Any Costco members - is it worth it?

The trick is to only go in the last hour they are open 7-8 here, the place is so empty sometimes its creepy.

 

I have executive membership. We go maybe once a month (sometimes twice). And I get gas there often because it's on my way home. Some of their items are worth the savings. We used to buy diapers, baby wipes, formula there all them time. We also like some food items, drinks, other misc stuff that you didn't know you needed lol. They also have good deals on motor oil sometimes also. I don't like shopping there on weekends because of the crowd. But even when crowed, the lines move quickly.

 

House of 2 with very little storage. it makes zero sense for us to shop there.
That, and I find I get super anxious when I go in that place, people are animals.
I would consider buying a TV from costco.

 

This guy gets it.

 

I fired Costco and switched to Sam's Club because I found Sam's Club to be cleaner and better managed than my local Costco. I find Sam's Club to be better than Costco. Has better freebie food samples too.

 

Costco all the way... Well worth it for us.

• Beer, wine and Tequila
• Bulk meat for the deep freezer
• Clothes (I'm probably wearing all Costco this very moment... Socks, boxers, shoes, shorts, t-shirt and hoodie)
• Paper products (TP, paper towels etc.)
• Milk
• Eggs
• Sugar and flour (stored in 5g buckets with a screw on lid)
• Dried beans

I also get a cheap rotisserie chicken for dinner that night ($6) and fill up the gas tank before I leave.
Membership pays for itself in a month or two

 

Once or twice a year Costco has the complete WaterPORT setup on sale for half $. I used my company Costco card to snag that.

 

Agreed. Our Costco is also about 40 miles, so I wasnt really interested in joining. However, the savings on wife's contacts and eyeglasses prescriptions are worth the membership costs. They even have really good prices on expensive sunglasses like Rayban, Maui Jim, Oakley, etc. Also put tires on my daughter's car for about 70 bucks cheaper than locally for same tires.

 

I haven’t read every response to the thread so forgive if already stated but I’m pretty sure Costco will refund your membership if you’re not happy. You could give it six months or so and if not worth it to you then no harm no foul.

 

40 miles away is a hell of a long way just to save a couple of bucks on 5 gallons of mayo and a twelve pack of toilets (That's real, I've seen it)

If you have a big family and cook a LOT, then yeah it would be worth it for the savings on the quantity and quality of food.

I'm fortunate enough to have a Costco about 2 miles from me and I get my gas there. 50 cents a gallon less than the closest gas station. But I haven't gone to shop inside in months.

I don't know about the rest of the Costco members on here but the members at my Costco don't give a fuck about anyone else around them whether it's inside or out in the parking lot. It's like a warehouse full of Karens and Chads.

But OP, get a membership for a year and see how much you use it. It's not like it's a lifetime membership.

 

@IowaGuy

Do you have a Sam’s club closer? Nearly the same. Kirkland signature at Costco is pretty stellar though (golf balls, putter, motor oil, socks, etc). Just randomly ridiculous things that are all pretty great if not top tier. That’s the advantage of Costco.
Meat, produce, bakery is comparable. Members mark (Sam’s club version of K-sig) may not have the golf balls and motor oil, but their paper towels, chef’s knives, and other items are unbeatable.

Happy Hoarding.

 

One big thing I loved was the combo pizza ... knew they were losing money at that price point but instead of raise price, they blamed the plandemic, and took off menu.

... also the onions for the dogs.

 

And even with crazy inflation you can still get a dog and a pop for $1.50

Although my go to is usually the chicken bake

 

Totally worth it, even just for my wife and I.

I like to eat a lot, somehow I'm not fat. I like to eat quality. I like to have a full pantry that I use and rotate regularly. They absolutely have the best shit tickets money can buy. And every so often they have really cool camping or garage gear or unexpected gadgets and stuff for sale. Our executive membership easily pays for itself each year with the money-back-as-a-coupon thing.

 

worth it because between the 2% cash back from the executive membership and 2% cash back on the costco visa, i get like $1000 a year in cash back

 

We don’t have their credit card, but the enhanced membership rebate comes within a few $ of the membership cost and they send a check when the annual fee is due. Ends up being a wash for us.
As to the receipt checkers, at our local store if you use self checkout your receipt will be blue. Costco cashier will be white receipt. I’ve noticed they check blue receipts a bit tighter, but they’re only counting # of items.

