Comments on: Should You Pay for a Warehouse Club Membership?

By: Mary B

Mary B — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:46:27 +0000

We live about 10 minutes away, so travel isn't a consideration. I am keeping my membership because in our area, the produce is better value for the quality than local grocery stores. I also think they sometimes have better prices on meats than other stores, as well. Since I've started couponing, I use Sam's less because of the amount of money I save.

By: Kathie

Kathie — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:48:07 +0000

I have shopped at these places a few times with friends or trial memberships. I don't think the deals are that great, often I can do better at the supermarket with a double coupon combined with a sale and buy smaller amounts. Buying in bulk often isn't cheaper. I just resent PAYING to shop somewhere. You spend way more than you expect to at these places because of the large items. I really don't want to spend $20 at one shot for toilet paper. The places near us do not sell gas, if they did I might consider joining. Whoever came up with the concept is a marketing genius........make people pay to shop here and only sell big quantities so everyone THINKS they are getting a bargain.............

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:24:45 +0000

I just canceled my Sam's Club membership the other day. $40.00 a year is a lot to me. We buy the same stuff that's available in other chain of stores, and if I would brouse Valassis or Smart Source every Sunday, I still can manage to save. By the way, Customer Service said I still can use the card to get into the store but I cannot use it to pay my purchases, naturally, it's canceled! One of you mentioned of an "upcharge" for non-members at Sam's. This, I have to check out before my next shopping. As always, any of my friends welcome me to come hitch along on their shopping at Sam's.

By: Amy S

Amy S — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:32:31 +0000

i just purchased a SAM'S membership after resisting for a number of years. We liked the resin shed they had there for $998 so I got the membership - THEN I found it also at Sear's, and they we willing to price match Sam's + 10% of the difference. Shopping online thru Ebates and with the price match difference it basically paid for the Sam's membership which I had to prove I had,... BUT I have now remembered why I didn't want a Sam's membership,...I have no self control shopping there and always buy more than I intended,....huge scallops for dinner?? sure,..why not lol,... I don't know if a warehouse club membership is a good idea for my household,..

By: Betsy Bargain

Betsy Bargain — Wed, 06 May 2009 22:40:12 +0000

Since I have discovered Winco, a great store near me with lots of stuff available cheap in bulk bins, I have let my Costco membership lapse. Winco beats most of their prices, and they take coupons! Everything else I buy on sale with double coupons at other grocery stores. Betsy Bargain´s last blog post..Don't Throw It - Grow It!

By: Denise

Denise — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:06:07 +0000

I have never been a member. It seems like a big expense for a small discount. I don't live close to one either. Denise´s last blog post..Home Depot - Do it Herself Workshop

By: Bargain Becky

Bargain Becky — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:47:58 +0000

Great article Cheryl! I def. agree with the distance portion - if there isn't one close, it's def. not worth it!

I calculated at the beginning of the year that I make more money just buying my milk at BJ's - it makes the membership fee worth it.

http://bargainbecky.blogspot.com/2009/01/getting-your-moneys-worth-at-bjs-just.html

Bargain Becky´s last blog post..Free Chicken at KFC! (Thanks Oprah!)

By: Andi

Andi — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:40:20 +0000

I heart Costco

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 06 May 2009 03:42:25 +0000

I go to Costco for gas, cheese and free snacks. My mom pays otherwise I would not have their card. I occasionally buy other things when they are a good deal but they generally compare to either grocery outlet or sale prices. Spices are a good deal. I've found that strawberries were riper their than grocery stores and sale price at Safeway is better.

By: Mikki

Mikki — Wed, 06 May 2009 02:32:36 +0000

Hi! We have Costco and BJs membership. We considered not renewing this year but we kept both. We purchase gas at Costco and the savings for gas is anywhere from 5 - 25 cents per gallon! We have two babies and BJs has terrific prices on diapers. We calculated that the amount we save at both clubs either pays for or exceeds the membership fee! Mikki´s last blog post..Great Gift for Tech-Savvy Moms!

