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

[Anonymous]

I was at the Sterling one (also high volume location) today around 1pm and it wasn’t bad at all. I prefer going after lunchtime because the morning is full of retirees and moms of little kids. I find 1-3pm is the sweet spot before the after work crowd hits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ugh Costco…you go in for toilet paper and come out with a giant TV (and a bunch of other stuff you don’t need!)

I thought it would be like that for me so I delayed joining for so long. But I never ever do that. We just use it for groceries/drugstore stuff that we normally buy and it’s really easy to avoid everything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh Costco…you go in for toilet paper and come out with a giant TV (and a bunch of other stuff you don’t need!)

I thought it would be like that for me so I delayed joining for so long. But I never ever do that. We just use it for groceries/drugstore stuff that we normally buy and it’s really easy to avoid everything else.

Me again, hit submit too soon and didn’t answer OP’s question. If you work from home and can go at lunch on a weekday it’s much better. My DH will go on weekends but I generally don’t unless it’s just as it’s opening or I only need like four things. The parking lot is the worst part IMO (ours is Wheaton.) And you can’t go at 6 am - it doesn’t open that early.

[Anonymous]

Costco is like going to a busy ice skating rink where you are afraid you will get run over. At school pickup time it is less crowded without all the parents. It doesn't open until 10, which is another good time to go. Last time I went on a weekend, I swore I would never go on a weekend ever again. I like the meats but the breads are meh. It's good if you need diapers and wipes. Certain things I don't buy. Who needs such huge vats of cream cheese or sour cream? If you don't have a separate freezer good luck finding space for anything. I have a love/hate relationship with Costco if you couldn't tell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I join for one month each year to order their contact lenses then cancel the membership and get a refund for the remaining 11 months. I’ve tried to like it but we don’t eat that much processed food and their quantities are ridiculous.

You don’t need a double pack of 60oz Heinz Ketchup bottles?

[Anonymous]

Costco is making me fat

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Costco is for those who lack basic math skills.

I did the math. Unless the price of gas changes, the membership is worth it.

How much do you drive? I get gas (14 gallon tank) once every 3.5-4 weeks. One car family.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Costco is like going to a busy ice skating rink where you are afraid you will get run over. At school pickup time it is less crowded without all the parents. It doesn't open until 10, which is another good time to go. Last time I went on a weekend, I swore I would never go on a weekend ever again. I like the meats but the breads are meh. It's good if you need diapers and wipes. Certain things I don't buy. Who needs such huge vats of cream cheese or sour cream? If you don't have a separate freezer good luck finding space for anything. I have a love/hate relationship with Costco if you couldn't tell.

10am is a terrible time to go to mine! (I’m the Sterling poster upthread.) It’s mobbed with retirees and moms with their babies and toddlers who were literally waiting for the store to open. Once all those people leave (for naps?) it’s much better until the after school/work crowd arrives.

We love their produce/meat/dairy/eggs. I also love their seasonal stuff - so much cheaper than anywhere else - this pays for my membership alone. Things like kids bathing suits and swim goggles, snow pants, gloves and coats, ski goggles, Halloween costumes, Christmas dresses, etc.

[Anonymous]

Every time I go, my partner and I get into an argument. And we never leave spending less than $300. And I always say, never again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I join for one month each year to order their contact lenses then cancel the membership and get a refund for the remaining 11 months. I’ve tried to like it but we don’t eat that much processed food and their quantities are ridiculous.

You don’t need a double pack of 60oz Heinz Ketchup bottles?

Never.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, you can't find a larger pizza for less.

Their pizza is grosser than Little Ceasar's. Its really, really bad

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We go right when it opens

The #1 reason I have not joined Costco is their hours suck. They don’t open until 10am! 9:30 am on Saturdays (the day everyone says to avoid).

If I knew I could go at 7:30am and avoid a painful experience with parking and lines and a million people, I’d join for sure. But if it’s annoying to park and shop, it’s not worth it to me.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

I have never been tempted. Single parent of one kid, small house with limited storage and no second fridge, and the only one near me is Pentagon City. I got to Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.