<p>This is my first year with a Costco membership and I pretty much have a routine of what I buy (I try not to just wander the aisles–too much temptation). I have noticed that a good amount of stuff changes seasonally–Christmas stuff to now bathing suits, for example. For you experienced, expert Costco shoppers, my question is, what seasonal things are you buying now?</p>
<p>speedo swim goggles
rhododendrons & other landscape bushes
sunscreen ( however it’s on sale at Target this week)</p>
<p>I’m more of a standard list person - typical purchases are milk, eggs, cheese, fresh dinner rolls, almonds, craisins, paper products, Pledge, all OTC pain relievers, batteries, bananas (only Trader Joes beats them on price), bottled water, chicken tenders. </p>
<p>One-off purchases include flat screen TVs. </p>
<p>For parties, they have the best prices on sheet cakes.</p>
<p>I was just there an hour ago. They have really nice men’s Nat Nast Silk shirts for $59.95. The selection is really nice, at least out here in CA. If you don’t know what these are, they are (I mean “were”) worn by Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men. The best quality short sleeve sport shirt out there, imo. Nordstrom carries these shirts for $145.00.</p>
<p>I was there yesterday and bought my son a bathing suit (Ripcurl), my daughter and I DKNY wrap type sweaters, the usuals (eggs, orange juice, bananas, Pomegranate juice (for my husband), lunchbox stuff), and we picked up this Jack Daniels Pulled pork that comes in the refrigerated section that they had samples of on Hawaiian rolls that was really tasty.</p>
<p>Gardening supplies, lawn fertilizer and moss killer! The killer is already hard at work on my backyard lawn.</p>
<p>I will have to check the Kirlkand location to see if they have the abovementioned shirts. That store always gets the chichi stuff like Ugg boots, Coach purses and Ecco shoes. :)</p>
<p>Wow – Coach purses at Costco? Real Uggs? Ecco shoes? I’ve never seen any of those at our Costco. Waaaah.</p>
<p>I am really tempted to join even though the nearest one is about 40 minute away. You guys always make me so jealous!</p>
<p>If you have a big party or need to buy a new TV, the membership can pay for itself in one trip. Even though it’s only 10-15 minutes away, I only go once/month, which I try to time if I’m having a party or running church or scout event. The ones nearby don’t have a gas station, but the one down at the Shore has one and it’s the cheapest station around. (non-members can buy gas too - you just need to pay with an Amex or debit card, no cash).</p>
<p>njmom, interesting, our local Costco sells gas to members exclusively. One has to swipe their membership card to activate the pump.</p>
<p>The fancy items that I mentioned (such as Gucci watches, Uggs, Michael Kors bags, etc.) are seasonal, and typically they appear in selected warehouses a few weeks before Christmas.</p>
<p>@bunsenburner - it could be a state law that gas stations can’t be restricted. In case you aren’t aware, self-serve gas stations are against the law in NJ, because as everyone know: “Jersey Girls Don’t Pump Gas”!</p>
<p>Our local Costco sells gasoline, but it is not always that much cheaper than other stations in our area ($.05 to $.06 per gallon), and the wait time can regularly be 10 minutes plus. Unless you have a big tank and you’re on empty, I’m not getting my gas at Costco to save a dollar.</p>
<p>There is always the $5 rotissaire chicken (sorry about spelling) as well as gelatto at those snack bars that stock it. We also love their sushi, mochi, haagen daus ice cream bars. These are NOT seasonal.</p>
<p>Pool supplies for those who have pools are quite reasonable & seasonal, as is camping gear, sunscreen, bug spray, gardening supplies & plants. Furniture and some clothing is also seasonal. Costco tends to start stocking things slightly before the season and if you wait until toward the end, the prices are great but selection is quite limited (IF they have anything left).</p>
<p>We also can’t buy gas at Costco unless we have a current Costco membership card and either a Costco Cash card or AmEx card. The price savings varies.</p>
<p>I just purchased a cute wrought iron bench. They were also selling cushions. It replaced an old wooden bench that had seen better days. I am thrilled with all great it looks. I have it in an area that is surrounded by pots with hydrandea and freeshia that are in bloom.</p>
<p>adding- we also bought some solar outdoor lights. The are bronze in color and look good. Best thing there is no wiring for the dogs to dig up. I was concerned they would not give off enough light but I am happy with them. They had two sets on sale. We did buy the more expensive set. They are a bit larger and sturdy and I think have more LED lights.</p>
<p>You have hydrangea in bloom already? I’m seriously jealous. Seriously.</p>
<p>Arabrab-Some of them have been in bloom for almost a month. My dafodils have come and gone. The irises are halfway done. Fressia are also half way done.</p>
<p>Jealous as well!</p>
<p>I have bought some nice LARGE pots for plants there at great prices. Fun “toys” for the beach - anything outside.</p>
<p>Last year I bought wood grilling planks for a fraction of what they cost anywhere else. Before, I had only used planks to cook salmon, but they were so reasonable, I tried chicken, pizza, shrimp skewers and vegetables on them, too. Delicious! I hope they have them again this year – that’s my only complaint about Costco; you find something you really like and it goes away never to be seen again.</p>
<p>By “moss killer” are you referring to the Wet and Forget that I purchased at Costco last year? It had worked really well on my paver sidewalk so I just applied it last weekend to my paver patio. I remember that it took awhile to work so I wanted to make sure the moss is gone before we begin using the patio.</p>
<p>csfmap:</p>
<p>Save the packaging of anything you buy because even if Costco doesn’t carry it the following year, the packaging will have the website info. At that point you can go on-line and either see what other stores carry it or order it directly from the company itself!</p>
<p>I have found that I always over buy at Costco. So now when I go I mentally add up my purchases and if I have only $100 to spend, I know when to stop! It’s not easy to stop, though! :)</p>
<p>I was thinking of writing a book titled “Around the US in COSTCO.” I’ve found that COSTCOs also carry regional items, such as surfboards in CA & HI, warm winter gear & gloves in New England, beach stuff in FL, NC & GA.</p>
<p>I’ve bought Scotch in MA (which is licensed to sell the hard stuff), rash guards for surfing in HI, landscaping plants in VA, and they even sell lift tickets for resorts in UT & CO in our local COSTCOs. I also like their wrapping paper & ribbons, which change according to the season (right now they have spring pastels).</p>
<p>But I’m not shopping at COSTCO as often as I did in previous years when I supplied the high school concession stand. Back then, I was at COSTCO several times a week during football & track seasons. Yes, I earned a “frequent buyer” card: it’s called the Gold Membership.</p>