topic Re: BJ's versus Costco in Among Friends

BJ's versus Costco

PilatesLover — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 13:45:04 GMT

The Costco thread got me thinking - what is different between BJ's and Costco?

I've never visited a Costco. We shop at BJ's and get gas there often. They're building a Costco a few towns from us.

Do I "need" both memberships?

Re: BJ's versus Costco

phoenixbrd — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 13:50:33 GMT

@PilatesLover I don't know anything about BJ's. But I do have both Costco and Sam's club memberships. I do this because they both have products that I purchase regularly that the other doesn't offer (especially organic produce) and the money I save more than covers the cost of membership. I shop at both weekly. That might/might not be true for you. When the Costco is open, you might take a look (I think they will allow this without membership) and see if they offer enough products that you would buy regularly and weigh the cost of the membership.

Re: BJ's versus Costco

PilatesLover — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 13:56:58 GMT

@phoenixbrd good idea, I forgot that BJ's had an open house for a couple weeks when they first opened. I'm sure Costco will do the same - we'll check it out!

Re: BJ's versus Costco

ValuSkr — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 14:01:59 GMT

I think Costco will let non-members visit anytime; they just can't buy anything. At least, the Costco near me did. At entry, they asked to see my card and I explained I wasn't a member but was thinking of joining and just wanted to have a look around.

Re: BJ's versus Costco

Abrowneyegirl — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 14:09:23 GMT

In our area we have a BJ's, Costco and Sam's

To compare BJ's and Costco is like comparing Sears and Nordstroms

Costco is much nicer and has a far better variety.

Costco also has on online store. If you need a great price on a casket-Costco (yes they really do sell caskets)

Re: BJ's versus Costco

lovesrecess — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 14:26:20 GMT

I don’t know if it has changed, but you used to be able to go to the service desk at Costco and ask for a guest pass. This allowed you to buy but you had to pay a surcharge and it was good only one time. I would suggest buying a basic membership and see how you like it.....then upgrade to an executive one where you get cash back at the end of the year,

Re: BJ's versus Costco

PinkyPetunia — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 14:36:08 GMT

I shop only at Costco since it is 3 miles away. I went to BJ's (30 minute ride) before Costco opened and it was good. Sam's is too far away to even consider. I saw little difference between the two stores but my household is 2 seniors and I don't buy a lot.

Re: BJ's versus Costco

lovesrecess — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 14:40:46 GMT

I agree....much better quality at Costco..

I was not able to purchase a casket from Costco when it was needed...they only deliver caskets on certain days, to certain places, and certain times... can’t imagine how anyone manages to actually buy one.
On the positive side, Costco.com does carry extended size ranges for men’s clothing..,nice dress shirts and dress pants as well as casual clothes....same for women’s in some items.

They do sell many more things on their website than in the warehouses.

Re: BJ's versus Costco

drizzellla — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 13:47:32 GMT

We presently belong to both Sam's and Costco. We did join BJ's but let the membership lapse. The BJ stores are not as close. And it seemed the selection of stuff was better at Sam's.

People talk about buying things at Costco but I never see the items at my local Costco. So except to buy gas, I have not been in a Costco in months. It is always so time consuming to check out. On a busy day they have 4 lanes open to check out. So it takes forever to get out of there.

So we end up going to Sam's on a regular basis. There are 3 Sam's Clubs within about 10 miles from my house. So between the 3 stores, the selection is quite varied. And the produce is so fresh and good. They have the best peaches. We end up buying a case every week.

Sam's also has self check out if you want and last time I was there there were also 6 lanes open with cashiers. So checking out, there was no waiting.

Each store has their plus and minuses. Why not ask for a pass and try each one? And see which one you prefer.

PS - As I was just cleaning out the vegetable drawer in the refrigerator, I thought of another reason I prefer Sam's. I can buy a 3 pound bag of baby carrots at Sam's for $3.99. The same 3 pound bag of baby carrots by the same company is $6.99 at Costco.

Re: BJ's versus Costco

Mz iMac — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 16:17:52 GMT

@Abrowneyegirl wrote:
Costco also has on online store.

So does BJ's.

Every 4 months or so you can get a BJ's 3 month pass in the mail, local newspaper, magazines, etc. I have been using those passes intead of joining until approximately 18 months ago. They offered me a 18 month membership for $25. I took their offer which expires next month. Yesterday, in the mail I got a 3 month pass. I will be using that come Sept until I get another 18 month offer.

