Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Costco?

Friends whom I trust about nearly everything have tried to convince me to join Costco--and I'm just about convinced.

Yet still, there's a touch of doubt in my little consumerist heart: Do I really want to pay someone so that I can be allowed to give them my money?

Readers helped me avoid the morass of the TempurPedic; I'm hoping you can give me solid advice on Costco.

Just FYI: I don't have a Sam's Club or a BJ's near me, so if I'm going to join a club, Costco is my only practical option.

Thanks in advance.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

We used to "belong" to BJ's. It goes without saying that these places are great for buying in bulk. But, you know what? We found that we can buy the super jumbo pack of toilet paper and paper towels at Target or even at our Super Stop and Shop and the difference in price (if there is one) is minimal. We are not convinced that it is economically beneficial for us.
Of course, you can be like my Mom who is a member of BJ's for the sheer "entertainment" of it all and for the super huge Red Devil hors doerves that she buys each December so that she is stocked for when her kids come home for the holidays.
- JS

Anonymous said...

Costco gives lots of money to Democrats. I believe they gave a fair amount of cash to John Kerry.

Anonymous said...

Isn't this exactly the kind of post JVL usually makes immense fun of? You know, nobody wants to hear about Glenn Reynolds' workout schedule or dinner plans...

So I'm wondering, why does JVL think we want to know where he's considering buying his bulk toilet paper?

What's next, a post where JVL says "Everyone wants to know what brand of toilet paper I'm buying at Costco these days... PS, read my latest article on Donovan McNabb's cornrows in the Philadelphia Inquirer!"

Anonymous said...

I've been in a couple of those joints to look around and while I don't recall any specifics, it didn't seem like all that great a savings, if any.

I find that for most of the stuff I usually buy, one supermarket or another will have it on sale in a timely enough manner so as not to have to pay full price. i.e. laundry detergent at buy 1, get 2 free.

Also, all the stores around here are on permanent double coupons and occasional triple coupons.

Duane said...

Tried the Costco once a few years ago but since I was single I couldn't buy enough of anything in bulk to make the membership pay.

The good news is they'll refund your membership if you aren't happy (at least they used to)so you can try it out risk free.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm...methinks Anon 11:14 could be the Instapundit himself...

-SJL

Anonymous said...

Does that call for a "Heh, indeed"?

AnarchAngel said...

Really simple, if you spend more than $400 a month on groceries, buy a lot of new hardcover books, a lot of fresh meat, a lot of liquor, a lot of baked goods, and a lot of gasoline, then Costco is GREAT.

Otherwise, meh...

Anonymous said...

So which mattress did you go with?

Anonymous said...

As one of said friends - permit me to clarify our endorsement of Costco and echo some of the other sentiments expressed herein. Costco works only if 1) you treat a trip to Costco as entertainment unto itself and freely partake of the samples, 2) you have sufficient storage space, 3) you throw some serious parties from time to time or 4) you expect to have a particular large purchase of an item that Costco carries (Tires, Plasma TVs, Furniture, Appliances, Rugs, etc.).

You should also plan on spending 50% or more of your grocery and sundries budget at Costco. Otherwise the trips become inefficient.

Wholesale clubs are far from the right choice for everyone.

SWF

Anonymous said...

I would say don't go with Costco.

There are really great deals, and you would think that would mean savings, but I don't think I have ever left without spending at least a hundred dollars.

You just can't help it: you see peanut butter for half of what it costs at Safeway, but you have to buy a whole crate of it.

Then you have to store it in the garage or at the back of the closet -- and when you need peanut butter (or whatever) you forget you bought a crate of it a year ago.

Also: the lines are huge pretty much all the time.

If you have a restaurant or seven kids, and you go through stuff that fast, then OK. If not, forget it.

Unknown said...

If your ego is so fragile that you need validation from a little plastic card giving you access to a one percent saving on frozen food, then by all means join the warehouse clubs.

If you are typical country club trash, then by all means join the warehouse clubs.

If you're a well-adjusted member of the human race, I'm sure you can find better uses for your dollar.

Ralphie said...

Do what I do - mooch off your father-in-law's membership and just get those big-ticket items you need every now and again.

Anonymous said...

I think your blog is great. I have learned about the company on the www.pissedconsumer.com. Costco is the nationwide retail chain. It includes online applications and benefit information. The company specializes in selling products at low prices and high volume. Target customers of the company are large families and businesses. Costco is world's leading membership warehouse club chain. Personally I did not yet happen to deal with a company.