Join a membership type store like Costco for groceries?

[pontifex]

I am single and my dad added me to his costcco membership or maybe he bought my membership, i dunno...

anyway, I buy paper plates, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, dish soap, dishwasher packets, etc. I've bought tools there as well that were a good deal.

Since I am single I don't buy much perishable stuff unless I split it with my parents. I've bought hamburger and chicken and hot dogs there since I can freeze that. Also buy other frozen stuff like ice cream, breakfast sandwiches, etc.

if you like hotdogs, you can get a 4 pack of ballpark hotdogs for like $8. a single pack at my local weis markets is about $5

 

[esun]

He might be talking about the executive membership, which I just retired because I was losing money on it. They do push that kind of hard and I'd say for many people it doesn't make sense. If you have a big family it probably will still save you some.

Unless you want to pay by cash or check I think Amex is the only card they accept.

FYI, if you sign up for the executive membership and you get your rebate check at the end of the year and it is less than $55, you can go to Costco and ask them to refund the difference up to $55 (which is the difference between regular membership and executive membership).

 

[Spike]

FYI, if you sign up for the executive membership and you get your rebate check at the end of the year and it is less than $55, you can go to Costco and ask them to refund the difference up to $55 (which is the difference between regular membership and executive membership).

Exactly, this is why I can't figure out why people don't get the executive membership. For us it's a no brainier since my wifes family always comes with us and they don't have a card of their own. We usually end up with a $100-150 rebate for the executive membership and a $200-300 rebate from the Costco Amex. My poor brother even has the executive just in case he actually spends enough to make up for it. Any year he does not he just hast them refund the difference.

 

[MontyAC]

I should look into this or rewards for our current card. We spend ~$1200/month for the daycare so we're more than covering the cost of the corporate membership. An extra percent or 3 would be nice.

We're getting a Sam's about 1/4 mile from the center. Costco is 20 minutes away. Will definitely be price comparing.

With the Costco Executive membership, you get the Amex card with your picture on the back of the card. It's good for ID purposes.

 

[dabuddha]

Sams doesn't take manufacturer's coupons unfortunately. We mostly use BJs ourselves.

 

[Bacstar]

I don't think you can even get out of the store unless your register tape is for more than $100!

One reason I decided not to get a Costco membership. Every time I used to go, I'd always end up with $150-200 in my cart. Half the time, I'll get sick of whatever I bought, and it then sits in the fridge forever.

Now, I just ask a buddy when he goes to tag along whenever I need anything from Costco or Sam's Club.

 

[raildogg]

I am single and don't tend to consume too much of any particular thing so Costco or Sam's don't sound cost effective. I can get disposable plates and stuff like that at Walmart for a reasonable price. Don't buy things like pasta or rice too much so that is another thing I don't need in bulk.

So really, I don't see a good reason for a Costco membership other than things like the pizzas that are mentioned in the other thread. Maybe the frozen pizzas are good but I'm not a huge fan of those things in general. Also, someone mentioned clothes. I don't like shopping for clothes so maybe Costco might be a good place?

Not sure if the membership is worth it. I might just try it out and see how it is. Or might just borrow a card from someone I know and see the store.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Of the things I buy at Costco, the organic produce is probably the least expensive when compared to the normal grocery store. (About half the price, usually.) Particularly the baby spinach and kale I use to make veggie smoothies.

The carrot juice is half the price of anywhere else, including TJs.

Organic milk is $11 for 1.5 gallons, instead of $5 for a 1/2 gallon.

Organic whole wheat bread with no HFCS is $3.50 a loaf (2-loaf pack.) It's only that price at Cub or Wally World if it's on sale.

32oz of organic maple syrup for $8.

The meat/deli is also very good. They've been doing a seafood expo which was pretty handy. And the bakery goodies are on par with anywhere else.

I save enough on toilet paper and cat litter alone to justify the membership fee. The rest is gravy.

And the pizza in the cafeteria is pretty good.

 

[Midwayman]

I make up the cost of my costco member ship on meat and produce alone. The quality is far better than the local grocery stores, and price per unit is much lower as well.

I guess if you were one of those extreme couponer types you could do better at the regular grocery store, but I don't have the time or energy for that.

Costco has great product at good prices. They have exceptionally customer friend policies and treat their employees well.

 

[CA19100]

Unless you want to pay by cash or check I think Amex is the only card they accept.

The only CREDIT card, yes. But they take debit cards, which is what I usually use.

