Nink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,947 
Location: North Idaho
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Post by Nink on Feb 5, 2016 15:06:29 GMT
It's just DH and I and we buy from Costco frequently. The main thing is their grain free dog food for our pooches. But we also buy coffee, butter, eggs, bread, tortillas, paper towels and tp, dish and laundry soap plus I do a lot of baking so I buy all my vanilla extract, chocolate chips, walnuts etc. I also love their beauty section. Their Kirkland lotion is fabulous as are they facial wipes. Also all their bottles of stuff like Tylenol and Advil etc are dirt cheap.
A co-worker and I split the membership so it only costs each of us $27.50 a year.
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Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on Feb 5, 2016 15:14:58 GMT
We think it is so worth the money. We buy things there that we don't buy any where else. And we do a lot of seasonal shopping there.
There are times we also do electronic shopping there. We get our printer ink there.
We seem to go there some month 2 or 3 times and other months we don't go at all Depends on the month and what we need. We get our meds there too. like Advil and Tylenol. I get my fiber pills there. just those 3 bottles right there saves us a ton of money every year buying them at costco. Because those are the three things we go through the most.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Feb 5, 2016 15:55:48 GMT
...like someone already wrote, you can have a pretty decent meal (lol) if you time it right when they're giving away free samples. I personally don't like shopping then, because everyone congregates in the middle of the aisles around the sample carts, but it is a good way to taste some of the things they're selling without having to buy a 5-lb tub of dip, for example...
and the hot dog / soda is a screaming deal. I remember seeing a show on CNN, maybe (?) about Costco, and the CEO said they would never raise the price on that, because it's one of the things people like so much.
The liquor, etc. is from some of the same distilleries, wineries, etc. that the 'name brand' stuff is, and the buyers take great care to purchase the best items for the Kirkland brand. Manufacturers know it's a coup to get into Costco, because of the potential exposure and sales.
You do have to watch some things, though-- I think a number of things are only carried seasonally, so if you want something specific it might not be available year-round. (for example, my BF likes drinking Guinness, and it's only carried in the AZ stores in the fall / winter.)
And for me, even if some things are cheaper at other stores, I may still buy them at Costco; I don't like shopping at 5 different stores just to save a dollar or two, so it makes sense for me to get things in as few trips as possible.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Feb 5, 2016 16:11:10 GMT
...like someone already wrote, you can have a pretty decent meal (lol) if you time it right when they're giving away free samples. I personally don't like shopping then, because everyone congregates in the middle of the aisles around the sample carts, but it is a good way to taste some of the things they're selling without having to buy a 5-lb tub of dip, for example... and the hot dog / soda is a screaming deal. I remember seeing a show on CNN, maybe (?) about Costco, and the CEO said they would never raise the price on that, because it's one of the things people like so much. The liquor, etc. is from some of the same distilleries, wineries, etc. that the 'name brand' stuff is, and the buyers take great care to purchase the best items for the Kirkland brand. Manufacturers know it's a coup to get into Costco, because of the potential exposure and sales. You do have to watch some things, though-- I think a number of things are only carried seasonally, so if you want something specific it might not be available year-round. (for example, my BF likes drinking Guinness, and it's only carried in the AZ stores in the fall / winter.)
And for me, even if some things are cheaper at other stores, I may still buy them at Costco; I don't like shopping at 5 different stores just to save a dollar or two, so it makes sense for me to get things in as few trips as possible.Even if a few things are a little more on the front end, by the time I calculate the added savings I get from the executive membership and Amex rebates, it's actually cheaper in the long run. Not to mention time is money too, and if I can get most of what I need in a single trip (and fill up the car with the cheapest gas in town while I'm already there!) so much the better. |
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SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,612
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Feb 5, 2016 16:20:51 GMT
A lot of people mention the dog food. What makes it so special? I have two small dogs (Lhasa apsos) that currently eat Fresh Pet.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Feb 5, 2016 16:35:39 GMT
I don't know exactly, other than I believe it's grain free (dry kibble)... we get the lamb, rice, and vegetable variety. We bought all of our dogs from a breeder who also shows her dogs, and that's what she feeds her dogs. We figure if it's good enough for her show dogs, it's good enough for our 'pet' quality dogs, too.
