topic Re: New Costco member - advice please! in Kitchen

New Costco member - advice please!

Sagal — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 09:06:38 GMT

My sister and I just joined Costco and am wondering which items you find the best for savings over your grocery stores. Also which items are your favorites? Does inventory very by location? Website doesn't have a lot of choices. Thank you in advance!

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 11:54:22 GMT

I buy many, many grocery items there. The last time this question was asked, I kept on listing items and my post was extremely long. I drop a wad there every month. The best thing you can do is just get in there and start shopping and trying things. I think overall, they all carry the same inventory, but some locations will maybe get some extra beauty type products sooner than another location. I've bought A LOT of non-grocery type items at, and though, Costco too; rental car, carpeting, home & auto insurance, eye exams & eyeglasses, tires, gasoline, mattress sets, TV's, computer printers, ink cartridges, microwave oven, specialty cakes, books, DVD's, postage stamps, vitamins, clothing, Christmas tree and decor items.

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

Didiville — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 12:04:57 GMT

Rotisserie chickens are large and delish!

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

jackthebear — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 12:05:45 GMT

We shop there often, as readers here probably know.

I think it cheaper depends on what you buy. Cereals you can probably save at the grocery stores with coupons and what is on sale for the week.

Fruit is probably less, but depends on what your family likes to eat. It really is a different type of shopping.

I Think paper goods might be cheaper at the grocery store too

Once you start going there you will know what you like, and they have the coupon book that comes out each month too which you can access through the Costco app if you have just joined.

Have fun there

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

Bird — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 12:11:36 GMT

TP and paper towels

almonds (for humans, healthy eating, livestock treats)

Heinz vinegar (I use the large bottles for so many things)

Right now, check out Kirkland Christmas candies. I hear they are great, but don't buy them myself.

Yes, the list can go very long on this one, but the regular buys for me are those top 3.

Non-seasonal items like personal care (electric shavers, dental care, pots and pans, sooo many things like this, we shop Costco first because of the return policy. Beware, though, they are limiting returns more and more. When you buy, make note of the return policy at the time of purchase, should it change at the time you need to return it.

Learning to shop for seasonal items is a skill that will benefit you. For example, Christmas toys, wrapping paper, candies are available NOW. There will be the mattress season, and the season the sheets and towels are in abundance. Right now they have the turkey fryer, the peanut oil and the white serving dishes. Last year they had a different set of serving dishes, very attractive. This year they have a nice bakeware set, kind of like RR Rustica line. Seasonal items disappear, so again, be aware of that.

You have to shop wisely, and it is not easy. Stand back and look at a product and think hard as to whether you really want it to take up real estate in your home! I was not forewarned and have purchased too much stuff, later to be donated to thrift shops.

So, consider well before you buy, yet, know it might not be there next week! - Bird

ETA: Cameras are featured before Christmas, as well as Samsung tablets. This is where I get my Samsung tabs, for self and gifts. They go on sale, good savings, beforre Christmas, and I watch for that. Watching right now, as a matter of fact, to buy for family.

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

Lilysmom — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 12:14:20 GMT

If you see something you really like, buy it. May be gone next time you come back. Some items do not get restocked. Their return policy is second to none. 100% satisfaction!

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

Grade1Teach — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 12:39:23 GMT

Enjoy your new membership!

There are many, many things we enjoy purchasing at Costco. You'll find your "groove" too; it really varies on each person's needs.

We get the best value in:

fruit

frozen Perdue chicken breasts

chop meat

toilet paper

paper towels

baby stuff -- diapers, pull-ups, wipes, Johnson's soap/lotion

They have great children's toys during the holidays --

I buy Nexxus shampoo/conditioner there

and so much more!

Yes, some items vary by location, but I think the main products stay the same.

Have fun!

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

sligo — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 13:12:58 GMT

I LOVE Costco. Customer service is tops. There is never a problem when needing to return an item. Regardless of how much time you have had it. I buy many food, clothing and books at Costco.They have newest books displayed on tues. each week. Have even purchased jewelry. Read an article ( not written by Costco )in newspaper that stated jewelry at Costco is as good if not better then what is purchased at high end jewelry stores. Enjoy!!!!

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

Ibby114 — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 14:42:16 GMT

On 11/2/2014 Didiville said: Rotisserie chickens are large and delish!

Every time I go picking up at least one chicken is a MUST!!

Other musts: eggs, milk, the single servings of hummus, the double packs of bread (we change up types/brands often!), batteries, light bulbs, nuts, cold cereal. I try to stay away from the muffins, they're absolutely delicious but so tempting to munch way too often!

I stay away from fruit, the extra large sizes end up going to waste. I do buy the big bag of carrots though- they last and I love them with the hummus!

I buy the Kirkland brand as often as I can- when the price warrants it (sometimes it doesn't). Quality, quality, quality!

I don't buy their packs of toilet paper and paper towels- they're huge & bulky to store. And when these items go on sale at the food store, the prices are really similar.

