How do y'all deal with Costco??? Is it worth it?

[Anonymous]

I go to the DC on my way home from work sometimes and the only time it’s really crowded is if it’s right before a holiday/Super Bowl. Otherwise it’s not bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Costco is basically Walmart for the over 125k median income folks. It’s also a mental illness if you ask me - no it isn’t cheaper nor better quality - just allows people to stuff themselves more. Yes I’ve tried it but wasn’t for me. I do appreciate it as a shareholder though so keep on buying 600 granola bars at a time, thx.

When I read posts like this I wonder if people have spent any time in a Costco. They’re absolutely cheaper and higher quality. First example I can give you is toilet paper. $20 for 30 rolls. Which is higher quality than the same $20 for 30 rolls from the target brand. Lactaid brand milk is 5.29 at Costco its 6.99 at Safeway. Dog food is loads cheaper and made by various high-quality pet food brands. I could go on and on but I think when people say it’s not cheaper or good quality than they’re just speaking out of ignorance.

Definitely. Many people poo-poo costco but dont even understand the business model (as clearly posted on here by several posters who were corrected).
Dont want to go to costco? Totally fine, absolutely agree thats your right. But do not make up lies to make yourself feel better about not wanting to go to costo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Costco is basically Walmart for the over 125k median income folks. It’s also a mental illness if you ask me - no it isn’t cheaper nor better quality - just allows people to stuff themselves more. Yes I’ve tried it but wasn’t for me. I do appreciate it as a shareholder though so keep on buying 600 granola bars at a time, thx.

It is cheaper and better quality. Look into the business model. They keep only something like 4000 skus. Walmart has something like 150k. Their distribution model means they are selling product before invoices are even due. They only take something like 12% margin and pass on savings to members. They are a phenomenal business and treat associates well.

It isn’t for everyone. But it is certainly not a Walmart for the 125k set nor a mental issue to stop there.

That would be great if it were true. I've seen plenty of stories showing the unit prices of costco items are in fact not any cheaper!

both can be true. But for the vast majority of Costco's relatively small stock it is less expensive. Sure I saw the same article where Coke or other name brand sodas are not cheaper at Costco, or where Safeway's BOGO sales may be cheaper or Walmart's blue light something is cheaper. Those examples are few and far between. Just buy your Coke Zero when it's on sale at Giant.

True, some sale prices elsewhere can be cheaper. But base price to base price, costco is almost always cheaper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Costco is basically Walmart for the over 125k median income folks. It’s also a mental illness if you ask me - no it isn’t cheaper nor better quality - just allows people to stuff themselves more. Yes I’ve tried it but wasn’t for me. I do appreciate it as a shareholder though so keep on buying 600 granola bars at a time, thx.

When I read posts like this I wonder if people have spent any time in a Costco. They’re absolutely cheaper and higher quality. First example I can give you is toilet paper. $20 for 30 rolls. Which is higher quality than the same $20 for 30 rolls from the target brand. Lactaid brand milk is 5.29 at Costco its 6.99 at Safeway. Dog food is loads cheaper and made by various high-quality pet food brands. I could go on and on but I think when people say it’s not cheaper or good quality than they’re just speaking out of ignorance.

Definitely. Many people poo-poo costco but dont even understand the business model (as clearly posted on here by several posters who were corrected).
Dont want to go to costco? Totally fine, absolutely agree thats your right. But do not make up lies to make yourself feel better about not wanting to go to costo.

Ha right? It's so funny. There are so many popular places I don't go to just because I don't want to, and I've never felt compelled to justify not going with strained excuses. Nobody is going to look down on you because you don't want to go to costco, you don't have to say you suspect the products are secretly inferior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Costco is basically Walmart for the over 125k median income folks. It’s also a mental illness if you ask me - no it isn’t cheaper nor better quality - just allows people to stuff themselves more. Yes I’ve tried it but wasn’t for me. I do appreciate it as a shareholder though so keep on buying 600 granola bars at a time, thx.

