Costco Membership?
 

Hello all,

There's a Costco very near me, and I've been toying with the idea of getting their basic ($55/year) membership. It's just my girlfriend & I though, so I'm not sure if we'd use it enough to make it worth it.

We'd definitely be going there for gas, and she loves to travel so their travel deals have her interested. I'd prefer to stock up on non-perishables in bulk, and there are a couple of bigger purchases I'd like to make this year (tires, laptop, desk, other office stuff [I'm setting myself up to take on more freelance stuff]).

Would a membership be worth it? The price seems pretty reasonable. How are their vacation packages?

I can't speak for Costco, but I have experience with Sam's and BJs (the store darn it, not "that's what she said!" Lol).

I find that both don't actually offer deals, maybe slightly over a retail store, but not if you shop online or are a smart shopper. Both offered bulk, but the limited selection means there is often only a brand, maybe two. Usually I find what I need cheaper at WalMart or Kroger's. Travel packages are easy enough to find online, same with the other things you asked of.

No judgement! But I find those clubs are just for people who don't want to shop with the rest of us normies. I have a Sam's card now, because it pays for itself when I do the Groupon/whatever deal and the free stuff one gets. I only buy a specific snack there. They only have one flavor, but their price is 25¢ or so per bar less.

If you want to take the easy way for an okay deal (no judgement! You do you :) ), then go for it. Otherwise I'd say really check the exact pricing and see if it really is a deal. At least for Sam's, now, it isn't.

I have one very close to me. The cheap lunch, rotisserie chicken, milk, eggs and free samples make it worth it for me.

I was with BJ's for a few years. Lots of products gave the appearance of savings, but either the price wasn't actually a deal or they only came in a variety pack loaded with flavors/types you didn't want to buy. Getting diapers and wipes by the case made up for a lot, though.

Costco seems to have better fresh produce and more organic foods (if that's your thing) than Sam's. I try to go as infrequently as possible because it seems like we always end up spending at least $100 no matter what we went in for originally. Gas is the cheapest in town by about 10 cents, but I usually just fill up at the gas station close to us (which usually has the second cheapest gas). I got a pretty good deal on the Prius' tires from Costco, though I could have probably found a similar deal with some shopping around.

I have always enjoyed going to Costco and maintained my membership even when I was overseas. The people are helpful and the products are high-quality. One year I upgraded to Executive right before purchasing tires for Dad's truck and a laptop.

I still did not make back my money.

I read the other day that if a price does not end in nine it is marked down, although I wonder why they do not tell you.

They don't want to encourage you to wait until it's marked down for clearance. They want you to think everything's as low as it'll ever be and just buy it.

Some items are a few percentage points cheaper, but you better like buying in bulk. I happen to like it b/c then I can shop less. Like 2/3 less. That's the big win for me.

The quality is often a notch better than at the typical big box stores. Sam's has the best salted nuts ever. The stuff I get at Wal-mart is older and has a stale taste. Are they cheaper per pound? No, unless you count the high volume/freshness factor.

Benedryl, prescription meds and the pizza and hot dogs for lunch probably make back my membership in year, or pretty close.

Laptop, or pretty much anything electronic, you can almost certainly get better/cheaper on-line. Better because the big box stores just carry mass consumer stuff. Try e.g. Newegg.

Probably not worth it, depending on what other options are near to you.

I bought a membership when they did their periodic promotion that gives you a free chicken, some batteries, cheap tuna, and something like $20 off the membership fee.

If I were to pay full price for a membership, I would need a big family and would then get the executive membership since it pays a percentage back, and the extra fee is refundable if you don't make back the fee in savings.

My roommate has a membership, so I'm on his account.

Just go shopping once a year with someone that has an account. Stock up on ibuprofen and other common drugs, cleaning supplies, etc. Just about everything else is more expensive than buying elsewhere, especially electronics. Some things are cheaper though. They have some excellent WR toilets that were $80 and perform better than units that cost $350+ at other stores. Synthetic oil is usually cheaper. Sometimes local utility rebates make things like LED bulbs cheap there.

Costco fuel is the cheapest around, and they are now TopTier certified, so the detergent quality is on par with Chevron, Texaco, Shell, Arco, etc

https://www.google.com/search?q=costco+vs+walmart

TLDR: Costco pays their help.

Whether it is worth it or not really depends on your buying habits.

For me (I have a wife and two kids), it definitely makes sense. I have the executive membership and buy enough there that the rebate pays more than the cost of the membership. But that didn't work out before I had kids...

