Is it worth the membership?

[lvg4him]

I am curious what others think. I know that my husband (of course AFTER we had already paid for the membership) wondered if we would save more than the membership cost.

I know that they have the lowest price (at least in my area) than sale prices on things we buy:
apples, lara bars (YUMMO!), Muir Glen Organic Diced Canned tomatoes, free range chicken broth, organic chicken, organic frozen fruit, and organic salad.

However, if I have coupons I can do better on the tomatoes and frozen fruit.

And if I catch it at just the right time I can get the organic chicken and salad cheaper (half off because it expires in one day).

Overall, even though I am JUST starting a price book, I have a memory of most things I was purchasing before. And I do believe that on certain things, I cannot do better than Costco. I think we will save more than our membership cost.

What about everyone else?

[kristen.c]

I think the membership is well worth it. I know we save just on gas more than what we pay out for the year. I buy Pacific organic chicken broth there- 6 cartons for $9 and change- that's cheaper than I can get the chicken stock anywhere else regularly. I can't always rely on a coupon deal or sale and I don't have the space to store months worth of pantry items for us.

Another thing I get at Costco that I can't find anywhere else for nearly as good a deal is Earthbound Farms organic baby salad greens- 1 lb for $4.29. Since I will buy lettuce and fresh fruits/veggies regardless of the cost I LOVE that I can count on a great deal on a quality item. We also get a 10 lb bag of Earthbound farm organic carrots every few weeks for $4.59. I can't get near that price at regular stores!

There are other things I get at Costco too but on a less regular basis. I think the membership is well worth it for my small family of 2 and a dog but I think it really depends on the products available at your Costco store, the sales available at your other grocerystore options, your buying habits, and how big of a stockpile you can manage.

That's just my 2 cents though.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Costco (and sams club) are a two hour drive for us so I guess it would not be cheaper if you figured in the gas.

I think Julie said that you can't beat Costco for trash bags and I would guess that if there are organic items that sell there cheaper it would be good.

I need to move. LOL

[suzy24]

We don't belong to any membership clubs, but I had my friend check on the prices of flour and yeast at Sam's Club. Both were lower per unit, but I almost dropped the phone when she told me the price of yeast! I don't remember specifics, but it was significantly lower.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

If you watch the sales though you can get yeast cheap or free with coupons. I recently (within the last 3 months or so) got in on a deal where there was a Catalina promotion on Fleishmans yeast and got it for like .10 a packet at Smiths (part of the kroger chain)

[jujubee]

I finally had a chance to check out a Costco last week, and we are seriously thinking about trying out a membership for the year. I saw great prices on many organic items including salad greens and other fresh produce. Also, they organic milk, yogurt, granola, nuts, etc that I don't find many coupons for.

[kristen.c]

Glad you enjoyed it Juju! They seem to always be adding more organic items at my store and although a lot of the prices have gone up recently they still can't be beat for carrots and salad greens.

Plus we buy gas there too and that itself is worth the membership cost for us.

[ocean_brez]

I am still debating whether the $50 membership is worth it. Can anyone further motivate me here? We had a membership to Sams Club several years back, used it twice and forgot about it. Comments anyone? Thanks.

[RedSoxRosie]

I think it all depends on your situation and what products you use and making sure you check the actual price per unit/package/pound or whatever it might be in comparison to the grocery store or Target or wherever else you may purchase them.
For me personally the wholesale warehouse stores don't work for me becaue it's just me and my three year old daughter. It would take us a year to go through some of the stuff in bulk, plus the actual space it takes to store some of it. I just live in a ranch house that's only 937 sq ft, built in 1960. Though I don't have a Costco near me, we have a BJ's. I've gone and piggy-backed on my aunt's membership to see what I would benefit from and some things that I would buy really weren't any super deal at the club, as I would get them at Target normally with a manny coup and a Target coup or on sale. Also, they are quite limited in the organic stuff. There's is a Sam's Club in Warwick, RI, but that's still a 40 minute drive for me, so that's not worth it either.