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Post by peano on Feb 5, 2016 17:31:58 GMT
I think it is so worth it, even though it can be a PIA to shop there.
We love:
wet and dry dog food
salmon burgers
turkey burgers
sirloin burgers
huge frozen shrimp
Kirkland laundry detergent
Finish dishwasher tabs
tp
kleenex
paper towels
microfiber shop towels
cereal
beach towels
beach chairs
beach umbrellas
booze
cheese
I bought a bunch of fleece-lined workout tights and thermal tees this fall and saved a ton of money
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Post by cath4k on Feb 5, 2016 18:17:51 GMT
Maybe you all can help me. Our Costco is 15 - 20 minutes away (so it won't be a regular place to get gas, we won't go multiple times per week, etc.) We have a lot of restrictions. We are all gluten free and one is dairy free. We try to eat organic or at least all-natural and we have to avoid things like perfumes in non-food items, too. I have heard that Costco carries some organic/all-natural products, but do they carry enough for a membership to be worth it for our family?
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,531
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Post by bethany102399 on Feb 5, 2016 18:28:37 GMT
I know a couple of people who really like their produce, as well as their organic items. One family is gluten free and feels there is a good selection of the GF items there. I can get perfume free/dye free laundry soap there, and use the dishwasher tabs no problem. Their meat is also very good, and I know you can get the dairy free milk there for a competative price.
ETA, I have seriously looked at their furniture, we have bought electronics at Sams and I suspect Costco is competative. Their non-food seasonal items are fantastic, wrapping paper, toys beach gear etc. I also work with 2 people who use their tire service and love it.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Feb 5, 2016 18:54:48 GMT
depends on the kind of things you buy... we got our membership primarily for the Costco brand dog food (it's what our breeder feeds all her dogs, so that's what we continue to use) and the cost savings on that alone is worth the membership cost. I do agree with the costs of electronics, etc. if you're looking to upgrade a television, buy a camera, etc. I sometimes buy paper goods there, but usually I'm picky about brands of soap, etc. so I don't buy those things from Costco. We do have a walk-in pantry, so that's where some of the Costco-size things get stored. Even without a garage, etc. you could always find room for some 'larger' size items in a coat closet, extra bedroom closet, etc. if you remember you put them there, that is. heck, the cost and huge size of the rotisserie chicken from the Costco deli makes it worth it, I think, compared to the puny ones I've seen at my grocery store. ETA: some of the other things aren't such outlandish sizes of products, actually. They do sell 1-gallon tubs of mayonnaise, but they also sell 6-packs of 'regular' size cans of soup, canned chicken, chicken broth, etc. so if there are certain things you KNOW you use often (for me, one of them is Rotel canned tomatoes with chiles) then I can buy the Costco package of 6 cans, and always know I have them on hand. They also sell larger size containers of spices and herbs, such as garlic powder, minced onions, taco seasoning, etc. and those are SO much cheaper than the grocery store prices... Same for us. We are a three person household but I can't see us giving up our membership when dd moves out. We also buy our dog food there, electronics, etc. About the only thing we don't buy there is produce because I get it at the farmers market right down the road from work. I can hit that twice a week spring through fall and get fresh produce in smaller quantities. |
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,175
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Feb 5, 2016 18:59:44 GMT
A thousand times yes.  The first time you buy a TV, computer, or camera there, you'll thank me. ETA you have grown kids nearby, right? If you don't want to store big packs of things, give the extras to your kids. You will have spent the same as for half the amount at the grocery store or drugstore, but you got enough to share with your family. Yesterday I bought a box that contained two gallons of milk. I only needed one, but it cost the same as one gallon at the supermarket, and I had an extra for my kid's house. I also give them half of a two-pack of Cheerios, children's Tylenol, giant packs of paper towels, etc. My neighbor and I also trade when we have big boxes of frozen snacks for the kids.  My neighbor and I share stuff all the time like ziplocs, apples, etc.
lucyg is a huge fan of their rotisserie chickens!! They are really nice with huge breasts for only 5 bucks. That is a screaming deal and you can use one chicken for a couple of meals.
