johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,684
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Apr 5, 2017 15:25:24 GMT
Our sams membership is about to expire and we're considering switching to Costco (sams is 45min away, Costco is an hour that's why we will only belong to one) but before we do I want to make sure they have the stuff we usually buy in bulk. Will we successfully be able to walk around without a membership? I know we can't buy anything without it but I don't want to be stopped at the door either.
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Post by katlady on Apr 5, 2017 15:33:06 GMT
Costco doesn't have one day or guest passes. But, supposedly anyone can use their pharmacy. Just say you are picking up a prescription. Also, membership fees are refundable if you decide not to stay a member. So you could join, check out the store and then get your money back if you decide it is not worth it.
ETA - and, if you go right when they open, and go on a weekend, there is usually a crowd to get in. You could just walk close to someone else and act like you are with them. They never question who is in your group.
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Post by mcscrapper on Apr 5, 2017 15:34:06 GMT
Pretty sure you can get a trial membership to just shop around and see what's up before you buy.
We always go back and forth between the two and I like both stores equally. So hard to decide! Luckily, my parents always have both memberships so we can tag along with them when they go.
I like Costco's wine and meat selection but sometimes Sam's has better produce and some other things we like.
Great. Now I want to make a run.
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,684
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Apr 5, 2017 15:47:41 GMT
Pretty sure you can get a trial membership to just shop around and see what's up before you buy. We always go back and forth between the two and I like both stores equally. So hard to decide! Luckily, my parents always have both memberships so we can tag along with them when they go. I like Costco's wine and meat selection but sometimes Sam's has better produce and some other things we like. Great. Now I want to make a run.  sorry I didn't mean to induce shopping  I wish Costco put all their stuff on their website, I can see almost everything Sams has to offer without logging in, Costco is very limited  I wish we lived closer to both to take advantage of their produce/meat more but we mainly buy dry goods/dog food/meds/trash bags/that type of thing. |
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Post by littlemama on Apr 5, 2017 15:58:44 GMT
If you post a list of what you are looking for, chances are, someone here will know some of it! Among all of us, we might even know all of it
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Post by lucyg on Apr 5, 2017 16:02:22 GMT
Costco used to offer a one-day pass to look around and check it out. If that has changed, I didn't know about it.
I would not try to sneak in. That seems unnecessary. I would walk up to the person at the door (checking IDs) and ASK if they do a one-day pass. If yes, he or she will direct you to the member services counter. If no, just say you want to go in and talk to Member Services about joining. Then tell MS that you want to look around. I can't imagine it's a big deal. How else would they get new members?
Be prepared if you're buying stuff, you can only use cash, check, debit card, or any Visa card (doesn't have to be Costco's) to pay. No other credit cards are accepted.
Another option would be if you have a friend who's a member. You could tag along with her on a visit to check it out. You'd need her membership card to check out, but you can pay with your own card.
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,684
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Apr 5, 2017 16:13:30 GMT
If you post a list of what you are looking for, chances are, someone here will know some of it! Among all of us, we might even know all of it Ok, we'll try that. Thanks! Ice Mountain bottled spring water, 16.9oz size (could be Deer Park, Zephyrhills, it varies by region but it's all the same stuff.....dh only like this brand  ) Iams Dog Food (yes, I know Costco brand is better, but she's old I'm not changing her food at this point) Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts Planters Cashews, pieces Generic Prilosec Frozen Fruit medley (strawberries, mangos, pineapple, etc) Frozen Stir Fry Veggie Mix (the good stuff, big pieces of broccoli, carrots, etc) Nature's Valley Protein Bars (peanut butter & dark chocolate) Those are the main things, and really the first 4-5 items are the most important. The rest of the stuff I'm not picky about, like I'm sure they have acceptable kitchen trash bags and cheese and such. |
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,684
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Apr 5, 2017 16:15:40 GMT
Be prepared if you're buying stuff, you can only use cash, check, debit card, or any Visa card (doesn't have to be Costco's) to pay. No other credit cards are accepted. I know, and I'm not thrilled with that. Between all of our credit/debit cards not a single one is Visa, wth. Hopefully I still remember how to write a check  |
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Post by kitkath on Apr 5, 2017 16:17:46 GMT
Depending on what state you live in Costco may let you in to buy liquor. In Michigan non-members can buy liquor at Costco.
