Marta and I just joined Costco

[Omaha Steve]

A friend took me through a couple weeks ago. There was a special through Groupon. It is a 20+ minute drive, so it won't be for all our I forgot to get items.

OS

93 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
	I belong to Costco
	74 (80%)
	I'd like to belong to Costco
	3 (3%)
	I don't belong to Costco
	3 (3%)
	I belong to Sam's
	2 (2%)
	I'd like to belong to Sam's
	1 (1%)
	I don't want to belong to Sam's (Walmart owned)
	0 (0%)
	I don't want to belong to a warehouse
	4 (4%)
	Niether is close to my home
	6 (6%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[Phoenix61]

1. Not one anywhere near me. nt

[niyad]

5. They ship, and even to non-members, or so I was told.

[Phoenix61]

9. As much as I've heard about it I'd like to check one out. nt

[Kaleva]

67. Products sold online are more expensive than bought in person

[niyad]

69. Some are. And for some, the convenience of having items delivered

directly to one's door is worth it, particularly for large, heavy, or bulky items. I have certainly found it to be so.

[okaawhatever]

2. They treat their employees very well. nt

[lostnfound]

13. That's been my #1 reason for 30 years. #2 reason is good quality at fair prices

If I want to buy a printer, TV, kitchen appliance — I don’t have to fret about shopping around and comparing model numbers and prices.
Costco’s stock won’t be junk and it won’t be overpriced.
If you buy tires or batteries and come back in with a problem, they handle the prorate discount automatically.

The packages of veggies and fruit are big, so I give half to a friend and still pay the same as I would at the grocery store.

[niyad]

3. I love Costco. Even though it is just me, I still find many good things. And there

is always the 1.50 lunch!

[Wounded Bear]

4. Used to be a member...

Finally figured out that I wasn't saving enough to justify the drive of about 10 miles.

I live alone, so buying in bulk isn't in the plan. No room to store all that shit. Still kind of miss buying coffee in actual 3 pound cans, though.

[niyad]

6. Thete is always delivery.

[Sky Jewels]

7. I like Costco as a company, but after a couple years, I didn't renew my membership.

It's not the way my husband and I like to shop. We go to the store frequently, to get things for that day or the next day (more like a European style of shopping). We like to cook from scratch. We don't need giant packages of prepared foods or what have you. Costco doesn't have the variety of products that a supermarket would have. I do understand that a lot of people love it and it fits their needs perfectly.

[spinbaby]

19. Most of what we buy there isn't food

Also a household of two, we find Costco worthwhile for laundry supplies, dishwasher stuff, paper products, cat litter, socks, etc. We do buy some mostly nonperishable food at Costco, but most food comes from Aldi.

[Sky Jewels]

48. That makes sense.

I think another reason we didn't renew is because I always had a bit of dread about driving over there (it's a bit farther than our regular grocery store), parking in the massive lot, braving the sometimes crowded aisles, waiting for the huge receipt ($200 bucks almost every time because, hey, "I'm here; I should buy stuff to make it worth my while" ), etc.

We have a smaller, more manageable discount supermarket nearby called Grocery Outlet that is good for things like paper products, etc. Unfortunately they don't carry unscented kitty litter so I've gotta get that elsewhere.

Now admittedly, I am more than physically capable of handling a big Costco shop. I'm very healthy and walk five miles almost every day. But somehow when it comes to those giant stores I feel overwhelmed and fatigued before I even step inside.

[ExWhoDoesntCare]

56. Costco is one of those places, where

Knowing when to shop matters. Google can tell you what the peak hours are if you search for your local Costco, but in most cases, believe it or not, weekday evenings after around 6-7 are usually slower than mornings. It's the opposite than at most supermarkets. That's because businesses, retirees and housewives with large families do most of the "daytime" shopping at Costco.

When I shopped in person, I went in knowing exactly what I wanted and where each item was. I didn't deviate from the plan, and that saved me a bunch of money. These days, I shop online, and get items delivered. If it's from the local store, then I pay next to nothing, maybe 75 cents or something like that, as long as I hit the minimum, which is nearly impossible *not* to reach, given the immense sizes/quantities of most products they sell.

Shopping online for delivery means that I can comparison shop with my local grocer, Amazon, or whoever. Not everything Costco sells is cheaper than what other outlets offer. I can also control what I buy better, rather than doing the impulse thing that Costco counts on to boost sales. Yes, that mega jar of jelly bellies is mighty tempting...but we don't need it. So I rubbish it from the list, and get only what we need.

[ExWhoDoesntCare]

54. In this queue

When my son was in his teens, we had to shop there, or go bankrupt from how much food he could consume. I didn't know any human could eat so much, but my husband swore it was normal.

