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Just curious, what does a gallon of milk run at Costco normally? It's normally about $1.74 at BJs and my family drinks enough milk in a year to pay for the membership based solely on buying milk.
(Sorry if my earlier reply sounded snotty. It was unintentional. We're all a bit off balance right now.)
I cant tell you about prices of milk - we're senior citizens, two person family, and dont drink that much milk,
But your question brings up an important point: It's all about exactly WHAT we purchase. The price differences are small - but may end up big if you buy THAT stuff a lot (like your milk purchases).
A bottle of Alamos Malbec or 19 Crimes wine is one dollar more at BJ's. Considering that its a 7-8 dollar bottle of wine, that's a noticable difference.
Grocery store prices for the same are above BJ's. That one dollar difference on a <$10 bottle of wine pays for the membership for us. When they do a case sale, we' feel like we just won at the casino.
Cut blocks of cheese - typically $2 more/lb at BJ's. But smaller cuts at BJ's. (Certain brands are even cheaper at TJ's.)
The big differences occur when comparing quality of house brands. I've never had a Wellsley Farms (BJ's generic) product that I thought was beyond acceptable. Kirkland (Costco generics) have almost always been as good as the brand name. (Exceptions - Kirkland liquid dish wash soap is lousy, and I've never found a Kirkland wine that I'd buy again. )
Costco rotisserie chicken and their $1.50 hot dog and soda deal? Worth the membership fee all by themselves.
Admittedly, I don't know much about how their prices compare.
I got an ad in the mail for a free 3 month membership last fall. I signed up for it and once it expired they offered a full year for $25. They seem to have specials in the mail quite often.
Just curious, what does a gallon of milk run at Costco normally? It's normally about $1.74 at BJs and my family drinks enough milk in a year to pay for the membership based solely on buying milk.
(Sorry if my earlier reply sounded snotty. It was unintentional. We're all a bit off balance right now.)
I cant tell you about prices of milk - we're senior citizens, two person family, and dont drink that much milk,
But your question brings up an important point: It's all about exactly WHAT we purchase. The price differences are small - but may end up big if you buy THAT stuff a lot (like your milk purchases).
A bottle of Alamos Malbec or 19 Crimes wine is one dollar more at BJ's. Considering that its a 7-8 dollar bottle of wine, that's a noticable difference.
Grocery store prices for the same are above BJ's. That one dollar difference on a <$10 bottle of wine pays for the membership for us. When they do a case sale, we' feel like we just won at the casino.
Cut blocks of cheese - typically $2 more/lb at BJ's. But smaller cuts at BJ's. (Certain brands are even cheaper at TJ's.)
The big differences occur when comparing quality of house brands. I've never had a Wellsley Farms (BJ's generic) product that I thought was beyond acceptable. Kirkland (Costco generics) have almost always been as good as the brand name. (Exceptions - Kirkland liquid dish wash soap is lousy, and I've never found a Kirkland wine that I'd buy again. )
Costco rotisserie chicken and their $1.50 hot dog and soda deal? Worth the membership fee all by themselves.
No worries on the post . Everyone is feeling pressure.
I hear you on the specifics of what everyone purchases. I'm just not a huge fan of driving down to Wake Forest road to hit up Costco. But I could see where it's worth it for people. I have a young family and not a lot of time, so for me it's a convenience factor to hit up BJs.
For me the packages at Costco are too big. BJs is a bit smaller. I like the brands they offer and I love that they take coupons accept any credit card I use and have self check out. To me Costco is a hastle. Can't send in the spouse, only the person with the picture on the card can pay - no self check out. Have to use debit and returns do not go back on the card. Then there are the crowds. The one thing that makes Costco worth it to me is the optical. Can't beat the prices on glasses.
For me the packages at Costco are too big. BJs is a bit smaller. I like the brands they offer and I love that they take coupons accept any credit card I use and have self check out. To me Costco is a hastle. Can't send in the spouse, only the person with the picture on the card can pay - no self check out. Have to use debit and returns do not go back on the card. Then there are the crowds. The one thing that makes Costco worth it to me is the optical. Can't beat the prices on glasses.
I'm not disagreeing with you. It's all about what works for our individual situations and needs. But -
Costco does have self checkout.
You can use any credit card you want for payment (maybe not amex?)
Your membership includes a second membership - give it to the spouse, child, friend or a stranger in the street. They just go to the store and get their own card with their own photo.
Crowds? I kinda think that gives you an idea of their popularity.
I'm not sure what you mean by "have to use the debit card." I don't use debit cards for anything except ARM's.
For meat, get a vacuum sealer. Break down the package into smaller quantities - seal and freeze.
I now look like a genius for shopping at Costco. Earlier this year, they had a promotion on paper goods. I bought enough of the large packages to meet the requirements, so I am now set with TP, napkins and paper towels for the rest of this year.
I'm not disagreeing with you. It's all about what works for our individual situations and needs. But -
Costco does have self checkout.
You can use any credit card you want for payment (maybe not amex?)
Your membership includes a second membership - give it to the spouse, child, friend or a stranger in the street. They just go to the store and get their own card with their own photo.
Crowds? I kinda think that gives you an idea of their popularity.
I'm not sure what you mean by "have to use the debit card." I don't use debit cards for anything except ARM's.
Costco does not take any credit card, only Visa credit. They do take any debit card. My credit union only uses Master Card, so I can only use my debit at Costco. No big deal for us.
True, spouses can get their own card on account. If I want to send any of my kids to pick up some items for me, they no longer can do that. They are always checking photos - especially at the self checkout stands.
BJs is normally not like what you described above. I agree that the store looks bare right now. Before this pandemic hit, I could get all of the items I was looking for and it was never busy. I never had to wait in line to check out. I still remember the Thursday night I went right before the shelter-in-place orders, there were more people at BJs than I've ever seen on Saturday or Sunday peak time.
Since all this started, it's like they can't get their supply logistics straight. The are constantly out of stock of about 25% of the items I'm looking for. If it weren't for the cheap membership fee I paid ($25) and the fact that they do coupons, I probably would have canceled by now.
You are right on the Brier Creek Walmart, it's a mess 24/7. BJs is 10x cleaner and much easier to get in and get out of. I'm hopeful BJs supply will return to normal once this settles down a bit more.
I went to BJ's on Capital yesterday and now they've decided to re-arrange everything. I used to be able to quickly run in and grab what I need because I knew where everything was and get out, but not anymore.
Now you have to hunt for things and can't tell if an item is just out of stock or if they've moved it someplace else. Even the store employees are still trying to learn all the changes. What a dumb idea to re-arrange the entire store during a pandemic.
Costco does not take any credit card, only Visa credit. They do take any debit card. My credit union only uses Master Card, so I can only use my debit at Costco. No big deal for us.
True, spouses can get their own card on account. If I want to send any of my kids to pick up some items for me, they no longer can do that. They are always checking photos - especially at the self checkout stands.
Exactly, no mastercard accepted so I need to use cash or debit. I don't like to use my debit but do not tend to carry a lot of cash. When you purchase on debit and return items the have to give you cash back. My household card is shared with my mother, so I am the only one in my house who can purchase at Costco and that is a PIA. I can send my spouse into BJs, or anyone for that matter to pick up something for me Again, these are my reasons for preferring BJ's. YMMV
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. Everyone is feeling pressure.
