So how is costcos?

Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
I'm thinking about joining it today (current B.J. member)... Worth it or not? It's about a 15 minute drive from here (while bj's is 5 min away) and I'm not in the mood to drive there to check it out.. Thanks!
 

RagingBITCH

Lifer
Sep 27, 2003
17,618
2
76
They're all about the same more or less to me. All you have to do is ask can you go look around - see if it's something you'd want to sign up for
 

TranceNation

Platinum Member
Jan 6, 2001
2,041
0
0

only worth it if you buy lots of common stuff.
you could probably get the same on sale at grocery stores.
 

TwinkleToes77

Diamond Member
Jul 13, 2002
5,086
1
0
I go to costco about once every 2-3 weeks. I use it mostly for paper products (tp, papertowels) and meats.
 
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
Originally posted by: TwinkleToes77
I go to costco about once every 2-3 weeks. I use it mostly for paper products (tp, papertowels) and meats.

How are the meats there? For some reason I can't get good beef in my area (the best I can get is choice grade)... I really do like black angus and prime meat but can't find it around here- does costco have either?
 

Bryophyte

Lifer
Apr 25, 2001
13,430
13
81
I *think* they give you a chance to try out the store for one day if you ask them (like a day pass). I could be thinking of Sam's Club.
 

ThaPerculator

Golden Member
May 11, 2001
1,449
0
0
Their return policy is killer. Basically you can take back anything whenever you want and just say you weren't satisfied and get a full refund.
 

bUnMaNGo

Senior member
Feb 9, 2000
964
0
0
Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Originally posted by: TwinkleToes77
I go to costco about once every 2-3 weeks. I use it mostly for paper products (tp, papertowels) and meats.

How are the meats there? For some reason I can't get good beef in my area (the best I can get is choice grade)... I really do like black angus and prime meat but can't find it around here- does costco have either?

I really like the filet that they sell there... 6 good sized filets for about $25. I used to buy bacon in bulk there as well, and make bacon wrapped filets all the time ;)


Originally posted by: ThaPerculator
Their return policy is killer. Basically you can take back anything whenever you want and just say you weren't satisfied and get a full refund.

yup... I bought a battery for my Integra from there a few years ago, but never got around to installing it until a while later. It turns out that the battery was the wrong size (51 instead of 51R, I think) and I brought it back without a receipt and got a refund, no questions asked.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,974
420
136
CostCo is well worth the annual fee ($45/yr in Oregon) if you shop there a few times a year.

Before joining I would seriously consider applying for the CostCo Amex cc because:

No annual fee for the cc (CostCo annual fee still applies)
Up to 2% cash back on all Amex purchases
Amex Card Benefits
CostCo's DO NOT ACCEPT CC's as payment however you can use an Amex CC instead of your debit card or cash. Helps when making a large purchase. You're also earning up to 2% cash rebate plus getting a free extended warranty :)
For the lazy fool (like me) your CostCo Amex cc doubles as your CostCo membership card, two cards in one.

CostCo isn't perfect for everyone. If you want some ketchup you'll have to buy 2 SUPER SIZED Heinz containers, yes it's a great deal but it's still 8x more than you actually need. If you have a large family/group of friends you can find some great deals on meat, cheese, and seafood.

Last week I bought a gift for someone, a Toshiba 24" flat tube TV with built in combo DVD/VCR for $449. This sold elsewhere for $599, a savings of $150 PLUS 2% cash back, PLUS free extended warranty and one of the most generous return policies of any business in North America.

CostCo B&M's also partner with other corporations to offer incentive discounts such as
Sprint PCS cell phone offers CostCo only rebates and calling plans (where available)
I have seen accredited realtors advertised there offering fixed closing costs and all fees upfront.
I've seen AAA memberships offered for $35 instead of the regular $45.

