Which wholesale club is the best value?

[lucyem]

I prefer our local BJ's. It is not too far away and it has brands I normally use which does save me money.

I never found much I wanted at Sams. Once in a while I go in with a friend and see very little. It is also kind of old and crowded. We have a Costco about 45 minutes away and I checked it out but was not impressed enough to pay to join and then drive that far.

Over the years I have kept a little price book, writing down things I buy weekly and their prices. I really know if I am getting a deal or not. There are times BJ's is no better a deal then Target or the local food store. But I save enough on other things to still make having the membership worth it.

 

[Irin997]

I love BJ's. I actually have a BJ's credit card and earn 2% back on all of my BJ's purchases, including gas, and 1% everywhere else. It pays for more than the membership. I like their selection, I LOVE the fact that they send out monthly coupons and quarterly magazines with coupons. Plus they are only 5-10 minutes from my house and on my way home from work. I routinely stop in there on the way home just to pick up milk and bread.

My parents switched to Costco and HATE it. They seriously regret quitting BJ's. They prefer the name brands of BJ's over the every single product of Kirkland.

 

[Fire14]

I have both Sam's and Costco. For me I like costco better as a whole. I do find some things at Sam's that Costco doesn't have (disney gift cards), Cinnimon rolls. But for me Costco is closer, photo printing is quicker and better quailty ( have had way to many times of Sam's machine breaking, prints looking bad, getting call week later to come get prints I already had but SAm's reprinted again). I also like Costco sending out monthly coupons which I have never seen from Sam's.

Car rental prices are same from what I've seen. I also find Costco has more samples but that could just be my timing.

 

[minnie1012]

I prefer BJ's but I have never been to a Costco, we don't have one. We were members at Sam's for years but as time went on I didn't find them all that cheap anymore (except for beer and wine but not all have that). I find BJ's to have better prices and you can use their coupons plus manufacters. Plus the Sam's by me is always packed and you wait on line forever! BJ's doesn't seem to be as packed all the time and even has self checkout.

 

[tinker&belle]

We only have a Sam's and the nearest Costco is almost 2 hours away, but I wish we had one here from the things I've heard about it.

Overall there are certain things I get for super cheap at Sam's (local wine, almonds, a few types of cheese, produce, granola bars, milk). I also get contacts there sometimes and just got prescription sunglasses for under $100. We renewed our cell phones at Thanksgiving for a really super deal. There are good deals on books, clothes and movies too. We have bought a few electronics there in the past.