Remember that it wasn't all the long ago that grocery stores didn't take credit cards at all. It wouldn't surprise me that a place like Costco simply wants to minimize these little costs.
Opinions wanted on Costco
- Thread starter Cup of Joe
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I've been a Costco member for years and have never regretted it. In the last year I've put tires on three cars, bought a $700 portable generator, and three car batteries. And that's just the big stuff. My son is 1 1/2 now, but until his first birthday we were buying the Kirkland brand of baby formula, which is just a repackaged Enfamil or Similac (and it was SO MUCH cheaper than anything comparable), as well as wipes and sometimes diapers. The M1 running in the Corolla right now came from there. Some other regular items we purchase are the Kirkland brands of Prilosec and Lactaid, Chinet paper plates, clothes, and of course some groceries, but we buy far more groceries at our local supermarket and at Trader Joe's than at Costco. Although I just entertained the extended family tonight with one of their massive chicken pies.
I very highly recommend Costco.
Oh, and one last thing, I'm a big dude, and you can buy larger sizes on their website than are available in-store, with free/cheap shipping.
I very highly recommend Costco.
Oh, and one last thing, I'm a big dude, and you can buy larger sizes on their website than are available in-store, with free/cheap shipping.
Triple_Se7en
$50 Site Donor 2024
I won't buy my meats there. I prefer not to cook or eat steaks and chops cut that thick.
If it's just for you, getting a Costco membership is probably a waste of money. If you need to buy a new mattress, go with a friend who has a Costco card and get a mattress that way. Other than stuff like that, I don't think a Costco membership is normally useful if it's for only one person. That and the store hours are not very good.
Costco is the best place ever. I've been a member since they've opened here (~12 yrs). I've been an executive member the past few years. We buy lots there. Their customer service is top notch. Their Kirkland Signature generic brand is typically high quality (batteries, etc). Their gas is cheaper. Every parking spot is large -- like a handicap spot. What's not to like?
Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
I won't buy my meats there. I prefer not to cook or eat steaks and chops cut that thick.
That's my only complaint with Costco,and it really only applies to pork chops IMO.
I won't buy my meats there. I prefer not to cook or eat steaks and chops cut that thick.
That's my only complaint with Costco,and it really only applies to pork chops IMO.
My Costco membership has paid for itself several times over. I buy my gas there, all my household supplies, I love their greek yogurt, chicken, meats, even their clothing is great.
They have so many perks and ways to save on eyeglasses, prescriptions, insurance, mortgages...I always check there for pricing first and it is almost always the lowest price by a long shot.
All electronics you purchase there get a free 2 year warranty.
The stores are clean, well stocked and the staff is actually pleasant.
They have so many perks and ways to save on eyeglasses, prescriptions, insurance, mortgages...I always check there for pricing first and it is almost always the lowest price by a long shot.
All electronics you purchase there get a free 2 year warranty.
The stores are clean, well stocked and the staff is actually pleasant.
We have a Costco membership. It's close by the house and fits in with our shopping needs. For a family (especially large ones) it's a good place to save money in buying the larger quantities and containers. For a single person or couple? Well, not so much a great place unless you do what we do and just selective shop for certain products that you: A. Don't mind buying in bulk amounts. B. Only purchase items that you use frequently and are actually less expensive than the regular grocery store. The other reason we stop there is the gasoline price (recently added Top Tier levels of detergents to the gas).
Downside? Seeing very large individuals buying very large quantities of food...mostly unhealthy. Yes, I know...just look the other way and don't be judgmental...but I'm just being honest here. Sometimes it's like going into a Big and Tall shop....except for food. Another downside is that many folks go a bit crazy in there and have a hard time not spending $300 to $500 a trip in there....and then think they are saving a bundle. Yes, on many items you do, but the cash outlay can be tremendous. Also, it's not always something desirable to buy 1400 rolls of toilet paper, tuna cans the size of a Yaris, or bags of fruit that only a zoo animal could consume before it spoils. Tires...batteries...good deals there. Anyway, Costco for us is just another place we shop, in a conservative fashion, to save money on items we know we use often.
Downside? Seeing very large individuals buying very large quantities of food...mostly unhealthy. Yes, I know...just look the other way and don't be judgmental...but I'm just being honest here. Sometimes it's like going into a Big and Tall shop....except for food. Another downside is that many folks go a bit crazy in there and have a hard time not spending $300 to $500 a trip in there....and then think they are saving a bundle. Yes, on many items you do, but the cash outlay can be tremendous. Also, it's not always something desirable to buy 1400 rolls of toilet paper, tuna cans the size of a Yaris, or bags of fruit that only a zoo animal could consume before it spoils. Tires...batteries...good deals there. Anyway, Costco for us is just another place we shop, in a conservative fashion, to save money on items we know we use often.
As mentioned, some stuff is cheaper than anywhere else, some things are definitely not. Like anything else it pays to do your homework (kind of why you started this thread). I use Costco like anywhere else, a strategic strike shopping location...when it has a deal better than any other store, I go there for it. Can't beat the cost of lunch there either.
