The meats and produce are a good deal if you use all of it. I quit my membership because the locations are too inconvenient and it's so crowded on the weekend that I can't stand going there.

We gave up our membership when we got a local Aldi’s. You get good prices and don’t have to buy in bulk.

We easily cover the fee with milk, diapers, wipes, toilet paper, and paper towels. I definitely buy things there that I wouldn't get otherwise - like that giant pack of macarons that I eat by myself - but that's my choice.

Anonymous wrote:I wonder why they don't just drop the membership altogether. So many more people would shop there.

I hope they never do that. The Wheaton Costco is a zoo even on normal days.

We always get a refund that covers the cost of membership.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The savings on paper towels and toilet paper alone is worth it for us. Then there are the savings on knick knacks like lunch boxes, books, halloween candy that add on to the "worth it" value for our family.

Then you are using too many paper towels. Try getting rags and you'll save more $$.

You could be right, but I have to buy them for my business. I use about a roll a week in my kitchen. Not sure if that's too much or normal.

We drink a lot of coffee and like Mayorga beans in particular, so the cost savings from coffee alone justifies our yearly subscription! I think the prices on quinoa, olive oil, nuts, frozen fruit, and some produce items are pretty good too. For other things, prices are only better if on sale- whenever we get a new monthly flyer I scan through it and start a list. For instance, this month the low-sugar Chobani was something like $9 for a 12-pack. I like to have that on hand for a snack at work so for me that was a good deal on something I would buy anyway.

I agree with the others about the impulse buys can eating into the savings. However, during the winter months I find the quality of their berries to be pretty consistent, and if I buy a big bag of spinach, broccoli, etc. then we end up eating a lot of veggies that week. I always go with a list and try to stick to it.

I wonder why they don't just drop the membership altogether. So many more people would shop there.

If one is convenient to you, the gas prices are great.

Costco car rentals are the best. We got upgraded to a hybrid when we were in California last year, which I don't think would happen with Priceline or Hotwire. That saved us a bit in gas on a vacation that included a bit of driving.

I buy a bunch of itunes gift cards there during the holidays (packs of 4-$25 cards are $80) for all my nieces and nephews to send as birthday presents throughout the year.

I skip an entire side of our store that has electronics and household items. I just go to the food, paper goods, and pharmacy areas.

It's so worth it for us -- the check I get back at the end of the year ("Executive" membership) is greater than the membership fee.

My best savings are things like their travel, checks, gas, and a few core items (medication, coffee). We buy a ton of fresh produce there (the things we can eat before they go bad--strawberries, apples).

For diapers and wipes and cashews alone!!!

Oh and dh goes on weekday lunch or when get gets out an hour early since he works close to one so we never go on weekends.

Anonymous wrote:The savings on paper towels and toilet paper alone is worth it for us. Then there are the savings on knick knacks like lunch boxes, books, halloween candy that add on to the "worth it" value for our family.

Then you are using too many paper towels. Try getting rags and you'll save more $$.

Anonymous wrote:No not worth it. You leave with half a dozen things and it costs $400. You still have to go shopping afterwards. And to the "cheaper toilet paper" people, that toilet paper, even the same brands, are not as soft. They don't feel the same as you get in the grocery store or Target. It's some kind of Costco "crap special".

Don't get Marathon brand, which is seems like you're referring to. I love the Kirkland brand toilet paper but unfortunately it's clogged the toilet in every place we've ever lived, so I've given up on it.

Yes. They make money by the impulse buys, but you can save money if you plan and stick to it.