I love Costco!
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PLurker
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,744
Location: Behind the Cheddar Curtain
Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
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Post by PLurker on Feb 5, 2016 19:02:26 GMT
I may have to join the cult. Used to have Sams Club, but not near one anymore.
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ponsonby2
Shy Member
Posts: 40
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Post by ponsonby2 on Feb 5, 2016 19:54:51 GMT
Long-time lurker here, who just found out I can sign-on from work (could only read before)!
I'll speak as a single person who has memberships to both Costco and Sams.
You do have to be careful not to go overboard when buying as a single person. It is very easy to be tempted into buying more than you need.
But I do share a lot with my mom, such as packages of grape tomatoes, the 6-pack of colored bell peppers, the 6-pack of avocados. And she loves the two-pack jars of artichokes mentioned above.
There are a few things mentioned in this post as Costco positives for which I am in the minority and prefer getting at Sams - rotisserie chicken (heresy, I know, but all the Costco chickens I've gotten are reddish-pink inside and I like my poultry cooked); and picture printing. Although I always turn color correction off, my pictures at Costco are a garish intense color. Sams pictures are much better as far as I am concerned. Hormel pre-cooked bacon is thick-cut at Costco and thin-cut at Sams, and I prefer the thin-cut. And the book selection is better at Sams for my taste.
But I am going more and more to Costco because of their selection of organic foods. They really have a wonderful selection.
My favorites at Costco (not necessarily organic):
Cage-free organic eggs (although there have been stories in the Media that these aren't either organic or cage-free actually) Heavy Cream K-cups - I love the Kirkland Breakfast Blend - very similar to the Green Mountain Breakfast Blend. Grilled chicken breast strips Single-serve guacamole cups - fantastic! I can't think of the brand, but they have an organic spaghetti sauce that is wonderful. Restaurant gift cards (these usually only appear at Christmas) - Ruth's Chris and Bonefish Grill for my area this year - $100 in gift cards for $80. Kirkland generic Prilosec - almost half the price of brand-name. Meats and vegetables in general. Organic chicken breasts Organic ground beef
I got a Blend-tec blender this year on Amazon when they were having special pricing - I thought I got a great deal and then they were on sale at Costco that month for $50 cheaper - ouch!
I got the most wonderful pre-lit Christmas tree there a few years back, but they have a similar one every year. For less than $200 for one that had more lights on it than any other similar-height tree I could find. My 7.5 foot tree was so beautiful my mom went and got a 9-ft tree a few years later.
I got my first prescription glasses there this year, for slightly over $300. The woman who waited on me used to work for LensCrafters and she said the same glasses would have cost over $700 there. But I didn't verify the price.
Whew! I must have been holding a lot in when I couldn't answer before. I'll stop now.
