Is Costco worth it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Costco lover and member here. It is worth it for us (family of 4), we go once a month or so to stock up on meat, chix and fish as well as staples (toilet paper, water, you name it). The onyl caveat for me is it really depends which Costco you are thinking of. I am in MD and highly envious of VA Costco since they sell vine too. Also, I live walking distance to Gaithersburg Costco, but HATE going there, the savings, etc. are just not worth the hassle of that parking lot and danger being run over by carts. We shop at Frederick Costco - less crowded, self checkout lines and gas station.

I can so relate to this. I have left the parking lot before in tears and drove
to the Columbia location ( which I still love) ( before silver spring arrived)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Costco lover and member here. It is worth it for us (family of 4), we go once a month or so to stock up on meat, chix and fish as well as staples (toilet paper, water, you name it). The onyl caveat for me is it really depends which Costco you are thinking of. I am in MD and highly envious of VA Costco since they sell vine too. Also, I live walking distance to Gaithersburg Costco, but HATE going there, the savings, etc. are just not worth the hassle of that parking lot and danger being run over by carts. We shop at Frederick Costco - less crowded, self checkout lines and gas station.

I can so relate to this. I have left the parking lot before in tears and drove
to the Columbia location ( which I still love) ( before silver spring arrived)

You need to be medicated if you cry because of a crowded parking lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Costco lover and member here. It is worth it for us (family of 4), we go once a month or so to stock up on meat, chix and fish as well as staples (toilet paper, water, you name it). The onyl caveat for me is it really depends which Costco you are thinking of. I am in MD and highly envious of VA Costco since they sell vine too. Also, I live walking distance to Gaithersburg Costco, but HATE going there, the savings, etc. are just not worth the hassle of that parking lot and danger being run over by carts. We shop at Frederick Costco - less crowded, self checkout lines and gas station.

I can so relate to this. I have left the parking lot before in tears and drove
to the Columbia location ( which I still love) ( before silver spring arrived)

You need to be medicated if you cry because of a crowded parking lot.

Have you been to that parking lot? If you havent tried it on weekend, than dodnt opine on it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Costco lover and member here. It is worth it for us (family of 4), we go once a month or so to stock up on meat, chix and fish as well as staples (toilet paper, water, you name it). The onyl caveat for me is it really depends which Costco you are thinking of. I am in MD and highly envious of VA Costco since they sell vine too. Also, I live walking distance to Gaithersburg Costco, but HATE going there, the savings, etc. are just not worth the hassle of that parking lot and danger being run over by carts. We shop at Frederick Costco - less crowded, self checkout lines and gas station.

I can so relate to this. I have left the parking lot before in tears and drove
to the Columbia location ( which I still love) ( before silver spring arrived)

You need to be medicated if you cry because of a crowded parking lot.

Why are you such a jerk?

[Anonymous]

agree that it's more worth it for larger families. now that we're a family of 4, we've definitely kept our membership.

things we buy there regularly:
1) contacts lenses/eye exams
2) organic milk
3) oranges
4) salmon and other fish
5) pork shoulder (slow cook one and have enough to feed an army. freezes well too.)
6) socks
7) husband's undershirts and boxers
8) kids' books
9) breads
10) b-day cakes
11) saline
12) diapers
13) diaper wipes (they're the best out there)
14) toothpaste
15) vinegar
16) lemonade & grape juice
17) dried seaweed
18) TP and paper towels
19) pillows
20) used to buy movie tickets (pre-kids)
21) mangoes
22) pre-packaged salads and flowers (for occasional parties)

[Anonymous]

Organic milk is actually $2/gallon cheaper at trader joes and Moms than at Costco, if one is convenient to you.

[Anonymous]

PP and others - we too are wondering about the organic selection at Costco. Good options?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP and others - we too are wondering about the organic selection at Costco. Good options?

They have some organic items, though I'm not sure how much in the produce department. I get their organic: olive oil, coconut oil, chicken stock, canned tomatoes, ground beef, some frozen fruit. I've also seen organic grains and chicken.

I've been very happy with the quality of all of these items.

[Anonymous]

I don't know if it's worth it or not. I have driven there before with the intention of going in, but never get past the crowded parking lot and hordes of people. So anyway, I think you can get comparable savings by shopping at Trader Joe's and Wal Mart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if it's worth it or not. I have driven there before with the intention of going in, but never get past the crowded parking lot and hordes of people. So anyway, I think you can get comparable savings by shopping at Trader Joe's and Wal Mart.

If you've never been in, how would you know if TJs and Walmart were better or not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP and others - we too are wondering about the organic selection at Costco. Good options?

BJs organic selection is MUCH larger than Costco's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if it's worth it or not. I have driven there before with the intention of going in, but never get past the crowded parking lot and hordes of people. So anyway, I think you can get comparable savings by shopping at Trader Joe's and Wal Mart.

If you've never been in, how would you know if TJs and Walmart were better or not?

I think we gots oursevles a psycho here...err....I mean a psychic

[Anonymous]

Not a lot of organic fresh produce at Costco, I keep hoping they'd expand their selection. They have limited organic meat and dairy, a bit larger selection in organic frozen fruits, veggies, canned/bottled/bagged/pre-made items (peanut butter, sausages, chicken stock, chips, cereal, etc.) Their organic coffee is great though. Occasionally I see organic berries.

[Anonymous]

Can anybody list what products are typically NOT cheaper than the grocery store?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:agree that it's more worth it for larger families. now that we're a family of 4, we've definitely kept our membership.

things we buy there regularly:
1) contacts lenses/eye exams
2) organic milk
3) oranges
4) salmon and other fish
5) pork shoulder (slow cook one and have enough to feed an army. freezes well too.)
6) socks
7) husband's undershirts and boxers
8) kids' books
9) breads
10) b-day cakes
11) saline
12) diapers
13) diaper wipes (they're the best out there)
14) toothpaste
15) vinegar
16) lemonade & grape juice
17) dried seaweed
18) TP and paper towels
19) pillows
20) used to buy movie tickets (pre-kids)
21) mangoes
22) pre-packaged salads and flowers (for occasional parties)

I have been wondering where I could get my hands on a five gallon bucket of vinegar and a giant bag of dried seaweed.