Costco

[Cumberland]

I just made my trip to Costco. I am really wondering if the prices there justify the cost of the $50 membership.

Examples-
At Target a pack of 80 size 3 diapers is 10.59
which is 13 cents a diaper

At Costco, a pack of 208 size 3 diapers is 39.99
which is 19 cents a diaper.

A pack of frosted mini wheats was 8.39 which I now realize was two boxes of cereal. That is $4.20 per box. At Target, it would be 1.99 for the target brand.

I am wondering if I should get a refund and just go when my parents come to visit. Are there any really good savings that I am missing out on?

[fluffhead]

I've found a few good values - formula is a big one. They also have really, really good strawberries.

I know this is pretty specific, but the Costco pharmacy price on insulin is always at least $3-4 less per vial. That made up the membership price.

Are you comparing the Target brand diapers to the Costco ones? I think I usually compared the Huggies or Pampers and the Costco price is better but the Target ones are a good deal. I think you have to be choosy and not everything is a bargain.

I usually get the Annie's brand mac and cheese, organic applesauce cups, cheese, sunscreen, Stacy's pita chips, marcona almonds and a couple of other things I am forgetting now. Some of those aren't necessity items. I like their brand of environment friendly laundry detergent. I now get all 7th Generation paper stuff and diapers get through the Amazon subscribe and save.

The customer service is great. I needed a receipt for an electronic warranty issue and they faxed it to me, no problem. Outside of hotwire or priceline, the car rental prices are good. I had to book early to make sure I had a car rented and the Costco price was better (pretty far in advance though).

It totally depends on what you're getting. I buy organic milk there (3 1/2 gallons/ $9.99). At Whole Foods the same would cost $4.50 1/2 gallon. Their meat is also often a very good deal.

I get diapers at amazon as part of the "subscribe and save" deal.

[MDPhDWife]

Based on my experience, we weren't saving enough to justify the membership expense for either Sams Club or Costco. Not to mention they don't accept coupons which I used frequently with diapers and wipes. Every once in a while I'll join my sister if she's making a trip, but I still don't see all the savings to be had. JMHO....

[migirl]

I can't speak for Costco, but I considered joining the Sam's Club here (I assume they're analagous...) and decided against it for the reasons Charlene mentioned. The membership fee wasn't worth it when I considered the fact that I could get a lot of the everyday groceries far cheaper if I wait for them to go on sale at my local grocery store. (I also get diapers through the Amazon Subscribe & Save, and I just use Target-brand wipes.)

[DCJenn]

We're only a family of three so we don't have much need for bulk buying. I get my organic stuff (mostly fruits/veggies/eggs) delivered every other week and pretty much everything else I either get at the commissary (for things like cereals, peanut butter, bread) or the chi-chi grocery (meats/fish/beer/wine)

I was never disciplined enough to get through Costco without a bunch of stuff that I didn't need.

I'm impressed by those of you who are able to get out of there without a set of crystal, new tires and an new pair of jeans.

Jenn

Just went tonight (looking at patio sets, but didn't buy).

Did buy:

new socks for dh
coffee (they sell the local brand that I ADORE)
kefir
and a superfluous cheesecake (but that was dh's impulse buy, not mine)

Do they sell the Roastery brand? Lucky you!

[Tenacious_D]

I think we used to be Costco members just for the saturday walks around the store with the free samples Even with just the two of us we ended up going at least once a month...I can hardly remember how we managed to spend that much there. Toilet paper was a huge buy but now that we have been without Costco for the past 4 years I am not sure if it will be worth it. We get our diapers from Diapers.com at a very reasonable price...I still like walking through the store though!

Yep - kc roasteriee brand in a big costco size.

D - check out subscribe & save at amazon. It's 15% off, and diapers.com prices aren't any lower (at least on the dipes we use). If diapers.com still ends up being better for you, make sure you're going thru ebates.

[Tenacious_D]

Sorry to be off topic...Jenn, how long does it take to get diapers from Amazon? We get our diapers in about 24 hours (sadly, we always wait until the last 5-7 diapers to order them...not on purpose). I have to remember to do the ebates with diapers.com! Thanks

I think I get the diapers in 2 days. ?? I'm usually impressed by how quickly they get here. I don't know why I wait -- I should order them when I open the last pack. Maybe I am hoping for spontaneous potty training?

1 to 2 days - truly (even though it says you're getting the "free" shipping, which normally equals SLOW). I'm also a late orderer - but have yet to be caught high and dry (or low and wet).

I was worried about the "subscribe" aspect, but you can cancel anytime (even after 1 order), and you can log in and say "send my next order NOW' if you're predicted subscription date is too far out.

Diapers.com is only 1% on ebates, but 1% of the total spent on diapers is nothing to sneeze at.