One year membership - $55. NOPE!!!!!!

I have never heard of Costco until I came on this message board. In my neck of the woods it's BJ's & Sam Club.

Re: BJ's versus Costco

Beachgirl42 — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 16:44:42 GMT

I don't know if all Costco stores are the same, but in the spring we went into one in Pennsylvania (not members because there isn't one close to us) just to check the store out and they wouldn't let us in unless we bought a membership. No guest pass, nothing.

Re: BJ's versus Costco

sunshine45 — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 16:57:53 GMT

we have all three in our area and i prefer SAMS CLUB.

Re: BJ's versus Costco

elated — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 20:01:19 GMT

I have been a member of Sam's Club since they opened three years ago. I paid $45.00 per year. I just joined Costco because I had a gift card. Their membership is $60.00 a year. I prefer Sam's because it is 5 minutes from my home plus their store is organized. They have signs up on each aisle advising what products are located in that section.

Costco has no signs only numbers on each aisle, therefore, you wander around looking for your item. I even asked if the numbers referred to products and was told no. Costco is 25 to 30 minutes from my home.

I am single and go about once a month or so to buy many items. Yesterday I bought a pair of Seven Seven powder blue jeans for $9.81. They are very nice and fit. They have good deals on their clothing. Costco had some nice clothing for great prices, i.e. Calvin Klein for about $18.00.

Re: BJ's versus Costco

CelticCrafter — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 20:10:02 GMT

I just realized that I have never seen anyone on the forum say they were going to BJ's. Costco seems to be the popular one.

Re: BJ's versus Costco

Rockycoast — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 21:06:18 GMT

We have both BJ's and Costco memberships. We shop more often at BJ's because it is closer, 10 minutes. Costco is about 40 minutes away. We shop both because they sell different items. Love Costco when they have their seafood sale. Alaskian King crab legs, scallops, salmon,etc. BJ's doesn't have that special sale. Different stores for different items.

Re: BJ's versus Costco

Kachina624 — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 03:18:18 GMT

@Beachgirl42 wrote:
I don't know if all Costco stores are the same, but in the spring we went into one in Pennsylvania (not members because there isn't one close to us) just to check the store out and they wouldn't let us in unless we bought a membership. No guest pass, nothing.

@Beachgirl42. That's very strange because I'm not a member of Costco but I've been there numerous times to get prescriptions filled at their pharmacy, which you can do without being a member. I just tell the guy at the door, and there's no problem.

Re: BJ's versus Costco

Eileen in Virginia — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 13:31:05 GMT

We have both BJ’s and Costco in our area, but I’ve never gone to the Costco. BJ’s is 5 minutes away from our house, has plenty of free parking and carries most of the merchandise we use at excellent prices. The Costco’s a half-hour away on a good day and the parking situation leaves a lot to be desired.

I do about 95% of our grocery shopping at BJ’s. I go once a week (during the week) and only go to our local Harris Teeter to pick up a few items that I can’t get at BJ’s. BJ’s also sells products on its website, which I’ve used occasionally. If I remember correctly, everything I ordered online had free shipping. The money I’ve saved at BJ’s covers the annual membership fee many times over.

Re: BJ's versus Costco

DiAnne — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 23:53:53 GMT

I have been a Costco shopper for years and I get a rebate back every year that more than covers the membership and lets me buy something special.. We do not have a BJ's - in fact the first I ever heard of it was on this forum. We did have Sam's Club but they have all closed in my area so I guess no one was shopping there.

Re: BJ's versus Costco

FatCatinCT — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 21:13:04 GMT

I have a Costco and a BJ about half an hour in either direction from my home. I choose BJ's to have a membershipt because they take coupons, not only theirs but manufactures coupons as well so you can double up on savings. (Sams club here went out of business a couple of years ago)

Re: BJ's versus Costco

PilatesLover — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 13:47:24 GMT

@elated , interesting note that Costco is not organized. One would think the more expensive store would be easier to navigate. BJ's has a sort of confusing seasonal area up front, but the rest of the aisles are organized and have signs.

Thanks everyone for your input. It sounds like Costco is much loved. I get a discount on the BJ's membership through my employer. If they offer a Costco discount when it opens, I might give it a try.

In comparison, BJ's sounds a little "friendlier" whereas Costco sounds sort of country club-ish.