butter there. My local grocery store is cheaper.

Pay attention to their coupons - we have bought tires there also. Propane is a lot cheaper for the grill.

Janis

 

[averill94]

perdue ground turkey and it is 93/7!

bagged sales- the huge bags are a great deal.

smart balance

cheeses- prepackaged- goat cheese or romano for grating. Kills me to buy it anywhere else!

frozen pizzas- i.e Digiornos, it is 3 for 11.99 but then they ususally hae a
cuopon for at least $2.00 ( I always lok and want to buy but I just dont have the freezer room)

kids gummy vites- 9.99 but they always have a coupon plus manuf cuopon so it comes down to 6.99

In their larger catalog that is sent to the house they often have coupons that say" save $5 or $10 when buying any of items pictured". THese are usually great deals and often include coffee, peanut butter soups/broth.

The deli is great - Land O Lakes American is $3.49 a pound right now- you can't even get that on your best day at a supermarket.

If your B.J. has the harvestland rotisserie in addition to the perdue rotisserie, give it a try. FOr a dollar more it really is much better!

I just went last night and have to go back to get those steaks!

 

[amylynne01]

I would recommend doing a recon mission first. Check out the prices at BJs, and compare them to where you usually shop (Walmart, Target, grocery store, etc). Then decide what is a better deal at BJs, and buy that stuff. I just got a membership there this week using a coupon for a 2 month trial. I went through the store and found that the toilet bowl cleaners I like (Clorox Wand things) are cheaper than Walmart's, so I picked up a box. I didn't really look through the produce and meat because I was going somewhere after and couldn't store it. For me, diapers and wipes were definitely not cheaper at BJs. Soda was expensive, and chips were just okay. But we also have a gas station there that is $0.15 cheaper per gallon than non-BJs gas stations, so that's exciting.

 

[LBIJim]

The deli is great - Land O Lakes American is $3.49 a pound right now- you can't even get that on your best day at a supermarket.

!

Sometimes I'll stop in just for milk and Land O Lakes cheese. It's been $3.49 since the place opened about 3 years ago. Never saw it in a supermarket for under $4.99, and even that's rare. Usually $5.99 or more everywhere else.

I really don't care one way or the other about deli American cheese, but wife and family INSIST on Land O Lakes.

Jim

 

[amylynne01]

Sometimes I'll stop in just for milk and Land O Lakes cheese. It's been $3.49 since the place opened about 3 years ago. Never saw it in a supermarket for under $4.99, and even that's rare. Usually $5.99 or more everywhere else.

I really don't care one way or the other about deli American cheese, but wife and family INSIST on Land O Lakes.

Jim

I feel your family on LOL cheese - that's all I buy. The generic stuff tastes so different to use, and even presliced isn't the same! Thanks for the tips on the cheese. We love to eat it, but at $4.99/lb, it's a hard pill for me to swallow. $3.49/lb and a coupon - right up my alley.

 

[Dax]

Sometimes I'll stop in just for milk and Land O Lakes cheese. It's been $3.49 since the place opened about 3 years ago. Never saw it in a supermarket for under $4.99, and even that's rare. Usually $5.99 or more everywhere else.

I really don't care one way or the other about deli American cheese, but wife and family INSIST on Land O Lakes.

Jim

I am another who only Land O Lakes will do...and for $3.49 it cannot be beat..

I buy my organic milk and I also buy my bottled water from there, among other things when the needs arise.