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Costco or Not Costco -- That is the Question

For a long time I've envied people who got to shop at Costco. It seemed I was always hearing about some mega-bargain someone had gotten for something I really did need, like toilet paper or yogurt. But there wasn't a Costco or Sam's Club or other warehouse store in Manhattan and going to Brooklyn or Queens and taking a cab home defeated the savings. A few times I shopped at the Costco in Queens with colleagues from work for parties and it only whetted my appetite to be a warehouse shopper. Then came the unthinkable -- a Costco in Manhattan. It's not that close -- two buses away or a reasonable cab ride -- but for the first time it's possible.

I need your advice, blog buddies, do you see savings when you warehouse shop? I am concerned that I will end up buying things I don't need in quantities I can't use. Has anyone found that to be a problem? I believe I have the restraint and know I can save money on things I regularly buy, but I know my blog buddies are a source of unfailing good sense. Looking for any advice you have for me!

14 comments

Lorraine said...

I'm on the fence about this. Although I maintain my Sam's Club membership, I rarely shop there. We're a small family of 3 so we don't need to "stock" up on food that much, nor do we have the space to store it. Our local supermarket is 1/2 mile away and I find that I do better there. I buy sale items with a coupon and I get a better deal than I would at Sam's. That being said, Sam's rotisserie chicken at 4.98 each is the greatest bargain and the best chicken I've ever had! We also gotten good deals on TV's and other electronics at Sam's as well as nice clothing, towels, pet beds, and pillows at great prices. That's my 2 cents. :)

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I used to love Sam's Club and it saved us a lot when I had a family. But now that there is just me, I don't go any more as things mostly come in large quantities. Still once in a while I go and love it. My visits just aren't as frequent as they used to be. Hope your Friday is a fantastic one!

Anonymous said...

With it just being US I've never had a need to warehouse shop--but I too am jealous of those who can. Seriously who doesn't need 50 pounds of mayonnaise????

Sharon said...

I shop religiously at Sam's, but have it down to a science and know exactly what items to purchase at Sam's and what is better priced at my grocery store. Some things always purchased at Sam's include bananas, grape tomatoes, chips, bread, butter, milk, nuts, lithium batteries and some meds i.e. benadryl and zyrtec (both generic brands). Hope that helps!

~Kristen~ said...

I do BJ's Wholesale cause that what we have close by but you have to be reasonable for it. My mom and I share the membership and that's why I find it to be worth the "membership fee". We go about once every month or other month to stock up on dry goods, and I get my OTC medications (claritin, ibprophen, tylenol, lactaide) cause that really is a savings to buy those in bulk. And every now and then I'll get movies there cause they'll have $5 DVD's there that you can't find anywhere else. You really need to look at what your needing to buy and decide if it's worth it.

Chatty Crone said...

I buy my paper goods, but perishables and frozen are to big for us.

Melinda said...

Ken and I were only using ours to get photos developed and that just wasn't worth the membership cost. I would buy a book or clothing item here and there but everything else came in large quantities.
It's fun to go on Saturday's---good samples! :)

Melinda

k and c's mom said...

I'm single like you, and the bulk buys do not help me at all except on things like organic salad mix or things I can have at more than one meal...

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Hi Sweetie...
I am a Costco shopper for sure. What I find that I do, is buy a large roast, cut it up into portions for Tony and I, freeze the others, label it, so your rotate your stock. The same with hamburger meat, buy large, break into workable pieces and label and freeze. We buy paper products there, but we also find we get the best deals on electronics and DVDs and even books. The holidays are also great times to shop there. For the little amount that it truly costs for a membership, we find it SO worth it.

Even bought a mattress and box springs there. Yep we sure did. Got a great deal, saved a bundle, and are truly happy. Oh and Tony bought his air compressor there as well.

Now I know you aren't in the market for that sweetie, but just sharing with you. Yep we love Costco. You love flowers and you will find fresh flowers there each time as well.

Hope you find the answer you are looking for sweetie. Have a glorious Memorial day weekend. I do hope you make it to Arizona. We would have a blast for sure. Many hugs and much love, Sherry

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

When the kids were all home we shopped at BJ's but now I do not because I don't need large quantities. My Shop Rite had great prices and I occasionally visit Aldi's

Bridget said...

I LOVE COSTCO!!! They sell chicken breasts seperated in 6 packets about 1 lb each-- sooo 6 lbs of chicken for about 18 dollars! (which here in MO is a major steal)

I also get 18 packets of yogurt there for about 7 dollars (a 4 pack here is usually around 3 dollars-- so again a steal)

I also get things like shredded cheese there-- but we use a lot of cheese!

The TP is a great deal-- you get a ton of it but it doesn't go bad and everyone uses it!

It's really a matter of knowing what you pay other places and then deciding if its a better deal- I have a list of per unit (like per oz etc etc) so that I can decide if it's worth it to have a jumbo size of laundry detergent.....

Hope that helps!

Unknown said...

It is a yes & no, answer for sure, Carol. We buy most items there, but not fresh produce. We break up our meat parcels & freeze them for the 2 of us. There is a bundle to be saved, for sure ... but then again you have to pay attention to the grocery store sales & coupons you may have, as I have done better there just as much. Sometimes I just call Costco up & get them to give me a price to compare before I go shopping. They are delightfully sweet about helping me.

If you have the executive plan, as do we, we also get manufacturer's coupons directly from them which are a savings, but still you have to pay attention. With this plan we also get rebates once a year (forget %) of our total purchases for the year ... this year was very nice & I loved that rebate check.

I love Costco. They are very customer oriented & friendly.

Harold asked if I heard from you ... hope all is well.
Have a lovely & safe holiday weekend.
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon

Barbara F. said...

Now that I can leave a comment, I just wanted to put my two cents in! I stopped all club memberships when I downsized. Storage would be a huge issue for me now. I also found that I bought stuff that I did not need, and you have to really know prices. Some things are not really a bargain. I have found better prices on paper towel bundles in the supermarket than in Costco. Since I would have to travel to NJ to BJ's or Sam's Club, I don't have my own membership but luckily I have a couple of good friends who take me along with them. xo,

Simple Home said...

We're a large family,(there are 8 of us)have a Costco close by, and I do have a membership. However, I don't shop there very often. I've found deals just as good at our local supermarket, and I don't end up buying nearly as many things that I don't need there :-)

I can't imagine having to take two buses with my Costco buys though. Too bulky. I don't think I'd ever shop there if I had to do that.
Blessings,
Marcia