Tell me about Costco

[JandJ]

LOVE our Costco membership! We've been members for 7 years. Most of our meat, all of our frozen seafood, most produce, and all paper products come from Costco, and we are only a family of two! Their Kirkland products are the best - paper towels, toilet paper, coffee, beer (yes, Costco beer is good according to DH!), and OTC meds/vitamins. We got our kitchen countertops (Corian) from Costco as we couldn't find a better price anywhere else plus we got 2% back (executive membership). DH's tires are from Costco with a lifetime warranty and free rotation. DH got me a gorgeous amethyst bracelet at Costco and it appraised for double their price! Kirkland men's dress shirts are really nice. DH has several - they wash so easily and hardly need ironing. For about $18 you cannot beat that! I love the book section, too. All the latest at a discount.

They send out coupons on all sorts of products and on-line deals. We also get the Costco Connection magazine and it actually has really good articles and some great recipes that we make over and over.

We don't have BJ's so I have no idea what they're like. We are also Sam's members. The Sam's is really close to our house whereas Costco is about 20 minutes away, but I'd rather go to Costco! Sam's, imo, is dirtier, darker, and has less friendly staff. I go there just for gas and quick stops. We've gotten great pork at Sam's but we've gotten bad chicken from there, too, so I only buy chicken at Costco. I've returned stuff to Costco with absolutely no questions asked. I had a bad experience trying to return a produce item to Sam's and now I don't buy anything there that I could even possibly need to return. Also, we like Club Crackers and Costco and Sam's have the same price - except at Costco you get 3 boxes in the package and at Sam's you only get 2 so you have to watch your cost/quantity pricing. I don't see an advantage to what cards either Sam's or Costco accepts. They both have limits on how you can pay.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Just left Costco a couple hundred dollars lighter but they are the only place we buy healthy bread, garbage bags, waffles, plastic wear, bacon and a few other things that I just can't get the same value elsewhere....

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[AnnaS]

We have been members for many years and love it. I try to go every few months. List or no list, always spend way more than I intended. Yes, you need to know your prices.

The meats are great. Besides food, we have purchased tvs, a laptop and we buy my son's eye contacts here also. Photo processing is great too. If you are having a party, bbq or hosting a holiday, it is great to shop in bulk. Many buy their gas. I have not done this yet.

When I first joined, I split the membership with my neighbor so we split the cost. She passed last year so now it's dh and I.

I do wish they would take cc besides the American Express card.

 

[2Kds2K9]

Love Costco! Although I have a BJ's membership as well since BJ's sells their produce in a lesser quantity which suits our family. However, I love the meats at Costco. The steaks tend to be on the thick side, so we have cut them in half and get twice as much.

I also love that Costco will use the unsold Rotisserie chickens in their soups and chicken salad. They also will sell a package of Rotisserie leg quarters for $4.99. Usually 6 to a package. They are now selling the Rotisserie chicken breast as well. And you can't beat their macaroni and cheese. It's a staple in our house during the winter. Most of the baked goods are made on site. I've been able to get some that are still warm. (helps that DH works there!)

I will say that I don't like the jug they use for their milk. Kids tend to spill it while pouring. Also, the milk can be cheaper at BJ's and since I go through at least a gallon a day, I get it there.

 

[AnnaS]

I will say that I don't like the jug they use for their milk. Kids tend to spill it while pouring. Also, the milk can be cheaper at BJ's and since I go through at least a gallon a day, I get it there.

I hate their jug also. Milk is all over the counter/spills. I am surprised they have not changed it. I don't buy it often but did want to complain the last time. I actually said I was not going to buy it anymore.

 

[flamingglobessigmund]

I buy a package of 4 individually wrapped 1lb pack of bacon, & 1 box of 4 lbs of butter that lasts over a month for my family of 3. I like their canned salmon, rice, cheese and sugar. Their TP doesn't seem to clog the T unlike like Charmin. Their milk jugs are the same shape as grocery stores here in California, but much cheaper.

I shop about every 5-6 weeks.