As for the gas, the Stop & Shop right next to where I work is getting ready to open their gas station, so I'm excited about that because their gas is cheaper and you get the coupons off depending on what you spend...
Like I said, it depends on some different factors if it's worth it or not. JMO.

[kristen.c]

I definitely agree with RSR, you really have to check it out and see what they have that you will buy. I personally buy a lot at Costco, but there are items that I use on a regular basis that I consistently get the cheapest there. They have a lot of organic products and are constantly adding new ones. And again, if you have a car and your store has a filling station the membership has paid for itself for us just from the gas savings.

[ocean_brez]

My friend has a membership to Costco and offered to take me to check it out, but she is such the busy bee these days that I rarely see her anymore. I am thinking that I read somewhere that I can go in and check it out for free and then if I want their discounted prices, I can obtain membership. Does that sound right? Gas-wise (hehe GAS), is their gas American or foreign? I would soooo love to start making a more conscientious effort to buy American made as much as possible because I am tired of all of the jobs lost to outsourcing, as well as our money going into foreign economies. Just a little rant on that, sorry.

[jujubee]

Yes, you can go in and check them out any time for free. Just stop at CS and they'll set you up.

[averys_mom_92205]

When we finally buy a house, we will most likely be 20 miles out of town, so one monthly shopping trip to Costco and Freddie's for the things we can't get at Costco will probably become the norm for us. They have so much organic stuff now! And although I would love to be able to afford organic chicken, it doesn't go on sale quite often enough for how fast we go through it. So it's great to be able to get the locally grown Foster Farms chicken at our Costco. Plus organic chocolate milk drink boxes and organic animal crackers for dd, you can't beat it!

ETA: This is kinda funny, but right after I posted this, dd and I walked down to the mailbox and there was my Costco renewal form in the mail! LOL!

[ocean_brez]

Well I went ahead and made the trip down to Costco today with my two youngest in tow. After spending what seemed like an hour of being convinced of all the Pros of memership and yada yada yada, I jumped in full force to the tune of the $100 Executive membership. Can we say OUCH!!! I am still reeling here.

On a good note, they gave me a booklet of Costco savings coupons that I can use through 8/3/08, and I was GUARANTEED that my unplanned $100 membership investment is fully refundable up until the 364th day from today with their "Risk-Free 100% Satisfaction Guarantee." So if anything, I feel a little better knowing that if I change my mind and don't get my moneys worth by day 364, then I can at least get my $100 back with no questions asked. Can't beat that.

Visit wise, today was pretty painless if you consider the fact that I went UP & DOWN all but 3 of their aisles with a 3 and 9 year old in tow. Normally I would want to pull my hair out (I did at first), but after we visited the RR and the kids hit up the sampler tables a few times, they were full, happy and looking for more stuff to try out. Go figure. Me, I was happy to also score 2 FREE pizzas for using my neighbor/friend as a membership referral, and being that she wasn't readily there to use hers, I was given permission to use hers with mine. HA!!! That's what's she gets for being too busy to take me in the first place.

Anyway, back to organic stuff. I saw some stuff there that is worth checking out again, but Im not so sure about the produce just yet. Only time will tell on that one.

[spiderdust]

What does the executive membership give you that the regular one doesn't?

[ocean_brez]

Originally Posted by spiderdust

What does the executive membership give you that the regular one doesn't?

Here is some info directly from their site. The 2% Reward is guaranteed in that if you do not earn at least a $50 reward to cover the cost of the upgrade by renewal time, then they will refund the $50 back to you with no questions asked. Also, according to Customer Service, if I still decide (I was antsy at first and still am a little. That is a lot of money to me and although I can't make my pennies scream, I sure try) that I jumped in over my head, then I can go back in at anytime and request my extra $50 be returned to me and my membership bumped down to the regular Gold Star. Either way, I am guaranteed a full refund if I'm not satisfied with their savings period.

Gold Star Membership


Gold Star Membership is available for individuals who do not qualify for a Business Membership. The Gold Star Membership is $50 per year, which includes one household card per primary add on. See the membership counter at your warehouse for additional information, or call us at 1-800-774-2678.