Now that it's just the husband and me, we've cut back on the shopping to only a few times a year, but we still have the membership because we're hooked on a few things, like the cheap petrol (the local Costco is 2 miles of quiet road from us). The savings from that alone tends to repay the cost of membership, most years.

I'm completely addicted to their store brand artichoke hearts--can go through the 33oz 2 pack in about two months, LOL. My husband is that way about their gigantic trail mix bag. Their canned shredded chicken is one of the cheapest, per oz, and excellent for making chicken salad sandwiches, or for a quick soup.

Most of what we get isn't food: OTC meds, assorted vitamin supplements, grooming items, and my husband's work jeans (does physical work, so he goes through those like mad). We don't use their detergent because the husband and I have horrible allergies to it (and nearly all of the other brands as well), but my mother loves the stuff. I ship it to her on a regular basis. In fact, I don't get many household things like that. I can usually find most of that cheaper elsewhere.

When we need to get an appliance, small or large, well, they're among the best for those.

So keeping the membership is still worth it to us, for those reasons.

[RandySF]

8. We love the prices/selection.

And I love the way they treat their employees.

[kimbutgar]

10. I was originally a member of Price club when it was brought public

The investment banking firm I worked for brought the company public. They gave us employees each a 1 year free membership and I was hooked shopping there. Price Club later merged with Costco and it was agreed Costco was a better name. I saw this show on the History channel about the Mega brands that built America and they featured a show how Price club came about and merging with Costco. Ironically Walmart wanted to buy Price club but they merged instead with Costco because Sam Walton ( Sams Club) stole the idea of memberships from the Price club founder.

[csziggy]

11. I save enough on their generic Zyrtec to pay for my membership

They charge less than $20 for 360 tablets of generic Zyrtec. Most off brand versions are about the same for a month's supply.

My husband and I make about 4 trips a year to Costco and plan our purchases carefully. With just two of us most of their bulk items are not practical, but we buy meats to portion and freeze, spices (their Kirkland cinnamon is excellent), and frozen fish and vegetables.

We've also purchased a couple TVs through Costco. While the prices may not have been the lowest, the TVs were exactly what we needed at good prices.

[hunter]

18. Yep. The OTC meds and pharmacy alone are worth the price of admission.

We buy our dog food there too.

[Hekate]

32. This!

[MissB]

12. There is one within 10 miles

It’s right next to the grocery store that I always shop at.

I go about once a month or every other month, more often October-December as that’s the time of year we tend to have a lot of parties at our house.

I buy in bulk. It’s how I’ve always shopped, for the cost savings and for having a deep pantry to pull from if needed.

Heading there this morning in fact. My siblings and I are re-furnishing my mom’s house so I’ll be buying some goods for that purpose too.

[Sympthsical]

14. Costco is down the street

So it's not a special trip. I just plain grocery shop there once a week. $4.50 for two gallons of milk. $2.99 for two dozen eggs. $6 for two loaves of bread. Etc. Etc. We only use Safeway for various single items we do not require in crate size.

We save so much money.

[peacebuzzard]

15. I was offered a special as well;

but then after months of not getting around to it and then a year quickly passed by; I lost the special I signed up for.
Basically, I would simply forget I signed up; then couldn't find the proof so it was too much of a hassle and so little time.

[EYESORE 9001]

16. A Costco just opened in my area

I was already a member, but this one is much closer. I still haven’t explored all that Costco has to offer.

[a kennedy]

17. It's an hour away for us now, and we don't go anymore. Just to far for us.

Feel terrible about it, had some favorite items that we always bought there.

[niyad]

34. They do ship.

[a kennedy]

38. Great, might have to look into that. Thanks.

[a kennedy]

39. 😢 😢 😢. No just said they don't ship to my little town.

[niyad]

40. I am sorry.

[Freddie]

20. Never been in one

The closest is 45 minutes away and I’m just too lazy to drive down there. But I’ve heard so many wonderful things I will have to go there sometime.

[Wednesdays]

21. It's possible to be #1 and #6 simultaneously

[Earth-shine]

22. Costco has been very good to me. Food, prescriptions, supplies.

[Trailrider1951]

23. I'm not a member but my daughter is

She's happy to pick up what I need for me when she goes. As for the giant packs of stuff, she will buy a pack of 3 jars of pasta sauce and give me one. A pack of 12 croissants and give me 3. This works for us, as she has 3 teen/young adult kids that eat a LOT!

[SYFROYH]

24. I like Coscto. I dropped by once a week on my way home from work.

I routinely pick up 4-packs of rib eye steaks, break them up into 2 x 2 bags and freeze them.

I love their "artisanal rolls" and freeze about 2/3 of them in groups of four

Their dried fruit is a deal. I love the mangos and pineapple.

I pick up some fruit.

