When I was in L.A. I had co-workers who were CostCo members. I’d tag along at lunchtime and have a hot dog, and occasionally I’d get a co-worker to buy something for me (for which she would be reimbursed). I thought about joining, but I didn’t really see the point. Some things, like peanut butter, I could buy for about the same price at the market. Most things I just didn’t care to buy. (Yes, I have entirely too much stuff; but I’m not really consumer-oriented.) The one thing I really liked about CostCo was the high-quality meat at reasonable prices. I make Roast Prime Rib of Beef and Yorkshire Pudding every Christmas, and I like getting the meat at a good price. Still, that’s only a once-a-year purchase.
But yesterday I signed up online. Why?
My sister and I are dealing with my mom’s estate, and need to sell the house in Arizona. The realtor said that if we were CostCo members, we would get a $1,000 bonus when we sell the house. A $45 investment for a $500 return sounds pretty good to me.
I like their prices on deadcow, and I’ve been very satisfied with the quality. One of the meat-guys there said that while they mark their meat Choice, some of it is actually Prime. I also like their frozen foods. Being frozen, I can just keep what I don’t use in the freezer.
With two classic cars coming, I’ll need some cover for them. Their collapsable gazebos seem to be cheaper than those at other places. It might be worth it to pick up one or two of those.
They have a fair selection of DVDs and books, so I’ll probably take advantage of those.
One of these days I’ll want a bigger television. I’m using a 20" Sony that’s probably about 14 years old. Still works perfectly, but I’d like a larger screen since most of my DVD collection is in widescreen format.
I find it worth it, Eva Luna. I’m not exactly one person, since I have two kids, but I only have custody of them half the time so my household averages out to two people.
I just got a real good deal on a 1 gig memory card for my camera, laundry soap and other cleaning products are really cheap, and the meat and frozen foods are really good.
I’m a single guy, and I find it worth it. Some of the reasons why:
Pharmacy: I do not have prescription drug coverage, and take medications that total about $150/month. This is about $40 cheaper than any local pharmacy (including Walmart) for the same drugs. I’ve found Costco pharmacy to have the best price–often by a much wider margin–for any prescription drug I have comparision-shopped. I’ve heard that in some states, you do not have to be a member to use the pharmacy.
Gasoline: My car requires premium, and Costco is generally about 10 cents per gallon cheaper than a regular gas station (other than Arco, but I find that Arco gas decreases my gas mileage).
Wine: I generally buy $10ish or cheaper wines, and Costco is usually about $2/bottle less expensive than the supermarket’s sale price.
In general, knowing Costco’s low margin, I never feel as though I’ve overpaid. Plus their return policy is great.
I share a membership with my dad; the basic membership comes with an extra ‘spouse’ card, but I doubt they care what/if the relationship is.
I usually get some big ticket item once a year, so the membership pays for itself. Also, their product quality is usually very good, and if it’s not (yes Palm Zire 31, I’m looking at you), return policy is terrific.
Hey, I’m waiting for my husband to come home so that we can go to Costco. I like roaming up and down every single aisle. I like the free samples on Saturdays. I like buying a great big package of Double Bubble Bubble Gum. I like Costco. Whee!
I wanted to go today because it’s Mother’s Day, and much as I like Costco, my late mother loved the place.
Costco has the best cereal ever: It’s macadamia nuts, clusters, dried cranberries and flakes (bleh). I advise buying a box of two gallons of milk and a 5 gallon bucket for eating purposes. That stuff is delicious! (I often have it for dessert - yum!)
I love Costco and probably spend way too much money there.
Of course, we’re a family of four (six counting pets), but there are some awesome deals to be had:
Pet food
Laundry detergent
Meats
Milk
Eggs
Cereal
Cheese
Granted, there are some things there that are best not purchased in the mondo sized, and there are some items you can purchase cheaper elsewhere. Overall, it’s been a good deal for me.
Example: we bought neoprene water ski vests there for $38.00 a piece. The cheapest I’d seen them else where is $65.00. Yesterday we purchased a Bonzai water tube (two person) for $96.00, the cheapest that I saw the very same brand elsewhere was $149.00. We bought shorty wetsuits there for $38.00 a piece; they were much more expensive everwhere else.
Finally, they do have some very cool items there for the house, for whatever. The quality is good and the return policy awesome.
My mom owns a restaurant so she has an executive card. She gets about 2% of her annual purchases back and this year she gets about $500 back! :eek:
I love going shopping with my mom since she just tells me to bring my own cart and load up for the quarter. I usually get enough toilet paper, paper towels and kleenex for 4 people (me and housemates) to last a quarter. And it costs each of us about $30 And I love love love buying cereal and sweets there since it feels like you could throw a pretty awesome party for about $30 since everything there is in bulk and it’s cheap!
Wouldn’t it be awesome to be locked in a Costco overnight? I’d be raiding the candy aisle all night, then I’d watch dvds in the tv section.
Eve, I find it worth it. I buy meats, condiments, fruit juices, produce, household supplies, snacks, cheese and … essentially too much to list here.
Yeah, sometimes the last of the humongous bag of lettuce (or whatever) goes bad before I can use it, but I’m still saving money, and the rest is a useful addition to the compost heap.
As someone said, they have great return policy (just saved me $200 on a cell phone return that Sprint was going to screw me on). I know this isn’t a big issue for you, but prices on beer and hard liquour are decent. (Wine, not so much.)
If you ever entertain/cook, Costco is especially useful.
I’ve bought electronics at Costco and been very pleased. Name brands, awesome prices, and apparently, no-hassle returns (I’ve never had had any problems to warrant returning something). Both our digital cameras came from Costco, our progressive-scan DVD player (back when they were expensive everywhere else), memory…tons o’ stuff.
Furniture we haven’t only because we are short on space (and cash) and have no way to transport anything of size (and they don’t offer delivery here). Jewelry isn’t my thing, but I bought my hubby a watch there a couple of years ago and he loves it.
I loves me some Costco. We’re quite short on funds now so the luxury items are a thing of the past, but I buy frozen food, cleaning supplies, kitchen stuff, vitamins. When I had a bit of money, I would buy books on a regular basis. Much cheaper than Amazon or Chapters, although the selection is limited. The purchase I save the most on is glasses. Same frames as the optical chains but at least $100 less for the prescription glasses with the special lenses I need. Well worth the money, even for a family of 2.
And I love love love buying cereal and sweets there since it feels like you could throw a pretty awesome party for about $30 since everything there is in bulk and it’s cheap!