Executive Membership


Executive Membership is our highest level of membership. Executive Members enjoy an annual 2% Reward on most Costco purchases, as well as additional values on member services, such as lower prices on check printing, auto loans and identity protection; larger Costco Cash card amounts for mortgage, real estate and home equity transactions; an account bonus for money market and online investing accounts; free roadside assistance for vehicles covered through the auto insurance program; and extra travel benefits.

[jujubee]

Ocean, glad you finally went for it. You'll have to keep us posted on how the experience works for you & if you find value in the membership.

We want to join, but keep putting it off for no reason in particular. If we do sign up, it should be this week as my dd's b-day party is coming up & it would be nice to buy some of the food in bulk. We worked out that with gas prices/mileage and the $50 membership, we would have to see a savings of $8 per once-a-month trip just to break even. (But that isn't including any gas savings if we filled up at Costco.)

[ocean_brez]

I am keeping all of my receipts and have started a separate Costco spread sheet to track what I spend there. Here is an idea of what I bought my first time at Costco:

1 Dozen variety muffins (chocolate suicide, blueberry, cornbread) $6.49 - These are the big fat, evil monsters that you can rarely finish! The BAD ones that we should steering clear of here!
1 2-pk Kirkland Cranberry Juice (96oz bottles) $6.69
1 Nestea Iced Tea Mix 90.3oz $5.99
1 Java Chip Cappucino Coffee Mix 3lbs $4.97
1 Fruit Cocktail 106oz $4.69
1 Kirkland bottled waters 35pk $4.29
1 Goldfish 58oz $6.29
1 California Sushi Roll (16 pieces) $5.69 - WOW!!!
1 2-pk loaf Sara Lee Bread $3.89
1 Yoplait Yogurt assorted 18ct. $7.69
1 Ziploc Sandwich bags 500ct $7.19 - $2 Costco Q = $5.19

For the most part, I think I did okay. The yogurt I might haven gotten for a better price at my local grocery store, but then again, I would have to wait for it go on sale, figure out my Q's and then hope they double any DND's. Soo.. that ones a toss up. As for the rest of the stuff, if you don't mind buying in bulk and are good at comparison shopping grocery and Q figures in your head (gonna bring paper & a calculator next time. But if nothing else, the shelf tag gives you an idea of what stuff would be per unit. i.e. yogurt 42¢ each), then it is pretty easy to see what is worth buying and what can be bought cheaper with Q's and sales at a regular grocery store.

I think like I already mentioned, the membership is what is seeming to be the hardest for me to swallow. Add the bulk price of items, and that could really be an expensive grocery visit when you are used to only paying for and only buying stuff little by little (unless you run into a killer grocery promo, sale or clearance). So.. we shall see. In the meantime, I will try to post about my experiences with Costco so that maybe others who read about it, can decide if it is worth it or not.

[derketchup]

Not to rain on your parade, but you could totally get the ziploc, yoplait, iced tea mix, and juice cheaper after coupons.

That being said, compared to regular store prices you did really well! And dangit, now I want a muffin!

[ocean_brez]

Originally Posted by derketchup

Not to rain on your parade, but you could totally get the ziploc, yoplait, iced tea mix, and juice cheaper after coupons.

That being said, compared to regular store prices you did really well! And dangit, now I want a muffin!

You're not raining on my parade. Your sinking my battleship! Just kidding! Actually, I need this type of occasional feedback because I am still learning.

Price-wise, I have to agree on the Yoplait. I probably can get a better price with a sale and coupons, but the sales here have been soo crummy lately on Yoplait that it was worth it.

As for the tea, I have been looking for a large quantity container of the instant stuff for like FORVER and when I stumbled upon that one, it was like SCORE!!! Granted we could totally steep our own tea and dilute it with water to make a gallon of tea, but then it would just sit there after awhile because not everyone drinks it (I drink green tea personally). This way, the kids can make individual cups (160) or whatever of instant tea whenever they want.

