We just had the first CostCo open up locally back a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving. Since November was when I started my new job, this weekend was my first chance to go and check it out. It's over the other side of the valley, further than I usually drive on my weekly errands--a little bit of a distance but not too far--about 20 minutes, while most of my weekly errands are done within a 15-minute radius of home. (The nearest CostCo otherwise is about 50 minutes away.)
I arrived around 9, hoping to beat the crowd, and to my surprise, they were not yet open. Fortunately, a Whole Foods had also opened in the same mall, so I went and checked them out, seeing how the store was laid out and looking for interesting items to buy (but not yet purchasing anything at that point).
I went over to CostCo when they opened, but I was out 20 minutes later. I just didn't see the big deal. It looked just like the Sam's Club and BJ's that are a lot closer to me, with perhaps slightly higher quality merchandise in some areas. Certainly nothing that on the face of it would entice me to buy a membership or shop there regularly.
But before ruling them out entirely, I thought I would ask people what their favorite CostCo buys are. Maybe if I knew what to look for when shopping there I could see the value in sharing a membership with a friend (we currently share a Sam's Club membership, but let the BJ's membership drop).
The trip wasn't a waste--there's also a Nordstrom Rack and I picked up a dress and a sweater for work for less than $50, and I went back to Whole Foods and did my weekly shop there instead of the usual Wegman's run. (Whole Paycheck, indeed!)
So right at the moment, I can't see myself driving out there to go to CostCo again, but I can see myself going and checking out Nordstrom Rack and buying a few novelty groceries at Whole Foods maybe 2 or 3 times a year.
Other than that, mostly it's been a quiet weekend--potluck at my congregation Friday night, then went to see two movies at the local independent cinema yesterday plus will go to another one tonight. Yesterday both movies I went to with a friend. We met to see "Lion" in the late afternoon (worth seeing). While we were there, they announced that they were giving away passes for a free showing of "1984" for a later night showing, so we went back later. Today's film is a one-night showing of "A Better Life: An Exploration of a LIfe of Happiness & Joy in a World without God" about atheist philosophy (with the director in attendance for an after-movie discussion).
Tomorrow night I might go back yet again to see the Oscar-nominated Live Action Shorts--and next weekend are the Oscar-nominated Documentaries. I'll probably skip the showing of the Oscar-nominated animated films, but I very well go back on the 26th for the Oscar party and screening.
Good thing I renewed my annual membership at the arts center where the cinema is located yesterday--I go enough during the year that the annual membership pretty much ends up paying for itself in accumulated discounts.
So what's the big deal about CostCo?
February 12th, 2017 at 08:49 pm
February 13th, 2017 at 01:01 am 1486947692
Why would you sign up for Costco if you knew nothing about it? It's NOT free to join.
Why didn't you search for info on the internet about it and/or ask for info here on the blogs and/or forum??
February 13th, 2017 at 01:09 am 1486948190
It's harder to make a case for a single person to join, but if you split the membership with a friend as you suggested, it's easier to consider. I just renewed my BJs membership recently and am still unsure if that was worth doing for $50, but there are certain things I buy there regularly and don't see elsewhere.,
Probably better to skip it if you don't see a pressing need now or feel like you're missing out. Same thing with Whole Foods...they do tend to be very pricey as you know, but i do go there periodically for certain very specific things, and becus they have the freshest fresh produce around, with more varieties than conventional supermarkets.
February 13th, 2017 at 01:12 am 1486948338
February 13th, 2017 at 01:26 am 1486949167
February 13th, 2017 at 02:02 am 1486951377
Real food, such as boneless chicken and veggies, are cheaper elsewhere and fresher.
February 13th, 2017 at 02:05 am 1486951530
But, consider the other things that Costco does.Recently, I rented a car from Costco after searching dozens of companies/consolidators for the best price. The savings (more than 250$)from Costco for this one purchase alone will pay for at least 5 years of club membership. I have neighbors who have had great savings on hearing aids, new cars and travel. Also, most of these types of purchases are done on-line so it doesn't matter how near or far Costco is to your home.
Keep doing your research...membership might (or might not be worth it for you.)
February 13th, 2017 at 05:45 am 1486964737
February 13th, 2017 at 09:28 am 1486978095
I shared membership with SIL who recently passed away and not sure if DH and I would use it enough to renew. Plan to check shared cost with neighbours when current year runs out since we often shop at Costco together.
As mentioned, if close enough, gas is a best buy. Friends have membership just because of tire brand/price/install combo. I too buy their rotisserie chicken, cheaper than roasting a chicken at home, makes several meals and quality stock with a tiny bit of planning. Overall meat quality beats all our chain groceries, a roast hardly shrinks! Store brand 'Kirkland' products are top notch. I use a lot of spices, make combos to share quantity with others [so much fresher than the stuff in packets for stew, chili, spaghetti, ethnic French, Spanish etc] I like their paper products but too large for our needs unless we make arrangements to split. In the past I did a lot of holiday baking and found their seasonal bakign supplies always the best and low cost was a bonus.
February 13th, 2017 at 12:49 pm 1486990188
February 13th, 2017 at 01:00 pm 1486990824
Now that we have a ton of storage space, we definitely make use of the bulk household goods like tp, paper towels, and hand soap. For our housewarming party last month, we got all of the party goods from BJ's. We also typically get snacks there since we go through snacks a lot.
February 13th, 2017 at 04:54 pm 1487004850
February 13th, 2017 at 06:07 pm 1487009232
I've been a Costco member for a pretty long time - I'd guess around 25 years.
I get my eyeglasses there. Used to get medical insurance through Costco.
Items that I buy regularly and purchase mostly or only at Costco include:
Dog Food (KS brand)
Dog Dental Chews (KS brand)
Baby Wipes (used to wipe the dogs paws when we return home from walks) - KS brand
Coffee (KS brand ground and Starbucks Via)
Almond Butter (KS brand)
Plain Greek Yogurt (KS brand)
Fish Patties (salmon, pollock)
Amy's Bean/Rice/Cheese burritos
Rice
Maple Syrup
Olive Oil (KS brand)
Sardines in tins
Mixed Frozen Berries (or wild blueberries)
Mixed Frozen Veggies
Raw Nuts (KS brand)
Mixed No-Salt Seasoning (KS brand)
Sea Salt & Pepper in grinders (KS brand)
Better Than Bouillon Chicken soup base
Copier Paper
Forever Stamps
Semi-regular purchases are in the health and beauty category (shampoo, body wash, sunscreen), deli items (including the well-known roasted chicken), and yard care items.
Not a regular purchase, but KS brand dog beds at Costco are a great deal!
Clothes at Costco are mostly a bust (can find better deals on the clearance racks at other stores).
Produce is very hit or miss, mostly miss. Only occasionally do I find a competitive price with good quality.
We go about every 6 weeks and a typical spend is $140.
If you have pets, I think Costco is definitely worth checking out.
KS = Kirkland Signature (store) brand. We find the Costco store brand items to be very good quality.
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Adds - Other things I remembered: I also buy Amy's soup in the winter, tofu, and sometimes cereal.
February 13th, 2017 at 06:11 pm 1487009514
February 14th, 2017 at 01:05 am 1487034335
I at one time held memberships to both Costco and Sam's Club (both were paid for by my employer at the time)
I much preferred Sam's Club. It is closer to my home and because I had a business membership, I could get in well before they opened to the general public. Which meant I was walking out the door while the crowds were filing in.
February 14th, 2017 at 02:55 am 1487040951
February 15th, 2017 at 10:06 pm 1487196385
February 19th, 2017 at 07:36 am 1487489811