Costco filets are really good! I’ve converted a few people to them.
We went to Costco yesterday. It’s not super convenient but convenient enough that we are happy we joined.
My husband ran into his brother there. He was joining after we and his lady friend talked about how much they like Costco. His friend was telling my husband that she and her daughter go every 2 weeks and spend an hour and a half shopping. I promise that I don’t go that often or spend that much time there!
We could decide not to be members and be fine. Probably not miss it that much.
Much like other things we do, we like it and consider it a good ethical place to shop. And pay for.
Homemade sourdough bread, butter, freshly grated cheddar cheese
Fruit and cottage cheese
Coffee
Costco items participating in my breakfast:
Half and half for my coffee
Maple syrup for the sweetener in my coffee
Strawberries and blackberries from Costco
Good Culture cottage cheese from Costco (it’s a STEAL $ wise)
Sprinkle of raw sugar from Costco
King Arthur flour (2 varieties) to make my bread
Kirkland “Kerrygold” butter on my toast
Cabot Seriously Sharp cheddar on my toast
I think all those items above get fully used (till gone) in my household and all of them are purchased at prices less than a big box traditional grocery store per unit.
I like Costco as a company. I don’t like going there as I dislike shopping in general and my nearest Costco is in a place I refer to as the “ Bermuda Triangle “ as I always seem to get lost there. There are a bunch of other big box stores nearby and the traffic is terrible.
I order non perishables such as paper goods and Keurig pods from Costco on line. I do occasionally go in person with D ( who doesn’t mind driving there). But I don’t buy anything fresh unless we split it as I am a one person household.
I can get better produce (often locally grown) at my local co-op so usually go there for produce but I do like some of Costco’s frozen and shelf stable items. Don’t have to worry about them going bad. We just joined this past year when we dropped shopping at Target.
Costco is 2 hrs away. I like that they vet their products. Yes, it is a form of entertainment about once a year. H got his top of the line Swiss hearing aides from costco the first time 8 years ago and again this year. $1600- I kid you not. All my bulk ordering is delivered free from Costco - chocolate chips, Kleenex, paper towels, toilet paper, cranberries, etc. Wish they were closer, but this will do. When our TV finally dies we will go there again for a new one. We are too far away for appliances- so Home Depot is our option. Glasses I get from Zennis.
I joined Costco for the first time in December. Son and his girlfriend are members and she clued me in to look on Groupon for membership that included a $40 eGift card. I’ve been a long time Sam’s Club member which is closer (20 min vs 45-60 min depending on traffic for Costco). Mainly I’d been keeping the SC membership because I bought my tires there and could get them rotated for free. Now that we’re empty nesters my main bulk purchases are tp, paper towels, tissues, a few other non-perishables. I let my SC membership expire after I sold the car with the SC tires last year. So far I like the Costco food items better and see myself buying more food there than I did at SC. I’m making a note of the glasses and hearing aid info. In my two visits so far I’ve found the Costco employees to be very friendly and efficient. And yes last week my husband and I made Costco a destination trip.
I have 2 diabetic cats that get twice a day insulin injections. The insulin at the vet or at the pharmacy was $120 a vial (lasts one cat 28 days). The same insulin at Costco as a member - $10 for generic or $25 for brand name depending on what they have in stock. Not dropping my membership at least while the kitties are still here!
All of the Costco stores by us tend to be very busy. Every time they open a new one I think the crowds at ours will go down, but it doesn’t happen. However, they opened a Costco business center. It’s farther, but does not have the traffic and lines like all of the regular Costco stores. The merchandise is a little different though. No rotisserie chickens, clothes, or fresh bakery, but more and sometimes bigger prepackaged items with a larger variety of international items.
Interesting the difference between stores. Our Costco sells milk only in one gallon containers. I would love it if they sold lactose free milk but there probably isn’t a big enough audience for it. We just got home tonight and actually spent less than we usually do so that was a win and they had good samples. One time, they were giving out samples of cherry tomatoes- really? I want samples of things I have never had before.
Not direct on point to the question, but I was coerced - which they used to do - to get the exec membership - whatever it cost back then - $110 or $120 - it’s more now.
When I got my 2% check, it was less than the $55 or $60 difference I paid to get it.
So I went to the membership desk, showed my check and asked them to downgrade me to standard.
Nope - not an option - she opened the cash register, didn’t fill out a form or anything (maybe after I was gone) and gave me the $6 or $8 - whatever it was - to make me whole.
Just like Trader Joes - simplicity - they treat people (that includes me and their employees right).