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Post by lucyg on Apr 5, 2017 16:22:35 GMT
Be prepared if you're buying stuff, you can only use cash, check, debit card, or any Visa card (doesn't have to be Costco's) to pay. No other credit cards are accepted. I know, and I'm not thrilled with that. Between all of our credit/debit cards not a single one is Visa, wth. Hopefully I still remember how to write a check They'll take any debit card. Doesn't have to be a Visa. I was actually kind of wondering if they do still take checks. I haven't written one in years.  |
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Post by cmpeter on Apr 5, 2017 16:28:31 GMT
I have a membership to both and far prefer Costco. The produce and meat are SOOO much better. Better selection and quality.
I can't speak about your particular items as I don't buy those.
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Post by peano on Apr 5, 2017 16:36:25 GMT
If you post a list of what you are looking for, chances are, someone here will know some of it! Among all of us, we might even know all of it Ok, we'll try that. Thanks! Ice Mountain bottled spring water, 16.9oz size (could be Deer Park, Zephyrhills, it varies by region but it's all the same stuff.....dh only like this brand ) Iams Dog Food (yes, I know Costco brand is better, but she's old I'm not changing her food at this point) Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts Planters Cashews, pieces Generic Prilosec Frozen Fruit medley (strawberries, mangos, pineapple, etc) Frozen Stir Fry Veggie Mix (the good stuff, big pieces of broccoli, carrots, etc) Nature's Valley Protein Bars (peanut butter & dark chocolate) Those are the main things, and really the first 4-5 items are the most important. The rest of the stuff I'm not picky about, like I'm sure they have acceptable kitchen trash bags and cheese and such. The only one of those I know for a fact they have is generic Prilosec, which I tried but didn't work as well for me as the brand name stuff, which I buy there. |
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janeinbama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,204 
Location: Alabama
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Post by janeinbama on Apr 5, 2017 16:41:25 GMT
No Planters nuts at Costco. We buy the Cabot's XSharp at Sam's, even store brand hunk cheese is better at Sam's than Costco to us.
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scorpeao
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Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Apr 5, 2017 16:43:07 GMT
I have both because they are across the street from each other in my town. I typically shop at Sams more than Costco. I don't know how to word this but Sams has more stability (?) in the items they carry. I know 9 times out of 10 that Sams is going to have the almond milk I like. Costco is more hit and miss. They'll have it for a month and then never again.
Edited: Costco carries Iams, but like I said above...not always
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Apr 5, 2017 16:44:10 GMT
Ice Mountain bottled spring water, 16.9oz size (could be Deer Park, Zephyrhills, it varies by region but it's all the same stuff.....dh only like this brand ) Iams Dog Food (yes, I know Costco brand is better, but she's old I'm not changing her food at this point) Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts Planters Cashews, pieces Generic Prilosec Frozen Fruit medley (strawberries, mangos, pineapple, etc) Frozen Stir Fry Veggie Mix (the good stuff, big pieces of broccoli, carrots, etc) Nature's Valley Protein Bars (peanut butter & dark chocolate) I have never seen Iams dog food. Not sure about Planter's nuts, but the Kirkland brand is excellent and the only brand I use now. As for specific brands, they sometimes come and go. That's my only complaint about Costco, once I find something I like and buy it a few times, it disappears from the shelves never to return. I suspect Sam's is the same way though. It's the nature of warehouse shopping. |
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Post by Darcy Collins on Apr 5, 2017 16:47:16 GMT
I'd definitely look around. There's some significant regional differences in Costcos, so I would be very hesitant to rely on input from someone who could be shopping at a completely different state. I'm not sure of the percentages - but I've definitely seen differences in what our local Costco carries and what's available when visiting my parents.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Apr 5, 2017 16:49:30 GMT
No Planters nuts at Costco. We buy the Cabot's XSharp at Sam's, even store brand hunk cheese is better at Sam's than Costco to us. This is exactly what I mean - our Costco carries a local cheese which is phenomenal. It's not available at my parent's Costco. |
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Post by Basket1lady on Apr 5, 2017 17:01:00 GMT
I'd definitely look around. There's some significant regional differences in Costcos, so I would be very hesitant to rely on input from someone who could be shopping at a completely different state. I'm not sure of the percentages - but I've definitely seen differences in what our local Costco carries and what's available when visiting my parents. Not just regional, but stock can vary from one store to the next in the same town. You our can get in to look around, but there isn't an official one day pass. However, you can pay for a membership, shop, and stop at the Customer service desk on your way out and ask for your membership fee to be refunded. There are two tiers of regular membership. $55 will get you shopping priveledge sand $110 will get you a 2% rebate at the end of the year on your purchases. So if you buy furniture, tires, (a vacation? Can't confirm that), you would come out ahead. |
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Post by katlady on Apr 5, 2017 17:03:05 GMT
Even Costcos within 15 miles of each other carry different products. I go to the smaller one by my house because the larger one doesn't carry one certain product I like to buy, which you would think would be the opposite.