When I read posts like this I wonder if people have spent any time in a Costco. They’re absolutely cheaper and higher quality. First example I can give you is toilet paper. $20 for 30 rolls. Which is higher quality than the same $20 for 30 rolls from the target brand. Lactaid brand milk is 5.29 at Costco its 6.99 at Safeway. Dog food is loads cheaper and made by various high-quality pet food brands. I could go on and on but I think when people say it’s not cheaper or good quality than they’re just speaking out of ignorance.

Definitely. Many people poo-poo costco but dont even understand the business model (as clearly posted on here by several posters who were corrected).
Dont want to go to costco? Totally fine, absolutely agree thats your right. But do not make up lies to make yourself feel better about not wanting to go to costo.

I'm definitely happy to profit from Costco but I do it in share price gains/dividend. Not interested in profiting from it by saving a few bucks on grocery/gas bc the crowds aren't worth it. But hey more power to those who love it- all your membership fees are making me richer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Costco is basically Walmart for the over 125k median income folks. It’s also a mental illness if you ask me - no it isn’t cheaper nor better quality - just allows people to stuff themselves more. Yes I’ve tried it but wasn’t for me. I do appreciate it as a shareholder though so keep on buying 600 granola bars at a time, thx.

This is just stupid. There are numerous items that are considerably cheaper at Costco. Perhaps not everything - I have no idea - but lots of things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Costco is basically Walmart for the over 125k median income folks. It’s also a mental illness if you ask me - no it isn’t cheaper nor better quality - just allows people to stuff themselves more. Yes I’ve tried it but wasn’t for me. I do appreciate it as a shareholder though so keep on buying 600 granola bars at a time, thx.

It is cheaper and better quality. Look into the business model. They keep only something like 4000 skus. Walmart has something like 150k. Their distribution model means they are selling product before invoices are even due. They only take something like 12% margin and pass on savings to members. They are a phenomenal business and treat associates well.

It isn’t for everyone. But it is certainly not a Walmart for the 125k set nor a mental issue to stop there.

That would be great if it were true. I've seen plenty of stories showing the unit prices of costco items are in fact not any cheaper!

both can be true. But for the vast majority of Costco's relatively small stock it is less expensive. Sure I saw the same article where Coke or other name brand sodas are not cheaper at Costco, or where Safeway's BOGO sales may be cheaper or Walmart's blue light something is cheaper. Those examples are few and far between. Just buy your Coke Zero when it's on sale at Giant.

True, some sale prices elsewhere can be cheaper. But base price to base price, costco is almost always cheaper.

Yeah when I was younger and had less money I would build meal plans around loss leaders but I'm older and tired and more financially secure and I just don't want to do that work anymore. But I admire those who do! Nice job, people!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm cracking up at all the Costco haters who have been exactly once and probably on a Saturday afternoon. Hate away!

There are a lot of reasons to hate Costco, but most of them don't get mentioned here.

The idiots in the parking garage at Pentagon City would be a totally reasonable reason not to become a member, though. Definitely hard on the blood pressure. Of course, they're probably equally stupid at other parking garages.

Yes, trip on a saturday afternoon in that place is a completely valid reason to hate costco. My husband does it all the time and I honestly don't understand how he can be so chill about it.

[Anonymous]

Are weekends continuously busy or is it one day more than the other or certain times more than others? I feel like for regular grocery stores in Arlington/Falls Church - Sunday mid/late afternoon tends to be the busiest almost as if people are like hmm what are we packing for the kids' lunch tomorrow; this is less true in football season if the local teams are playing that afternoon though.

[Anonymous]

I love Costco. I just do my business patiently, ignore the other people, and look for deals. And the return policy alone makes it worth it.

[Anonymous]

I totally get why people hate Costco.

But for me personally, it's convenient and having compared prices directly, definitely saves us money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Costco is basically Walmart for the over 125k median income folks. It’s also a mental illness if you ask me - no it isn’t cheaper nor better quality - just allows people to stuff themselves more. Yes I’ve tried it but wasn’t for me. I do appreciate it as a shareholder though so keep on buying 600 granola bars at a time, thx.

