How is Costco for basic grocery shopping?

[Injury]

For everyday shopping I would never use a bulk goods store.

When you factor in the price of being a member it negates any of the minor savings you get from the "here and there" items that you might purchase consistantly. Bulk goods stores are for the benefit of people that need the food in bulk. (Imagine that!)

If you compare the price per ounce on food items, you'll find you only save small bits. If you buy 3 dozen eggs at once rather than buying 3 cartons of a dozen eggs at the grocery store you might save a quarter, but if you (for some reason) need a few hundred eggs you wind up saving a few bucks. It all adds up but if it doesn't add up to that much more than the cost of the membership it's not worth the hassle.


It's also important to note that they probably don't have the selection you might find at a regular grocery.

 

[helpme]

It's also important to note that costco sells "Choice" grade beef, where as most supermarkets sell "Select" grade.

So if you pay 7$/lb at a supermarket for select, and 7$/lb at costco for choice, it is still a "discount"

 

[Pocatello]

I can't believe we don't have a costco here yet. The mormons and mexicans here buy everything in bulk because of all the kids they have. Winco is making a killing here. There is a rumor that costco is finally coming though.

 

[RossMAN]

Represent!

Kirkland toilet paper > *

 

[OdiN]

It's good for non-perishables.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Represent!

Kirkland toilet paper > *

Kirkland TP is good, but NOTHING beats Kleenex Cottonelle. It's the TP that Jesus would use.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Represent!

Kirkland toilet paper > *

Kirkland TP is good, but NOTHING beats Kleenex Cottonelle. It's the TP that Jesus would use.

How much more is the Cottonelle TP compared to Kirkland?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Represent!

Kirkland toilet paper > *

Kirkland TP is good, but NOTHING beats Kleenex Cottonelle. It's the TP that Jesus would use.

How much more is the Cottonelle TP compared to Kirkland?

I forget how much Kirkland is (I actually do use Kirkland... my ass != Jesus's ass). Actually I forget how much Cottonelle is too. And even if I remembered how much either of them cost, I have no idea how many sheets are in a roll of each. So yeah, I have no idea. But I wouldn't be surprised if Cottonelle wasn't 2x as much as Kirkland. Kirkland is fine unless you're prone to wiping-related anal injuries.

 

[shopbruin]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Represent!

Kirkland toilet paper > *

LOL so i sent the fiance to target the other day to stock up on some small items, and he went to costco also. i nearly had a heart attack when he came home with the 36 roll of toilet paper package and i had to rearrange our small hallway closet to store it all!

 

[MegaVovaN]

how did this thread come from eating $1.50 hot dogs with free refills to Jesus' ass? :moon:

 

[Parasitic]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
how did this thread come from eating $1.50 hot dogs with free refills to Jesus' ass? :moon:

Because the moral of the story is Costco FTW!

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Injury
For everyday shopping I would never use a bulk goods store.

When you factor in the price of being a member it negates any of the minor savings you get from the "here and there" items that you might purchase consistantly. Bulk goods stores are for the benefit of people that need the food in bulk. (Imagine that!)

If you compare the price per ounce on food items, you'll find you only save small bits. If you buy 3 dozen eggs at once rather than buying 3 cartons of a dozen eggs at the grocery store you might save a quarter, but if you (for some reason) need a few hundred eggs you wind up saving a few bucks. It all adds up but if it doesn't add up to that much more than the cost of the membership it's not worth the hassle.


It's also important to note that they probably don't have the selection you might find at a regular grocery.

I did the math for our needs and just on laundry detergent, beer, soda, gas, and the boneless/skinless chicken breasts (individually packed too which is a major timesaver), we come out ahead with two memberships. We buy a lot more items there as well.

Someone told me you don't have to be a member to eat the $1.50 lunch though...I am not sure, I know you can use their optician without a card, but to buy lenses you need to prove membership.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: Injury
For everyday shopping I would never use a bulk goods store.

When you factor in the price of being a member it negates any of the minor savings you get from the "here and there" items that you might purchase consistantly. Bulk goods stores are for the benefit of people that need the food in bulk. (Imagine that!)

