We don't have Costco where I live, but we have Sam's Club, which is a rough equivalent. We had a membership for one year, and by the end of that year I had realized much of what this article indicates: I was buying wayyy too much of stuff we would never use, and the stuff that I really needed to buy in quantity was no cheaper than at other discount retailers.
My in-laws live near a Costco and swear by it, though.
lisa
of OK
@
Dec 30, 2007 15:41:29 PM
Costco is still a value....
The fact that Costco offers a cash back program generally it is 1-2% of your annual purchases. For my membership it amounts to $100-120 annually and the membership price is $100 year so it pays for itself. We pay cash for purchases so the discounts on product and no credit card debt make it a good value.
The real concern is control.....do you need to buy pasta every month...NO...I buy dry goods and their meats (although not much variety) in bulk, separate and freeze it. You still need to buy fresh veggies from the local but overall the value and savings are there...because you make less trips to the local store for dry goods.
PEC
of NY
@
Dec 30, 2007 09:01:06 AM
Costco has great member benefits that beat WalMart hands down
Costco has some non-price advantages: automatic doubling of duration of manufacturer's warranty period; lifetime tire rotation service included in purchase price; simple return policy; great road, no quibble hazard warranty on tires; free AmEx card with paid membership....
A. Non
of CA
@
Dec 29, 2007 09:55:51 AM
Not a good fit for this single person household
I did a day of Costco shopping a couple of years ago and found a few deals, but found the massive quantities to be a problem. I still have a huge jar full of hundreds of soon-to-expire extra strength pain pills taking up space in my bathroom. The large sizes are what convinced me a Costco membership would not be a good investment for me.
Boston Gal
of MA
@
Dec 28, 2007 23:28:39 PM
shop around
we shop at Costco, as well as all the other stores. you have to know the going rate of prices of different things in your area. that way, you can buy up a bunch when Costco gets the item. it's still price shopping, but with one more store to price shop.
we have found that Costco (and i imagine Sam's, BJ's and others) have great deals on dry goods - what you buy for the pantry. which doesn't expire until next year. however, if we want fresh vegetables, we still go to the local farmer's market.
cath
of
@
Dec 28, 2007 18:34:46 PM
Irrational Costco Buyers
Good old Sy Simms said it best..."an educated consumer.."
Know your prices and you WILL and DO save money at Costco.
Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for U.S. News & World Report, writes about how to save money, avoid scams, manage debt, and be a savvy shopper. Send your personal finance questions to her for expert money advice.
lisa of OK @ Dec 30, 2007 15:41:29 PM
PEC of NY @ Dec 30, 2007 09:01:06 AM
A. Non of CA @ Dec 29, 2007 09:55:51 AM
Boston Gal of MA @ Dec 28, 2007 23:28:39 PM
cath of @ Dec 28, 2007 18:34:46 PM
wilbur of @ Dec 28, 2007 13:06:34 PM
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