 

[Triumph]

I am single and don't tend to consume too much of any particular thing so Costco or Sam's don't sound cost effective. I can get disposable plates and stuff like that at Walmart for a reasonable price. Don't buy things like pasta or rice too much so that is another thing I don't need in bulk.

So really, I don't see a good reason for a Costco membership other than things like the pizzas that are mentioned in the other thread. Maybe the frozen pizzas are good but I'm not a huge fan of those things in general. Also, someone mentioned clothes. I don't like shopping for clothes so maybe Costco might be a good place?

Not sure if the membership is worth it. I might just try it out and see how it is. Or might just borrow a card from someone I know and see the store.

Find someone you know who has a membership.

http://www.costco.com/Costco-Cash-Card.product.10024438.html

You must be a Costco member to purchase or reload Costco Cash Cards. Members and non-members may use the cash cards to shop at any Costco location in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and online at Costco.com or on Costco.ca. Costco Cash balances may be used toward membership or merchandise.

 

[Agent11]

Costco is great, especially for things that keep well. 50lb bags of rice, beans, flour and sugar. Bulk packages of butter. Stuff like that.

 

[Puppies04]

I know it is a really bad stereotype but when I read this thread I imagine someone driving 15 miles across town in their 6L V8 "truck" to save $2 on groceries and it makes me smile.

 

[raildogg]

I believe I am going to get a CostCo membership. Just wondering if there's any benefit in getting the Business Membership compared with the Gold Star Membership. I run a business but I don't really see much I would purchase at Costco. For the few business items I would purchase, I can simply purchase them. Just wondering.

Someone also suggested I join Sam's Club since the prices are probably similar.

Thanks all.

 

[RossMAN]

I believe I am going to get a CostCo membership. Just wondering if there's any benefit in getting the Business Membership compared with the Gold Star Membership. I run a business but I don't really see much I would purchase at Costco. For the few business items I would purchase, I can simply purchase them. Just wondering.

http://www.costco.com/costco-memberships.html

 

[NiceCold]

browse costco and nothing but expensive! a brisket for 70 dollar????? 40 dollar????? 50 dollar??? for the same size its worth about 15 dollar at regular grocery stores.

everything i look at is very expensive i dont know why people shop there.

 

[Oyeve]

I usually get batteries and razors at Costco. My gf has an account and we divy up the bulk meats.

 

[Red Storm]

Was at Costco a few weeks ago and they had 35 Kirkland water bottles for $2.50... how do you not buy that? That's like 7 cents a bottle.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Hard to beat the $1.50 lunch at Costco.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I usually get batteries and razors at Costco. My gf has an account and we divy up the bulk meats.

Do you buy bulk marlboro's?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

It's a nice option to have in your back pocket. You'll definitely save enough to justify the membership but its not your one stop shop for everything.
I've been to Wal-Mart once in the last 3 months so I'd say that alone was worth the price of the membership.

 

[Exterous]

I think it really depends on your area what is cheaper. I saw someone suggest you not buy cereal there but for us the cereal is 1/2 the cost of the local Kroger even when its not on sale so we always try to buy that at Costco. Milk is cheaper at our Kroger though

Some other things we usually buy there as they are cheaper for us:
-Toilet paper. Sure you can sometimes find cheaper values (Esp on SD) but I go tired of trying to compare size of roll and quality. Kirkland is fairly cheap and decent quality
-Splenda. Cheaper than Kroger at normal price, 1/3 when it goes on sale
-Pop chips
-Granola bars
-Candy bars for fund raising
-Gum
-meat
-$1.50 lunch
-Will definitely consider them for our next mattress as well

I will say I was a bit surprised by how expensive their grills were. There are a number of things that are not cheaper so you have to pay attention

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I will say I was a bit surprised by how expensive their grills were. There are a number of things that are not cheaper so you have to pay attention

But some stuff is so cheap compared to other places its insane. I bought a cake there to take to a family get together. $18. Thing was like 4 sq foot of cake or something crazy. Looking at a local grocery store yesterday they had cakes a third of the size for the same price.

 

[Oyeve]

Do you buy bulk marlboro's?

Don't be a twat.

 

[de8212]

I just joined yesterday. In my situation, the dog food savings alone will pay for the membership and then some.

Honestly, if I was single, I don't think it would be worth it but it's only $55 and I think if you cancel at any time during the year they will refund part/all of the $55 so you really don't have anything to lose.