Costco

[Pembroke_Corgi]

Does anyone have a membership to Costco? Are they worthwhile?

I've never been in one, but my curiosity has always run wild with the idea of walls filled with over-sized rolls of toilet paper, rows and rows of electronics, and candles bigger than your head. I almost want to buy a membership just to get to step inside.

What are they really like? Are they worth the $50/year membership?

[Karen]

Sometimes, depending on what brands you prefer. But you have to be careful, because sometimes, for example, paper towel is cheaper at the supermarket, sometimes it's cheaper at Costco. And of course, buying the big quantities only works for non-perishables, or for big familes, or people with large freezers.

We had a membership back before I became allergic to Sucralose - as Fruit2O was cheaper by the case ther than by the 6-pack at the gracery store. But we let it lapse because I cannot drink Fruit2) any more, and water is something that you just have to watch the prices, and buy a bunch when it's cheapest.

[Twisterdog]

When I used to live in Colorado, I had a Costco membership and shopped there all the time. The savings in dog food alone more than paid for the membership fee ... at the time anyway - this was a decade ago. I have no idea if their prices have changed since then.

There was only my son and I at the time, but I still thought it was well worth it. I bought cases of the things we ate a lot of ... canned goods, ramen noodles, juice drinks. We also got really, really good deals on office supplies, like computer disks, printer paper, etc. And sometimes amazing deals on toys and clothes ... I remember once I bought a coat for $30 (can't remember the brand now) that I had been wanting at a sporting goods store, but wouldn't pay the $200 price there.

They do sell mostly brand names, however. And sometimes the brand name version, even at Costco, is more expensive than the generic version at the grocery store. Just kind of depends if you prefer brand names or not.

[GreyhoundGirl]

We had one for a while, but found we didn't use it as much as we hoped. Same with any membership really. Probably mainly because there is no local costco. The closest one is Ottawa. But when we were in Ottawa we always liked to stop and load up on some stuff.

[Sophist]

It's a good place, but where I live there is a Winco closer, with very comparable prices and products (since I never used Costco for anything but groceries), and no membership fees.

So, I think it can be worth it (you know your families needs and preferences better than we do) but it is also worth it to explore your other options a bit.

[CathyBogart]

We use ours a lot, but you do have to be careful buying in bulk, it's easy to go overboard.

[Sophist]

We use ours a lot, but you do have to be careful buying in bulk, it's easy to go overboard.

Nuh-uh! I NEEDED ten gallons of dijon mustard! REALLY!

[Lori Jordan]

I have one and love it,i buy all bulk,they have the best quality in meat around here,I do tend too spend more but it lasts,I get my laundry detergetent,Shampoos and school snacks,I Love it i shop there on a weekly basis.

[areias]

I'm pretty sure you can stop in without a membership, you just can't buy anything. Go in and take a look before deciding. We used to have one to Sam's when I was little...I never paid attention to grocery prices, but the electronics, books, clothes, pet supplies always seemed pretty cheap.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

Thanks for the input everyone!

I'm pretty sure you can stop in without a membership, you just can't buy anything. Go in and take a look before deciding. We used to have one to Sam's when I was little...I never paid attention to grocery prices, but the electronics, books, clothes, pet supplies always seemed pretty cheap.

Yeah, we stopped by today and I saw a lot of things I might like, especially the bulk diet pepsi (I am an addict ). I decided not to get a membership today, though because the lines were HUGE!!!!! I mean, at least 10 people long in each line, and everyone had a cart full of stuff. I don't know if it's just that particular Costco, or all of them, but I will probably check out a different one in the the area tomorrow, and see if they are a little less busy. I don't want to save a little money but then have to wait 45 minutes to get through the line.

[Vela]

We usually try not to go on Saturdays hehe, the lines do get long, you can wait 25 minutes sometimes, but we have saved a LOT of money and their return policy can't be beat. I bought a surround sound system there 2 years ago and it broke recently, which wasn't Costco's fault, it was a Sony. In any event, I had the recipt, took it back, and they gave me my money and I was able to get another, nicer set for only 50 dollars more. If you save your receipts and something breaks, you can almost always return it (computers are the exception). I just bought a big screen tv that I priced out, with stand at 2850. I got the whole thing for 1500 dollars. We have a premium membership, 100 a year, but we get 2% back on everything we buy and it more than pays for the membership fee and we get more money back besides. We buy all comptuer programs there, lot of christmas gifts for others, etc. We bought our front loading washer and dryer there and saved over 800 dollars from buying the exact thing from another store. Buy our shampoo conditioner etc., lot of kitchen utensils and items, dog beds for 20 bucks, toys and dog treats for super cheap, and same ones you get at petco and petsmart. There are some items I won't buy there, cereal is cheaper at the grocery story on sale. They have great produce and meat, depending on how much you use etc. I don't buy everything there, but I go there every few weeks. We buy as many things there as possible as far as big ticket items, because if it breaks you just take it back. I LOVE my Costco membership.

[Alysser]

I have a, or my parents rather, have a Costco membership. I really don't know the prices of the membership per year, but the deals in there are FANTASTIC. I go ALL the time my parents go, mainly for the free sample. Alot of products are in larger portions, and they cost less.

[Cookiebaker]

No, we don't have a membership because I can't stand that place. We had a 6 month trial membership and everytime I went I bought all this stuff I really didn't need. And everything is so expensive!

For example, pasta. I don't cook pasta that often maybe 2 times a month. At costco they have these HUGE boxes of pasta (10 1-pound packages) for $10. That would last me 5 months. At my local Market Basket, they sell pasta for $.33 for a one pound box. I would much rather spend $.33 and keep the $9.67 in my pocket for the next 5 months.

Maybe if I had a family I would feel differently. But I don't see an advantage at spending all kinds of money for stuff that is going to sit on a shelf.

[Vela]

It's not Costco's fault you bought a large quantity of something you don't use much hehe. You don't HAVE to buy something in bulk if you don't use it much. It is a good place to shop for larger ticket items like TVs or vacuums, appliances, etc., that's where the real savings is, and their return policy.

[Scooter's Mom]

I don't have a Costco membership but do have a Sam's Club membership... My husband and I love it! We stop there about every other week or so. It's just us, but we always have something we want to stock up on. Water, canned goods, etc.

I think they're a good deal if you shop wisely!