Current Events > You guys shop at Costco? How is it?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I know I always hear that it's so cheap since you're buying in bulk, but how cheap exactly. Especially if just shopping for two.

I've always felt that with my grocery shopping, staples like rice, beans, lentils, and eggs are cheap already, and any money saved won't be that dramatic.
When grocery shopping, for me at least, the additional price comes from just the various add-ons that you buy. Like I can spend $4 a month on lentils, but I spend like $20 a month on peanuts. It's shit like that that adds up, not rice and beans.

I guess from a financial point, I'm just curious if I should look into shopping there or not.

In terms of time, I actually like my weekly shipping trips to the store, so it's not an issue of me wanting to cut down on going shopping or anything like that
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It's only cheap per item. Expect each trip to cost you at least $100.
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You're buying in bulk, so you get a low unit price. The quality of the items is high. I have been shopping there since the place was known as Price Club and only once have I been dissatisfied with a purchase. They quickly took care of the problem.

Also it seems like a good company. Good corporate neighbor and they pay and treat their staff well. I see no drawbacks to shopping at Costco.
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The membership is how Costco makes most of it's money. Stuff like groceries is cheap but it comes in bulk so the stuff like bread or milk that expires fast is not ideal to pick up unless you have a dinner party planned.

Stuff like electronics, toys, or tvs can sometimes be found cheaper on Amazon so you always have to compare the prices.

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Ya, I understand it'll be cheaper since it's in bulk, bulk how much cheaper is what I'm wondering. I think staples are cheap already as is.

Do they have like trial memberships you can use? I just need to do it in person
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I had a membership as a two-person household for years and it was worth it, but you have to know your grocery load. I don't have a percentage of cheapness for it, but there are definite things it makes sense for.

Worth it: Toilet paper, paper towels, detergents, eggs, cheeses, produce (if you eat a lot of vegetables, which you honestly should, but stay away from their green beans because they mold fast and their clementines, while adequate, are blight-prone in multiple states), meats to freeze, mass quantities of prepared freezer foods for parties, condiments, canned meats, specific pasta products (if you just buy generic pasta, grocery store is fine; if you love Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, buy it at CostCo).

Not worth it: Experimental foodstuffs, things of comparable size to something you could get at a grocery store, junk food for yourself, breads (unless you freeze them, they'll probably mold). I never did electronics, but what Blue_Target said is probably true.
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It's pretty similar to walmart prices, except the costco brand quality is high instead of total crap. All the stuff you'd avoid at walmart -- the deli, the auto shop, the veggies etc are good. The catch is it's not all cheap and buying in bulk can be a hassle

personally I prefer walmart

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Depends of what you're buying. Cereal, bread, frozen meats and poultry are always great buys especially when in discount. Some of my favorite deals are the 1 gallon hageen daaz ice cream for 10 bucks and the 2 big bags of honey bunches of oats for less than 5. Ideally should still go to a typical super market the weekly expenses like eggs and eggs along with some other stuff you dont need 5 or 10 of at the moment.
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I been watching Baskets and you'd think that show was funded by Costco lol. Good show so far
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emblem boy posted...

Do they have like trial memberships you can use? I just need to do it in person

see if you have a friend that has a Costco membership and have them pick you up a gift card with a couple of bucks in it. You can make purchases with the gift card and pay the difference with cash.

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I get fresh beef at $3.15/lb, frozen seafood under $.30/oz.
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Good to know guys. I'll try and get in there one of these days

VanananaHeyHey posted...

Worth it: Toilet paper, paper towels, detergents, eggs, cheeses, produce

That makes sense and I hadn't thought about non food items.
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The product selection is great, but unless you're buying for a party, it's nothing special.
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here's what i buy on a monthly basis:

tyson panko breaded chicken strips
1 package of beef hamburgers
1 bag of chicken jerky dog treats
1 package of jif peanut butter
1 jar of whichever jelly they have on hand.
1 package of cheese (tillamook or kraft).

i'm saving on everything. the membership does pay for itself over the year (can't find chicken jerky in that amount within a supermarket).

best way to cook chicken strips or poppers is via air fryer.
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Blue_Target posted...

Stuff like groceries is cheap but it comes in bulk so the stuff like bread or milk that expires fast is not ideal to pick up

The milk isn't in bulk, it's just a gallon. They don't have 10 gallon drums of milk. -_-

Anyway, Costco is a magical place. I still shop elsewhere for a lot of stuff, their produce section isn't very diverse and most of it isn't stuff you want in bulk, but they are great for all of the staples and snacks and stuff. Also the food court.

i hate walking around costco, theres so much damn static electricity
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My biggest savings is probably on gas
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^That too. Costco gas is always at least 10 cents cheaper.