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Post by pondrunner on Apr 5, 2017 17:04:13 GMT
If you post a list of what you are looking for, chances are, someone here will know some of it! Among all of us, we might even know all of it Ok, we'll try that. Thanks! Ice Mountain bottled spring water, 16.9oz size (could be Deer Park, Zephyrhills, it varies by region but it's all the same stuff.....dh only like this brand ) Iams Dog Food (yes, I know Costco brand is better, but she's old I'm not changing her food at this point) Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts Planters Cashews, pieces Generic Prilosec Frozen Fruit medley (strawberries, mangos, pineapple, etc) Frozen Stir Fry Veggie Mix (the good stuff, big pieces of broccoli, carrots, etc) Nature's Valley Protein Bars (peanut butter & dark chocolate) Those are the main things, and really the first 4-5 items are the most important. The rest of the stuff I'm not picky about, like I'm sure they have acceptable kitchen trash bags and cheese and such. Costco has the Kirkland peanuts and cashews and other nuts and they are all excellent, if you're not exclusively brand loyal you may find the house brand at Costco quite good |
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,640
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Post by bethany102399 on Apr 5, 2017 17:04:38 GMT
Ours carries Iams, but it's the regular Iams, not the large breed or large breed puppy which is what we need. we're in Mo. Ours also carries Liquor, generic prilosec, mixed fruit and planters.
We buy our microwave popcorn there, as well as cheese and meat. Mom buys their Kirkland brand nuts and likes them (and she's picky about quality especially when it comes to nuts) She also likes their coffee which is starbucks, but branded under Kirkland.
I buy a lot of non-food stuff there too. I just bought an electric toothbrush, and priced their tents, and a swimsuit for DD. I get a lot of DH's clothes there as he works in a casual office and can wear collared shirts with jeans.
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Post by AN on Apr 5, 2017 17:15:54 GMT
Freaking Costco. It's just DH and I, but we joined last year when we bought our adjustable bed. I also cook in bulk, so we do buy most of our meat and cheese at Costco.
They have my number though. It's like their market researchers live in my head. Even DH, who is not a shopper at all, will go and come home and be like "Yeah, I got this zip up hoodie, it just looked like something I'd been thinking I wanted." How do they know what I want before I even know? I am immune to Target - I can easily go in and buy only what I was planning. Costco though, things that weren't on the list ALWAYS end up in that giant cart.
Their meat prices & quality alone are worth the membership cost for us. We were able to get a trial pass to walk around the store, no problem.
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Post by lucyg on Apr 5, 2017 17:20:45 GMT
Freaking Costco. It's just DH and I, but we joined last year when we bought our adjustable bed. I also cook in bulk, so we do buy most of our meat and cheese at Costco. They have my number though. It's like their market researchers live in my head. Even DH, who is not a shopper at all, will go and come home and be like "Yeah, I got this zip up hoodie, it just looked like something I'd been thinking I wanted." How do they know what I want before I even know? I am immune to Target - I can easily go in and buy only what I was planning. Costco though, things that weren't on the list ALWAYS end up in that giant cart. Their meat prices & quality alone are worth the membership cost for us. We were able to get a trial pass to walk around the store, no problem.  |
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LeaP
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Post by LeaP on Apr 5, 2017 17:43:44 GMT
The stir fry mix is good and has chunks of broccoli. I'm pretty sure they have one kind of Planter's nuts, I will look later when I go. My family has developed a mini carrot addiction and we have been eating 5lbs per week.
