News, Warehouse Shoppers: Do You Save Enough to Justify the Trip? (furniture, CostCo)

[John1960]

Bulk-Buy Spending at Food 'Clubs' Doesn't Always Lessen Your Outlay

Even on a muggy day in July, it's unusual to see nearly every shopper leaving a grocery store with a watermelon.

ABC News: You Buy in Bulk, but Do You Really Save?

[Greatday]

The Sam's Club and Costco's in our area also have gas stations - and their gas is usually a few cents cheaper than the "cheapest" stations in the area. So, we try to purchase our gas there and also do some of our shopping there.

Thinks like Milk, Eggs, Creamer, bottled water, coffee beans - things we always use are always much cheaper at Sam's / Costco. So are cleaning supplies like Dishwasher detergent, laundry soap etc.

Meats are cheaper.

So yes - we save enough to justify the trip

[Naptowner]

It depends on what I'm buying. Diapers and formula are a good deal at Costco, as are many other items. But unfortunately, Costco forces you to buy large quantities of many items. I don't need four pairs of work gloves or two flashlights, for example, so there are many items I will never buy there. Supposedly meat, fish, and produce are a good deal, but their prices are often higher than one would expect. The local grocery store routinely has better prices on meat, and without the need to buy mass quantities.

Now that my youngest is done with formula I believe I'm done with Costco.

[nancy thereader]

I wish that they didn't force you to buy so much of everything. Are there similiar stores that don't do this?

[Greatday]

I don't feel I'm being "forced" to buy anything at Sams or Costco.

When I go, I understand the concept of quanity buying - and I buy that which I know we will use. 12 Rolls of paper towels is fine for us - we use them. Same with the Toilet tissue - saves having to repeatedly buy -

As for the meats: We buy the quanities - then break them up into the portions we use.

As for furniture - they have wonderful buys on outdoor living furniture and outdoor kitchens. Camping gear - electronics - computers. We always check Costco / Sams first.

Car items including Tires and Batteries - I have not been able to beat Costco for tires.

[ready2move]

I love Costco. I too understand the concept of quanity buying. I buy their filet mignon, top loin, etc. The quality of them can't be beat. I just portion it up and freeze. I also buy gas, TP, paper towels, coffee, clothes on ocassion, clorox wipes, etc.

And there's only 2 of us living in our household! I do buy some stuff for my son at college as well.

[swagger]

Definitely worth it. The food is restaurant quality - you don't get the same quality meat and produce at the grocery store - and by buying in larger quantities, we get great deals on things like TP, paper towels, ziplock bags, coffee, cereal, milk, eggs, etc.

Costco's great.

[elgusano]

Since I buy in bulk to save money, and since I pay no sales tax when I buy there, I buy most things things there (once every four or five months), spend a couple thousand dollars, and save a couple hundred or more.

If I didn't buy the #10 cans, cases of noodles, and hundred packs of TP, it probably wouldn't be worth it.

BTW, if you buy sodas, they're much cheaper when they're on sale at the regular store.

[Naptowner]

Originally Posted by swagger

Definitely worth it. The food is restaurant quality - you don't get the same quality meat and produce at the grocery store -

Yeah, actually you do. Costco sells USDA Choice meat, just like every other grocery store. Restaurants often serve USDA Prime, which is a superior grade, but which is not available at Costco. My local grocery consistently has better meat at a better price.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by Naptowner

Yeah, actually you do. Costco sells USDA Choice meat, just like every other grocery store. Restaurants often serve USDA Prime, which is a superior grade, but which is not available at Costco. My local grocery consistently has better meat at a better price.

We have gotten Prime at our Costco's