 

[queenbetsey]

my daughter and I share the membership that way both households benefit. really like the produce there and the fresh meat is top notch. if you have a freezer you can really save quite a bit. we eat chicken breast around 5 nights a week and they 10 pound bags of boneless skinless for 19.99 which is average out here but all you have to do is grab what you need out of the bag in the freezer.
the roasted chickens are great and I have even frozen those too and they are fine

 

[Texan]

I would have Costco withdrawals if I could not go once a week; my weekly list, without extras, are wine, organic chicken, frozen fish, cheese, organic eggs, green tea energy drinks, ground coffee, canned Alaskan salmon, rotisserie chicken, almond butter, beef jerky, dried apricots. That is just my basic stuff. Their Kirkland brand is amazing. You get a coupon book once a month. I use their travel service, rental car options, we have bought all our TV's there, we order our checks from there, and many more things that I cannot think of. It has higher end products and more organic products than a Sam's. The cost may be more due to a product being organic, but still cheaper than a natural foods store like Whole Foods.

 

[mumto3girls]

I have been a member for probably about 5 years and love it. I buy trash bags, laundry detergent and fabric softener, vitamins, tissues, toilet paper, 1% milk, organic eggs, turkey bacon, butter, frozen fish, flank steak, stuffed and smoked salmon, cheese, fruit--melons, pineapples, berries; veggies--baby cucumbers, green beans, salad mix, peppers, avocados; snacks, nuts, rotisserie chickens, broth, jelly and frozen pizza.

 

[bianca]

We just bought a Costco membership last month after being SAMs members for about 20 years. I am a total convert. Costco offers so many more items that we are interested in, as we tend to focus on a vegetarian/organic diet. While the store does seem more chaotic, it is absolutely worth it for what we are able to purchase.

 

[ckelly10]

The membership is worth the money - we have been members for over 4 years now have made some massive savings. Its not that great for clothing but if you want electronics or food / drink then you will love this place. Also the free food that they give out as you are walking around is always a bonus

 

[NYCDiane]

Costco has their own coupons from their vendors- But they won't accept manufacturers coupons which are a great help to shoppers. Costco will only accept the coupons THEY put out (whether their own or from a vendor)


Costco accepts the American Express card. But they won't accept Visa/MC/Discover. Not everyone has AmEx


Check the unit price on items carried at both Costco and BJ's. The BJ's near me carries a smaller size for a slightly lower price. Costco's item is a better value. Not in all cases. When I had memberships at both clubs, I found many of Costco's prices to be higher. They also had things in "too much" bulk, forcing you to purchase much more than you actually want to if you want that product.

Costco has a much better return policy.How so? I've never had any problems returning anything at BJs. One time, I inadvertently left a package of hot dogs in the trunk of my car. I found them a week later. I brought them back to BJs, explained what happned and that I didn't have the receipt. They offered me either the money back or a replacement.

BJ'S does have great prices on diapers, formula and baby food. Use a manufacturers coupon and it's a steal. But I don't need that stuff any more.
I drive past 2 BJ's to shop at Costco.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

We love Costco and have been a member for several years. We used to be a Sam's Club member but canceled since we didn't feel like we needed both.

At Costco, we like:

books - usually cheaper than Amazon for new releases
TVs - best price for the quality
tires - lowest prices, free rotations, great customer service
travel (especially cruises and rental cars) - they offer discounted prices, cash back and/or onboard credit
gift cards - they carry gift cards to our favorite local restaurant - two $50 gifts cards for 79.99
tickets - we bought three day Universal tickets that do not expire until 2015 - we used one day earlier this year and will use two days next year. Most Universal tickets expire within 14 days of first use.
OTC medicines and vitamins - we get a year's supply of generic Zyrtec for $20, and DH gets name brand Allegra (they sometimes have generic as well) cheaper than anywhere else
limited time/special items - great prices on sunscreen in the summer, and we just bought DD a bottle of Marc Jacobs perfume for Christmas for $50 (it is $72 everywhere else)
gas - routinely 10 cents per gallon cheaper than anywhere else in town
propane - tank refill for the grill is about $10 (although it might have gone up recently)
food - we like the meats, fresh pineapple and strawberries, frozen fruits for smoothies, pistachios, mango salsa, cases of Gatorade and bottled water. We buy other foods there too, but these are the staples.

 

[tinkerbell313]

Costco treats their employees very well. Their starting per hour pay is much higher than many other retailers...and is much higher than minimum wage. They offer their part time employees health/dental benefits. They believe from promoting within when they can. And you can tell, there is very little turnover and their employees are very helpful.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I have had a Costco membership for about 4 years now.

