Anyone know from whom Costco gasoline is sourced?
Dog food, dog beds, flea meds, dog toys
Toilet paper
Eggs
Laundry soap, dishwasher pods, bounce,oxiclean, Dawn
Toothpaste, Advil,Emergen C
Bananas, lettuce, berries, precut organic butternut squash, butter
Beach volleyballs, tennis balls
Tires
Men’s socks
LED bulbs – They can be unbelievably inexpensive if you catch a sale (periodically).
TP (I stock up on Charmin)
Coffee beans (Starbucks, Peets, and others)
I never leave without getting a rotisserie chicken ($4.99)
Fresh baked goods from the bakery - I’m not really a sweets eater and try to avoid bread, but if you have a freezer, they do have a great bakery with fresh baked breads, rolls, bagels, cookies, pies, cakes, pastries, etc.
Great prices on quality towels, sheets, etc.
If you or your kids are into drinking your daily quota of water and avoid plastic bottles like I do, they sell 2-packs of stainless steel bottles that (I think) are just rebranded HydroFlask that they call ThermoFlask, but their 2-packs are less than the cost of one Hydroflask. I bought them in both 24 oz and 40 oz sizes and LOVE them. They keep water cold for up to 24 hours even when left in a hot car in the summer.
Wine - look for the specials and use the Vivino app to see how good they are.
Too bad on no gas station. We go out of our way to fill up at Costco. There are 2 along my weekly drives and one other not too far away. Just yesterday I was in the area where that Costco’s gas tends to be a bit higher than the one closest to my house, although both are significantly cheaper than the branded stations. Premium was $2.59 where I was, but the one by my house was only $2.46 a gallon. While I was near empty, I decided to wait until I was heading home. It was a good thing traffic wasn’t any worst than it was, as I only had 2/10 of a gallon when I filled up! The things I do to save a few pennies!
@BelmontVA I do not know where the gas is sourced, but know it is considered a top tier gas.
“Fresh baked goods from the bakery - I’m not really a sweets eater and try to avoid bread, but if you have a freezer, they do have a great bakery with fresh baked breads, rolls, bagels, cookies, pies, cakes, pastries, etc.”
I bake from scratch mainly but I’ve got to not be tempted by that stuff anyway.
“as I only had 2/10 of a gallon when I filled up”
Oh, I live MUCH more dangerously than that! 
Gasoline
$1.50 hotdog
$4.99 rotisserie chicken
bananas
organic apples
35-pack of water for $3
2-year membership to 24-hour fitness
Glasses
Tires with the 1 cent installation when it is on sale (every other month)
24-pack of roses
My local Costcos open at 9am so be there at 9am if you dare go on weekends…
“One thing I DON’T do at Costco is purchasing anything that’s contracted with the third-parties. For example, I don’t purchase cars, travels, blinds, etc. I can do much better purchasing any of these without going through Costco.”
We do. Their contractors offer higher end products, and the prices are comparable to what others selling these products quoted. I value my time, and dealing with contractors through Costco saved us a lot of hassle. When I paid with my Costco card (most contractors want cash only), I got a boatload of money back both from Visa and from my executive membership. Enough for recarpeting the upstairs with premium plush carpets.
We just came back with a load: fruit, lamb, halibut, milk, eggs, hummus, lox, Chandon in festive wrapper, Patz and Hall Chardonnay, a Fitbit for Mr., a T3 flat iron for me to replace the old one that is 1/2 dead, veggies, and chicken. Oh yeah, and 2 Wine Passports for the garages, because we always take the shortcut through that area on the way back and stop for a tasting or two.
Costco wines are actually very good deals. Some are cheaper than wine clubs.
It’s been my experience that most items are priced no better than I can get online. I also find it awkward to shop in store with the amusement park like crowded parking lots, lines at checkout, lack of in store labeling, and limited product lines. So my biggest benefit from my Costco membership is expensive rarely purchased items, with a large markup, that I’d prefer not to get online. Some examples are below.
Basic Hearing Aid (comparing similar models)
Independent Audiologist – Quoted me $2300
Sonus (chain dealership) – Quoted me $1400
Costco – Purchased for $899, includes unlimited cleanings while shopping
Galaxy S9 Phone
Costco: Half price - $200 Costco cash - $100 Dealer rebate, Includes Costco accessory pack
AT&T: Half price - $100 Dealer rebate
Verizon: 2 for price of 1 deal
Others: Higher than Costco
I also regularly get gas at Costco. Gas price differences vary by location. In some locations, Costco gas is similarly priced to other lower priced stations. However, in my area, Costco gas averages ~30 cents/gallon less than the lowest priced stations, and ~70 cents/gallon less than the ones near my neighborhood.
Raw ingredients for baking–flour, sugar, etc. (since you mentioned that you are a baker)
Skippy peanut butter
hearing aids!
gallon containers of milk for less than half a gallon costs in stores here. Full fat costs a little more than 2 percent which costs a little more than 1 percent which costs a little more than skim
miscellaneous frozen stuff–worth looking through
frozen lasagna
some electronics–look at the sale brochure you’ll get in the mail every month, plus it should be available on the website
leggings
bananas
cocktail tomatoes (Campari)
navel oranges, a big box lasts a long time without spoiling
grilled mediterranean seasoned cubes of chicken on skewers, in a green and black package–amazingly tasty!
I am a household of one living in a rental apartment with a very basic refrigerator/freezer so I have to ration what I buy. I don’t go to Costco often but I love the stuff I get when I do. And when I don’t, I bring it back for a refund.
Based on the overwhelming responses so far, dare I conclude that CC parents’ affection for Costco is at the same level as that for good fit colleges, if not triumphing over? ?