Their smoked salmon is a great deal.

And they have my diabetes medicine, Munjauro, which is hard to find.

[LeftInTX]

25. See how you like it. If it works for you, great!

I joined because I planned a party. But that was the only time I went. Then it was time to renew my membership. And I was like, "Well, that really didn't pay off". But that was me. Everyone is different. Whatever works for you, is what I say.

If I had gone back multiple times and found it cost effective, I would have renewed, but I just didn't get around to going back. I had nothing against it. I just never went back and then the membership had ended.

It's all about how often you shop there

[Recycle_Guru]

26. they really do have so many good deals

[Alliepoo]

27. Can I qualify my vote?

I belong to Sams but I don’t really want to belong to Sam's. It’s close to my house. I love Costco and had a membership there but it’s not all that close to me and I think I went twice the year that I had the membership because it’s a pain in the patootie to fight freeway traffic and the ridiculous congestion where the Costco is located. So I hold my nose and go to Sams when I need things like TP and paper towels and big cereal and brownie mix for the grands.

[niyad]

35. Go online and have it shipped.

[Xavier Breath]

28. They opened one on the other side of town a year or two back

but we still haven't made it there. We have two supermarkets close to us that are just a few minutes away, and I'd hate fighting all the idiots on the interstate while making two separate shopping trips to save a few pennies on tp. On the other hand, if there were one just a few minutes away we'd probably join. Lord knows I love good, cheap hot dog.

[yellowdogintexas]

46. we go around every other month at best

I get cases of canned items we use frequently, stack them up in the garage and when I run out I get more.

We saved a bunch of $ on an HP laptop, see my post below about other stuff we get.

[Xavier Breath]

51. I went with a member once to a store in Indy

which is the only time I've ever been in one. We were only there to run in and buy some batteries, so it was hardly a long enough visit to get any real impression of the operation. I'll have to talk to the wife about going to our local store. We actually might buy enough cat supplies to make it worthwhile.

[niyad]

70. Their cat trees//condos, for example, are much less expensive than my Petco.

[senseandsensibility]

29. Costco is great

I even order a lot from there. Usually I get a cheaper price than elsewhere and free shipping. I easily save the membership by cost savings like that.

[yellowdogintexas]

47. the end of year cash rebate covers my membership fee nt

[onetexan]

64. THIS!!☝️likewise. We have one very close by & frequent it

We also fill up gas there as well, consistently the best price in town.

[Hekate]

30. After years of local resistance,one came into our town very close to us.We went in for a reconnoiter

… and were impressed enough that after discussing it at home, we bought a $35 membership. That was 23 years ago. They have a deservedly good reputation as employers and as a business. Their return policy is peerless.

There is only one caveat I really have: if you are buying groceries for only one or two people, you may want to continue shopping at a smaller store for fresh food items. Learn to pace yourself in that regard.

Happy shopping!

[yellowdogintexas]

50. agree on the fresh food, especially produce

unless you are gearing up for a large dinner party or event.

They sell a double pack of goat cheese for the same price as a single roll at other stores.

[Demsrule86]

31. I also belong to BJ's and Sams...

[Montauk6]

55. I too have a BJ's card and tried Sam's for a bit

... but the schlep from da Bronx to Elmsford just wasn't worth it.

[Demsrule86]

57. Oh yeah, hubs if from the Bronx...I get it.

It is like two miles from my house...Costco is the furthest but I really like Costco for Coffee and gluten-free stuff.

[Montauk6]

61. And, so far's as I've seen...

Costco's the only one that sells "Healthy Noodles."

[DET]

33. I'd like to go to Costco, but...

…it’s just too crowded. Day or night, the parking lot is constantly full. So we joined BJs, which is just around the corner. We only go there once every month or two - mostly for the meat (butcher on site), bulk liquids (soda, tea, etc.), canned tomatoes, paper products, and the delicious rotisserie chicken. Unfortunately, the produce selection is pitiful. Overall, we’re quite satisfied.

[hunter]

37. Our Costco is crowded, but not intolerably crowded.

We were recently visiting my brother and the Costco nearest his home, OMG, I'd never seen anything like that. It was like pre-covid Disneyland on the busiest day of summer vacation. There were people waiting in line for food samples.

[brooklynite]

36. No interest...

Its not really geared for two people homes, and I buy what I need on the day I need it from specialty stores.

[BlackSkimmer]

42. Ditto.

Same here.

Despite being in excellent health, I doubt I could ever live long enough to use that huge bulk amount they seem to sell of whatever it might be.

[LuckyLib]

41. A gourmet cook friend steered us to Costco where he said the meat and fish are far superior to

any other grocery business. He was right.

