I may join Costco at the end of the month. Anyone have any opinions? I already don't like that I can't use my Venture card which is a visa or my Mastercard. They only take debit or american express. I was like what the?
Opinions wanted on Costco
- Thread starter Cup of Joe
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On average, for my wife, dog and myself, we save approx 30-40 bucks per month shopping at costco vs walmart. Meat's especially, cheaper and higher quality at costco.
Ya but not in the store. I need instore options and I prefer rewards cards.
Well that is part of the way that they can keep cost down. I'm sure they have negotiated a lower fee with American Express than Visa & Mastercard typically charge.
The reality is everything we buy now is a little more expensive because the stores have to factor in that 75% or more of all purchases are with a credit card.
That being said, I like Costco. The meats always seem to be good, and the stores typically clean and well kept.
The reality is everything we buy now is a little more expensive because the stores have to factor in that 75% or more of all purchases are with a credit card.
That being said, I like Costco. The meats always seem to be good, and the stores typically clean and well kept.
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I always found I ended up spending more than I planned . OK for major purchases but with groceries we always over did it . I guess that's why they have those huge carts !
I make a list of stuff that pay off the card immediately, and as soon as I renew the card for this or that, I make sure to buy all the essentials to make the cost of the card worth it.
Stuff like Cascade dishwasher detergent liquid. You get a huge jug on Costco sale for like 7$, so I get a few of those as they are pricey for less than half the amount of liquid in the grocery store.
Franks Red Hot sauce is cheap too.
I really like their black T-Shirts, they last a long time and are cheap in packs of 4.
I feel a lot better shopping there knowing the cost of the card is justified asap.
Stuff like Cascade dishwasher detergent liquid. You get a huge jug on Costco sale for like 7$, so I get a few of those as they are pricey for less than half the amount of liquid in the grocery store.
Franks Red Hot sauce is cheap too.
I really like their black T-Shirts, they last a long time and are cheap in packs of 4.
I feel a lot better shopping there knowing the cost of the card is justified asap.
Don't care for their stuff. I'm more of an Amazon or Whole Foods shopper.
I highly recommend joining COSTCO. I believe you will easily save the annual membership fee. In my case, I am currently between jobs, have gone through my COBRA coverage and now have a short term medical insurance policy for my wife and I that does not have prescription coverage. COSTCO has a "prescription plan" for people like this and the cost savings are tremendous. On one generic prescription medicine alone I save over $7.00 per tablet compared to what I used to pay at Target or Walmart!!!! Some other generics I have priced are about one-third the price of the same generic medicine (same manufacturer and strength) at Target and Walmart. When I get back onto a regular insurance plan, I intend on continue getting my prescriptions at COSTCO because sometimes their prices are less than the standard co-pays on many medicines.
I also save money on tires and car batteries, not to mention food stuffs, clothing, electronics, etc.
I also save money on tires and car batteries, not to mention food stuffs, clothing, electronics, etc.
I have both a Sams Club and a Costco membership and find that I use the Costco card more. IMO, they seem to have a better mix of upscale items and present a much more pleasant shopping experience than Sams. I like many of their Kirkland (house brand) products and find them to be a great value. On the OTC store brand allergy medication I buy, I can buy a year supply for less than I can buy a one month supply where we purchase our prescriptions. This one item alone covers the price of the membership.
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Don't care for their stuff. I'm more of an Amazon or Whole Foods shopper.
Whole Foods over here is on the rich side of town. I always feel like I need to be dressed up in an Italian suit in order to shop there. I get a lot of frowns from people for showing up in my faded blue jeans and T-shirt.
Don't care for their stuff. I'm more of an Amazon or Whole Foods shopper.
Whole Foods over here is on the rich side of town. I always feel like I need to be dressed up in an Italian suit in order to shop there. I get a lot of frowns from people for showing up in my faded blue jeans and T-shirt.
JHZR2
Staff member
We signed up for the first time a few weeks back. The reason was because the tires we desired to buy (nice michelins) were cheap enough that the amount we saved compared to tire rack or any local place already paid for the memebrship.
If you go shopping there blindly, you may not save as much money. Their stuff seems to be nice and good quality, but some stuff just isnt cheaper. Case-in-point, we were having a party and wanted to make BBQ pork. Wife bought a bunch at costco. Turs out it was cheaper at the local supermarket.
However, other stuff can be a steal. We were able to buy 32oz containers of raspberries for less than the tiny containers cost at the supermarket.
Some stuff is hit or miss. They dont carry all grades of M1, and the cost without coupon is higher than WM or a deal at the parts store. Their batteries are a good price and highly rated, but they dont offer every size, in fact they dont offer any sizes relevant to me.
When you go, you tend to pay more then you would at a supermarket, but what you buy is usually greater in quantity, which explains it. The per unit price may well be much cheaper (but as mentioned, not always).
We have been happy with what we have bought, but time will tell if year over year the membership is worth it.
If buying on a CC is necessary because you cant afford what youre buying, then you should rethink your budget and what youre buying. Rewards cards are nice, but nobody has ever gotten rich from spending their way to freebies on a credit card. If you really get into costco, the AMEX or one of the cash back debit cards may be smart. If the local costco sells gas, buying an executive membership gets you 2% back, and then the amex gets you another 3% back on gas, which isnt bad...
If you go shopping there blindly, you may not save as much money. Their stuff seems to be nice and good quality, but some stuff just isnt cheaper. Case-in-point, we were having a party and wanted to make BBQ pork. Wife bought a bunch at costco. Turs out it was cheaper at the local supermarket.
However, other stuff can be a steal. We were able to buy 32oz containers of raspberries for less than the tiny containers cost at the supermarket.