When I read posts like this I wonder if people have spent any time in a Costco. They’re absolutely cheaper and higher quality. First example I can give you is toilet paper. $20 for 30 rolls. Which is higher quality than the same $20 for 30 rolls from the target brand. Lactaid brand milk is 5.29 at Costco its 6.99 at Safeway. Dog food is loads cheaper and made by various high-quality pet food brands. I could go on and on but I think when people say it’s not cheaper or good quality than they’re just speaking out of ignorance.

Definitely. Many people poo-poo costco but dont even understand the business model (as clearly posted on here by several posters who were corrected).
Dont want to go to costco? Totally fine, absolutely agree thats your right. But do not make up lies to make yourself feel better about not wanting to go to costo.

I'm definitely happy to profit from Costco but I do it in share price gains/dividend. Not interested in profiting from it by saving a few bucks on grocery/gas bc the crowds aren't worth it. But hey more power to those who love it- all your membership fees are making me richer.

And that's totally fine! Just dont make up lies to justify not stepping inside (general you here, not sure if you specifically said that or not).
Crowds? Totally valid point.
Parking? Totally valid point.
Inferior products? Not valid, 100% lie.

I am a huge costco fan, but I understand its not everyones cup of tea. No need to spin the truth for an excuse not to go

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm cracking up at all the Costco haters who have been exactly once and probably on a Saturday afternoon. Hate away!

There are a lot of reasons to hate Costco, but most of them don't get mentioned here.

The idiots in the parking garage at Pentagon City would be a totally reasonable reason not to become a member, though. Definitely hard on the blood pressure. Of course, they're probably equally stupid at other parking garages.

Yes, trip on a saturday afternoon in that place is a completely valid reason to hate costco. My husband does it all the time and I honestly don't understand how he can be so chill about it.

I go to the DC Costco when it opens on Saturday, probably every 6 weeks. I there are three that are closer to be, but the DC one is the most enjoyable experience (plus the booze!). I like going. We are a family of 3, and probably spend $800 or so per trip. We also have a deep freeze and a large storage space. Don't get much produce, because of the waste, but anything that can be frozen or dry goods is fair game. 90% of the things we get are cheaper than prices at the local grocery store. I'm sure I could save a little money looking at various weekly sales, but then I (or my wife) would have to drive all over the place going to different grocery stores. No thanks. That'd take more time, and be a lot more aggravating, than just a regular trip to Costco.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Costco is basically Walmart for the over 125k median income folks. It’s also a mental illness if you ask me - no it isn’t cheaper nor better quality - just allows people to stuff themselves more. Yes I’ve tried it but wasn’t for me. I do appreciate it as a shareholder though so keep on buying 600 granola bars at a time, thx.

When I read posts like this I wonder if people have spent any time in a Costco. They’re absolutely cheaper and higher quality. First example I can give you is toilet paper. $20 for 30 rolls. Which is higher quality than the same $20 for 30 rolls from the target brand. Lactaid brand milk is 5.29 at Costco its 6.99 at Safeway. Dog food is loads cheaper and made by various high-quality pet food brands. I could go on and on but I think when people say it’s not cheaper or good quality than they’re just speaking out of ignorance.

Definitely. Many people poo-poo costco but dont even understand the business model (as clearly posted on here by several posters who were corrected).
Dont want to go to costco? Totally fine, absolutely agree thats your right. But do not make up lies to make yourself feel better about not wanting to go to costo.

I'm definitely happy to profit from Costco but I do it in share price gains/dividend. Not interested in profiting from it by saving a few bucks on grocery/gas bc the crowds aren't worth it. But hey more power to those who love it- all your membership fees are making me richer.

Sorry your job is so inflexible. It’s not at all crowded when I go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totally depends on which one you go to and when you go.

But the Pentagon City one is the inner circle of hell no matter when you go, FWIW.

And this is the one closest for me. Sigh.

Go to the DC Costco, at least you can buy liquor there! The only one in the region unless you’re driving to Delaware.

Not true. What about Leesburg Costco??