[yellowdogintexas]

43. Just 2 of us here. We buy non perishables mostly

canned black beans; canned diced tomatoes; canned chicken broth; Ro-Tel; Walnuts. During the holidays, they carry a fabulous brand of cocoa which is the best baking cocoa (outside of the very costly European brands) I have ever used. It's only stocked from Oct until they sell out.

Occasionally I buy other things; the bread we like best is sold there, and we freeze it. We have also purchased small appliances, a laptop, cellphone, excellent cookware, various over the counter medicines, clothing, wine, food for parties or meetings, and the best thing of all:

ROASTED CHICKEN!!! You can't beat Costco Roasted Chicken for price and tastiness.

[senseandsensibility]

44. All very true!

Especially the chicken! Our Costco has a 3 per customer limit.

[yellowdogintexas]

49. also, we have the Costco Visa, and use it for other things

as needed. This of course boosts our annual rebate $$. We fill our cars at Costco; if we are not near a Costco when we need to fill up, if I use that card to pay I get the same rebate % as if I were buying it at Costco. (just not the low price. Costco nearly always has the cheapest price per gallon)

I love getting that little check in the mail every February; we take it to Costco and spend it out.

I am still using the roll of plastic film wrap that I bought in 2012.

[GoneOffShore]

59. Kirkland Cling Film and foil in the large size are great.

But the rolls will last for several years, unless you're doing catering.

Never bought food there, except for some of their cheese. I probably would buy wine from them, as they are now the single largest wine buyer in the world. That's why France has allowed them two stores in the Paris area.

[yellowdogintexas]

60. great wine shop and also liquor store

I seriously think that Cling Film is reproducing back at the end of the roll.

[GoneOffShore]

62. You are correct! I have thought that.

I'd love to get the unending roll, but driving the 300 miles to Paris or taking the ferry across to the UK doesn't make it worthwhile.

[niyad]

72. Great point about the wine and liquor. My Costco is in the same center as my

Trader Joe's, which, thankfully, also carries wine and liquor, so I have fun shopping.

[niyad]

71. Exactly. On everything you mentioned. ESPECIALLY the roasted chicken! The

skin, bones, etc, make great stock.

And, speaking of the holidays, the adult eggnog!!

[Luciferous]

45. We had one near our old house

and went in once to check it out. I can see it being useful if you have a lot of space to store things or have a large family, but it just wasn't for us.

[obamanut2012]

68. It's just me and my wife in a 1500 square foot space

No garage. Costco is very useful for us.

[SKKY]

52. Just what we save on gas makes the membership worth it...

...since they're always at least 30 cents cheaper. Plus, other stuff we save on like allergy medicine and clothes makes it more than worth the membership. Also, that $10 pepperoni and sausage pizza easily feeds a family of 4 very nicely!!

[Conjuay]

53. You left out BJ's.

Let me know if your club sends coupons if your membership lapses.

BJ's is sixty bucks; of you let it lase, you get coupons that allows you to re-up for $20,

[kskiska]

58. I go there mostly for gas.

They have really good (cheap) birthday cakes, too.

[onetexan]

65. Agree, i got a half sheet for my kids most years

Their bakery item, esp'ly the $5.99 for 10 butter croissants, are the best. I usually freeze half & have them over time. They keep very well, keep their form & thaw quickly. Just pop them in the toaster at a low setting & it's crispy on the outside bit soft on inside - heavenly w a cuppa java.

[GoodRaisin]

63. 75 miles to the closest Costco for me.

Sam’s is here though, and does a pretty good job for me. I don’t go inside the store because of my limited mobility and must make use of pick up and shipping services, so I subscribe to their plus service. I’ve been using Sam’s for so long now I doubt I would change even of a Costco was to go up here. I probably do at least $200 a month with them, if not more.

[Kaleva]

66. Close to a 8 hour round trip for me

[Bettie]

73. I don't know if it would be worth it for us

We've been thinking of trying it for a year and see how it works out. We have a freezer and plenty of storage space.

[DFW]

74. The nearest one to me is about 3800 miles away. Not exactly convenient.

My brother, who lives in the Langley, VA area, goes to one in Springfield, VA, about a 35 minute drive. I confess, I really like them, and what they offer. Still, even if we lived there, most of what we'd buy would be the dried fruits and nuts, palm hearts, spices, things one can buy in big quantities and not have go bad on them in three days. Our household is now just my wife and myself, although her rep as a gourmet chef means that people stop by for dinner more often than I imagine is the case for many two person households.

As it is, we have an open air farmers market in our town square three times a week. They have been doing that for the last 800 years or so, so it is a rather established tradition by now. The town also has its own little fruit/vegetable stores, bakeries, butcher shops, café/pastry shops, all close together near the "Marktplatz," the central town square, so we can always find 95% of what we need without a Costco.