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.

[borzoimom]

When I owned my store, it was great to get what I needed in large bulk. That way I didn't have to go to the store all the time.
Since then however- with just the two of us, although it would be nice, the fact is its just worth storing such bulky items. If I had a small child/teenager, it would be worth the 50 dollars a year for snacks and drinks etc. At this point in my life- its not.

[catnapper]

Wa have a Sams Club membership. We also have a Costco by us and had an introductory membership but prefered Sams Club.

Once I get money back in line, I intend to go and buy my replacement diamond wedding band from them -- their jewelry is beautiful at a far better price than elsewhere for the same quality.

I buy anything from new mattresses, to my computer ($500 less than both Best Buy and Circuit City for the same thing) to gallons of iced tea. I also buy diapers, femine hygene products, deoderant, etc. I typically don't buy the 100 rolls of toilet paper or gallons of ketchupo (but considering how much ketchup my family goes through I might have to rethink that! ) Oh -- I also bought my glasses there! Of course they screwed up and had to remake them, but I liked them once they were fixed.... plus I saved well over $100 on them.