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Post by lucyg on Feb 5, 2016 20:19:06 GMT
I forgot to say, I bought a membership for my stepfather for Christmas (and that's for two people in their late 80s, living in a 2BR apartment). He always turned up his nose at Costco, although my mom would go with me and buy stuff. But then his favorite high-end booze went up to $110/bottle at BevMo, and even the guy at BevMo told him to go to Costco for it. So I took him ... he found the same stuff for $65, and fell in love with the place. He spent way more than I did that trip, including three bottles of his whatever whiskey.  He's very excited about his new Costco membership. |
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Post by lucyg on Feb 5, 2016 20:32:52 GMT
Maybe you all can help me. Our Costco is 15 - 20 minutes away (so it won't be a regular place to get gas, we won't go multiple times per week, etc.) We have a lot of restrictions. We are all gluten free and one is dairy free. We try to eat organic or at least all-natural and we have to avoid things like perfumes in non-food items, too. I have heard that Costco carries some organic/all-natural products, but do they carry enough for a membership to be worth it for our family? They carry a fair amount of organics including eggs, dairy, etc. More and more stuff is labeled gluten free, but I don't really watch for that so I can't say for sure. I get their Kirkland brand free & clear liquid detergent in a giant jug when it goes on sale every few months so it's really a screamin' deal. You can get a day pass at the customer service desk up front as a non-member to check it out, so you should try that before joining. Just be prepared to pay with cash, debit card, or Am Ex card. They don't take regular credit cards except for Am Ex at the moment. That's going to change soon to Visa instead, I think in April. |
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basketdiva
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,619
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Post by basketdiva on Feb 5, 2016 20:39:59 GMT
AND now has no one mentioned the SAMPLES? ? OMG! Time it right and you don't have to eat lunch! It's been great to get our DD to try new foods. We discovered that she loves cheesecake and despises cranberry goat cheese. Lol.The sample carts annoy me. People stand around the cart trying every flavor of something and not caring if they are blocking aisles. Then there are the kids trying to grab at everything too.
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Post by jassy on Feb 5, 2016 21:04:26 GMT
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Post by sunraynnc on Feb 6, 2016 0:06:17 GMT
Yes, if you are a wine drinker!
Good deals on K-cups and big bags of salad are cheaper than at the grocery. Kirkland brand is very good...we like the trash bags.
Also, go at lunch for samples and get a diet Pepsi on the way out. Done!
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Grom Pea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,944
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Post by Grom Pea on Feb 6, 2016 0:53:47 GMT
Also Costco travel. ..i used them for a Disney cruise and they gave me hundreds in Costco cash on top of the stateroom credits i got from Disney.
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Post by acd on Feb 6, 2016 2:28:41 GMT
We even bought our Lexus through Costco. Excellent, no haggle price at a partner dealership near us. We even booked a vacation through Costco. Great pricing, easy booking. Like I said, worth every penny. No way!  I love Costco and I'm there every week. I had no idea I could have purchased my car through them! I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but we buy plants from them several times a year. They are always big and beautiful - and ridiculously cheap! Is there anything they don't sell? |
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scentcrazy
Junior Member
Posts: 91
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Post by scentcrazy on Feb 6, 2016 2:34:25 GMT
I wondered the same thing as a single person. But then two of my coworkers (who were also single), told me they both had memberships and the rest was history. I don't get TP or paper towels tree as I a do much better at the supermarket, but there are a few things I really like from there such as the rotisserie chicken. I normally don't spend over $30 and go about 5 times a year.
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Post by papersilly on Feb 6, 2016 3:29:00 GMT
We even bought our Lexus through Costco. Excellent, no haggle price at a partner dealership near us. We even booked a vacation through Costco. Great pricing, easy booking. Like I said, worth every penny. No way! I love Costco and I'm there every week. I had no idea I could have purchased my car through them!
Yup! They are partnered with thousands of dealerships. You put in your specifications for the vehicle you want and dealers will present their best and final prices for that vehicle. We had done our research around the different dealerships and when we decided to go through Costco, a dealer nearby had our car at the best price possible. It was great and we would do it all over again.
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Post by katlady on Feb 6, 2016 3:33:24 GMT
Is there anything they don't sell? They sell caskets! |
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Post by acd on Feb 6, 2016 4:17:13 GMT
Yup! They are partnered with thousands of dealerships. You put in your specifications for the vehicle you want and dealers will present their best and final prices for that vehicle. We had done our research around the different dealerships and when we decided to go through Costco, a dealer nearby had our car at the best price possible. It was great and we would do it all over again.
Thanks papersilly. I just told my husband. We'll definitely check this out.  |
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M in Carolina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,128
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Post by M in Carolina on Feb 6, 2016 4:25:59 GMT
Even though until recently we haven't even had a Costco close to us, we have a membership that pays for itself because we have our auto and renter's insurance through one of Costco's plans. We get our car insurance for HALF of what we used to pay.
