BJ's/Costco/Sams vs Amazon/Walmart/internet prices

[SP33Demon]

So I tried out a trial membership to BJs in the area and did a direct comparison to Amazon's prices on the same product and BJs won hands down by $2-5 on multiple items I compared (trash bags, facewash, shaving cream, dinner plate set, Brita items, and kitchen mats). The only thing Amazon was better was Ibuprofen by around $3 per bottle. BJs was also better on milk/eggs/meat vs the local supermarket. So it seems like it's worth getting a membership so far.

Have you guys found BJs/Costco/Sams to beat most competitors, including major online giants with free shipping (Amazon/Walmart), in prices overall? Or is it hit and miss?

 

[KaOTiK]

A lot of items I compared were simply cheaper overall from Costco (compared to local stores, Walmart, Amazon). I was surprised Amazon's prices in a lot of cases were not even much better then the local grocery store in a lot of cases.

 

[IronWing]

Does BJ's offer a Pop Tarts subscription like Amazon?

 

[olds]

Does BJ's offer a Pop Tarts subscription like Amazon?

They make my kindle all sticky.

 

[FoBoT]

'normal' stuff that is used by the masses is usually cheaper at walmart/target/costco/sams'

more specialty items or items used less volume may be cheaper elsewhere

 

[xanis]

A lot of items I compared were simply cheaper overall from Costco (compared to local stores, Walmart, Amazon). I was surprised Amazon's prices in a lot of cases were not even much better then the local grocery store in a lot of cases.

I think that what constitutes "good" is a matter of opinion; the prices on items in BJ's/Sam's/Costco might be better, but for some people I imagine the convenience of getting cheap or free shipping (prime) is worth a lot more.

 

[Jumpem]

I do as much grocery shopping as possible at BJ's. Anything I can't get there I'll get at Target or a local grocery store.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

The only thing Amazon was better was Ibuprofen by around $3 per bottle.

On OTC meds like Ibuprofen, cough syrup, allergy relief, vitamins etc Costco is lightyears ahead of Amazon which is way better than BJs. For some odd reason that's the one category where BJs isn't competitive with Costco.

 

[ponyo]

Amazon prices are ok. I just started my one year Amazon Prime experiment. I want to see if Amazon can earn enough of my business to warrant downgrading my Costco Executive membership.

 

[shortylickens]

Amazon prices are ok. I just started my one year Amazon Prime experiment. I want to see if Amazon can earn enough of my business to warrant downgrading my Costco Executive membership.

I've had Costco on and off for many years. Had Amazon for the last few years.
Amazon is far superior. No wandering around for an hour trying to find shit. No fighting with hordes of screaming, dirty families. No spending money on gasoline. No getting killed on the drive up.
And their prices are almost always better.
Also, they now have free movies and stuff. And dirt cheap music. And cloud service for said music. Yup. I like them a LOT better. For groceries I use my local shoppers food warehouse and Bottom Dollar.

 

[jme5343]

I have a Sam's membership (courtesy of my Dad) that I use frequently (Mmmm, mexicoke). I have a free 60 day pass to BJ's that I'll try out sometime next month probably, so I'm interested to see the difference.

As for groceries? Aldi does it for me. Their "off" brand of stuff is generally the closest to name brand that I can find and the prices are great. A gallon of milk for $2.09? Craziness!

 

[KK]

BJ's ribeyes are pretty good. Our membership expired the end of last month. We were on some 25 dollar membership that the wife got hooked up with. So far we cannot renew it, as the main account holder hasn't renewed what ever it was. I don't think for us it's worth $50, but at $25 it is.

 

[ghost recon88]

What is BJs?

 

[SP33Demon]

BJ's ribeyes are pretty good. Our membership expired the end of last month. We were on some 25 dollar membership that the wife got hooked up with. So far we cannot renew it, as the main account holder hasn't renewed what ever it was. I don't think for us it's worth $50, but at $25 it is.

Yeah I got a 14 month membership for $70 but you get 1 or 2% back on all purchases. A little pricey but looking at the savings vs Amazon I'm not all that concerned. Also put a family member on my plan for free so we should make out like bandits.

 

[SP33Demon]

What is BJs?

http://www.bjs.com/