I’ll never not be a Costco guy - but I imagine they’d stand by their product, even if you were a former member. Their retention rate is INCREDIBLE.
I have a membership, but I truly only go about twice a year. Both our Costco stores are very busy. Even on a weekday, if you don’t get there by 10:30 a.m., the parking lot is completely full. Inside, it is kind of a Hunger Games environment. Lines are very long. I’m a browser and a label-reader and that clearly annoys the Costco regulars who just want to grab things off the shelves. I have a similar experience at Trader Joes, so I don’t go there very often either.
My daughter and her BF have a membership and go every week to the one on their side of town. She tells me I need to go later in the morning or early afternoon - let the early birds get in and out and it will be less hectic. It’s just my husband and me at home now so I’m not looking for the large quantities of food, but I can take advantage of some of the other items. My husband has gotten tires there several times.
This thread has influenced me to take a ride over this week
Years ago, I bought a desktop computer at Costco for $650. It was cheaper than at Best Buy by $150. A few weeks later I was back at Costco. Went down the computer aisle and noticed that the same computer was now $600. After checking out, I stopped at the Customer Service desk. I told the rep about the price difference. I did not have the receipt with me. She scanned my membership card, typed at her compute, called another rep over, I assume a supervisor. She looked at the screen, typed something in, I assume approval, and left. The original rep then handed me a $53 credit receipt on my credit card. All done in 5 minutes! The rep did not say that she would submit my request and get back to me in 7-10 business days like I had expected. Great customer service.
To a degree I don’t understand the “large quantity” issue. I mean, ok, many of us might not need a 40 lb bag of rice. But unless it’s fresh produce (also, berries can be frozen!) I look at the larger quantity as a means to not having to go to the store as often! I don’t have an extra freezer - just my side by side in the kitchen. I don’t have an enormous pantry - but in the basement I do have two shelves on a shelf where I put basics like canned goods and boxes snack items, bars, etc.
Absolutely Costco isn’t for everyone and that method of “large” shopping. But there is also a helpful medium between feeding a family of 6 and stocking a small household where maybe you don’t cook much.
I will say that we eat out very infrequently- I cook a lot and so want to know that I can pull out a pound of ground beef or a package of chicken !
Both D’s have Costco memberships for diapers. D1 shops in town (lots of Costcos in Seattle). D2 does shipping order and it’s free. The Costco near her (Los Angeles area) is the busiest store I’ve ever been in. I bought my iPads and Mac laptops there as they extend the warranty by one year free.
I was originally hooked due to the low prices for car rentals. When my mom was alive and I’d fly to her state, I’d rent a car. Now that I’m retired, and she is gone, most of the car rentals have ceased.
Now I’m hooked due to the prescription drug and supplement prices. And glasses. I don’t use many meds but the savings are significant.
Being single, I have to think long and hard before buying much of anything food related, though I love the quality of many items. The olive oil is the best and I buy salmon burgers and a few other frozen protein items. But I like to buy local produce in season, and for many household items, my local store is is cheaper and more supportive of local agriculture and dairy. The clothing pulls me in far too frequently, and my local store has enough samples to be considered a light lunch if I’m out doing errands.
Yep, so if you buy something and the next coupon book is out and it shows your item on sale, head back. Today you don’t even need a receipt although they still prefer it (they tell me) and it makes it easier for them to find.
I don’t run back to save $3 but if I’m doing a return, i’ll do it. Usually, Costco coupons are on a pattern - so if dishwasher soap is on sale every other month, the wife puts 2 or 3 on the list so we have enough to get through to the next coupon.
But sometimes I’ve over bought - like crackers - great deal - except I can’t get to them by the expiration date, than the go stale. Passed expiration - no return.
So I’ve had to become smarter…sometimes saving a few bucks is wasting a few bucks so not worth it.
The two Costco stores in my general area are not nearby–one is 23 miles from my home and the other is 30 miles. I had a membership for one year and dropped it. I found items I routinely bought at Costco for the same price or less at a local supermarket chain that’s was only 10 miles from me. Last year, I helped plan a memorial gathering for a close friend with three other women. My friend’s H didn’t have a clue where to start—anyway, my assignment was to purchase the wine for the gathering. The friend who organized everything went with me to Costco and we used her card and I paid. I was surprised that the wine selection was extensive and reasonably priced; there were high-end brands as well as the Kirkland brand, which friend said was OK. We ended up buying two cases of California wines (friend who passed lived in CA for a long time and loved the wine) and it was much less than I expected.
