The following is a guest post from Cheryl at Swap Savers.
In order to purchase items at warehouse clubs (i.e. BJ’s, Costco, Sam’s Club) you have to pay a membership fee usually around $40-$50 a year. Before you pay the price for admission ask yourself these questions to figure out if it is worth it.
How far away do you live? Similar to a gym membership, if you live far away (20 minutes or more) from the warehouse club, the chances of you using it on a regular basis decrease significantly. If you live close by (5 minutes or less) and you are able to purchase milk and other staple items, the prices are considerably less then other stores. Also these staple items rarely go on sale at most grocery or other stores so the prices will always be less at the warehouse clubs.
Will you use the entire product? Most items sold at warehouse clubs are sold in bulk. If you have a large family or business, your odds of using up the entire food product before it goes bad increases. However if you have an average size family buying in bulk might equate to throwing away a lot of food.
How do the prices compare to nearby stores? This requires some research, but in the long run you will save either the price of the membership or you will save money from purchasing less expensive items at the warehouse club. If you already have a price log of items you purchase on a regular basis, bring it with you to the warehouse club you are considering and compare prices. You will need to do some math to figure out the price per unit for the bulk items. If you don’t have a price log create one for a few weeks making sure you write down the prices of items you purchase especially when the items are on sale since the sale prices can be noticeably lower then warehouse prices. Also keep in mind most grocery stores double coupons and warehouse clubs do not.
Does the warehouse offer a free trial membership? Before purchasing the membership, ask if you can do a month or more free trial membership (without the surcharge fees). BJ’s usually offers a free three month holiday membership in October. Obviously if you can try it for free first, you have more time to use the above questions to figure out if it is worth paying for the rest of the year.
Deal Seeking Mom here: I’ve talked before about some of my favorite items to purchase at warehouse clubs. Buying in bulk makes sense for some of the items that our large family uses; however, smaller families might choose to pair up to share the savings. What are your favorite items to purchase at warehouse clubs?
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Good, True and Beautiful
Great Post Cheryl!
I definitely agree that shopping at wholesale clubs requires more deliberate thought and assessment. One thing that is an upside for BJ’s is their great coupon policy – I wrote about it and include a link for the BJ’s store coupons.
Might help folks save some money!
Good, True and Beautiful´s last blog post..Black and White Coupons?
Amanda
We used to have a membership at Sam’s Club, but decided we were not saving enough money and were not satisfied enough to continue being a member. Here are the reasons for our decision:
1. We live about 45 min away from the warehouse (we had to take into consideration gas and time to drive there)
2. Many of our favorite items we purchase at our regular store costs less per oz/lb. (it can be tricky if you’re not careful, because many times they package warehouse items in different sizes than they do for regular stores)
3. Some of the food items at Sam’s didn’t seem fresh (for example, Kraft Mac & Cheese was cheaper at Sam’s but even though it was still in date, it tasted old, so I ended up throwing some of it out)
After considering these factors, we realized it was not worth it to have the membership. However, we do check their prices if we’re looking for an electronic or something big and expensive to see what kinds of prices they have on those items.
If they have a great deal that would save us quite a bit of money, we will renew our membership so we can save buying that item.
Amanda´s last blog post..Being a Mom is So Worth It: Sharing the Love
RAJEEV KUMAR SINGH
Very nice article.. Gives a clear cut guide and checklist before paying up for this … I think the most important thing os to check whether the warehouse offer a free trial membership.
Would love to have more on such topics.Keep them coming.
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Melissa
I have a Sam’s membership and buy sugar, flour, spices and other bulk items to use in baking. On Mondays, they mark their meat down that didn’t sell over the weekend. I can often find great deals as long as I have my price book and calculator with me. Because like others have said, it’s not always a good deal!
CarolH
We have recently moved and now have a BJs with gas station only 1.5 miles from our new home. We also joined as part of our credit union and the annual membership $ is less than half of what it would be otherwise. It’s something to check into if you belong to a group at work or a credit union.
Even if we paid the full membership, the cost of gas and weekly staples such as milk, make it worth joining.
(BTW, we have dropped Sams ’cause it’s now out of the way. Even though it carries some things that I prefer over BJs. Costo closed near us so that’s not an option.)
Laurie
We have a Sam’s Club membership, and since starting couponing a couple months ago, I’m considering dropping it. Here’s why:
*Sam’s doesn’t accept any coupons.
*Usually, if I watch sales and use coupons, I can get products for far less at regular stores… even staple items like milk (Aldi is cheaper) and chicken breasts (got it for $1.67/lb at Schnuck’s vs. Sam’s club’s usual $2.67/lb).