We use CostCo mostly for:
food
clothes (Susan bought a nice Pacific Trail winter coat for $34.99 and I bought a Nautica t-shirt for $9.99 pls Levi's jeans for $19.99)
Electronics (TV's, DVD Players, VCR Players, cordless phones, printers, computers, LCD's, boomboxes, security systems, etc.)
Rechargeable batteries
Appliances
A lot of stuff

Plus they also print digital pictures for $0.19 per picture I want to say, they use high end Fuji (Kodak?) imaging systems. Just bring in your digicam media or CD-R or floppy and they'll print them out for you.

I could go on and on and on.

Do it.
 

DieselUV

Senior member
Dec 9, 1999
363
0
0
Funny, I just got back from Costco. It's great for beer, toilet paper/towels, snacks, meat, etc... Last year I bought $150 worth of BBQ food: two kinds of steak, pork, ribs, chicken, sausages, hot dogs, burgers, veggie burgers, and about 30 of my friends showed. We ate non-stop from 5-11pm. Of course most people didn't eat the whole time, but you can see how much food that is. I love Costco.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,974
420
136
Originally posted by: Diesel UV
Funny, I just got back from Costco. It's great for beer, toilet paper/towels, snacks, meat, etc... Last year I bought $150 worth of BBQ food: two kinds of steak, pork, ribs, chicken, sausages, hot dogs, burgers, veggie burgers, and about 30 of my friends showed. We ate non-stop from 5-11pm. Of course most people didn't eat the whole time, but you can see how much food that is. I love Costco.

TOILET PAPER, how could I forget?

We buy 48 packs of Kirkland 2 ply brand, nice stuff for $12 or so.

They have a "coupon book" of savings. If you do join them, ask the membership counter for the "coupon book" they have new specials for this week.

There's a good chance I'll be buying the Toshiba combo DVD/VCR for $99.
 

Babbles

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2001
8,253
14
81
Costco just owns so much. I go there about once every ten days, in fact making a trip there tomorrow. I think their meat selection and quality is pretty awesome, never had a problem. They have a pretty awesome bakery and at least the one here in the Dallas-Ft Worth area they sell an awesome whole wheat breat that I love.

Anyhow it is well worth it to get the membership.
 

shopbruin

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2000
5,817
0
0
i LOVE costco.

i just got a new vacuum there for 100 bucks. it's so friggin cool. also got my microwave there.

we always go for water. it is by far the cheapest.

We also get cereal, soy milk, dishwasher detergent, cooking spray/oil, and my favorite.. their paper towels! They are the best non big name brand paper towels EVER.
 

TranceNation

Platinum Member
Jan 6, 2001
2,041
0
0


what's up with having to show your costco card when entering? seems dumb to me since you can't buy anything without showing id at the checkout.
 

bcterps

Platinum Member
Aug 31, 2000
2,795
0
76
I even got my auto loan through Costco. Capital One usually has the lowest rates on the net, but Costco's rate was a full 1/2 point lower and it was through Capital One.
 

ThePresence

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
27,727
16
81
I signed up recently, and I'm in love with the place. I bought a whole lotta DVD's, books, office furniture, food, etc. Cool place.
 

Kelvrick

Lifer
Feb 14, 2001
18,422
5
81
Originally posted by: TranceNation
what's up with having to show your costco card when entering? seems dumb to me since you can't buy anything without showing id at the checkout.

I used to go in there all the time just to walk around and eat free samples. Maybe thats why?

Note: I am a member and did buy stuff. I just happened to live 5 minutes away and was often bored in High School. :) (still bored in college, but further away)
 

brtspears2

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2000
8,659
1
81
$12.99 2 dozen roses. Cheap way to say sorry.

Besides I just like to go there and laugh at how you can buy the gallon jug of French's mustand for $3.20 but only get two, 32oz squeezeables for $3.20.

Only if they sold 6 ft long bread in bulk, I could make good use of a jug of mustard and a box of mayo.

Once in a while there is a coupon floating around where with membership, you get $10 costco cash card. Cash card is great for the food court.