Re: ? about BJ's Wholesale Club

Spacrazy · ‎12-14-2018

We're getting a BJ's in our town in East Texas and I'm excited (was hoping it would be a Costco). Nonetheless, I will pay for a membership and can only hope for a great offer like you've been given ~ enjoy!

Melzie · ‎08-01-2010

The nearest Costco and Sam's are both 45/60 minutes away. BJ's is only 15 minutes away and I get a discounted corporate fee for $30 per year. If I had to pay full price of $60+ I'd probably not have a card but $15 for one year is a good deal so I'd go for it.

I find that paper goods are a better deal as the individual rolls are bigger than in grocery stores (at least for the items I buy), they have some food items that I like but can't find elsewhere, I find regular prices on some dairy products are better than in grocery stores, they have a good price on my printer ink, gas prices are good and on some days you get an additional discount if you made a purchase in-store on the same day.

Icegoddess · ‎03-19-2010

@Etoile308 wrote:
I also belong to all three warehouses. Each has their advantages and disadvantages.

In my area BJ's and Sam's Club have gas at the same price. Always the lowest price in my area, often by about $.30 a gallon. Hugh savings. Costco, across the county line is a higher price.

Like that BJ's is open until 9:00pm every day of the week, unlike the other two with earlier closing times especially on the weekends. BJ's carries more everyday run of the mill products, but usually at good prices.

I dislike that unlike instant savings on sale items, with BJ's you need to download the coupons, or clip them from their flyers. They will take and allow additional manufacturer's coupons to be added on top of theirs. They do have additional savings in specific categories when you spend X amount. They also run deals with certain items purchased will bring additional savings on gas.

I always like seeing what decorative, seasonal and gardening items they carry. Just like I do at the other warehouses.

@Etoile308 Costco has top tier gas. I don't know about Sams, but BJ's does not. It's not particularly important for me, but it is for my husband. I think it's more important for performance cars. When he was still driving his Supra he would pay the extra to get sugar-free gas.

Good to know you can stack manufacturer's coupons. I always wondered about that when reviews would say you could use coupons, but I figured they were talking about THEIR coupons when we did get a membership. I rather dislike having to use their coupons and, even with my reading glasses on, have trouble reading their flyers.

Have you ever actually used a manufacturer's coupon at BJ's? Since they generally carry larger sizes than what you can get in the grocery store I'm just wondering how that works since those coupons can be rather specific about size or number.

@Boehm Collector They don't check your membership card when you walk into the store, so you can go and look around. That's what we did. And then, if you want, you can take your offer to the Customer Service counter and sign up. They do check your purchases on the way out like the other warehouse stores do.

BJ's doesn't have as good a return policy as Costco though.

Etoile308 · ‎01-04-2014

@Icegoddess, I have used manufacturers' coupons but don't remember on what products. I know it wasn't for anything that I had used one of their coupons on. So I haven't tried stacking. And now I so seldom even clip coupons.

I've only done one return with them and it went smoothly, but I don't think any retailer's return policy is as generous as Costco.

One thing I do dislike about Costco is that they have no curbside pickup, while Sam's and BJ's have quick and efficient curbside available in a few hours.

Rockycoast · ‎03-02-2016

For just $15 dollars I say go for it. We have had a membership for many years. We also have a Costco membership. BJ's is closer. Many great deals. Even though it is just the two of us here at home we still buy in bulk. Their meats are good quality. We buy and portion out the meats in serving sizes then with our FoodSaver Vac and pop in the freezer. Their gas prices can't be beat on a regular day, but when they have their purchasing specials (buy a few items on their list and get and additional 10cents per gallon off) it is really great savings.