If you compare the price per ounce on food items, you'll find you only save small bits. If you buy 3 dozen eggs at once rather than buying 3 cartons of a dozen eggs at the grocery store you might save a quarter, but if you (for some reason) need a few hundred eggs you wind up saving a few bucks. It all adds up but if it doesn't add up to that much more than the cost of the membership it's not worth the hassle.


It's also important to note that they probably don't have the selection you might find at a regular grocery.

I did the math for our needs and just on laundry detergent, beer, soda, gas, and the boneless/skinless chicken breasts (individually packed too which is a major timesaver), we come out ahead with two memberships. We buy a lot more items there as well.

Someone told me you don't have to be a member to eat the $1.50 lunch though...I am not sure, I know you can use their optician without a card, but to buy lenses you need to prove membership.

You don't need a membership to eat at the food court or to buy prescription medicine.

I got back little over $300 from my Executive membership and Costco Amex so it's worth it to me. I also own quite a bit of Costco stock and that's up 25% this year not including the dividend payments. 🙂

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: helpme
It's also important to note that costco sells "Choice" grade beef, where as most supermarkets sell "Select" grade.

So if you pay 7$/lb at a supermarket for select, and 7$/lb at costco for choice, it is still a "discount"

Do you know how the USDA grades meat? They look for the marbling in meat...ie the more marbling a cow has the higer grade it gets (and the less meat you have). There are cuts of meat that taste damn good even using choice meat. Plus you are not further wasting money by buying bone, ie T-bone. Plus the way the meat is prepared is hugely important. I like beef, but I am not going to spend $20+ a lb for "quality" meat when I am happy with my $6/lb steaks. Its all about perception.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: Jawo

Originally posted by: helpme
It's also important to note that costco sells "Choice" grade beef, where as most supermarkets sell "Select" grade.

So if you pay 7$/lb at a supermarket for select, and 7$/lb at costco for choice, it is still a "discount"

Do you know how the USDA grades meat? They look for the marbling in meat...ie the more marbling a cow has the higer grade it gets (and the less meat you have). There are cuts of meat that taste damn good even using choice meat. Plus you are not further wasting money by buying bone, ie T-bone. Plus the way the meat is prepared is hugely important. I like beef, but I am not going to spend $20+ a lb for "quality" meat when I am happy with my $6/lb steaks. Its all about perception.

Prime > Choice > Select.

Select is the lowest grade and sold by most supermarkets. Costco sells Choice which is mid grade. USDA Choice steaks at the supermarkets usually cost $12- $15/ lb.

Costco sells USDA Prime steaks online.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Jawo

Originally posted by: helpme
It's also important to note that costco sells "Choice" grade beef, where as most supermarkets sell "Select" grade.

So if you pay 7$/lb at a supermarket for select, and 7$/lb at costco for choice, it is still a "discount"

Do you know how the USDA grades meat? They look for the marbling in meat...ie the more marbling a cow has the higer grade it gets (and the less meat you have). There are cuts of meat that taste damn good even using choice meat. Plus you are not further wasting money by buying bone, ie T-bone. Plus the way the meat is prepared is hugely important. I like beef, but I am not going to spend $20+ a lb for "quality" meat when I am happy with my $6/lb steaks. Its all about perception.

wait! what the fuck are you saying?

less marbiling is more meat so its better? and steaks without the bone are better because there is no bone?

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Jawo

Originally posted by: helpme
It's also important to note that costco sells "Choice" grade beef, where as most supermarkets sell "Select" grade.

So if you pay 7$/lb at a supermarket for select, and 7$/lb at costco for choice, it is still a "discount"

Do you know how the USDA grades meat? They look for the marbling in meat...ie the more marbling a cow has the higer grade it gets (and the less meat you have). There are cuts of meat that taste damn good even using choice meat. Plus you are not further wasting money by buying bone, ie T-bone. Plus the way the meat is prepared is hugely important. I like beef, but I am not going to spend $20+ a lb for "quality" meat when I am happy with my $6/lb steaks. Its all about perception.

wait! what the fuck are you saying?

less marbiling is more meat so its better? and steaks without the bone are better because there is no bone?