And as for the ziploc, that was actually a good price for $5.19 after Q. Comparatively, a good sale on Ziploc 100ct here in CA is 2/$5. Subtract a $1/2 Q doubled and that would come out to 2/$3. So, 500 bags for $5.19 is definitely way better than 400 bags for $6. Get my drift? HEHE!!! Trying to razz you here a bit.

[derketchup]

Ow! quittit

Ow! quittit

Hehe sorry, Simpsons flashback there.

You may be right about the ziploc. As far as the tea goes, I know that every once and a while, I see it on sale for cheap at albies, with coupons out, and then a $$ OYNO catalina.

You know what you should totally get from Costco? Their naked juices, and their trash bags! OMG totally can't beat those prices!

[ocean_brez]

Originally Posted by derketchup

Ow! quittit

Ow! quittit

Hehe sorry, Simpsons flashback there.

You may be right about the ziploc. As far as the tea goes, I know that every once and a while, I see it on sale for cheap at albies, with coupons out, and then a $$ OYNO catalina.

You know what you should totally get from Costco? Their naked juices, and their trash bags! OMG totally can't beat those prices!

I have been totally wanting to try the Naked Juices! But they are way overpriced at all of my stores. I definitely will have to check them and the trash bags out at Costco real soon. Mayne sooner than later because I want to see what else they have and try out their gas as well.

That's funny that you mentioned the Simpsons. I was just thinking the other day that we REALLY need a Homer Simpson smilie that goes "Doh!"

[jtjohns]

Originally Posted by ocean_brez

Executive Membership

Executive Membership is our highest level of membership. Executive Members enjoy an annual 2% Reward on most Costco purchases,

The 2% can really add up if you look to Costco/costo.com for big purchases other than food -- we bought our refrigerator there a few years ago (piggybacked on my parents' exec. membership) and it was an excellent price for an energy-star model (made for Costo by Whirlpool).

-JJ

[kristen.c]

I'm with you in the Yoplait boat- I think what you got is a great price- we don't get nearly as good of prices on yogurt around here that I see others talking about. We usually get 40 cents/6 which at 80 cents a cup, and the coupon doubling that's like buying 5 to get one free. I've just started buying the 32 oz low-fat vanilla Stonyfield Farms yogurt. It's only $3.69 at my local organic market and I have a handful of $1 off coupons which make me a happy camper. It's going to be a bummer at the end of August when they expire!

I've got to agree with the trash bags. They're great quality and are really cheap compared to what you can get at traditional grocers even after coupons.

Now that you've joined they'll start mailing you the coupon book. Make sure you check out the coupons to see what's available as sometimes you can get good deals in there. There are usually a few organic/natural brands with coupons available each month.

[ocean_brez]

Originally Posted by jtjohns

The 2% can really add up if you look to Costco/costo.com for big purchases other than food -- we bought our refrigerator there a few years ago (piggybacked on my parents' exec. membership) and it was an excellent price for an energy-star model (made for Costo by Whirlpool).

-JJ

Cool!!! I wish I had someone to share my membership with . That would be soo much better!

I was eyeballing the electronics area when I was there the other day. I saw some decent priced freezers as well as washers and dryers. I even saw a hands free ear unit for my cell phone (CA's new hands-free cell phone law is now in affect) that I vocalized out loud was a "cancer stick to the head" to a total stranger that was checking them out. Poor guy agreed with me and walked away. Oops!

[ocean_brez]

Originally Posted by kristen.c

Now that you've joined they'll start mailing you the coupon book. Make sure you check out the coupons to see what's available as sometimes you can get good deals in there. There are usually a few organic/natural brands with coupons available each month.

Coupons! Coupons! Coupons! HEHE! I need to try this Stonyfield Farms yogurt that everyone keeps talking about. It sounds good already.

[kristen.c]

Originally Posted by ocean_brez

Coupons! Coupons! Coupons! HEHE! I need to try this Stonyfield Farms yogurt that everyone keeps talking about. It sounds good already.