The savings in gas pay for (more than) my membership every year alone.

We bought a GREAT '52 flatscreen tv there for a very good price, and they stand behind their products. I find lots of great household items there too (cups, tupperware, knives, toothbrush heads, etc).

They often have great deals on books and sometimes on movies, plus they will have good clothes (though you may have to dig).

At Christmastime, I have always found great gifts there in the cosmetic section. One year, they had a BIG bottle of Bliss shower gel and body lotion for $5! Those are $20 a piece typically; I bought 4 and then went back and bought more. They also have great deals on wrapping paper, cards, and toys.

Liquor prices tend to be lower, and they carry the good stuff. I can get about 25-30% off grocery store prices of a case of my favorite beer in the summertime.

I don't buy a lot of food there (except I can recommend their salmon burgers! Not farm raised and can be cooked from frozen on the grill!), but I go for the other perks. As there is a Costco about 1/2 mile from my job, I will run over at lunch to fill my car, so there's no driving out of my way.

Big fan.

 

[kenthanson]

Our family had a costco membership but didn't renew it after last year. This is my list of complaints I had, keep in mind that they might be exclusive to the store I shop at.

1.The parking lot situation was crap, I hate hate hate having to drive around a parking lot for 10 minutes to find a spot to park at costco when I can go to the local grocery store and park beside the front doors.

2.Nobody is ever in a good mood, people bump into you with their carts and than give you dirty looks, I've never heard any utter "excuse me" "sorry" "please" ever in that store.

3.Only having one kind of everything. I understand how it would be cost effective from the companies end to only stock 1 kind of ketchup, 1 kind of bbq sauce, 1 kind of rice, etc... but dammit I want choices.

4.Crowds, our local is in the north end of the city and it is right on the highway that services all of the cities and towns north of us, so unless you can go mon-fri 9am to 3pm that you are guaranteed a full parking lot and lines with 10 people deep at the cashiers.

 

[ChristmasElf]

The produce at Costco is much better than at the grocery store. The meats are USDA choice cuts and much better quality than I find at the grocery stores as well.

In January, they have furniture a great prices.
They also stand behind every item they sell.

I just wish I could stay at the $400 a cart shopping trip!
I go in for a rotisserie chicken and a few items and come out with everything but the kitchen sink! If DH is with me, it's even worse, as the man has no self control!!

 

[wendow]

If DH is with me, it's even worse, as the man has no self control!!

I'm so LOL at this My dh is the same way. I like to take him for the help of pushing a cart with $400 worth of merchandise and loading it all in the car. But gee whiz, that man wants to go in all the aisles I never go in. And he thinks he needs everything. We were just in a few days ago and he was trying to buy a new coat (which he doesn't need!!!), huge pack of batteries (again, don't need) and a several tool sets We went in for spinach, rice and a few other foods. I'm really starting to think his "help" just isn't necessary

 

[manning]

The produce at Costco is much better than at the grocery store. The meats are USDA choice cuts and much better quality than I find at the grocery stores as well.

In January, they have furniture a great prices.
They also stand behind every item they sell.

I just wish I could stay at the $400 a cart shopping trip!
I go in for a rotisserie chicken and a few items and come out with everything but the kitchen sink! If DH is with me, it's even worse, as the man has no self control!!

Shame on you. Next time get the kitchen sink.

 

[crisi]

I'm so LOL at this My dh is the same way. I like to take him for the help of pushing a cart with $400 worth of merchandise and loading it all in the car. But gee whiz, that man wants to go in all the aisles I never go in. And he thinks he needs everything. We were just in a few days ago and he was trying to buy a new coat (which he doesn't need!!!), huge pack of batteries (again, don't need) and a several tool sets We went in for spinach, rice and a few other foods. I'm really starting to think his "help" just isn't necessary

Since I became a stay at home mom and do my Costco shopping - actually almost all my shopping - without my husband, its gotten a lot cheaper. Yes, every aisle is gone down when he is with me - and I'm like "check out produce, grab eggs, milk, half and half and out"

I wish they had GF substitute products - like Udi's. They carry a lot of GF snack stuff, but I don't need snack stuff.