Some stuff is hit or miss. They dont carry all grades of M1, and the cost without coupon is higher than WM or a deal at the parts store. Their batteries are a good price and highly rated, but they dont offer every size, in fact they dont offer any sizes relevant to me.
When you go, you tend to pay more then you would at a supermarket, but what you buy is usually greater in quantity, which explains it. The per unit price may well be much cheaper (but as mentioned, not always).
We have been happy with what we have bought, but time will tell if year over year the membership is worth it.
If buying on a CC is necessary because you cant afford what youre buying, then you should rethink your budget and what youre buying. Rewards cards are nice, but nobody has ever gotten rich from spending their way to freebies on a credit card. If you really get into costco, the AMEX or one of the cash back debit cards may be smart. If the local costco sells gas, buying an executive membership gets you 2% back, and then the amex gets you another 3% back on gas, which isnt bad...
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Don't care for their stuff. I'm more of an Amazon or Whole Foods shopper.
Whole Foods over here is on the rich side of town. I always feel like I need to be dressed up in an Italian suit in order to shop there. I get a lot of frowns from people for showing up in my faded blue jeans and T-shirt.
Its gettin' real in the Whole Foods parking lot...
...Its how we do on the east side of LA.
Cant say I feel the same. We do buy a lot from whole foods and Trader Joes. They are opening another Whole Foods a few miles from the existing one, closer to us. Repurposing a currently unused building. Im happy. Nobody puts on heirs there...
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Don't care for their stuff. I'm more of an Amazon or Whole Foods shopper.
Whole Foods over here is on the rich side of town. I always feel like I need to be dressed up in an Italian suit in order to shop there. I get a lot of frowns from people for showing up in my faded blue jeans and T-shirt.
Its gettin' real in the Whole Foods parking lot...
...Its how we do on the east side of LA.
Cant say I feel the same. We do buy a lot from whole foods and Trader Joes. They are opening another Whole Foods a few miles from the existing one, closer to us. Repurposing a currently unused building. Im happy. Nobody puts on heirs there...
I pay cash now through one of my debit cards. The costs are not an issue for me. Just not sure if its worth it. Hum I could save 5% on gas. Now that could be attractive. I will have to look into that. I used to buy tons of gas, now not so much thankfully. I always pay my CC bill off each month.
Depends on how much groceries you buy, I don't find them appealing at all. The time I spent there could have better use buying just the amount I need when things go on sale elsewhere.
Costco is terrific, I think. Comparable prices to Sam's Club but a much better atmosphere and seemingly better quality merchandise. You don't feel like you're "slumming it" when you walk in the door.
The AMEX card offered by Costco is a rewards card: 3% cash back on gasoline purchases (though there is a reasonably high annual max), 2% on travel and meals, 1% back on everything else. You get a cash back voucher in February, take it to the store and either get actual cash or apply to a purchase.
The AMEX card offered by Costco is a rewards card: 3% cash back on gasoline purchases (though there is a reasonably high annual max), 2% on travel and meals, 1% back on everything else. You get a cash back voucher in February, take it to the store and either get actual cash or apply to a purchase.
Costco and Sam's are both zoos where I live. For a few years I enjoyed having memberships to both. Usually, one or the other was covered by my employer. There are some things you can find at those places you cannot find elsewhere. I became weary of the crowds, the blocked aisles - notice how they place the food samples to block the aisles - and the long checkout lines. For the time being I would rather just not mess with it so, for the first time in over twelve years, I do not have memberships to either "club."
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Depends on how much groceries you buy, I don't find them appealing at all. The time I spent there could have better use buying just the amount I need when things go on sale elsewhere.
I agree.
We have 4-5 main grocery chains within 4-5 miles, their sale prices are usually lower than Costco, and their checkout lines are much shorter too.
The 1 thing I found is that chicken rotisserie at Costco is much better than almost anywhere else.
Depends on how much groceries you buy, I don't find them appealing at all. The time I spent there could have better use buying just the amount I need when things go on sale elsewhere.
I agree.
We have 4-5 main grocery chains within 4-5 miles, their sale prices are usually lower than Costco, and their checkout lines are much shorter too.
The 1 thing I found is that chicken rotisserie at Costco is much better than almost anywhere else.
When I visit a Costco or a Sam's, free with no membership, of course, I often wonder whether the average shopper will live long enough to use the warehouse pack of whatever they buy.
Both are AARP city.
You can do better just surfing if you have a fast connection.
Neither "club" offers any real deals.
What kind of store makes you pay a membership fee just to shop there?
Just another ripoff.
Both are AARP city.
You can do better just surfing if you have a fast connection.
Neither "club" offers any real deals.
What kind of store makes you pay a membership fee just to shop there?
Just another ripoff.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
What kind of store makes you pay a membership fee just to shop there?
Just another ripoff.
I will say it avoids the riffraff of, say, the local wal-mart, with thugs and non-English speaking people just slumming around.
And apparently the employees get real, full time jobs, with benefits, and arent sucking off of the government the way they do at other retail wage slave jobs. That's worth the $55 in and of itself, as its costing me FAR more to keep the other "working" folks on the government dole.
But Ive also seen more people yelling at their kids at costcos than anywhere else...
What kind of store makes you pay a membership fee just to shop there?
Just another ripoff.
I will say it avoids the riffraff of, say, the local wal-mart, with thugs and non-English speaking people just slumming around.
And apparently the employees get real, full time jobs, with benefits, and arent sucking off of the government the way they do at other retail wage slave jobs. That's worth the $55 in and of itself, as its costing me FAR more to keep the other "working" folks on the government dole.
But Ive also seen more people yelling at their kids at costcos than anywhere else...
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