Would you believe they sell it at Costco?

They have a big multipack of 3 flavors I believe. I don't buy it there though because I only like the vanilla and I add in my own fruit.

[txmomof2boys]

Oh HOLY MOLY! Costo is AWSOME!
We too have the executive membership. I upgraded ours just a couple months after we got our membership. that 2% back is great. and at the end of the year, if you didn't spend enough to get at least $50 back they will automatically give you $50. you can get up to $200 back annually.

Now we are a family of 4, I have 2 boys (ages 5 & 9)
my oldest frequently will eat us out of house and home so I do buy in bulk & will go through it almost bi-weekly.
some stuff that we buy:
Apple & Eve Juice boxes, 27 juice boxes for less than $10
Organic Fruit, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, all around $5-6 for big boxes!
Organic veggies, red bell peppers, onions, salad mix
Organic butter (they only have the salted) is around $5 for 8 sticks
the milk too is pretty cheap. $7 for 2 (qty) 1/2 gallons, my costco only carries the full fat and low fat tho. But I get my milk for free with my ECB at CVS.
OH! and Organic Eggs, 18 eggs for around $3. and they are such good eggs!

I also get our trash bags there, laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, bread (which is almost twice as much at my local grocery store who never seems to put it on sale!), Pirate's Booty (which my local gs doesn't even carry!) I also get the kids treats from there some times. They have the good strech island fruit leathers that my kids love.

We have tried their steaks and were not all that impressed. I still prefer my local butcher.

Costco does do coupons, but the coupons we have gotten are hardly ever for the organic stuff. Once they did have coupons for the cases of Sweet Leaf organic iced tea.

I do love Costco, and I think the membership is totally worth it. I think that if you have one close to you (ours is about a 15 minute drive) It's worth it.

As far as the gas goes, costco is hit and miss. some times they are cheaper than my local gas station, some times they are more.

[BalboaGirl]

Hi all, I'm new here.

I'd agree the membership is well worth it.

I just renewed and when I did, I got the American Express Costco card. I have a business so I got the business version of it. I get a % back on gas, groceries, and other purchases, plus the Costco fee and Amex annual fee are one, so I get a "free" Amex, and money back each year in rebates.

As for prices on things and getting your money's worth on membership . . .I make an iced latte every morning at home, and only use organic milk. (Yeah, I shouldn't drink milk, oh well.) At my local grocery, organic milk is around $4.29 a half gallon -- at Costco, it's about $3.30 a half gallon. I go through about a half gallon a week, so at a dollar difference, I've made back my membership in just savings on milk. (they also have cases of soy and rice milks.)

I also buy a lot of nuts there. Huge bags for cheap. I try to eat a high-raw content diet, and the nuts are so pricey at the health food store. They are not organic, but I'm a single mom so I can't spring for organic eveything.

I also drink a green smoothie every morning -- I get all the fixings for that at Costco. Large box of baby organic spinach for a ridiculous $4 or so, lasts about 2 weeks. Frozen mixed berries, kiwi fruit and bananas. All pretty cheap.

I eat a lot of avocados, and while I've seen similar prices elsewhere, they are no pricier than elsewhere, and usually excellent quality.

Oh and now and then they have organic fresh raspberries that are A M A Z I N G. When I see them I always get two boxes and they never go to waste. Their cut up pineapple is great too.

Dang I love that store!

[anothershopper2]

Wow - I have not seem all the organic stuff yet at my Costco cause it's soo crowded all the time. I do get EB farms salad. Dirt cheap in comparison to my supermarket. I've also found organic peaches there for $7 for 10 of them and they were soo good. I think it just depends on the store and the season - I bought 3 packages and after that I never saw them again. I'm going to have to read up on Naked Juice.

[scoopdecoop]

OH! and Organic Eggs, 18 eggs for around $3. and they are such good eggs!

Wow wish I had those - was going to tell my dh to get some but when I went the other day they were $3.99 for 1 doz. He'd never pay that esp as we go thru 3 doz a week.