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Post by monklady123 on Apr 5, 2017 18:19:08 GMT
I'd definitely look around. There's some significant regional differences in Costcos, so I would be very hesitant to rely on input from someone who could be shopping at a completely different state. I'm not sure of the percentages - but I've definitely seen differences in what our local Costco carries and what's available when visiting my parents. Not just regional, but stock can vary from one store to the next in the same town. You our can get in to look around, but there isn't an official one day pass. However, you can pay for a membership, shop, and stop at the Customer service desk on your way out and ask for your membership fee to be refunded. There are two tiers of regular membership. $55 will get you shopping priveledge sand $110 will get you a 2% rebate at the end of the year on your purchases. So if you buy furniture, tires, (a vacation? Can't confirm that), you would come out ahead. I've never bought furniture, tires or a vacation at Costco and I *still* come out ahead with our rebate check at the end of the year. Does that mean we buy too much there?  Even if our rebate isn't the entire $110 it's still always more than $55 so I've never regretted going up from the regular membership. Plus, I think they refund you the difference, don't they? I mean if you don't get at least the $55 back...? Don't quote me on that but I'm pretty sure that's what the guy told me when I switched our membership. |
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kibblesandbits
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At the corner of Awesome and Bombdiggity
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Post by kibblesandbits on Apr 5, 2017 18:35:06 GMT
Costco is my happy place. Was just there this morning! Well worth the membership price. |
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caangel
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Post by caangel on Apr 5, 2017 19:02:35 GMT
No Planters nuts at Costco. We buy the Cabot's XSharp at Sam's, even store brand hunk cheese is better at Sam's than Costco to us. I have Planters Peanuts from Costco in my pantry right now. Like mentioned above slection will vary by store and location. |
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Post by lucyg on Apr 5, 2017 19:17:28 GMT
Not just regional, but stock can vary from one store to the next in the same town. You our can get in to look around, but there isn't an official one day pass. However, you can pay for a membership, shop, and stop at the Customer service desk on your way out and ask for your membership fee to be refunded. There are two tiers of regular membership. $55 will get you shopping priveledge sand $110 will get you a 2% rebate at the end of the year on your purchases. So if you buy furniture, tires, (a vacation? Can't confirm that), you would come out ahead. I've never bought furniture, tires or a vacation at Costco and I *still* come out ahead with our rebate check at the end of the year. Does that mean we buy too much there? Even if our rebate isn't the entire $110 it's still always more than $55 so I've never regretted going up from the regular membership. Plus, I think they refund you the difference, don't they? I mean if you don't get at least the $55 back...? Don't quote me on that but I'm pretty sure that's what the guy told me when I switched our membership.I think that's only for the first year, and then you have to go back to the regular membership. |
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Post by librarylady on Apr 5, 2017 19:32:46 GMT
About 2 years ago, a Costco was opening very near my mother's home. Sister and I went over to look the store over.
That day, there were at least 20 tables at the entryway for people to do the paperwork to join.
We explained that we didn't live in the area, but would like to walk through the store and see if we might want to join.
The clerk said yes, but gave us a talk about "you won't be able to buy. blah, blah"
We went to the door, and the gatekeeper again gave us a big speech about "You can walk through the store but you will not be allowed to purchase."
I think the Costco store produce looked better than what I see in Sams.
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luckyexwife
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Post by luckyexwife on Apr 5, 2017 19:55:19 GMT
There's no need to sneak in or get a trial membership or anything. When we were looking at Costco, we just went there and told the door person that we wanted to look around before we decided to get a membership, and they were more than happy to let us go right in. They did ask us if there's anything specific that we were looking for and if we wanted to order of the store. We declined, because we just wanted to be able to look around and see the prices for different things. I don't know about other Costco's, but I know our Costco changes what they carry regularly. Even some of the regular items, they may be out for two or three weeks, and then the item will be back in stock. I would just go look around, and see what you think compared to Sam's.
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I wish we lived closer to both to take advantage of their produce/meat more but we mainly buy dry goods/dog food/meds/trash bags/that type of thing.
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Even if our rebate isn't the entire $110 it's still always more than $55 so I've never regretted going up from the regular membership. Plus, I think they refund you the difference, don't they? I mean if you don't get at least the $55 back...? Don't quote me on that but I'm pretty sure that's what the guy told me when I switched our membership.