I was also skeptical that a membership was worth it, but over time I realized what a great place Costco is. Their return policy may be the best in the business, even on electronics. Their gas is Top Tier (Sam’s is not).
Kirkland is Costco’s store brand. We like the Kirkland organic peanut butter - very good. I always have a bag of their frozen whole green beans in my freezer. I recently bought a new Cuisinart coffee maker for $45 on sale. Today I picked up a carry-on spinner bag for my son for $39.99.
When on sale, OTC medicines and vitamins are a good price. Anything from the bakery (I love their freshly baked French bread) is good. The Kirkland brand coffee is roasted by Starbucks. The fresh salmon at our store is excellent, and if there is fresh rotisserie chicken, I never leave the store without one!
I think you’ll get value out of your membership over time. They have additional products and sales online, so don’t forget to check their website. We’ve found their men’s clothing surprisingly good quality. Prices that end in “7” are clearance prices.
If you are dissatisfied with your membership, they will give you a full refund at any time, even if you’re near your one year renewal date.
“My local Costcos open at 9am so be there at 9am if you dare go on weekends…”
10AM for mine. Maybe I’ll wait until Monday. Will there still be samples?
@BunsenBurner What is a wine passport?
“lack of in store labeling” I did find this VERY annoying on my first foray.
“gallon containers of milk” problem is we won’t use that much milk
I will say that the eyeglasses purchased made it worth the cost of membership. The glasses I picked out aren’t as high quality as what I currently own but they are a third of the price with progressive lenses. So, I bought 3 pair. I’ve always wanted to be able to switch out styles but couldn’t do that with $600+ eyeglasses.
The best time for samples is Saturday and Sunday from about 12-3 PM. It can be crowded but manageable. Sometimes good samples Thursday and Friday afternoons. Rest of the week not much.
Regarding milk, again the size issue, I never buy it at Costco.
Costco does cobranding on some items: Kirkland/Campbell’s, Kirkland/Starbucks etc.
What does “lack of in store labelling” mean?
Regarding limited product lines a good rule is shop Costco first then elsewhere if they don’t have what you need.
As a single person, I don’t buy a lot of food. In a prior thread, I mentioned that I had the frozen salmon and chicken breasts, and had repackaged ground meat into small portions. I left the freezer door ajar, so all got tossed. So, I won’t be buying much frozen food again.
Butter
TP, towels, tissues
Coffee
Fruit,
Medicine & vitamins, tooth paste.
Liquor
Choc chips, vanilla, and other baking supplies
Condiments that come in small bottles, like ketchup, mustard
Canned Tuna and salmon
Nuts
That’s my minimal. I like seeing what is a special . I often buy storage containers. I bought PJs and liked them so much $12.00, that I bought another set in a different color. I treat costco like an adventure, even if I go just once a month.
@doschicos FYI: different Costco warehouses carry different sample eyeglass frames (in my area at least). So I normally check out different warehouses, write down my favorite frame’s product number and order it at my preferred location.
@BelmontVA I have only one even somewhat near me (no interest in driving hours). I was hoping for a little more of a trendy/hip selection but I’m sure they are catering to the clientele which isn’t urban/hip.
Bath towels, sheets, batteries, croissants, gloves, socks, wine, french bread, fresh fruit, avocados, baking nuts and pine nuts, fresh green beans, mini creamer potatoes, romaine (ha!), delicious fresh spinach and cheese ravioli, Kirkland brand TP and tissues, frozen black bean patties, frozen veggie sausages, Kirkland EVOO and balsamic vinegar, rice vinegar, Kirkland vanilla extract, canned coconut milk, wire-edged ribbon, wrapping paper (multi-rolls per pack, not the giant roll which I believe is impossible to ever use up), Kirkland almond butter, croutons, rice, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, Advil. Our Costco currently carries 3-packs of Raincoast Crisps which are wonderful, but this may be a regional item. Random items come and go seasonally, like silicone baking sheet liners, umbrellas, wreaths, orchids. We keep some bread, croissants and ravioli to use fresh and freeze the rest.
This year for the first time ever I bought our Christmas tree at Costco. 8-foot noble firs for $49.99, bound up in twine so I had to just make a leap of faith and pick one. It’s probably the prettiest tree we’ve ever had! We cut off the bottom and are keeping it outdoors in water for now, will move it indoors in a week or so. But if your location had trees, they’re probably sold out by now.
I haven’t read all the responses but just wanted to say that even as a small household I think you can make very good use of Costco.
Fresh fruit and vegetables at very good prices. Berries usually very good prices for the quantity. I just choose one or two (instead of getting 4 different fruits) and that’s what we eat that week or so.
We also love the bag o salads - not your typical bag o salad! My most recent favorite is an organic cherry almond blue with blue cheese vinaigrette. This is the most expensive but at 6.99 provides me with several salads in a weeks time. Again, don’t buy 3 different salads and have waste, just use one and enjoy it all!
Gas absolutely. In our area, Costco gas averages 20 cents less per gallon. (just read you don’t have a gas station - bummer!)
I stock up on pantry items like cans of chicken broth, diced tomatoes, canned mushrooms - don’t have to be used up and will last as long as needed! 12 cans of chicken broth today for like $6.
Today I also bought 10 pounds of Pioneer sugar for $2.99. The grocery store bags aren’t even 5 pounds anymore!
And as far as toilet paper and all, does it matter (unless space is a problem) how fast you use it if it’s cheaper - how great to not have to buy toilet paper for a long time!
Ibuprofen, vitamin D, Aveeno lotion.
The meats are really good. Repackage in smaller quantities when you get home. And cheese - the crumbled feta and two BIG logs of goat cheese - 6.99?
Without kids home we might not go weekly, but it’s a well worth stop a couple times a month.