Costco??
- Thread starter wazup
- Start date
I was a member years ago, but I found that you can get better prices if you check the flyer's of the big box stores and buy in bulk when there is a sale. If you want to take a look at the prices, tell them you are going to the pharmacy and they will let you in. ( you do not need a membership to use the pharmacy ) The savings are OK, but not fantastic at Costco.
Like zardoz says.. if you have a family of 4 or more, probably you'll come out ahead at Costco. For me, it just works out that I find a friend who has a membership and go with them. You do have to watch tho, I have seen prices at Costco that were higher than other places, all depending on what you are looking at.
Found that sun glasses were less than half the price at Costco, so joined to buy the sunglasses. Now go occasionally to buy gum and nut bars in bulk. See many people buying food stuff. Don’t really know if the savings are enough to justify going much out of your way.
You could always shop at Walmart if cheap price is what you're looking for. Personally I won't go to either. I hate shopping in general and both these stores remind me of a feeding frenzy.
Had no idea you could buy from the pharmacy without a Costco membership card.
Had a nightmare/Dream about going to a Costco and did not have a card. They had a turnstyle system where they asked for your card after you passed the turnstyle .
Costco may be worth it if you are making large purchases like Electronics or even mattresses.
They do have some good prices on big screen TVs and the odd electronics although choice is limited, and more often than not you save quite a bit which pretty much covers the cost of membership.
I imagine most luxury goods as the above poster mentioned, such as brand name sunglasses and even diamond engagement rings could be gotten cheaper here than elsewhere.
Bulk stuff for the single person like vitamins and gum are priced well too if you are unable to take advantage of the bulk family stuff for large families.
They use to have a return policy if not satisfied that allowed people to return stuff at anytime but due to people abusing this and returning used Televison sets after 7 years of use etc I think this has changed but is still attractive.
They have deals on CK,Tommy and brand name clothes sometimes.
I like their muffins and they have great prices on slab cakes which is great for office parties and birthdays etc.
Grocery items aren't that attractive as better prices or at least the same could be gotten at the big box superstores.
See lots of people stocking up on milk at Costco too.
Plus If you use your American Express card you get back some money at the end of the year.
Had a nightmare/Dream about going to a Costco and did not have a card. They had a turnstyle system where they asked for your card after you passed the turnstyle .
Costco may be worth it if you are making large purchases like Electronics or even mattresses.
They do have some good prices on big screen TVs and the odd electronics although choice is limited, and more often than not you save quite a bit which pretty much covers the cost of membership.
I imagine most luxury goods as the above poster mentioned, such as brand name sunglasses and even diamond engagement rings could be gotten cheaper here than elsewhere.
Bulk stuff for the single person like vitamins and gum are priced well too if you are unable to take advantage of the bulk family stuff for large families.
They use to have a return policy if not satisfied that allowed people to return stuff at anytime but due to people abusing this and returning used Televison sets after 7 years of use etc I think this has changed but is still attractive.
They have deals on CK,Tommy and brand name clothes sometimes.
I like their muffins and they have great prices on slab cakes which is great for office parties and birthdays etc.
Grocery items aren't that attractive as better prices or at least the same could be gotten at the big box superstores.
See lots of people stocking up on milk at Costco too.
Plus If you use your American Express card you get back some money at the end of the year.
I buy at Costco through my brothers membership, as do 3 other family members. I can not see how Costco can beat 30%-50% off specials at big box stores. As far as food stuffs go, I buy in season or on special. Costco can not beat the big supermarket stores in food prices when on special. You will never see .99 a can shaving cream or car wax at half price at Costco. The situation at Costco is an across the board 10 to 15% off all the time and you have to buy in bulk. Where as specials at pharmacies and big box store can be 30 to 50% off when on special. You will never see loss leaders like they have sometimes at Canadian Tire for 75 - 80% off.
When it comes to electronics at Costco you are getting the old models that have been discontinued, you are better off shopping on special at Future Shop or Best Buy
When it comes to electronics at Costco you are getting the old models that have been discontinued, you are better off shopping on special at Future Shop or Best Buy
that ceiling cat is one smart feline.
Costco is consistently good pricing overall but never one off great pricing. The meat is normally very nice quality and is fairly priced. As to other things, if you have the time to look around and want a great price it normally can be had elsewhere.
Costco is consistently good pricing overall but never one off great pricing. The meat is normally very nice quality and is fairly priced. As to other things, if you have the time to look around and want a great price it normally can be had elsewhere.
Meat is 10 ten better at Costco and pound for pound cheaper - when I want a steak I want something I can cut with a butter knife and not these pussy thin wafers - it is nice and thick 
TP the Kirkland brand is nice and thick and more importantly soft. I really don't like using sand paper on my ass.
TP the Kirkland brand is nice and thick and more importantly soft. I really don't like using sand paper on my ass.
shakenbake
Senior Turgid Member
shakenbake
Senior Turgid Member
Not my experience, it is more expensive at Costco than at a good butcher shop. I was a member for about five years before I got tired of the limited selection and not-so-good pricing at Costco. Sam's Club was marginally better. But, neither was as good as smart shopping without having to pa any memebrship fees.Meat is 10 ten better at Costco and pound for pound cheaper - when I want a steak I want something I can cut with a butter knife and not these pussy thin wafers - it is nice and thick
TP the Kirkland brand is nice and thick and more importantly soft. I really don't like using sand paper on my ass.
shakenbake
Senior Turgid Member
Noty on everything at Costco. If you use their Pharmacy, you get nothing back.
To me it's not all about the price....at Costco sometimes you pay less...sometimes you pay more, but the real reason I shop at Costco is their return policy, it is the best...in fact it is untouchable. They never give you a hard time so long as the return is reasonable i.e. not over used or worn. To me it's how you treat the customer after the sale that counts and no one does this better than Costco!
PS....I don't work nor do I have anything financial to gain from Costco!
PS....I don't work nor do I have anything financial to gain from Costco!
I don't understand why everyone isn't welcome, the idea of a membership discourages a lot of people from checking the place out.
It's not like they cater to an exclusive crowd, it's everyday people that go there. It's the only reason I've never been there.
It's not like they cater to an exclusive crowd, it's everyday people that go there. It's the only reason I've never been there.
Probably true - there is a good butcher shop near me and they have never opened past 6:00 PM. For me it is also about them being on the way home.
membership is a concept that includes by exclusion. this is both a psycological draw (similar to golden handcuffs) as well as a financial leveling.
also review the financials of costo. you will be amazed at the income generated by membership fees. normallly this is 70% to 80% of the income for membersip stores/clubs.
My understanding from a marketing course I took years ago, is that it discourages shoplifting/theft. Thieves will generally not pay a membership fee to steal. Also, it attracts a better clientelle. Further, they like to target unions with better fees and you are attracting working customers. It makes sense to me.
Also, you have to be very careful as they also make it difficult to price compare, as they try to get manufactures to make special size packaging for them exclusively. Therefore, if everyone sells by 16oz, theirs maybe 20 ounces, so who wants to figure the exact price/ounce. Personally, with few exceptions you are better off buying your staples as No Frills, Price Chopper, etc.
We're talking Costco, that's a place that caters to middle class families. Average people.
Not upper class snobs.
Anyway, that's their choice of marketing - I believe it's flawed but they've been successful so I could be wrong.
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