Be aware of their electronics 'guarantee', its not like their excellent warranty they have on nearly everything else. Some items they bump the responsibility to their 'Concierge Service' which is a go-between Costco and the manufacturer. Some items get referred back to the manufacturer and being purchased from Costco does give some weight on repair/replacement, you still have to pay for shipping and deal with the manufacturer etc.
What I find intrusive is you show your card to get in, you show your card to purchase, and they check your load as you leave. Feels like the Gestapo is onto you. Papers please.
I loathe the lineups there...worse than any store.
As also mentioned one of the cashiers said to me one time "Hey look at you, less than $100, that's tough to do here"...I am able to to that as I go in with a list usually. If you don't go in with a list you can drop $100, $200, $300 easy.
Be aware of their electronics 'guarantee', its not like their excellent warranty they have on nearly everything else. Some items they bump the responsibility to their 'Concierge Service' which is a go-between Costco and the manufacturer. Some items get referred back to the manufacturer and being purchased from Costco does give some weight on repair/replacement, you still have to pay for shipping and deal with the manufacturer etc.
What I find intrusive is you show your card to get in, you show your card to purchase, and they check your load as you leave. Feels like the Gestapo is onto you. Papers please.
I loathe the lineups there...worse than any store.
As also mentioned one of the cashiers said to me one time "Hey look at you, less than $100, that's tough to do here"...I am able to to that as I go in with a list usually. If you don't go in with a list you can drop $100, $200, $300 easy.
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My parents use costco quite abit. One thing I do notice is that some products are packaged differently to seem like you are getting more. With the same brand fire starting bricks, costco had 36 in a 4lb box and home hardware had 30 weighing 4.5lbs. The price per pound was pretty much the same though.
Also the size of some of the condiment containers is stupid for even a couple. 2L jars of mayonaise? Or 3 packs of 750mL ketchup... I am waiting for the 3 pack of 3' diameter exercise balls...
Anyways I'm sure its fine if you go through alot of stuff and can plan how you are going to use your 2L of mayonaise before it expires with half of it left.
We tend to go to our local grocery store and mostly only buy the stuff on sale and don't go through alot of processed food, so I don't think a costco membership would pay off significantly for us.
Also the size of some of the condiment containers is stupid for even a couple. 2L jars of mayonaise? Or 3 packs of 750mL ketchup... I am waiting for the 3 pack of 3' diameter exercise balls...
Anyways I'm sure its fine if you go through alot of stuff and can plan how you are going to use your 2L of mayonaise before it expires with half of it left.
We tend to go to our local grocery store and mostly only buy the stuff on sale and don't go through alot of processed food, so I don't think a costco membership would pay off significantly for us.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
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...
Not sure what you mean by "riffraff", but if by that you mean people who appear to be less educated than you and of lower socio-economic status, then Costco is hardly the only game in town and not even the least expensive.
What do you know of Costco's treatment of its employees?
How do you know that they have well compensated full-time jobs and aren't getting assistance?
There are other, more exclusive places to shop in any urban area of decent size.
We have a unique, huge food store here that has a wine section about 25% the size of the average Costco all by itself
This gives you an idea of the scale of the store.
I also doubt that Costco has either fresh ostrich or quail eggs available. This store does, which gives you an idea of the variety of goods stocked.
Best of all, if you hit it at the right times, there's almost nobody in the store (although the arrangement and the size could conceal a Costco-sized crowd) and the checkout lines are always full service and always short.
I'm guessing that they treat and compensate their empolyees pretty decently, since you see some of the same faces there today that you saw a decade ago.
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...
Not sure what you mean by "riffraff", but if by that you mean people who appear to be less educated than you and of lower socio-economic status, then Costco is hardly the only game in town and not even the least expensive.
What do you know of Costco's treatment of its employees?
How do you know that they have well compensated full-time jobs and aren't getting assistance?
There are other, more exclusive places to shop in any urban area of decent size.
We have a unique, huge food store here that has a wine section about 25% the size of the average Costco all by itself
This gives you an idea of the scale of the store.
I also doubt that Costco has either fresh ostrich or quail eggs available. This store does, which gives you an idea of the variety of goods stocked.
Best of all, if you hit it at the right times, there's almost nobody in the store (although the arrangement and the size could conceal a Costco-sized crowd) and the checkout lines are always full service and always short.
I'm guessing that they treat and compensate their empolyees pretty decently, since you see some of the same faces there today that you saw a decade ago.
The membership fee probably keeps the shoplifters at bay. Why would they pay an upfront fee then shoplift stuff? Plus items are usually big and balky. So less thieves milling around is a good thing.
I refuse to pay for a membership fee just to shop at a store.
But then I'll pay $3 to $6 to attend a Gun Show. Go figure?
But then I'll pay $3 to $6 to attend a Gun Show. Go figure?
Originally Posted By: jcwit
I refuse to pay for a membership fee just to shop at a store.
But then I'll pay $3 to $6 to attend a Gun Show. Go figure?
I used to have this attitude, but then after getting a Sam's Club membership I noticed that I wouldn't have to deal with Wal-Mart nearly as often... so that alone is worth the price.
I recently signed up for Costco and made the money back immediately on the purchase of a carpet cleaner they had on sale.