A lot of the non-food items at Costco tend to be high end items. So, if you are looking for nice, Michelin tires, you can get a good price on them. If you are looking for the cheapest no-name tires that will fit your wheels, go to Discount tire instead. If you are looking for a fancy Alienware laptop, yeah you can get a good price, but if you want a budget minded laptop, go to Newegg.

Gas prices tend to be very good. I paid $1.599/gal a few months ago when most other stations were about $1.899. As someone else mentioned, I've gotten great deals on LED bulbs there too.

YMMV. But for me, it makes sense. For reference, Costco is headquarters near Seattle and I live just south of there.

Fluorescent bulbs last a while, but I purchase them for something like two dollars a box.

Some interesting points so far. Thanks guys.

As far as groceries, does Costco have a full selection (as in, it can replace a trip to a dedicated grocery store)? Can I get fresh produce and such there?

I'm well aware of Newegg; I've been a customer since the early 2000s :thumbup:

Although that said, I've found recently that a local chain of computer shops has stuff for about the same prices.

Yes, it has fresh produce, but it's bundled into bulk sizes. You can't buy just 1 avocado, or 1 potato. I think the avocados are bundled into packs of 6. The prices aren't any better than other grocery stores.

I suggest visiting a Costco with a friend before you decide.

My experience:

Costco gives a second year of warranty on anything electronic you buy. Unlike places like best buy where they can find any reason not to honor the warranty, making it essentially worthless, Costco stands behind whatever they sell.

A couple cases in point:
Bought a front loading washer/dryer set from them. 1.5 years later, the washer no longer powers up. Snippy person at the manufacturer's support line says "out of warranty, pay $$$ for diagnosis." Called Costco and told them I wasn't satisfied with the machine. No other questions asked by them. Two days later a truck was there picking up the set and a full refund was deposited to my debit account the day after that. Ordered a new set from Costco the evening they came to pick up the old set.

Bought a 12vdc->115vac car inverter. Used it a couple times on trips. Then just under two years after buying, plugged it in and it wouldn't work. Took it back with no receipt or box, cash refund... no questions asked.

Bought some LED bulbs there in 2008. They sucked. I was going to try and remember to return them, got an automatic phone call from Costco saying to dispose of them (properly) and just ask for a refund at the counter next time you go. I did, and they refunded.

Prices are usually pretty good. Customer service is to notch. And I like the way they treat their employees.

Agreed. Customer Service and refunds are surprisingly good.

I had a fridge that had the circuit board fail over two years after buying the fridge. I called to see if I could maybe get a partial refund, not expecting to get anything since it had been too long and I no longer had the receipt. They said no, just bring it in and they paid me the full price, in cash.

Thanks for all the feedback!

The girlfriend and I went to take a look at the place. Once she saw the prices on school supplies (she's a teacher) it was all over. I'm now a Gold Star member.

I'm definitely glad to hear that the staff is treated well. The person who signed us up was actually a former coworker of mine at a company that treats employees very badly.

I think it's worth it for us. One trip a month, save $10 each time, make a free lunch out of the samples...

I went looking for a teacher supply store to pick up materials for in-home speech therapy. They definitely did not have a warehouse price model. I am glad your girlfriend will be able to save at Costco.

We have a membership to Costco and we love it. I try to go during non-peak times so it's not too bad, time wise. There are definitely occasions where the employees look at me funny because I don't have a cart and tell me 'I'll be sorry'. I literally am there for milk and that's it!

I'm pretty picky about my milk, it tastes sour to me unless I'm eating something. The Costco milk is at least manageable for me so that alone makes it worth it. The cost makes it almost 2 for 1 as well.

We also really like the Kirkland trail mix and chocolate covered raisins. The meat is always extremely good (especially the Kinders!). The hot dogs are pretty good as well and they are unbelievably cheap! (but bring cash)

If you are into organic, it will work out well for you. We went today and the only things we got non-organic were the milk and trail mix.

You are supposed to get 2% back with the executive membership and if you don't get $50 back during that year, then they send you a check. (I usually get a check!)

I don't usually gas up there, but my mom does and it seems to be one of the cheapest stations in the area.

Hopefully it works out for you!

jeff88 -- Have you considered lactose intolerance? I don't have a problem with dairy (even though I worked in one in high school :) ); but tend toward almond, coconut and rice milks. You can't trust soybeans these days.

The food courts here accept debit! :)