Have fun!! To be a Costco shopper you really need to know your prices, some items aren't priced that well!

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

HonnyBrown — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 15:04:28 GMT

Their rotisserie chickens are the best! I also like the deep dish pizzas.

I buy Olay Regenerist products and DH buys razors.

If you have a Keurig, the Kirkland K-Cups are awesome.

They carried a simmer sauce that I was in love with, but I don't see it any longer.

The produce is iffy for me. The peaches were excellent a few months ago, but the bell peppers went bad after a few days.

As others said, you have to know your prices.

ETA: The return policy is excellent! I bought a Keurig and it conked out after a few months. I returned it and they gave me a full refund (cash), no questions asked.

Their tires are a great price, but it took them close to 4 hours to mount them. The next time, I will buy my tires from there and have my mechanic mount them.

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

drizzellla — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 15:27:11 GMT

On 11/2/2014 Lilysmom said:
If you see something you really like, buy it. May be gone next time you come back. Some items do not get restocked. Their return policy is second to none. 100% satisfaction!

I agree - it seems many times when I like something - when I go back to buy it again, it is no longer available.

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

gardensla — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 15:30:28 GMT

I buy fruits and vegetable there because we eat tons (though only the two of us) as well as trash bags, batteries, 6-pack boxes of almond milk and stock, large bags of Peets coffee beans, contact lenses, some vitamins, and I like their fresh cut flowers.

When I was in a house, not an city apartment, I bought tons and tons of spring and fall flowering bulbs. I used to be a landscape designer and we bought bulbs there to plant for clients-even though we could buy wholesale elsewhere, Costco still had the best price and super large bulbs. I look for their paper white bulbs this time of year and buy those for forcing indoors. Last year I bought a few of orchid plants there which were very good quality. I also buy their real Balsam Christmas wreaths and garlands; have to time that to make sure you get the freshest ones.

Oh, last year I bought my tires there. Best price around and they installed them in about 15 minutes. Great deal.

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

HonnyBrown — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 15:44:04 GMT

gardensla, they mounted and balanced 4 tires in 15 minutes?

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

gardensla — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 15:45:56 GMT

On 11/2/2014 HonnyBrown said:
gardensla, they mounted and balanced 4 tires in 15 minutes?

I'm telling you, it was amazing but it was two tires. They had the old one off and the new one on in record time.

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

Theoriginallacey — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 15:56:42 GMT

Not a food item, but I buy generic Maxalt there at the pharmacy. Cheapest I have found anywhere. We also buy dog food there because the quality better than grocery store and cheaper than local pet store brands. I have a boxer that has had pancreatitis and the Kirkland brand is low fat like the Blue I used to have him on.

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

Blk&GoldFan — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 16:01:06 GMT

Love this store. Obviously there are times when certain items are a better buy at grocery stores with coupons. But I've never seen better prices when you shop for items they feature in their coupon books monthly. Will agree the chickens are yummy....as well as their roasted chicken noodle soup, and their chicken pot pie (huge) is a delight for large groups. Just had their featured ravioli lasagne with bolognese sauce last month....it was a hit.

What I like is that when I buy my paper products/meat/eggs, etc. in bulk at Costco, that means less times visiting other grocery stores and, for me, that means less money spent on spur of the moment purchases.

I know you all have dollar stores....we call Costco our Hundred Dollar Store. We find great buys, quality products/clothing, and excellent return policy. I use their Amex credit card and get bonus money back that covers the cost of my membership easily each year.

Take note of the many mentions of their stock going quickly. If you see it and ya' like it, ya' better take it. I've gone back two days later and their supply is gone. They move merchandise!

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

HonnyBrown — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 16:24:29 GMT

On 11/2/2014 gardensla said:
On 11/2/2014 HonnyBrown said:
gardensla, they mounted and balanced 4 tires in 15 minutes?

I'm telling you, it was amazing but it was two tires. They had the old one off and the new one on in record time.

gardensla, I need to get tires from your Costco!

It took them 4 hours to do mine! I thought I could entertain myself inside the warehouse, but 4 hours was too long.

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

bonnielu — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 16:27:55 GMT

Costco has different products for different stores. There are certain items that are not carried in our area and we have to travel "down the road" for them. However most of the time there are lots of standard items, IF YOU CAN FIND THEM. Costco loves to move things around ON PURPOSE.

I buy in bulk paper goods. They don't go bad. I also like their fruits and vegetables. We are fish eaters and they have a good selection of frozen and fresh. And this time of year I have to stay away from some aisles... too many desserts that I am not supposed to have.

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

gazelle77 — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 16:29:32 GMT

I would like to know if Sam's Club is as good as Costco? I always have just gone to Costco. Do any of you join both clubs?

Re: New Costco member - advice please!

Group 5 minus 1 — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 16:33:33 GMT

Don't forget about the stamps!!!