Costco? Yay or nay?

6fsn · November 2012

We were a Sam's family, but just let our membership lapse. Mainly we bought chicken, DH's allergy meds, and bagels. Costco is the same price but more convenient. Is it really better?

mrsconn23 · November 2012

I'd go for it.

We have a Sam's membership for free through DH's job and there's no Costco that's convenient to us. I'd rather have a Costco membership.

entropicbeauty · November 2012

Costco is at least good to their employees (VERY good) and not part of the evil empire...I admit I don't shop there regularly but we always find great stuff when we do.

VarunaTT · November 2012

We don't have a Costco here, but I have visited them. I did like them better than Sams. I know you keep a price book. Check to see if Costco is having a "one day trial" coming up for the holidays and compare?

MNNEBride · November 2012

We have a Sam's Membership and there wasn't a Costco near us until one just opened this month. Our Sam's membership expires in the spring so we'll need to make a decision then. Here, Costco's membership is $5 higher than Sam's per year. Folks that have been to both have likened it to the difference between Target (Costco) and Walmart (Sam's).

I'd say go for it. Costco will fully refund your membership at any time if you don't like it for any reason. (Costco also doesn't have a guest pass or 1 day membership. You join and then get a refund if you don't like)

*Barbie* · November 2012

bagel savings - if you have a Bruegger's Bagels nearby, buy the bags of day olds. they're 6 bagels/$1.99 (unless the price has increased) - sometimes an assortment, sometimes all of one kind, slice and freeze.

We had a BJ's membership in Philly, but I don't know that it was really that much cheaper than the grocery store. I've considered Costco or Sam's but the distance (10-15 miles) would probably negate any savings.

GBCK · November 2012

I would.

(I wish we had a close costco)

DixieNormous330 · November 2012

I LOVE our Costco. We get meds, glasses, electronics, pantry staples, frozen foods, and their fresh meats are really delicious.

AuntFlo · November 2012

Yay for Costco. If it were closer, we'd definitely have a membership. As it is, when we want to get something from there, I have my dad take me with his membership. Costco isn't *that* much different from Sam's, but the Costco brand (Kirkland) has some products that I really like. And it just seems a little classier than Sam's, although that might just be my perception.
The Kirklands brand of baby wipes are excellent. My DD's sensitive butt could only use the Pampers Natural Care or Kirklands. Kirklands were sooooo much cheaper and came in easy to use packs within the great big box.

MizBiscuit · November 2012

There is no harm in giving them a try. Esp if they will refund your membership. If you don't like it after a month or three cancel and go back to Sams.

I am jealous of you all, I wish we had any of them. The closest is a BJs about 45 minutes north. There are rumors of a Sams coming but no ground has been broken yet. The fact that there have been rumors of a Best Buy and BBB coming for the last five years - I'm not going to hold my breath. We'll just have to live with the two Walmarts and various grocery stores.

DixieNormous330 · November 2012

OMG - the kirkland wipes are awesome! Also they have a lot of Carter's clothes and pretty decent clothes for adults.

6fsn · November 2012

I guess we might need to check it out. It's a lot closer, but right next to huge mall that may not be convenient again for a month.

DG1 · November 2012

Well, the beauty of warehouse stores is that you don't have to go all that often.

FWIW, I wish we could do Costco. Sams is about 3 miles away. Costco is more like 20.

Honestly, the people I know with Costco memberships LOVE it and rave about it, while Sam's members are more like "eh, the paper towels are cheap." Costco, as far as I can tell, is also better for things you might buy just once or very rarely, like patio furniture or a kid's mattress. Their bakery's cakes are better, too.

Wzz · November 2012

i'm not convinced Costco is a value unless you really need to stock up on things. with babies in diapers, it can't hurt. i didn't find their prices on meats to be that much better than regular stores. quality of steaks is great.

mrsconn23 · November 2012

Costco cakes are to.die.for. That's the only baby shower demand I made (for the one my family hosted)...I wanted a Costco cake. Chocolate cake, chocolate icing, chocolate mousse filling.

Their cupcakes are also very good. They're huge and you need a fork to eat them.

entropicbeauty · November 2012

If you really want to go check out your local costco, it's my understanding that non-members are still allowed entry to go buy beer/alcohol...so maybe you could check it out for free?

DixieNormous330 · November 2012

I buy the meat in bulk. I'll get a boneless pork loin and butcher out 2 roasts and several chops. I do the same with ground meat and stew meat - parcel it out into 1.5-2lbs packages. We also have a chest freezer so we have the room to do that. The freezer case stuff is good too. We'll get a mix bag of frozen veggies, some chicken and fish options and keep those for nights where we don't want to cook a meal. Toss in the oven and dinner is ready.

Seriously, Costco is my other love.

6fsn · November 2012

Dixie- every last thing you mentioned was everything we've done with our Sam's membership. I just don't know if I can deal with more unknown right now. Gosh that sounds pathetic.

VarunaTT · November 2012

6, I think we're somewhat similar in our shopping habits.

The big thing I noticed was that there was more of a selection of raw vegetables that I wanted @ Costco. They also had more fresh pre made things there (their chicken salad is seriously awesome, better than I can make in short time frame) that I enjoyed and was actually willing to buy. IIRC there had a few more of the bulk things I have wished Sams would have, like black beans (I think they were canned, but all I can remember is being excited to see black beans, so I thought Sams might eventually get them).

I know Sams has been stepping up their game recently to compete with the other "stuff" like clothes, electronics, etc, so there might not be such a difference in those anymore. The other thing I had noticed was their selection of finer cheeses, but our Sams has started carrying those, so I can only assume yours probably has as well.

PMeg819 · November 2012

We get wine, wipes, dog food, TP, certain cleaning items, and butter. 4 pounds of butter at my Costco is like $6 which is way cheaper than the grocery store. I really do have to be selective about what I buy as its very easy to think "hey I like this and it seems cheap". I also really like the housewares stuff- I bought my most current suitcase at Costco and it is a fabulous suitcase. There is a Sam's like a mile from our Costco but I've never been so I can't compare.

DixieNormous330 · November 2012

I will say, I've been to both and I think that the Costco meats are a step up from Sam's.

6fsn · November 2012

Alright, I'm going to check it out....someday.

GBCK · November 2012

I would get a costco membership just because their kirkland's dog food is decent quality.

jojobrn · November 2012

i am going to Costco in just a little bit actually, and having had both a Sam's and a Costco membership, I'd go Costco. meats are better, veggies and fruits are better, we get our pet food and Eddie the sick cat's heart medication there. Found our crib mattress there over the summer. Most all of our electronics have come from there and when you buy say a computer or tablet through Costco they tack on an extra year of warranty. We also get gas through them most times, always cheaper. And we pay extra for an executive membership and get 1 or 2% of our annual purchases back in a Costco check when it is time to renew. We always cover the mebership fee with that.

Costco? Yay or nay?

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