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.

If you want a club store experience that’s not as in your face crazy and crowded, try BJ’s instead. They don’t have as many locations here but it’s worth a look if there’s one near you. BJ’s takes manufacturer’s coupons as well so you can save some money that way. I find Costco is better for food but BJ’s has more name brands and a better baby selection if you’re still in the diapers and formula years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Can't afford the membership,huh? Happens sometimes.

LOL. Perhaps they need some remedial maths and economics 🤓

Perhaps you aren't aware of the other threads on this board claiming that we live in highly educated and influential ZIP codes. If these are the smart people...

I think Costco is a good store with great products, but for us it’s never worked. We are now a family of only three- oldest has left the roost. Even when it was four of us, buying in bulk didn’t make a ton of sense. Also. We only have one fridge, no deep freeze and a small pantry. Finally, and the main reason I stopped going to Costco, the store is a zoo. Much prefer my local grocery store- easy in, easy out.

Anonymous wrote:

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

Can't afford the membership,huh? Happens sometimes.

LOL. Perhaps they need some remedial maths and economics 🤓

Anonymous wrote:Yes it stressed me out too much so I never went. Switched to Sam's. Less crowded, scan and go, curbside pickup, better hours.

Sam's is awful. Why even bother. It's just walmart crap.

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.

This. I max out my rewards every year on gas alone. And it does not have to be purchased from their pumps. Until we start driving less, I'm using a costco card til I die.

Yes it stressed me out too much so I never went. Switched to Sam's. Less crowded, scan and go, curbside pickup, better hours.

They should ban shopping groups of more than 2 people.. the biggest obstacle I face in there is when a whole family leisurely moves up and down the isles together- they cause traffic jams. Why do people bring their entire family with them to shop?...

Anonymous wrote:Just order the stuff online. It's well worth an extra $2 to get the toilet paper and paper towels delivered to my door.

We get mostly fresh and frozen stuff from Costco. I don't want 24 rolls of TP or 2 gallons of mayonnaise. But we will eat 4 steaks, 2lb salmon, a rotisserie chicken, 2 loaves fresh bread, fresh fruit and veggies and ice cream bars etc etc

Anonymous wrote:The Fairfax Costco off 29, if that’s the one you went to, is known for being one of the crazier ones in the area. That and Pentagon City. Chantilly and Leesburg are better, Potomac Mills is also decent. Springfield is supposed to be updated to include a gas station and better parking soon. Yes, the Fairfax Costco is crazy at all times. Even at 11 am during the week. They open at 10 but I think let people in early to shop … I rolled up there at 9:58 once and people were already leaving with pallets full of stuff! This Was before Covid but it’s probably still happening.

I looooove Costco and will not go to the Fairfax location under any circumstances.

Anonymous wrote:How do people buy produce in bulk - doesn't it go bad? Or do you have a massive number of people to feed so it's used fast or do you come home and start stir frying up peppers, onions etc for later use?

Apples - they last, obviously

Lemons - they keep well enough in the fridge

Other fruit - usually it’s so good we don’t have a hard time getting through it. Except bananas, I’ve never had good bananas at Costco for some reason.

Spinach - my husband puts them in smoothies and it’s pretty easy to go through a whole thing if you just sauté up a bunch for dinner a few nights a week.

Other vegetables - it’s hard to make sure I use them all up. Back when I had less money I would chop them and freeze for later use but i don’t want to do that anymore. Now if I buy bell peppers or something there I have to make a big effort to make sure they get used, it’s like it becomes bell pepper week every once in a while.

Avocados - no, I do not get those from Costco.

The Fairfax Costco off 29, if that’s the one you went to, is known for being one of the crazier ones in the area. That and Pentagon City. Chantilly and Leesburg are better, Potomac Mills is also decent. Springfield is supposed to be updated to include a gas station and better parking soon. Yes, the Fairfax Costco is crazy at all times. Even at 11 am during the week. They open at 10 but I think let people in early to shop … I rolled up there at 9:58 once and people were already leaving with pallets full of stuff! This Was before Covid but it’s probably still happening.

Anonymous wrote:Just order the stuff online. It's well worth an extra $2 to get the toilet paper and paper towels delivered to my door.

This!!

I looooveeee going to costco. Love.

Yes it can be busy, but you learn to factor that in. I like to go to costco and wander each aisle and see whats new, on sale, etc. I will say, I went on Dec 22 and it was the busiest I have ever seen and it definitely gave me some major anxiety. But overall it's not generally that bad. The costco I go to always has waaay more than 5 cars at the gas line too. 5 cars sounds like a dream! But with 2 cars needing premium gas it's always much cheaper and definitely worth it.

Its just the 2 of us, but I still buy stuff in bulk and either freeze or store in the pantry. The cafeteria is also really good, and of course the liquor.