*You get suckered into trying new products (in bulk) either with the free samples or b/c you THINK something looks delicious :) Or you buy things in bulk when you need just a few b/c you’re there and don’t want to stop at another store before going home! :)
However there are some things (for us it’s Miralax & Oxiclean) that we use tons of, and are significantly cheaper at Sam’s, that I have yet to see really good sales on in the regular stores. Oh, and I love their cheap deli ($1.50 or so for a combo meal) and the fact that they’ll bake a pizza for you while you shop!
Our Sam’s is close by (1o min) and we are a family of 3. Hope this helps anyone considering the membership.
joanna
I did a series on warehouse club memberships, too, here here & here. For us, with a household of just 2, there’s a very short list of things we can justify buying in quantity- but those few things do justify the membership cost.
joanna´s last blog post..Buy Handmade
Amy
Milk and boneless, skinless chicken are always a better deal. I have found the price of eggs to be good as well. We also get premium ingredients in our dog food for a much better price than buying at the local Walmart or grocery store.
Jason Allen
I’m single and live a half hour away from the nearest wholesale club, so paying for a membership wouldn’t save me money. I have a friend who invited me to go along as a guest on his membership. It’s been tempting, but I just don’t have the room in my pantry or freezer.
Kate
We have a BJ’s membership and to be honest, I only keep if because I like to buy BJ’s steaks, smoked salmon, and some of their frozen items that no one else carries. For a small family (3), most of the items they sell are just too large and/or the prices really aren’t that good.
Add to that the fact that the 5 Citibank Thank You points per dollar that I receive on groceries and gas doesn’t apply to Warehouse Clubs and I can usually find a better deal elsewhere — except on those steaks.
Actually, almost every time I go there I find myself standing in line with my steaks and possibly one or two other items and staring at all the people with heaped up carts who think they are getting a good deal. I want to hand them a pile of coupons and send them to the grocery store.
MoneyMateKate
One of us gets the trial membership at BJs around Christmas because their butcher shop is awesome – very high quality cuts of beef. But that’s really all we find worthwhile. Oh, and the cheesecakes, but our waistlines really don’t need that!
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Viola
It’s only a good deal if you consistently buy items that aren’t found elsewhere. We buy a big pack of filet mignon at Sam’s & freeze for later…this is way cheaper than buying at the local grocery. And the frozen desserts & meals are to die for.
Swap Savers
Thanks for all your comments! BJ’s is actually offering a free 60 day pass now (although whenever I go they usually end up giving me 3 months). Here is the link for the coupon
https://www.swapsavers.com/forum/topics/free-60-day-pass-to-bjs
Cheryl
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alliegator
We get a free costco membership through my husbands employer, I’ve noticed we go a lot less now that I’m shopping with coupons.
Andrea @ Mommy Snacks.net
We go for basic essentials, like you mentioned in your previous post on this Tara. We were also able to go in with our friends and do a joing membership. So, just she and I have a card but we do most of the shopping anyway. The cost that way makes it definitely worth it even if it is a 20-minute drive.
Pamela
We go through at least 3 gallons of milk/week. Since BJ’s milk is ALWAYS at least .50 cheaper (many times .75-1.00 cheaper) at my store than anyone else and closer than the nearest grocery store, I SAVE $78 just in milk from BJ’s every year. It’s definitely worth it for us. Now that I know their coupon policy, I’ll be going to BJ’s more often!!!! Thanks
arcanabtn
No one has mentioned that Sam’s has an instore deli. We live 30 minutes from our Sam’s, but when we do drive the 30 minutes to go to a larger town – Sam’s is the place that we do lunch or dinner at. I can get a pizza slice (which is huge and a soft drink) for under $3.00. They also have a cup of ice cream for 97 cent. I mainly use it for produce, much better quality than my local stores and the price is usually better.
CaroleG
I have saved a lot on what others have stated – meats, dairy, etc. I also wanted to add that their sheet cake and cupcake prices are great for kids’ parties, as well as pizzas, if you want to add that. I have also bought their fruit, veggie, and sandwich trays for parties. Another place to check is their clothes – I’ve gotten boutique and/or name brand stuff on clearance (their “last ones” rack) for super cheap. Always look for items ending in $0.81, which indicates clearance.
We told our inlaws to get the membership for us for Xmas every year!
rabia
i personaly like there return policy on my big items,our box spring broke and they replaced it,we had problems with our printer and vacum and they exchanged it with no hassels.We are a family of six and we go through alot of grocerires,detergent etc,the only thing i dont like is no coupon saving.