We also have a membership at Sam's Club. We use their pharmacy, and it's so easy to pick up a few things at Sam's when we pick up our scripts.
We love their Panera Soups--loaded baked potato and broccoli cheddar.
They have great cheeses, seafood, meats, and produce. We get tons of produce that is the best quality. Their dates are amazingly good. I can also eat my weight in their strawberries.
We've also gotten great deals on open box electronics. Dh found a $1200 espresso maker in an open box for $150. At Christmas they sold the same machine for $250, which was a smoking deal. The machine uses either whole beans or ground, and all you have to do is press a few buttons. Easy and has saved a ton of money not buying Starbucks--and the espresso is so much better.
A new Costco has opened up in the next town by us, and we're going to check it out once the opening crowds die down. We used to live by a Costco, and I loved their choice beef and other meats and wide selection of organic foods.
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Post by 2peafaithful on Feb 6, 2016 13:20:39 GMT
Yes it totally is. We have a membership but we have a family. My mom let her lapse because she felt like for one person she didn't want to spend the money. I would pick up the few regular items she liked and that worked fine for a couple of years. She just decided a few weeks ago she wanted her own again.
Costco is so much more than 18 rolls of paper towel. Household items, gifts, books, vacations, tires, medicines, clothes and so much more. Even a single person or a married couple without kids at home still use those items. Most people even have a few items they use more than your average amount of and buying it in bulk is helpful.
We are moving and one thing I will miss the most is we have had a Costco about 3-4 minutes from our home. It hasn't been opened that long (maybe a year tops) so it wasn't something we always have had but it has been wonderful. I will go back to having one about 15 minutes away. Not too bad. When the one opened near us I told my husband I will never cook a whole chicken again! I could run and get a perfectly cooked chicken, pick up a side or whatever and have a quick dinner.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Feb 6, 2016 16:26:26 GMT
Maybe you all can help me. Our Costco is 15 - 20 minutes away (so it won't be a regular place to get gas, we won't go multiple times per week, etc.) We have a lot of restrictions. We are all gluten free and one is dairy free. We try to eat organic or at least all-natural and we have to avoid things like perfumes in non-food items, too. I have heard that Costco carries some organic/all-natural products, but do they carry enough for a membership to be worth it for our family? I think you will be pleasantly surprised by how many GF and organic items they sell. I've been noticing lately that the organic stuff is labeled throughout the store with green price signs. Gluten free products are all clearly labeled on the packages. We avoid dyes and perfumes too because our DD breaks out from those, and have used their Kirkland brand free and clear laundry detergent for years without any problems. Get a one day pass and have a look! |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,430
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Feb 6, 2016 16:50:01 GMT
AND now has no one mentioned the SAMPLES?? OMG! Time it right and you don't have to eat lunch! It's been great to get our DD to try new foods. We discovered that she loves cheesecake and despises cranberry goat cheese. Lol.The sample carts annoy me. People stand around the cart trying every flavor of something and not caring if they are blocking aisles. Then there are the kids trying to grab at everything too. I'm not one who blocks and all that and our costcos don't let kids have samples unless their parent is right with them. We also always say thank you. Our sample people actually are very friendly. They know my family so well that my DH was in with my DD and I wasn't there and they asked him where mom was! Lol |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,430
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Feb 6, 2016 16:53:35 GMT
Yesterday, I was at the doctor right across the street from Costco. I needed dinner before I went back to chaperone a dance. Ran in bought peanut butter (mine went moldy in the fridge! Wth!) and cough drops and hotdog/soda. Yes, I frequently pick up 2-5 items at a time! I love my costcos!
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Post by auntkelly on Feb 6, 2016 16:55:32 GMT
We buy most of our wine at Costco.
They carry upscale brands like Chanel in their health and beauty section.
We're getting ready to purchase patio furniture from Costco.
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? OMG! Time it right and you don't have to eat lunch! It's been great to get our DD to try new foods. We discovered that she loves cheesecake and despises cranberry goat cheese. Lol.
Southern Side eyed Pea 