By: Shelly the Chic Crafty Chick

Shelly the Chic Crafty Chick — Wed, 06 May 2009 00:59:29 +0000

We have found our Sam's club membership helpful on big ticket purchases such as tires for our vehicles. For bigger family get togethers for birthdays, their bakery cakes are a great deal. Bigger cakes that taste better and are a better deal than Wal Mart or the local grocery stores. Shelly the Chic Crafty Chick´s last blog post..Two Tip Tuesday Cinco de Mayo Style

By: Mendy

Mendy — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:47:01 +0000

MILK! Our family uses 5 gallons a week. The grocery store on the corner sells a gallon of skim for $3.74; Costco sells is for $2.25. I go once a week for my milk, eggs, and avocados! Mendy´s last blog post..Kenna's Vocab

By: Dizzy Mommy

Dizzy Mommy — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:01:07 +0000

We have a membership to Costco (I have 3 kids and a forth on the way). We use our membership to purchase things like Kirkland bottled water because we have well water and nasty well water at that. I also buy Tariyaki Sauce and Soy Sauce in the large containers. Peanut butter and jelly is nice in the large things to because my kids prefer to have sandwitches when they dont have school. I also use my membership to buy books for the kids... last summer I bought 30 (3 sets of 10) of the step up books for $10 each...it was a great steal and perfect birthday gifts for my kids. I also use it to purchase gas I have the executive membership and get 2% of everything back in a giftcard every year.

By: karla

karla — Tue, 05 May 2009 22:52:04 +0000

I shop at BJ's and think their gas prices are worth the price of the membership. We are a family of four(2 sons) and the formula was also way cheaper than on the outside. I may not buy a bunch in bulk but gas (sometimes 20-30 cents cheaper!) and formula more than paid for the membership, imo.

By: Anna Hanks

Anna Hanks — Tue, 05 May 2009 22:27:15 +0000

I have a Sam's club membership and I buy Cat litter there. It is like getting 10 or more pounds free. even with a dollar off coupon I can't beat this. However, it is the only thing I consistantly buy. I get impulse stuff and the produce is always nicer than the store but how much fresh produce can you eat before it goes bad. If I could get a great deal on cat litter I would stop buying a membership.
Addicted to the coupons Anna in MI

By: Farrah

Farrah — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:47:36 +0000

I share a Sam's membership with my mother. Which makes the membership very affordable. We are there probably every other week picking up things. We do save a lot of money shopping there just on the grocery items.

I think if you are a household with babies, the diapers are a great deal. Formula is also a good deal at Sam's. Given you can watch sales and use coupons and get things cheaper. But you can't always get what you need on sale.

The only downside to Sam's -- they don't accept coupons. :( They will accept checks from the formula companies but not coupons.

By: Becca

Becca — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:33:10 +0000

I love my Costco membership. I use the pharmacy there and it is great. I also buy tons of books. I think it definitely pays off but as you said, I live less than 5 minutes away.

By: brandy

brandy — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:30:17 +0000

I use my parents card and just buy DIAPERS there... brandy´s last blog post..FREE KFC

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:25:53 +0000

I am single, but Sam's Club is within 5 minutes of my house and in an area I am frequently at for shopping. My aunt also lives as close and has a family of 6, so we split the membership - $20 each/year. Even though I'm single, I've found it's great! I buy my milk, cereal, paper towels, toilet paper, dish & laundry detergent, baking supplies, non perishables, and some freezer items like frozen chicken, and appetizer/meat/cheese items when I'm having a party. I also buy my chips there - they're a lot cheaper than the store. I like the fact that they have a gas station there - it's always the cheapest - or the nearby gas stations match their price, but it's never cheaper elsewhere. I've also found great deals on dishes, bedding, clothes for kids in the family, books, dvd's, camping and other outdoor gear, coffee, etc. Some things are not cheaper, but if you keep a careful eye, you can save money even with the cost of membership!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:03:13 +0000

the only thing I buy at BJs is baby formula (the Berkley & Jensen brand)...its has saved soooo much! other than that, the prices arne't worthwhile if you are a sale shopper & couponer.