Costco - worth it?

[Anonymous]

I've been considering joining Costco. For those of you who have memberships, does it save you money?
When it was just my husband and I at home it didn't seem worth it but now we have a toddler and an in law at home so I'm thinking it might be worth it.

[Anonymous]

I think it is worth it for our family of 5. If you make your own food a lot, it is worth it. I find their produce, meat, cheese, and spices to be less expensive. I have actually bought almost everything Costco offers at one point or another. You also benefit if you are not picky. I actually hate making buying decisions and like that Costco offers one brand/version of each thing, and that I generally have a guarantee that it is decent quality. In that way it is sort of the anti-Amazon. And it is also ridiculously easy to return things.

[Anonymous]

I never liked COSTCO because it’s too crowded and everything is so expensive. You buy 15 things and it costs $350 the you still have to go to the grocery store!

[Anonymous]

Yes, but one of us goes on our telework or flex day, not on the weekend. We are very strategic and maintain separate Costco and Grocery Store shopping lists, and we limit the perishables we get at Costco. It's also important to have the storage space available. We have a family of two adults and two toddlers.

[Anonymous]

It's worth it for us
over the years I've learned what to buy or not to buy there.
Some items are more expensive at Costco than on sale at regular grocery/pharmacy/online
I buy there cheese, store-baked bread, naan, some produce in season, spices, olive oil, bullysticks for dog. Sometimes they have good value on clothes - like dress shirts, underwear, socks, snickers, coats for kids, down jackets, gloves, etc. It's seasonal, assortment changes, but usually cheap for the quality.
I usually like their pre-made food

[Anonymous]

No, it doesn't save me money. I just go for paper towels, toilet paper, wine, and fun seasonal things like tommy bahama beach chairs and camping stuff. It's not a "must have" at all.

[Anonymous]

If you can’t go at an off time, it is not worth the hassle. They do have some really great things, but they often change suppliers/brands.

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering this too. We live about 25minutes away from two. Three kids. Amazon Prime membership.

[Anonymous]

The gas alone saves us money. We go on weekdays only.

[Anonymous]

I'd also rather support a business that stands behind its products and pays people a fair wage and trains them to promote from whinin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd also rather support a business that stands behind its products and pays people a fair wage and trains them to promote from whinin.

Huh? Costco is one of the good guys in terms of wages. It's not Walmart/Sam's busted for hiring illigals

[Anonymous]

Saves boatloads on alcohol alone. We get meat, spices, frozen things, household cleaners, and some non-perishables. I find their produce to be terrible but am apparently alone in that. I agree that you have to plan your trips -- we try to get there at opening time on Saturday or Sunday and we can get in and out without too much traffic. I avoid the middle of the store entirely -- I don't want to get sucked into the Target mentality of "we could use this, it's such a good price" at a place that sells in such bulk. Yes, that's a good deal on 75 socks. No, I don't need 75 socks. We go once a month and like a PP keep a separate "Costco" grocery list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd also rather support a business that stands behind its products and pays people a fair wage and trains them to promote from whinin.

Huh? Costco is one of the good guys in terms of wages. It's not Walmart/Sam's busted for hiring illigals

Yeah, in some places, Costco is even a union shop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Saves boatloads on alcohol alone. We get meat, spices, frozen things, household cleaners, and some non-perishables. I find their produce to be terrible but am apparently alone in that. I agree that you have to plan your trips -- we try to get there at opening time on Saturday or Sunday and we can get in and out without too much traffic. I avoid the middle of the store entirely -- I don't want to get sucked into the Target mentality of "we could use this, it's such a good price" at a place that sells in such bulk. Yes, that's a good deal on 75 socks. No, I don't need 75 socks. We go once a month and like a PP keep a separate "Costco" grocery list.

Huh? Costco socks packages are 3-5. Sometimes 6 for kids. Where did you 75 socks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Saves boatloads on alcohol alone. We get meat, spices, frozen things, household cleaners, and some non-perishables. I find their produce to be terrible but am apparently alone in that. I agree that you have to plan your trips -- we try to get there at opening time on Saturday or Sunday and we can get in and out without too much traffic. I avoid the middle of the store entirely -- I don't want to get sucked into the Target mentality of "we could use this, it's such a good price" at a place that sells in such bulk. Yes, that's a good deal on 75 socks. No, I don't need 75 socks. We go once a month and like a PP keep a separate "Costco" grocery list.

Huh? Costco socks packages are 3-5. Sometimes 6 for kids. Where did you 75 socks?

No need to defend Costco's virtue, it was an example of the kind of crap they sell in the middle of the store where I don't shop.