Other National Chain Store ~ Question: Costco ~ Is it worth it?

[bigred05167]

They are building a Costco near my house and I have never been in one before. We have had Sam's club memberships and I can usually do better elsewhere with coupons. We are now sharing a Sam's club membership with my inlaws and I go a few times a year for things I rarely find on sale or coupons for (steaks, Ragu, etc) that I know we use all the time. I'm just wondering if a Costco membership is worth it. I know milk is a great deal at Sam's but I'm not making a special trip to Sam's for everyday items because of gas prices. Costco & Sam's are about a 15 minute drive. Anybody been to both? Which do you like better? Is Costco worth the higher membership fee?
TIA

[loulou3305]

i am about to give up on my membership. i kept it since i moved away from the city 2 years ago.

it is good for big ticket items, but not so much for the little stuff. plus it is $50 a year. so i figured i would have to save at least $50 a year on a big ticket item and then save on other stuff using their quarterly coupons they have.

i have bought at least 1 big ticket item every year since i've had my membership though. this past year was the nova form mattress which i love. it was a pretty good deal.


you probably can find the same deals at walmart, i think costo is better - better quality stuff, nicer...

[mzbeers]

I prefer Costco as well, I make about 1 trip every other month. I split the membership fees with my Mom, so that helps out. I love pure maple syurp, it is much cheaper @ costco than anywhere else, there are a few other things I get at costco that they don't make coupons for. I like to take my daughter there on Saturday when they are doing the sample thing too! It's fun.

[GirlHouse]

We aren't keeping the membership once it expires. I can find most things on sale for a cheaper price at other stores. The only thing we've found to really be worth it, is their Fresh Step Cat Litter...40lbs for only a dollar more than the 28 lb box found in other stores.

I noticed you said Ragu. I thought I'd pass on tip--I bought Ragu for years, but after we started to actually read labels I switched to making my own sauce. (lots of sugar in there) I stock up on Italian style petite diced tomatoes when they're on sale and toss in some herbs and veggies. Better for you and less cost.

[puakinikini]

I love my Costco membership - I buy gas there b/c it is typically at least .05/gal cheaper. I also buy things that are cheaper (meaning they never or rarely have a Q) and that you can't get at the regular grocery store. My family is picky about the taste of bottled water - and we like the Kirkland brand - it is reasonably priced and we go through a lot of it. I also think the meat is higher quality than I find in my grocery stores. I go about every 2 weeks or so - but it is about 4 miles from my house.

[Tiffany]

I see no reason to pay for a membership, when I can get everything I need free or cheap elsewhere.

[GreatFun]

A store just opened up near me yesterday. We went for the Grand Opening. If you sign up with the Grand Opening special you get a $10 gift card and a brochure of coupons for many free things including a free rotisserie chicken, a free case of water, 50 free digital photo prints and a few other pretty good coupons. So, we decided to join for a year because of the $10 gift card and the coupons mentioned reduces the price of the $50 membership.

When the store opens near you, go the first day and check out the prices and find out what incentives (i.e. gift cards & coupons) you get for joining during the Grand Opening.

[hopespringseternal]

If you're store has a gas station it's worth the membership. I pay a lot less there!

[Liz]

The Costco AMEX TrueEarnings card (the green/blue one). The AMEX fee is waived if you're a Costco member. You get 3% back on gas--including at the warehouse (notice most credit card rewards specifically exclude earnings when gas is pumped at warehouse stores); 2% back on travel/restaurants, 1% back on everything else.

I continue to support Costco because of their great business practices (hence why I refuse to deal with Sam's Club). The produce is nicer than the grocery store, and cheaper as well. Their $7-8 pizzas that you take home and cook are awesome and way beyond worth the inexpensive price. The seafood is as nice as the stuff I drive down to the market on the water for, and less expensive.

[PaulaPAFW]

I love my Costco. I shop there in addition to the commissary, loss leaders, and rebating. I got 300 Kirkland Brand Zyrtec tablets for 15.99. 300 Kirkland Brand Benadryl for $3.19!