I refuse to pay for a membership fee just to shop at a store.
But then I'll pay $3 to $6 to attend a Gun Show. Go figure?
I used to have this attitude, but then after getting a Sam's Club membership I noticed that I wouldn't have to deal with Wal-Mart nearly as often... so that alone is worth the price.
I recently signed up for Costco and made the money back immediately on the purchase of a carpet cleaner they had on sale.
Originally Posted By: Mykl
Originally Posted By: jcwit
I refuse to pay for a membership fee just to shop at a store.
But then I'll pay $3 to $6 to attend a Gun Show. Go figure?
I used to have this attitude, but then after getting a Sam's Club membership I noticed that I wouldn't have to deal with Wal-Mart nearly as often... so that alone is worth the price.
I recently signed up for Costco and made the money back immediately on the purchase of a carpet cleaner they had on sale.
I fail to see the problem with "dealing" with Wal-Mart. They usually have what I want at the price that is usually "not always" less than anyone else. As far as the other shoppers there, I just do not look down my nose at others, and I've gotten used to how sloppy others dress in public in todays society, even when attending church.
Originally Posted By: jcwit
I refuse to pay for a membership fee just to shop at a store.
But then I'll pay $3 to $6 to attend a Gun Show. Go figure?
I used to have this attitude, but then after getting a Sam's Club membership I noticed that I wouldn't have to deal with Wal-Mart nearly as often... so that alone is worth the price.
I recently signed up for Costco and made the money back immediately on the purchase of a carpet cleaner they had on sale.
I fail to see the problem with "dealing" with Wal-Mart. They usually have what I want at the price that is usually "not always" less than anyone else. As far as the other shoppers there, I just do not look down my nose at others, and I've gotten used to how sloppy others dress in public in todays society, even when attending church.
Originally Posted By: jcwit
I fail to see the problem with "dealing" with Wal-Mart. They usually have what I want at the price that is usually "not always" less than anyone else. As far as the other shoppers there, I just do not look down my nose at others, and I've gotten used to how sloppy others dress in public in todays society, even when attending church.
It's interesting that you immediately go the direction you did concerning being judgmental of others and your assumption that this is the reason that I dislike Wal-Mart.
I dislike Wal-Mart because they tend to be overcrowded, dirty, the employees all seem to hate being there, the service sucks, no matter what time of day you go the lines always seem to be ridiculous, and the overall experience is basically unpleasant. Their prices aren't even all that great anymore.
I fail to see the problem with "dealing" with Wal-Mart. They usually have what I want at the price that is usually "not always" less than anyone else. As far as the other shoppers there, I just do not look down my nose at others, and I've gotten used to how sloppy others dress in public in todays society, even when attending church.
It's interesting that you immediately go the direction you did concerning being judgmental of others and your assumption that this is the reason that I dislike Wal-Mart.
I dislike Wal-Mart because they tend to be overcrowded, dirty, the employees all seem to hate being there, the service sucks, no matter what time of day you go the lines always seem to be ridiculous, and the overall experience is basically unpleasant. Their prices aren't even all that great anymore.
I know of a Walmart down in Cincinnati that has a police sub-station located inside the store. Used to be a pretty good area but now it's border line. I go first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds. Not that I go that often.
My aunt's friend was robbed in the parking lot at this store as she was leaving. Robber put gun up to the window and said "gimmee your purse lady". Then, she said "Can you just take the cash?" Robber said, "yeah that's fine". So she kept all her credit cards, license etc...you get the picture.
My aunt's friend was robbed in the parking lot at this store as she was leaving. Robber put gun up to the window and said "gimmee your purse lady". Then, she said "Can you just take the cash?" Robber said, "yeah that's fine". So she kept all her credit cards, license etc...you get the picture.
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Originally Posted By: Mykl
I dislike Wal-Mart because they tend to be overcrowded, dirty, the employees all seem to hate being there, the service sucks, no matter what time of day you go the lines always seem to be ridiculous, and the overall experience is basically unpleasant. Their prices aren't even all that great anymore.
I couldn't agree more. Add to that they always seem to be out of what I go in for - not sure what is going on with their inventory management.
I dislike Wal-Mart because they tend to be overcrowded, dirty, the employees all seem to hate being there, the service sucks, no matter what time of day you go the lines always seem to be ridiculous, and the overall experience is basically unpleasant. Their prices aren't even all that great anymore.
I couldn't agree more. Add to that they always seem to be out of what I go in for - not sure what is going on with their inventory management.
Originally Posted By: Cup of Joe
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?
I love Costco and have been a member for decades. Costco's AmEx card is a cash-rebate card, and my annual rebate has been in the $400-$500 range for years. And what's even better--the freaky people shop at WalMart and get their pictures taken and publicized.
And Costco sells Mobil 1 for $27 instead of $7 per 6-pack about once a year.
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?
I love Costco and have been a member for decades. Costco's AmEx card is a cash-rebate card, and my annual rebate has been in the $400-$500 range for years. And what's even better--the freaky people shop at WalMart and get their pictures taken and publicized.
And Costco sells Mobil 1 for $27 instead of $7 per 6-pack about once a year.
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