Emily
I have a Sam’s membership for our family of five. Before I started “really” couponing, it was a good deal. Now I’m not so sure. I’m going to be keeping a close eye on what I’m spending there for the rest of the year (our membership expires in December) and see if it really is worth it.
Emily´s last blog post..Vons "Living Well" shopping trips
Emily
I LOVE warehouse memberships- even for my small family of 3. We are Costco people, but I recently got a BJs membership too because they are a little closer and have a better baby selection. We live in an area where groceries are more expensive and Costco is almost always the cheapest option. Plus, we have a deep freezer and a vaccuum sealer, so I make sure to seal and freeze things so that they last longer. Plus I like the convenience of buying in bulk- less trips to the store.
But another thing to consider is the savings on medicine. The OTC drugs are amazingly priced. I can get a years worth for allergy medicine for the cost of one small bottle at the drugstore. I believe you can get RXs from Costco without a membership.
Ruth Ann
I’m single and living alone but have found that my Sams Club membership is worth it for me. The store is convenient for me and I’ve found a few things that are staples in my house that I can get at Sams for cheaper than at other stores. I also like that I’m able to help out with church things by picking stuff up at Sams when needed. Gas is $0.03-$0.07/gallon cheaper at Sams.
I share a membership with my sister. When we signed up, they didn’t care that we had a different last name, lived in different states, etc. I think I ended up with the “spouse” card.
Christine
if for some reason (gasp!) we don’t have any coupons or checks, we go to Costco to get Similac.
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Tanya
Don’t forget also that at Sam’s club you can share the membership! My Mom & I purchased a membership together and she got a discount through her work. It wound up costing us just $15 each for the year. Definitely worth it for us!!
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Melissa
I heart Costco. They usually get really nice package deals on items, and give you extras that best buy and the like don’t include.
Plus, they have amazing prices on things that are super expensive in the regular grocery store, such as cheeses, potstickers, egg rolls and produce. Obviously it’s good to be careful and make sure you don’t overbuy, but I really love having a Costco Membership. They also get fresher better fish than our grocery stores do, and the return policy is amazing.
Costco releases its own set of coupons every month or so, and I’ve saved even more using them, and it was completely hassle free.
Susana
We love Costco! They have two kinds of memberships: regular $50 and another called the Executive $100/year on which they give you back 2% of everything that you spend in the store (except gas). I was very skeptical about spending $100 but they reassured me that it is guaranteed that you’ll make the $50 difference back on your rebate check or they give you the difference in cash. We have shopped there for 4 years now and every year, a month or 2 before our membership is due they mail out a rebate check for your accumulated 2%. Our check is always over $125 (one year it was $230), which boils down to Costco paying us $25+ to shop at their store!!! yay free money!!!!
They also send out their own coupons in the mail. Usually every other month but lately its been every 4-6 weeks and they have some great deals on there!! Their return policy is also very good.
And if you ever want to give them a try and for some reason you don’t like or want the membership, they refund your money.
Clint
I agree that the bulk food and bulk paper products at Costco aren’t that much of a great deal, but what about gas! Gas at Costco is consistently $.05-$.10 per gallon cheaper. Gas alone should cover the annual fee. They also have unique items that are a steal. (bathroom lights for $40, cheapest at Lowes was $100). And their return policy is the best in the world. No reciept, had it for 8 months, no problem and you get cash back. Target employees would have a heart attack if I asked to return an item 6 months later with no reciept.
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Shelly
We have a Costco membership and I have definitely noticed we don’t use it as much since I started couponing. We never bought much of the bulk stuff, just things like meat (the best!), milk, eggs, coffee. We still continue to get most of those things there, just not as frequently. I used to buy a lot of books and they have great prices on those too. Spices and baking supplies are very well priced. Recently we ordered a memory foam mattress online that is AMAZING! The cost of that alone was worth this year’s fees. Oh, and like the poster above mentioned, the gas prices are usually the best in the area.
John @ Hard Work Blogging
Don’t forget the great return policy. Costco has such a good policy that it might be worth it just for the peace of mind. Also some items are such a good deal that it could be worth the membership for one item. A HDTV that is $100 cheaper at Costco is worth the membership even if that is the only thing you buy.
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Rebecca
Something else to consider –
You get two membership cards, usually intending for a husband and wife to share a membership. But if you do the bulk of the shopping or if you’re single, what do you do with the extra? Split it with a friend! I split my membership to BJs with a friend of mine. We each put in $20 and got our own personal membership cards. We both had to use the same address for the card, so only one of us gets the mailers, but it still worked out to be better for us than us each buying our own memberships!
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