topic Re: Wholesale Clubs in Community Chat

Wholesale Clubs

Bridgegal — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 17:53:49 GMT

I'm wondering if you think they really are cheaper? We were members of BJ's when we lived in PA but only have Sam's here. I had a Sam's membership for one year 15 years ago and didn't renew.

It's just the two of us and I think I can find same/similar items at the grocery store in bulk amounts for about the same price.

Do you think your wholesale club saves you enough money to make it worthwhile?

Re: Wholesale Clubs

NicksmomESQ — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:03:23 GMT

I shop in Costco. I do save money shopping in bulk.But you have to be a savvy shopper. Some things save me money, others don’t.I only buy the deals in bulk.

I also shop Costco for their electronics. Their prices are usually cheaper & their returns & warranty policies are unbeatable.

Re: Wholesale Clubs

Bri369 — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:09:06 GMT

I shop at Costco. It definitely saves me money.

Some things are more cost effective for me to buy in bulk - coffee, paper goods, etc.

When it's just the 2 of us at home, I don't buy fruit or produce - it would just go to waste before we could eat it all.

Shipping is free on costco.com too.

Re: Wholesale Clubs

Group 5 minus 1 — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:13:55 GMT

Gas is usually about 20 cents cheaper.

Re: Wholesale Clubs

Ms tyrion2 — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:14:18 GMT

I also shop at Costco.

The Kirkland brand coffee is superior to anything in the grocery store. $9.99 for 3 pounds. Sometimes it's on sale.

My preferred wine is also cheaper at Costco than other

Place in town.

Their rotisserie chickens are the best out there and very reasonable in price. The deli salads and entrees are also very good quality.

Batteries are a good price.

I don't buy a lot of canned goods because I live alone. Sometimes my friend and me will split up things like avocados, tomatoes etc.

I also bought my phone and tablet there.

I more than justify the membership cost

Re: Wholesale Clubs

Its Me LuLuBelle2 — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:14:59 GMT

@Bridgegal, like you it's only 2 of us in my household too. I've had 30 day trial memberships from BJ's a couple of times, many years ago, but never joined. The one thing I do remember was them having some very pretty jewelry at excellent prices. And my husband was impressed with the prices of tires and other automotive gizmos. Still not enough to entice us to sign up.

Re: Wholesale Clubs

TaylorBrown — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:23:51 GMT

I have a membership at Sam's. I think it is worth the money, not only for the merchandise in-store but also for gas. Sam's typically offers the best price in my area. I also buy seasonings there ars there are less than the grocery prices.

Re: Wholesale Clubs

deepwaterdotter — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:24:46 GMT

@Group 5 minus 1 wrote:
Gas is usually about 20 cents cheaper.

We always fill up whenever we shop at Costco.

Re: Wholesale Clubs

sunshine45 — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:32:29 GMT

we have a business plus membership with sams club.

we do pay $100 a year for that membership, but received a good rebate yearly for our purchases. we shop for business and for home. lots of great deals to be had and GREAT for doing your holiday shopping and cooking/baking. we are there at least once a week. EXCELLENT meats also.

Re: Wholesale Clubs

x Hedge — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:33:42 GMT

The Sam's membership was worth it to me when I worked near a Sam's and could swing over there whenever I needed something.

When my transportation became problematic and I could only get to Sam's every few months, the membership wasn't worthwhile.

However, I recently ordered an item from Sam's online, paid a 10% markup for having no membership.

It was still a comparably better price than elsewhere, and worth it to me.

Re: Wholesale Clubs

Dragonflyveb — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:43:33 GMT

It's just me, but I have a Costco membership. I buy gas, stamps, chicken, meats, cheese (good idea to have a Food Saver), cat food, paper goods, vitamins, parchment paper, stretch wrap and cat litter. I think the quality of their meat is better than the grocery store.

They are WAY less expensive on vitamins than amazon or Puritans Pride.