Nope, I'm just trying to clairfy how meat is graded. It was also a little tongue-in-check humor. 😉

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Jawo

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Jawo

Originally posted by: helpme
It's also important to note that costco sells "Choice" grade beef, where as most supermarkets sell "Select" grade.

So if you pay 7$/lb at a supermarket for select, and 7$/lb at costco for choice, it is still a "discount"

Do you know how the USDA grades meat? They look for the marbling in meat...ie the more marbling a cow has the higer grade it gets (and the less meat you have). There are cuts of meat that taste damn good even using choice meat. Plus you are not further wasting money by buying bone, ie T-bone. Plus the way the meat is prepared is hugely important. I like beef, but I am not going to spend $20+ a lb for "quality" meat when I am happy with my $6/lb steaks. Its all about perception.

wait! what the fuck are you saying?

less marbiling is more meat so its better? and steaks without the bone are better because there is no bone?

Nope, I'm just trying to clairfy how meat is graded. It was also a little tongue-in-check humor. 😉

ok good. man i was going to flame you badly.

sad part is i have had that argument with people before. a guy tried to convince me less marbling=more meat so it was better. Same with getting steak without the bone.

oh man i wanted to smack him.

 

[helpme]

Originally posted by: Jawo

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Jawo

Originally posted by: helpme
It's also important to note that costco sells "Choice" grade beef, where as most supermarkets sell "Select" grade.

So if you pay 7$/lb at a supermarket for select, and 7$/lb at costco for choice, it is still a "discount"

Do you know how the USDA grades meat? They look for the marbling in meat...ie the more marbling a cow has the higer grade it gets (and the less meat you have). There are cuts of meat that taste damn good even using choice meat. Plus you are not further wasting money by buying bone, ie T-bone. Plus the way the meat is prepared is hugely important. I like beef, but I am not going to spend $20+ a lb for "quality" meat when I am happy with my $6/lb steaks. Its all about perception.

wait! what the fuck are you saying?

less marbiling is more meat so its better? and steaks without the bone are better because there is no bone?

Nope, I'm just trying to clairfy how meat is graded. It was also a little tongue-in-check humor. 😉

Yes, I knew how meat was graded, which is why I usually buy costco steaks and tri tips.

Anyway, I'll take Costco ribeye @ 7$ a pound everyday over supermarket 7$ select 😀 In fact, I am going to eat one soon! I have the cast iron pan waiting in the broiler right now 🙂

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: helpme
Yes, I knew how meat was graded, which is why I usually buy costco steaks and tri tips.

Anyway, I'll take Costco ribeye @ 7$ a pound everyday over supermarket 7$ select 😀 In fact, I am going to eat one soon! I have the cast iron pan waiting in the broiler right now 🙂

I've got some Costco ribeye sitting in the fridge for tonight's dinner! Gonna drag out the grill since it stopped raining. Mmmm.

 

[FoBoT]

bulk is good

I :heart: Costco

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
bulk is good

I :heart: Costco but RossMAN loves them more

fixed

 

[Demon-Xanth]

You can pick up stuff at costco that you use often, and store or freeze it. If you get frozen chicken, you can get a large bag cheap, keep it in the freezer and you're good to go for a while. If you want stuff fresh, save Costco for large parties.

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
In fact, federal law mandates that the sell-by date on milk is no more than 14 days from the date it is pasteurized...

Link please because I don't think it's a flat rate across the board. I'm a little skeptical because I know there's some milk sold in boxes that as long as it hasn't been open have a sell-by date exceeding 14-days. I think you're missing some details in that quotation of the law.

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: TuxDave

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
In fact, federal law mandates that the sell-by date on milk is no more than 14 days from the date it is pasteurized...

Link please because I don't think it's a flat rate across the board. I'm a little skeptical because I know there's some milk sold in boxes that as long as it hasn't been open have a sell-by date exceeding 14-days. I think you're missing some details in that quotation of the law.

I've got some chocolate milk that doesn't expire until September 2008. They take into consideration how the milk has been processed and packaged; the laws are not that simplistic.