 

Just push their shit out of your way like I do. Went to Costco in Roseville yesterday and someone parked their cart diagonally in front of me while I was picking something off the shelf, and i mean about 2 inches in front of me in a huge ass isle. I was parked on the right side against the racks out of the way; I just plowed right into their cart and went about my business.

 

this is the way.

 

A bit OT but I did like that our local Frys food store would bring our groceries out to us when we shopped online during the height of the scamdemic.

 

Idk, my wife got us one a month ago or so. We have not been to the store yet, but have spent over $3k on a new couch and garage freezer. I do not think it has saved us any money.

It's just the two of us, might go this weekend or next to the store to stock up the freezer and look around. Might help with some bulk food as we meal prep every week. I know they offer more than just food, but I don't care for 'stuff' and there is nothing I need or want. Just more crap to me.

I don't feel for two people and or 'us' it would be worth it. She wanted to try it, she pays for the membership so whatever.

 

Wife and I have an Executive Membership, and we end up getting a check back from them every year EASY.

Our Costco is about an hour away, but am in that city almost weekly, so it makes it easy to swing by on a combined trip.

We have my two teenage boys (half time), two dogs, and do a lot of meal prep as well as burn through a ton of food in general. End up going 2-3 times a month.

Booze / meat /eggs / egg whites / vegetables / Greek yogurt / rotisserie chicken / dog food / granola / protein bars / whey protein / frozen pizzas, chicken bakes, breakfast sandwiches / snacks / etc. All on constant burn rate.

Also living in Alaska, getting free shipping is a HUGE bonus on large items. Saved a ton on our new patio furniture. Then for only $100 they delivered it to my house, set it all up, and took away the trash.

We also have taken almost a dozen vacations through Costco Travel. Amazing prices, quality, and convenience through Costco Travel. Taking a 3 week European multiple country / city vacation through them in January and is SOOO much easier logistically to do it through them than when I’ve done it myself.

I also really appreciate their business plan, and how well they treat their employees.

 

Just the gas saving pay for the membership for me, and their roast chicken is $5.

 

Two takeaways from your post.
First: The distance is relative to your location, Costco is only out of my way if I were to make a special trip and then, yeah you're right, it takes quite a saving to justify an 80 mile round trip. But if I want any grocery store that isn't trying to poison me with shitty meat, Yeah Food Lion that's you I'm referring to, a meal out, a new pair of shoes, a Toyota stealership, heck, even a trail to walk on then I'm going to be going past one of their stores.

Second, and more importantly: Yup, park on the outskirts of the parking lots, Karen and Chad are going to struggle hobbling around the store so they sure as shit don't want to limp any further across a parking lot than they have to. Saves your paintwork from getting dinked.

 

The Bulldog Family are BIG COSTCO fans. Sam's and BJ's are also good, but no comparison.

 

Can’t beat their selection on meats. Not talking about the variety of cuts but the fact they sell Choice and Prime meat. Our regional grocery stores carry select on the lower end and if you are lucky choice. Big difference when you step up to Prime.

We actually buy choice in bulk and going at home for burgers and the Prime for steak night. Price wise similar to local stores.

 

Our Costco is about 10 miles away - been a member since I can remember. I’m slightly embarrassed by the size of my executive rewards check back every year and it keeps getting bigger. Family of 5 plus dogs will do that.

 

I'm definitely a Costco fan. Was a little skeptical when I first dipped my toe in about 5 years ago, but have grown to really enjoy it. Also have the executive membership so the cash back from the gas is an added bonus. Their return policy is second to none. If you don't like something, they'll take it back.

I know a guy that returned a gym membership a week before it expired. No questions asked.

I'd say give it a shot.

 

My closest Costco is nearly 100 miles away, and my executive membership is still easily paid for from our executive rewards check each year. Been a member for over a decade.

 

are we related ?

 

He forgot to mention the pizza, street tacos, yakisoba noodles, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, shepherds pie etc from the deli.