I may buy frozen nuggets or chicken patties or Mac n cheese for my grandson.

it just depends on what you eat and how much space you have to store extras.

dragonfly

ETA: Kirkland dishwasher pods, laundry detergent are good too!

Re: Wholesale Clubs

ccassaday — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:40:23 GMT

We don’t buy food at Sams because it’s just the three of us. We buy vitamins and toilet paper. I get twice the amount of probiotics for just a couple dollars more then a standard bottle.

Re: Wholesale Clubs

ID2 — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:37:45 GMT

Yup, we have a Costco business membership also. It's well worth the $$! I'm so overjoyed that they opened a brand new Costco a mere hour away! We'd have to travel 3 1/2 hours before. Love my Costco!!

Re: Wholesale Clubs

GinzTonic — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:39:16 GMT

Bj member here, the only thing I really buy in bulk is dog food, theirbrand dishwasher pacs and laundry pods. I find these to be less price than other stores. I don’t buy food there, unless a holiday . I split membership cost w my mom, it’s worth it , but again u have to know costs .

Re: Wholesale Clubs

tipsy — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:56:32 GMT

I belong to all 3 warehouses LOL.

Costco is across the street from me & I got my computer there, my gym membership, & regular purchases like dog treats, dry dog food, coffee, yogurt, granola, salmon, beer, snack foods, dental floss, etc.

At Sam's I prefer their rotisserie chicken, canned dog food, dog treats, boxed wine, produce, baked goods, etc.

I get gas at both, but mostly Costco since it's closer.

Sam's Plus gives free shipping, as well as Costco. Sometimes if something isn't at the store I get it shipped for free. A few months ago my dogs got sprayed by a skunk & I had to get new beds for them so I ordered them from Sam's, they are really nice!

When Metamucil was on sale at Costco the store didn't have the sugarfree in stock so I got it online.

My sister & I live on the west coast & we split a BJ's membership because there is one close by to where our Dad lives on the east coast. He is 93 & we visit him a couple times a year & we like to shop there. We have bought him clothes, Crocs, even a bathing suit...he takes a water exercise class 4 times a week at his retirement community. We also like to stock him up with big cans of his favorite Chock Full O' Nuts coffee & other stuff like dishwasher soap tablets, paper towels & toilet paper before we leave.

Re: Wholesale Clubs

Bri369 — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:57:10 GMT

I forgot about batteries and gas.

Re: Wholesale Clubs

CatsyCline — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 19:14:05 GMT

Only 2 of us here. We only have BJs around here. I usually only do a trial membership but recently went for a year at $25. I really like their chicken breast and tenders they're packaged nicely ready to go in the freezer and are the exact size to take out for a meal . If I want a rib roast or something their meats are good. Paper products are good deals and Venus razor refill packs. When they have nice looking seafood i'll buy. I always find something in the clothing dept.! and the gas prices are great and gas for the grill. the one I go to discontinued the in-store jewelry counter but they still sell jewelry.

Re: Wholesale Clubs

lmt — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 19:56:06 GMT

I wish we had BJ's or Costco in our area, but we only have Sam's.

We've been members for over 20 years. We buy mostly frozen fish and vegetables. We used to buy their pizza shells to make homemade pizza but they stopped carrying them. Once in awhile we pick something up in their bakery department. We always get our gas there; it's only about 5 cents cheaper than everyone else, but every little bit helps. That's really the main reason we first joined.

Is it worth paying for membership? I guess it depends on what you're buying and how much you're buying. In our case, I'd say that we're probably coming out a little bit ahead after you factor in the cost of membership.

Re: Wholesale Clubs

sidsmom — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 20:09:50 GMT

Not so much less expensive, but just more convenient.

Toilet paper & frozen vegetables are my main items.

Sam’s has frozen vegetables in those large packets of

1-pound packages. So easy to line them up in the freezer

and they’re easy cooking w/ rice/beans.

Re: Wholesale Clubs

chrystaltree — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 21:10:25 GMT

It's just the two of us, so the answer is...no.